Hastings' comedy festival set to make you "Laugh Your Mask Off"
A comedy festival more than two years in the making will finally come to fruition at the end of July in Hastings.
Laugh Your Mask Off will take place over four days, from July 28-31, across four venues in the city and see the likes of comedians Ben Hurley, David Correos and Donna Brookbanks perform.
Toitoi Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Whakaari - Presenter Services Manager Glen Pickering says he’s wanted to create an annual weekend of comedy for Hastings since he started at Toitoi, back in 2019.
“But ol’ mate Covid kept getting in the way! Toitoi has a long history of great comedy shows in our Opera House, Hastings audiences really love a good laugh, so it makes sense to create a regular home for comedy right here in the heart of Heretaunga."
The weekend is in collaboration with Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre, Common Room, Spaceship and the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival.
Pickering says they wanted this weekend of comedy to go further than just what they can offer at Toitoi.
"We have two beautiful venues we’re using, in the Opera House and the Assembly Ballroom, but we wanted to extend the event into the CBD and support our local hospitality businesses – which is why you’ll see acts at Common Room and Spaceship, and be able to enjoy specials at the bars and restaurants.”
Want tickets?
All tickets to Laugh Your Mask Off Events are $25 each (plus fees), with the exception of Sunday’s shows, which are free but require registration. To secure your seats before they sell out, head to www.toitoivenues.co.nz or phone 06 871 5289.
Your Laugh Schedule:
Thursday, July 28:
7.30pm: Laugh Your Mask Off – The Gala, Toitoi Opera House (R16)
Friday, July 29:
7pm: Local Laughs, Common Room (R18) Seven Deadly Stunts, Spaceship
7.30pm: Ben Hurley, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)
8.45pm: Bunny, Spaceship (R16)
9pm: David Correos, Common Room (R16)
9.30pm: Las Vegas Bingo, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R18)
10.30pm: Burlesque Un-Masked, Spaceship (R18)
Saturday, July 30:
7pm: Local Laughs, Common Room (R18)
Seven Deadly Stunts, Spaceship
8pm: Who Run the World, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)
8.45pm: Bunny, Spaceship (R16)
9pm: David Correos, Common Room (R16)
9.45pm: Pictionary, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (R16)
10.30pm: Burlesque Un-Masked, Spaceship (R18)
Sunday, July 31:
10am: Gerry Paul & The Elephant Tree Band, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (age 4+)
11.15am: Dream Garden, Toitoi Opera House (all ages)
2pm: Gerry Paul & The Elephant Tree Band, Toitoi Assembly Ballroom (age 4+)
3.15pm: Dream Garden, Toitoi Opera House (all ages)
