< Back Gwen Thompson-Wellington Festival Wordsmith Extraordinaire Born in Australia, Gwen is now an integrated Island Bay local having moved here in mid-2019 with her Astronomer husband, Mike. She is highly adaptable, with a diverse career history including Telecom Media (TMT) and IT project management. The Island Bay and New Zealand lifestyle has tempted Gwen away from working full-time. Along with allowing more time to make friends with all the local cats, it also gives her opportunity to explore and enjoy the beautiful south coast and further afield.

< Back Jo-Elle Gragilla eCycle & Art Workshop Host Kiwi eCycle is an independently owned-and-operated business based in Island Bay. The company is the brainchild of JoElle Gragilla and was born out of a desire to do something that would improve people’s lives and contribute to a healthier, greener, happier future. JoElle Gragilla has lived in Island Bay for over 15 years and it is now her forever home. Pete Tulloch is Wellington born and has a strong passion for all things bike and biking. Recently, Pete has been fixing up retro and old school bikes to further feed the bike passion and extend the current offerings of Kiwi eCycle. Island Bay is the perfect community to live in with its artistic flare and stunning outdoor recreational setting. We love bikes in all shapes and sizes and we’d love to help you get on your next bike.

Bait House Aquarium Bait House Aquarium Bait House Aquarium Sunday, 18 February 2024 10:00am - 3:00pm The Bait House is open and teeming with marine life for your enjoyment! The Island Bay Marine Education Centre's Bait House Aquarium is an interactive marine experience based on our south coast in Island Bay. There are lots of creatures to see inside so come along and be inspired. The most popular feature inside the Bait House is the "Touch Gently Pool" where visitors of all ages have a chance to hold some of the marine animals in their care. Even your little ones can get involved. All are welcome and encouraged to touch the animals under the guidance of experienced Marine Biologists and knowledgeable volunteers. The kids can probably show you what they have learned about in school. There’s plenty to see and lots of support to ensure your visit is a memorable one. $5 Kids / $10 adults (pay at venue) Cos t

Island Bay Tapu Te Ranga Swim Island Bay Saturday, 17 February 2024 8:00am - set up 8:30am - swimmer safety briefing 8:35 - shuttle swimmers to island 9:00am - swim start 9:30am - race close, prize giving The annual Tapu Te Ranga 'Island to the beach' swim. Swim from the shores of Tapu Te Ranga island to the shores of Island Bay. Prizes for: Overall winner, Female winner, Male winner, Kid winner, Best costume! Notes: Wetsuits are not compulsory but are highly recommended for swimmers. Swimmers under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a competent adult swimmer and their registration form must be signed by adult. Numbers will be limited to a maximum of 100 swimmers. Swim safety briefing will take place on beach to the right of the Island Bay jetties (on The Esplanade) prior to the commencement of ferrying of the swimmers. All participants must attend. $20 per swimmer - cash only Cos t

006813a3-6fc9-45af-a97b-c0d327051270 Our support crew Our Support Crew These are the other people behind the scenes organising the festival and all the work associated with it. Alex MacGibbon Festival Comms & Branding Festival Communications & Branding Read More Bronwyn Haines Event Organiser Organiser of Community Centre Events Read More Gwen Thompson-Wellington Festival Wordsmith Extraordinaire Gwen creates our fun titles & tag lines to make the Festival material "pop". Read More Rose Dohig Event Organiser Organiser of Community Centre Events Read More

St Hilda's Island Bay Anglican Church

Shorland Park

South Coast Studio Unit 1 408 The Esplanade Island Bay South Coast Studio - Open invitation South Coast Studio Unit 1 408 The Esplanade Island Bay Monday, 12 February 2024 Choose your time South Coast Studio is extending an open invitation to join in any regularly scheduled weekly workshop during the festival week for half price. Classes are open to all levels, no experience needed, all materials are included. Just book your space and come along to have some fun. Monday - 4:30 – 6:30 Draw Your Way Tuesday - 1:00-3:30pm or 5:30 – 7:30pm and Friday 1:00 - 3:30pm Watercolour. Wednesday - 6-8pm Yoga Meets Life Drawing Bookings: kiaora@southcoaststudionz.com or 021519920 $25 Cos t

FAQs Have a stress-free Day in the Bay when you figure out the in's and out's PARKING & BUSES Parking will be at a premium around Shorland park, so we recommend walking, cycling, or catching the bus. Check out Metlink Website for bus service updates for this weekend. KEEP OUR PARK GREEN & CLEAN This year we're trying even harder to reduce the waste to landfill produced by our festival. We've informed our stall holders of the best packaging companies to purchase from that provide containers that are compostable or recyclable at our local facilities. We'll have a couple of recycling and rubbish stations around the site. We are hoping to have these manned for part of the day, but if no-one is there please check the signage carefully and put your waste in the correct bin. We'd like to thank Wellington Waste Managers for their help with reducing our festival waste! CASH Most of the stalls will have EFTPOS. You will need cash for the rides and sideshow type things, and the Bouncy Castles take a gold coin donation. There are no cash out facilities at Shorland Park, although some of the stalls may provide cash change. The nearest ATMs are back at the Island Bay shops, so if you think you will need cash at the Park make sure you take some with you.

