Vast Dance Festival celebrates the combined talents of high school students in the “Top of the South” region.

The annual performance showcases students from Waimea College, Nayland College, Garin College, Motueka High School, Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls.

The objectives of Vast Dance Festival are to:
– Provide opportunities for high school students to perform in a professional environment
– Celebrate the wide range of styles taught in our region
– Provide a platform for student choreographers to share their work
– Give students practical experience with lighting, front of house, design and stage management responsibilities

Having a good time, we’re having a ball!

Wakatu Dance Theatre is known for its joyful, high energy and diverse performances with everything from ballet to jazz, and contemporary to tap, sprinkled with some musical theatre. The music covers many genres, many you’ll know and love… be prepared for some great entertainment!

This year we welcome Glenna Armstrong School of Tap and Trudy Fargher’s seniors from FADA to join us on the stage. Our dancers are so excited, come join us for a dance extravaganza!!

Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance presents a charming, funny and comical ballet for all ages.

Doctor Coppélius, a mad scientist constructed a doll named Coppélia who sits on her balcony all day reading and never speaking to anyone. A boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her and wants to marry her, even though he is already engaged to another woman. His fiance, Swanhilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppélia. She decides to impersonate the doll, in order to win the love of Franz. Chaos ensues, but all is soon forgiven. Swanhilda and Franz make up and get married.

As in previous seasons of Nelson Academy of Dance, you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

Nelson Youth Theatre Company brings you Disney’s Aladdin JR, based on the 1992 Academy Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within.

The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin is down on his luck until he discovers the magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his ingenuity, his will power and his moral character.

With beloved songs such as Arabian Nights, One Step Ahead, Friend Like Me, and Prince Ali, and fantastic settings, costumes, pyros and UV lighting, this spectacular adventure story opens up “a whole new world” of theatrical delights!

Running time: 70 mins, no interval

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson. Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

Ever wondered how a theatre works or wanted to have a better understanding of what is involved to make a production come to life? The Theatre Royal’s Open Day is the perfect opportunity to find out!

As part of this year's Tuku 21, we are throwing open our doors and inviting you to step behind the scenes, giving you the opportunity to tread the boards of our stage and we will show you exactly how our theatre operates including the fly tower!

You will also have the opportunity to meet many of our local artists and companies who perform regularly at the theatre, and find out about our technical training programmes that are available throughout the year.

It’s your chance to be ‘centre stage’! If you’ve ever wanted a look behind-the-scenes, to see how the magic of theatre really works, now is your chance.

Entry is free, and no need to book!

It’s more than just a show, it’s the Nelson Scouts Gangshow!

That’s right, our fun filled family variety show for young and old is back for another season.

Book your tickets now for an evening of well-known songs and sketches for the whole family.

Come join the country's greatest jugglers, acrobats and circus artists in the New Zealand Juggling Association's annual gala show. The Aotearoa New Zealand Juggling and Circus Festival is in Nelson for 2021, this is the night where we show off for each other and now for the whole town! Ground breaking artisty and side splitting hilarity will be on offer for this one night only special event.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet returns in 2021 with their much-loved regional touring programme, Tutus on Tour, presenting an enchanting summer programme. Enjoy the ‘White Swan’ pas de deux from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake; Jules Perrot’s Pas de Quatre (1845), a gorgeous showpiece from the Romantic era; and two bold, colourful works by Andrea Schermoly and Sarah Foster-Sproull that were originally created for the Venus Rising season in 2020.

A family programme for all ages, watch the dancers of the RNZB perform their favourites works. With tickets priced at just $27-$37 for adults ($12-$22 for children) these special shows are guaranteed to sell fast – book now! Service fees apply.

In Association with Ryman Healthcare.

Schools and teachers: to find out more about Tutus in Tour for Schools and other RNZB Education opportunities in your area, click here.

So proud of what our dancers have been able to produce this year!

With fewer performance opportunities than usual, F.A. Dance Centre is thrilled to present “SPOTLIGHT”. Featuring some of the region’s top dancers performing to the best of Broadway’s Showstoppers as well as hits from movies, this show will take you on a journey.

With elegant and emotive Lyrical pieces, energetic Jazz numbers, upbeat Hip Hop, the artistry of Classical Ballet, and intricate Tap pieces from Tasman Tappers, this show certainly has something for everyone, so get your tickets now, and support performing arts. We are thrilled to be back in the “SPOTLIGHT” at the wonderful Theatre Royal again.