As the final curtain falls on 2023, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre bids a heartfelt ‘haere rā’ to another extraordinary year of outstanding performances and significant milestones.

Tauranga's premier performing arts and events venue has experienced its busiest year on record, achieving 80 per cent venue utilisation/occupancy, delivering more than 205 individual ticketed performances, and issuing approximately 60,000 tickets - all on top of celebrating the 40th anniversary of Baycourt’s official opening.

“As we close the chapter on our 40th-anniversary year, it is impossible not to look back and feel proud of the marathon journey Baycourt embarked upon in 2023,” says Kaiwhakahaere Hinonga (Venue Manager) Reena Snook.

“It's amazing to have worked on so many incredible events, bringing together thousands of people under our roof. It's been a privilege to support the creative sector to showcase the tremendous local, national, and international talent on offer.”

A wide range of events took place at Baycourt in 2023, from theatre, music, comedy, and dance to community meetings, business speaker events, workshops, and New Zealand Citizenship Ceremonies.

One of the major highlights for Baycourt was the B40 Anniversary Celebrations in April.

Across nine days, hundreds of people enjoyed the B40 events, including the sold-out Gala Concert, starring more than 140 performers from 24 local performance companies, plus the free X-hibition and Whānau Day community event.

For those that are interested in learning more about Baycourt’s colourful past, the Digital Experience, which launched as part of the festivities in April, remains accessible online at https://baycourt.stqry.app/.

The International Youth Silent Film Festival NZ Awards Final in November was another standout, with hundreds of people attending the ceremony to celebrate the top 16 films in Aotearoa. Baycourt has delivered the New Zealand branch of the annual global competition since 2016.

One event Baycourt made a song and dance over was its free lunchtime concert starring the New Zealand Youth Choir in July.

The concert clearly struck a chord with the community, as it was completely booked out within two weeks of registrations opening.

“These events were part of our ‘Baycourt Presents’ series, which also included Māori singer/songwriter Whirimako Black’s intimate concert in November. It was her first Baycourt concert in nearly 10 years, making it a long overdue homecoming.”

Baycourt’s jam-packed 2023 calendar included the return of some well-loved festivals such as the Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival, the Tauranga Arts Festival, and the Tauranga Primary Schools Music Festival, of which three of the five performances were sold out.

A key driver of Baycourt’s kaupapa/purpose is celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Tauranga Moana. In 2023, Baycourt was delighted to host Māori work such as Tuatara Collective’s season of He Toi Kupu – Uhi Tai and the traditions of the Gitxsan and Cree peoples of British Columbia with Spirit and Tradition performed by The Dancers of Damelahamid.

In collaboration with the Tauranga Arts Festival, audiences also experienced powerful Pacific poetry brought to life in UPU and innovative theatre piece The Haka Party Incident, resurrecting a significant moment in 1979 that changed race relations in Aotearoa.

Inclusivity is another area of focus. Baycourt partnered with Arts Access Aotearoa to host one of the first Bay of Plenty-dedicated group meetings for the sector.

Several local arts organisations and artists were invited to the hui to connect and discuss ways to improve accessibility and inclusion in the arts in the region.

Baycourt was also proud to host sign language interpreted performances of Opus Orchestra's Hairy Maclary’s Greatest Hits and Emma Memma’s Twirly Tour, plus a sensory relaxed performance of KJ Studio’s The Pursuit of Happiness.

This year’s Tauranga Arts Festival also offered a sensory relaxed performance of Tea With Terrorists, as well as an audio-described performance and touch tour for The Haka Party Incident.

"Inclusivity and accessibility are pivotal to our kaupapa because we want Baycourt to be an arts centre for all. It’s an ongoing journey, but we are committed to finding ways to remove barriers stopping people from enjoying a live performing arts experience,” says Reena.

Musical theatre aficionados were kept happy with several spectacular shows this year, like the sold-out 50 Golden Years of Musicals, Stage Right Trust’s seasons of In The Heights and Disenchanted, and Tauranga Musical Theatre’s  blockbuster presentation of Matilda, their most popular show to date.

Comedy lovers were spoilt for choice, with international artists David Strassman, Ed Byrne, Carl Baron, and Luke Kidgell traversing the seas to bring the laughs to Baycourt. Kiwi comics weren’t to be outdone though, with Tom Sainsbury, Chris Parker, and Guy Montgomery getting the crowds rolling in the aisles with laughter too.

Local schools also enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, with Te Puna School, Te Wharekura o Mauao, Tauranga Girls’ College, Tauranga Boys’ College, Ōtūmoetai College, ACG School, Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga Primary, and Selwyn Ridge School bringing their 2023 productions to the big Baycourt Addison Theatre stage.

“That is only a snippet of the events we hosted this year. After what’s been a record-breaking year, it’s time for the Baycourt whānau to enjoy a well-deserved break.”

Baycourt will be closed over the festive season and will reopen in 2024 on Monday, January 8, at 10am. During this time tickets can still be purchased online from www.baycourt.co.nz.

“As we draw the curtain on this remarkable year, Baycourt would like to thank the Tauranga Moana community for the support and aroha you’ve shown us in 2023. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another year of exceptional performances and cultural experiences in 2024.

“Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”