2025 Music Programme for Day in the Bay Anchor 1 Sunday the 9th of February This year we have a great array of bands, music and entertainment. Across 3 stages there is something for everyone. See below for times and more info about the acts. The festival promises to bring you a 3 stage triangulation of ultimate summer vibe! The renowned Island Bay Rotunda stage is guaranteed as usual to bring the big summer sounds you can move and groove to. Reef street corner has an up close and personal street side stage performance zone, with a strong showing of new and youth acts interspersed by street performers and a vibrant and eclectic mix of entertainment. And if a 10,000 watt reggae sound system and summer bass lovin is your jam, then you won’t want to miss the ‘Sounds Almighty Sound System’ Djs, spinning vinyl all day at the ‘Dog Park Stage’. 6 hours might not be enough! Come and experience some amazing performers and top entertainers from our awesome community. Come and party at The Day in the Bay 2025. Take me to band timetable Take me to band blurbs Rotunda Stage Debt Club Dj Greg Raisin Frost Kaletta Batucada Al Fraser Startime Pining Radiata Spinning Lights Eigenface Reef Street Road Corner Traditional dancers from Peru Kubatana & The Moringa dancers Hawaiian dance Wellington Circus BBQ party Mathias Circus street show Reef Street Stage Mama Louder SAFA JQIME Burnt Indigo Doubtful Sounds Sower Aplz Dog Park Sounds Almighty Sound System Band schedule Time Bands & Performers STAGE 1 - BAND ROTUNDA AM 10:30 - 11:30 Speeches welcome Batucada and Dance acts 11.30 - 12:00 Debt Club DJ Tigs (inbetween acts) PM 12.15 - 12.45 Raisin Frost 1.00 - 1.45 Kaletta 1.50 - 2.00 Batucada procession to boat blessing 2.15 - 2.45 Al Fraser 3.00 - 3.50 Star Time 4.00 - 4.30 Pining Radiata 4.45 - 5.15 Spinning Lights 5.30 - 6.00 Eigenface STAGE 2 - REEF STREET STAGE AM 11:30 - 12:00 Mama Lauda PM 12:15 - 12.45 SAFA 1.05 - 1.35 Latitude Party Band 2.15 - 2.45 JQIME 3.05 - 4.00 Burnt Indigo 4.00 - 4.20 Doubtful Sounds 4.30 - 4.45 Sower Aplz REEF STREET RD CNR PM 12.00 - 12.15 Traditional Dancers from Peru 1.35 - 1.50 Hawaiian Dance Wellington 12.45 - 1.45 Kubatana & The Moringa Dancers 2.45 - 3.05 Circus BBQ Party 3.35 - 4.00 Matthias Circus Street Show STAGE 3 - DOG PARK AM - PM 11.30 - 5.30 DJs all day with SOUNDS ALMIGHTY! Band blubs Debt Club Indie Folk / Alt-Country River Hann-Ellen is the songwriter for local Wellington folk/indie rock band "Debt Club". Using lush and vibrant chord voicings that contrast with a plaintive yet sanguine lyrical style, River builds relevant and heartfelt tunes that tell stories of real world experiences and explore peoples deep seeded emotions. https://www.instagram.com/debtclubmusic/ Dj Tigs House/Techno/Funk/Soul/Old School Celebration DJs/soundsystem based in Wellington servicing the greater Wellington area and beyond - weddings, birthdays, discos, children's parties, community events. Over 20 years experience. https://www.mixcloud.com/UnityDJs/ Raisin Frost Guitar Raisin Frost's gorgeous tunes reflect her zest for life, her lifelong love of guitar-playing and her Te Waipounamu roots. Blissful sounds for a summer afternoon. https://nz.linkedin.com/in/rachel-france-ba630b34 Kaletta Ska-Latin Rock- Melodic Punk with Gypsy vibes! Kaletta is excited to play for the Island Bay Festival! With deep roots in Island Bay, we're eager to share our Latin Ska Punk sound with the community. Our diverse backgrounds and eclectic music aligns perfectly with Island Bay's multicultural atmosphere. We're excited to bring energy and passion to the festival, and grateful for the opportunity to perform in our hometown! Kaletta plays originals as well as some classic Latin covers. https://www.instagram.com/kaletta_band?igsh=Y2U3dXd0dDdja2E3 Star time Soul/funk , world , Afrobeat Ensemble Joined by extraordinary vocalist Francois Judah and master percussionist Modi Shemi, spectacular ensemble, Star Time, plays afro-jazz - from raging originals to classic Fela Kuti arrangements. Come listen to them and groove out on the dance floor! https://www.instagram.com/star_time_band/ Pining Radiata Alternative Rock Dynamic alt-rock quartet Pining Radiata are known for their brooding sound, soaring harmonies and evocative lyricism. Their recent debut EP ‘Skin’ highlights the band’s polarity between moments of fragility and blistering distortion. Crunchy guitars, fuzzy keyboards and swirling delay loops are all on the menu for the Pining Radiata live set. https://www.instagram.com/pining.radiata/ Spinning Lights Kiwi indie post rock Spinning Lights are a "dirty power trio with teddy bears". They channel the DIY ethos of old