New Zealand Music Month — What's on in Dunedin for NZ music lovers this May. [photo credit: Both Sides of the Line] by Kay Mercer

What's on?

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Music, naturally. But also the reading of a play, the launch of an amazing new anthology of Asian writers, workshops on songwriting and making money from your music, dragon slaying, the Rainbow Film Festival, and Visions for Dunedin. Plus Essie Summers is honoured for her contribution to New Zealand romance writing. Come on in, you know you want to!


New Zealand Music Month: the entire month of May filled with song at the Libraries

Every Wednesday 4-6pm: Dungeons & Dragons - join a team or bring your own. Be your best Elf and wrangle those beasties.

Sunday 2nd May, 11am-4pm: The Nook & Cranny Music Festival 6.0 - City Library is alive with the sound of music. 

Thursday 6th May, 6pm: Lines & Wines - support SASA '21 while enjoying a lighthearted twist on a classical tale. Come and read a part, or just sit back and enjoy the show. Hosted by Suitcase Theatre in partnership with Dunedin Public Libraries and OCASA. Tickets $25/$20. Proceeds to OCASA.

Friday 7th May, 12pm: HortTalk at the Dunedin Botanic Garden. David Howard, agronomist for the NZ Sports Turf Institute talks Lawns. The pop-up library will be there with books for you to borrow. Croquet anyone?

Saturday 8th May. 11am: The Dunedin Public Libraries Association Special: Essie Summers, Peerless Romantic. The unveiling of a plaque on the Octagon Writer's Walk, followed by a talk on her life and writing career in the Dunningham Suite at City Library, and then a chance to view the newly-opened Reed Gallery Exhibition "Seasons of Summers" on the 3rd floor.

Wednesday 12th May, 3.30pm: Twisty Plots creative writing for young adults with YA writer Ella West

Tuesday 18th May: Join us for coffee and a chat at 5pm, then at 6pm we'll screen the next film in our Rainbow Film Festival. May's movie is Do I Sound Gay? 

Wednesday 26th May, 6pm: Visions for Dunedin - Blowing up Boundaries. Presented in partnership with the Southern Heritage Trust, May's speakers are Susan Irvine and Sarah Gallagher, who will examine the excavation of Bell Hill, historic landing place of the Toitū Tauraka Waka, and the site of the current Exchange.

Thursday 10th June, 6pm: A Clear Dawn - New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand. A celebration of the first-ever anthology of Asian New Zealand creative writing. Presented in partnership with Auckland University Press and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature. Speakers include Alison Wong, Paula Morris, Eva Wong Ng, Feby Idrus, Melanie Kwang, Sharon Lam and Rushi Vyas. Booking essential!