Arts – Creative hub has plenty to offer

The Button Factory, located at 2 Abbey St, just behind K Road and a short walking distance from the Mercury Lane entrance to the new Karanga-a-Hape Station, has extended to occupy two floors and is offering a variety of events for every age and taste. For creative people and those who enjoy meeting and connecting in a welcoming space that has become “the living room of the community”, this is an ideal city hub to visit regularly. Events include art, music improv, theatre performances, gigs, dance, yoga, taiji, chocolate making, travel stories, drumming circles, parties, play, exhibitions, talks and even regular sewing classes.

Some regular events include the monthly Writers Write Actors Read literature evening, where well-known actors read stories in front of an audience; BLEND – a gathering of musicians, electronic music makers and curious listeners for an evening of collective experimentation and improvisation; African Drumming, where you can learn West African rhythms in a welcoming group with drums provided; and many more. Info: www.thebuttonfactory.co.nz

Tempo Dance Festival, NZ’s gathering for the best dance and body-oriented ideas from across the country, is celebrating 25 years from October 13 to 18, with 27 activations featuring more than 160 artists and different dance genres across theatres, galleries, car parks, cinemas, studios and streets, and around our newest train stations in Tāmaki Makaurau. For the full programme, go to www.tempodancefestival.co.nz

Festival lovers can reunite, dance and celebrate at the first summer festival, Octoblast, from October 23 to 25. Staged on the coast at Te Arai, about 20 minutes east of Wellsford, the festival features three music stages, each evolving from sunrise to deep night and shifting fluidly across a spectrum of electronic music, from heavy techno heartbeats and cosmic psytrance to deep bass resonance and soulful live chill music. Info: www.octoblast.co.nz

Folk musicians Adam and Marika are coming to Kumeū on October 24 as part of their North Island tour, playing traditional Irish and Scottish music as well as their own original compositions. Kumeu Arts Live, 300 Main Road. Info: www.adamandmarika.com/gigs

The Titanic exhibition at the Smith & Caughey’s building, 261 Queen St, is an experience that separates fact from fiction like never before. An audio guide leads patrons through the experience. Testimonies from passengers and crew will take you back to 1912 to unravel the true story of the ship. Info: www.feverup.com/m/684853