Neat Picks for Taranaki's Spiegel Fest 2024

The Performance: Billed as a circus for grown-ups, get that babysitter booked and gather a group of pals to see the New Zealand debut of the world-renowned Rouge. Raising pulses of audiences around the globe, this circus is unlike anything you’ve been to before. Combining acrobatics, operatic cabaret and burlesque, the performers excel at their craft; let’s just say… prepare to be wowed!

Pair with: Speaking of excelling at one’s craft, before you marvel at Rouge, spend your early afternoon in New Plymouth’s Quarter Bank precinct and carve out some time for The Jewel and Jeweller. This container studio is the brainchild of practising jewellers Jennifer Laracy and Sam Kelly. Passionate about contemporary jewellery, they have exhibits from makers around the country on display for you to peruse and you might even be able to watch them create their next masterpiece. Before heading to Rouge, sustenance and hydration are key and our pick is a venue favoured by many a New Plymouth local, House Wine. This friendly neighbourhood wine bar excels in all things vino; it is after all the home of Known Unknown, the local urban winery that produces incredible organic wine, as well as cider and aperitifs. On the wine list, you’ll also find some of the very best organic drops from around Aotearoa and beyond. Nibble away to your heart’s content on a selection from their snack menu: flatbreads, charcuterie and baked brie… need we say more?

The performance: Chances are you’ve never seen a gig quite like the one Otto & Astrid will bring to New Plymouth on November 14th. Known as Die Roten Punkte, they are Berlin’s royalty of Art Rock and Europop, bringing irreverence, hilarity and a bunch of catchy tunes to boot.

Pair with: Embrace the spirit of Spiegel Fest and its celebration of the arts by doing a spot of shopping at The Collaboration. Seeking to provide a platform for local artists and small businesses to develop and cultivate their talent, owners Philippa and Anna have created a space that is a gallery, design store and workshop. With an ever-evolving programme and rotation of artists, there’s always something new to see and catch your eye. Set aside your afternoon for some browsing before going for an early dinner ahead of seeing Otto & Astrid. Speaking of dinner, take a 20 minute drive out of New Plymouth to reach the seaside village of Ōakura, home to Toret, one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the region. Recently awarded 1 Hat by Cuisine Good Food Awards, the handmade pasta is a must, and anything from the wine list is a guaranteed winner, with many years of careful research going into its curation. At Toret, you are transported to the friendly neighbourhood trattorias of Italy, and you won’t feel like leaving - except, of course, you won’t want to miss a moment of Otto & Astrid.

The performance: Taking workplace antics to a whole new level, H.R. The Musical goes heavy on the satirical and light on the serious. This cheeky revue is fresh from sold-out performances at the NZ International Comedy Festival, with a show packed with sketches tackling all the quirks and ridiculousness of modern-day workplaces. There’ll be singing, dancing and lots of laughs to be had.  

Pair with: In the spirit of H.R. The Musical, why not take a much-needed day off midweek and spend it indulging in some retail therapy at some of New Plymouth’s finest. Starting at Vintage Industries, the name says it all, this is the place to come to indulge your passion for antiques and unique finds. Design and home interior lovers will happily spend hours marvelling at European lighting fixtures, vintage clocks, taxidermy and so much more. A handy 10 minute stroll down Devon Street will find you at Kina NZ Design + Artspace, where the curated collection of goods from some of New Zealand’s best and brightest artists is a thing of beauty. Kina has a range of accessible and affordable art, alongside gorgeous ceramics and jewellery, all of which would make great gifts, whether that be for someone else or a little treat for yourself. After a busy day of browsing the shops, you’ll need to refuel before heading along to the Spiegeltent, and we think The Hour Glass might just be calling your name. The service is always impeccable at this tapas bar and with their extensive range of craft beers, wine, whiskey and cocktails, chances are they’ll have your preferred tipple on hand. Order some tapas and platters for the table to go with your drinks and you’ll be well on your way to a great evening.

The performance: What do you get when you mix Americana, blues, bluegrass, and Kiwi folk? That would be the Tui award-winning T-Bone, an eclectic five-piece band adept at layering harmonies and bringing boot-stomping, good-time energy to every single performance. T-Bone’s festival appearance will see them one night at the Spiegeltent and one night at Lepperton Community Hall. *Festy tip* - make sure you wear your dancing shoes, as there’s a good old-fashioned hoedown following the band’s performance.