Flying nun acts but create material about our contemporary situation. Songs cover a dystopian version of Wellington (in "The Terrace Tunnel") and what is the Mt Kaukau transmitter used for now that everyone watches digital TV? https://www.facebook.com/thespinninglights/ Eigenface Ambient Post Pop Eigenface are a brand new ambient post pop band out of Wellington, using ornaments of folk inside a dream-punk catalogue, featuring band members Penelope Esplin (French for Rabbits, Lake South, Grawlixes), Elliot Vaughan (CNZ/NZSM 2024 Composer in Residence, Moth Quartet) and Logan Valentine (Moon Lander). https://www.facebook.com/people/Eigenface/61555922973844/ Mama Lauda Classic Rock, Radio Pop, Rap Mama Lauda will rock the stage. Each of the members bring many years of professional stage experience from previous band projects. Rock, pop or rap; Whether classics or current hits from the charts - they have something for every age and every taste. "Mama Lauda" doesn't mean that it gets too loud in front of the stage. The sound engineers at the mixing desk ensure the perfect sound and harmonious lighting. https://www.instagram.com/mamalaudaband/ Traditional Dances from Peru Traditional folk dance The Saphikuna Peru dance company, founded on 22 September 2022 in Wellington, emerged from the collective passion of a group of friends. Their mission? To unveil the vibrant tapestry of Peruvian dances to the New Zealand community, fostering a profound connection with their Peruvian heritage that transcends geographical boundaries. https://www.facebook.com/p/Saphikuna-Peru-100092665154615/ SAFA World music Meet SAFA, a soulful artist and world citizen rooted in New Zealand. On a personal journey to share the potentials of music for well-being, SAFA aims to create compositions that serve as a universal balm, connecting individuals on a deep emotional level. At the core of her mission lies a simple yet powerful goal: to spread messages of love through the language of music. https://www.instagram.com/sofisoundsnz/ Kubatana & The Moringa Dancers West African inspired Dance The Moringa Dancers are a high energy, high tempo dance group influenced by West African music and culture in Wellington, New Zealand. They provide weekly community dance classes, and host workshops with international and NZ guest artists. They offer fun, uplifting workshops and performances for festivals, schools, organizations, community event or party. They perform and facilitate in collaboration with their partner African percussion band, Kubatana, and our friends at Djembe NZ To create a powerful synergy of movement and music. https://www.moringadancers.co.nz/ Latitude Party Band Rock Alt rock band Latitude is a local Wellington group dedicated to their art form. Formed in the dark haunts of Cuba Streets Left Bank, Latitude showcases the creativity of musicians you’ll be glad you heard here first. https://www.facebook.com/Latitudepartyband/ Hawaiian Dance Wellington Hawaiian Dance (hula) A group of people ages 15 to 85 who love Hawaiian music and have been dancing together in Newtown for 12 years. They have performed multiple times in Newtown Festival, sharing their love for Hawaiian music and dance. The dances tell stories of magical islands, the sea, the trees, the breeze and the birds. They are from Mexico, Japan and Aotearoa. http://lioranoy3@gmail.com JQIME Singer/songwriter JQIME is an independent music and art creator who is a local from Wellington High School. JQIME is gathering a reputation for creative and passionate song writing, and you should catch her set!. https://www.instagram.com/jqiime/ Burnt Indigo Indie rock/pop We are a small indie rock/pop band. We mostly do covers but have an original song. We will perform something for everyone to enjoy. https://www.instagram.com/burntindigo_band/ Matthias Circus Dude Street performance, Circus After spending the winter season touring Europe, Matthias is excited to bring his high level circus show back home to Wellington. Complete with comedy, dangerous knife-juggling, whip-cracking audience participation and a brand new, one of a kind balancing finale this show is not one to miss! https://www.instagram.com/circus.dude The Doubtful Sounds Popular Wellington's funkiest little choir, the Doubtful Sounds is on a mission to bring maximum joy singing pop songs with a classical twist https://www.facebook.com/DoubtfulSoundsNZ/ Sounds Almighty Sound System Reggae Sounds Almighty Sound System is a custom built reggae music Sound System that has been providing Wellington and Aotearoa with Jamaican inspired music for 20 years. https://www.instagram.com/sounds_almighty_sound_system/ Back to the top Anchor 2