Beachside Grandstand

Head down to Takapuna Beach to watch the fastest yachts in the world compete from the best seats in the house!

Pick your spot on Takapuna’s natural grandstand to enjoy the amazing spectacle of the fastest yachts in the world competing in front of you and on the big screen with full commentary. This is the "F1" of yacht racing. After the racing, sit back, relax and enjoy some hit music from some of Aucklands best musicians.

This event is paid for by our wonderful local Takapuna businesses – so please support them while you’re here 
There are over 150 places to eat and drink in Takapuna, so support local by grabbing some takeaways before heading to the event, take a stroll through the shops and book a table for dinner after the action. Check out our business directory for a full list of businesses to choose from!

Keep up to date with any information about this event on our Facebook page here.

Event Schedule:

2:30-3pm – DJ
3 – 5:30pm Approx – Watch live yacht racing on the big screen
5:30-7pm – Live Music on stage

Artists performing:

Thursday 17 December – Ben & Brody

Local siblings duo, Ben & Brody, have a wonderful folk-pop sound with their original music, as well a great range of covers that are sure to entertain.

Having just won the NZ SmokeFree Rockquest in 2020 and playing at many local festivals and events, these two talented locals are ones to watch! Check them out @benandbrody

Friday 18th December – Encore

The ever-popular and cool sounds of Larry & Su’e with ENCORE, will be playing all your summertime favourites in the sun, with a bit of humour and fun along the way.

Saturday 19th December – Rodney Fisher

Goodshirt’s Rodney Fisher will be serenading us by the sea, post action on the big screen. Performing a mix of songs from his career as a songwriter, plus some favourite cover versions.

Best known in NZ as the lead singer of alt-pop rock band Goodshirt with their string of hits in the 2000’s like Sophie, Fiji Baby and Green, Rodney Fisher has been forging a name as a musician, songwriter, colaborator and solo artist.

In recent years he has released new music as one half of songwriter/producer colaboration Beach Blue with Nik Brinkman, and a concept EP ‘2 minute Noodles’ for his experimental pop band Mixed vege.

Other career highlights include playing to sold out crowds in Goodshirt as well various tours as a member of Breaks Co-op live band, including UK festivals such as Hyde Park Calling, T in the Park, Oxegen.

Sunday 20th December – Matt Stone

Local multi-talented solo musician, Matt Stone, member of NZ hit band Black River Drive, and covers favourites Coachella & Blue Steel, will be playing a wide range of popular hits from Crowded House to Cat Stevens and Simon & Garfunkel that is sure to entertain and delight on a Sunday afternoon.

 
Encore Theatre Collective is proud to present a dazzling new production of Seussical The Musical, based on the immortal works of Dr Seuss. Seussical brings to life many infamous and well-loved Dr Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird and, of course, the Cat in the Hat. These characters and stories weave together in a whimsical and wacky musical extravaganza, played out against an uplifting score, and highlighting the show’s universal messages of love and acceptance – reminding us all that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Since launching in 2019, Encore Theatre Collective has made an incredible mark on the Auckland theatre scene and redefined the standard of youth theatre in New Zealand. Hot on the heels of their sold-out season of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the June season of Seussical features 120 of the country’s finest young talent, ranging in age from 9-23.

With spectacular choreography, unbelievable production design, and slick vocals, Encore Theatre Collective’s Seussical The Musical is the theatrical offering of 2021 that you will not want to miss!