Pair with: To experience one of the best art offerings in Taranaki, take a 40 minute drive from New Plymouth to the Shakespearen-inspired town of Stratford. Exploring the town itself is quite the activity, but make sure you set aside plenty of time for the Fenton Art Collective. Combining art, history, espresso and gin in one location, step into the world created by painter Jo Stallard and her partner, writer and poet Stuart Greenhill. This collective is a realisation of both of their passions and they’ve included a cafe onsite so visitors can combine a lunch date with a spot of browsing. Don’t leave without trying some of the gin from their distillery, or perhaps take a bottle home to enjoy post-T-Bone Hoedown. Back in New Plymouth, head to Frederic’s for an early dinner, with the menu covering all bases, whether you’re after a classic pub comfort meal or something slightly more elevated. At Frederic’s, the warm hospitality, excellent food, and on-point brews will put you in good stead for the night ahead. 

The performance: Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this is one for the kids… and any parent who wants to feel nostalgic over the banging 90s soundtrack. Packed full of jaw-dropping circus tricks, this award-winning comedy is an interactive experience and is a celebration of how amazing kids are. 

Pair with: Make it a family day out in New Plymouth with a morning spent at Puke Ariki, an educational gem in Taranaki that provides plenty of fun for both young and old. The mission of this integrated knowledge hub made up of a museum, library and research centre, is to share the region’s rich history and taonga. Full of interactive exhibitions, an extensive library catalogue and, best of all, it’s free to all visitors, a true treasure trove to explore. After all that learning, it’s time for some lunch and the Liardet Street Projects will have something to satisfy everyone in your group. This open-air food hall of street food vendors has everything you could want, from burgers and pizza to Vietnamese and poke bowls. There’s always a buzzing atmosphere at Liardet Street Projects, so it’s the perfect build-up before heading to the Spiegeltent.     

The performance: Be transported to another realm by the spellbinding Esther Swift, hailing from Scotland. She’s a composer, harpist and singer who has redefined musical boundaries. Touring her music worldwide, she is known for combining her pedal harp and rich vocals to create a sound that captivates her audience. Her performance is a must-see of the festival, a truly unique musical performer.  

Pair with: New Plymouth sure knows a thing or two about epic art galleries and a morning or afternoon spent at Kingsroy Gallery is perfection in our books. Owned and curated by Luella Raj (who also happens to be the creator of Kina), Kingsroy showcases artists exclusive to the gallery and exhibits are displayed over two large spaces. Unique art, jewellery, ceramics, furniture and lighting are all part of the curated package at Kingsroy, so no matter your preferred medium, there’ll be something to catch your eye and attention. Our drinks and dinner recommendation is a handy 5 minute walk from the Spiegeltent, so it’s up to you to go before or after Esther Swift’s performance. Table Restaurant at The Nice Hotel is refined elegance at its best and being located inside a boutique hotel you get that “on holiday” feeling even if you live locally. Beautiful artworks and furnishings adorn the restaurant and their food is the definition of *chef’s kiss*. The platters and small plates are great for a pre-show snack, but make sure you have time (and room) for their desserts; you won’t want to miss them!

The performance: Be in the mood to groove when you head along to see The Up-Doos. Embracing the sassiness of 60s girl groups, with big hair and even bigger melodies to boot, the trio of Aria Jones, Esther Stephens and Liv Tennet will keep you entertained with He’s A Rebel. They have recently toured with New Zealand legends Tami Neilson and Dinah Lee and we can’t wait for their talents to be unleashed in the Spiegeltent and Kakaramea Hall.

Pair with: Under an hour’s drive from the centre of New Plymouth, you’ll find the charming town of Eltham. It is known around the region for its vintage and second-hand shopping, with The Bank being the crème de la crème store. This design store and art gallery is a must-visit for anyone who loves finding one-of-a-kind treasures or who simply loves a good vintage browse. Owners Barbara and Mark have poured their heart and soul into renovating the old bank building the shop occupies and the space’s interior and architectural design is worth the visit alone to marvel at. No doubt you’ll leave The Bank with a find or two, so now it’s time for a late lunch or early dinner. Not too much further from Eltham is Hawera, home to The Burnt Place, brimming with cosy neighbourhood vibes and cracking food to boot. Their brunch menu is legendary, so try to get there before 3pm. We could not recommend their waffles more highly. Whatever you order, you’re guaranteed a delicious meal, and most importantly, even if it’s your first visit, at The Burnt Place, you’ll be treated like one of the family.