Gather round and listen, as Murray takes us through the Steinway story, from Hamburg to Nelson with love!  Then, the rising stars of the Nelson School of Music come out to shine in this concert featuring our 2015 scholarship winners.

Nelson Youth Theatre Company is delighted to present a double bill, the perfect winter treat for the whole family!

A Christmas Carol
We've taken the spirit of winter, wrapped it in your favourite yuletide melodies and tied it with the magic and wonder of your childhood.
Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colourful characters for Nelson Youth Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol. With ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate a mid-year Christmas at the Theatre Royal.

The Secret Garden 
An enchanting adaptation of a classic family novel, this acclaimed production will inspire "the child" within audience members of all ages. After being orphaned in India, 10 year-old Mary is returned to England to live with her melancholy uncle at his neglected estate. Haunted by the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her uncle, she innocently unlocks the forgotten gate to an untended garden on the estate grounds. From its soil, fertile with memory and "magic," springs hope and healing for them both.

Thumbelina is a family adventure presented by Live Arts Nelson

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson Tale

Get ready for the biggest adventure that can fit in the palm of your hand!

Thumbelina is a child of the flowers who is just the size of a thumb. Join Thumbelina on a journey to an enchanted world filled with colourful characters, magic and excitement in production that proves big things do come in small packages. This one hour play is a delight for whole family.

The Nelson Final of Smokefree Rockquest: New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

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 original New Zealand music.

Children under 6 years old free entry at the door (subject to availability)

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

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 original New Zealand music.

Wartime in London - children wave goodbye to their parents with trepidation and excitement. A new home in the countryside safe from the bombs awaits! When Maggie is evacuated, her teddy bear goes with her. But somehow Archibald gets left on the train...

A lively musical play from the children of Lake Rotoiti School.

Fargher Academy of Dance presents a dance showcase with talented performers from around the region. Stars of Tomorrow will feature a group of dancers preparing for national competitions in America in July. The dancers are also taking part in the Main Street Parade at Disneyland as well as taking class at Millenium Dance Centre and ALDC.

Dancers will perform Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary and Classical Ballet pieces, and are aged 9 - 17 years. The show has something for everyone from hi-energy jazz numbers to emotive lyrical pieces and the 'Stars of Tomorrow' look forward to performing to a local audience before travelling overseas.

SOUNDSTAGE STARS

Join with us, make a wish and you will be in a world of pure imagination.

The Stars of SOUNDSTAGE will be coming out to shine for our annual variety concert. You will be taken on our journey of PURE IMAGINATION via musical production numbers that inspire a world of wishes, dreams and possibilities. The featured singers, dancers, actors and musicians are direct from SOUNDSTAGE performing just for you, toe tapping, awe inspiring and live at NELSON'S historic Theatre Royal.

ABOUT SOUNDSTAGE

SOUNDSTAGE is Nelsons professional music and performing arts school offering student's quality programs with a proven track record of quality tuition in Nelson for over ten years. SOUNDSTAGE has become a name associated with quality performing arts training for children and young adults in New Zealand.

With over 7 professional tutors working on a weekly basis, SOUNDSTAGE has developed , honed and fostered the talent of many individuals who have gone on to professional careers in Theatre, Film, Radio, Television and Music in New Zealand , Australia , Europe and around the world.

Support these young students by coming to see their annual show, for some it is the first time they have set foot on stage and for others it is the end of a long journey in training for the professional world that awaits them.

See you at our glorious Theatre Royal in Nelson and be prepared to be transported to a world of pure imagination.

Early bird discount expires on Monday May 30 at 9am

Take ten inspiring locals who are making a positive difference for our community and our planet. Give them six minutes each to talk, holding one prop. Throw in some homemade music by folk rock band Mohua Sun - and you have Happyzine Talks.

Speakers include:

Dr Sean Weaver – saving rain forests

Peter Verstappen – turning Wakefield School democratic

Cara Christal – co-leading the Nelson Koha Shed

Ruth Copeland – maintaining authenticity as a Nelson City Councilor

Amy Kennedy – cleaning up the Matai River

Lolly Dadley-Moore – teaching body mindfulness to offset stress

Kindra Douglas – leading positive change in Victory Community

Jettie Skerten - linking volunteers with refugees, helping these newcomers make Nelson their new home.

Cindy Batt – building bridges between the pakeha and Maori communities

"I loved being part of this community, solution-focused, inspiring and fun event," Jo Campbell, Golden Bay.

CDP presents Tall Stories' magical musical adaptation of THE GRUFFALO based on the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler published by Macmillan Children's Books.

A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood ...

After sell-out seasons throughout the world, including the West End and Broadway, and throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2009-11 and 2014, The Gruffalo returns in 2016!

Whether their favourite food is roasted fox, owl ice cream, scrambled snake or Gruffalo crumble, audiences eat up this delectable tale about the adventures of a clever little mouse in a forest full of predators. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this big scary monster of a show.

Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when she comes face to face with the very creature she imagined?
Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and fun for children aged 3 and up, and their adults.

Age recommendation: 3 & up, and their adults

"the cast of three bring the story to wonderful life... This is an irresistibly charming tale told with refreshing simplicity." -The Times, London

"exudes charm, fun and a winning simplicity" - Dominion Post