There are times when Tauranga seems a bit quiet on the cultural front – this is not one of them.

In fact, it appears that we are about to enter a couple of months of continual festival activity across several art forms. These are not festivals featuring anything created here in the Bay (despite the promises on the Real Tauranga Festival website). But they are events that bring us some unusual and exciting artists and works from around the country, and even the world.

Looking at them in chronological order, first up is the New Zealand International Film Festival, which kicks off at the Rialto Cinema on Devonport Road next Thursday, September 8, and runs until September 24 – more on this in a few paragraphs.

Then there's the Real Tauranga Festival which I wrote about last week's column, now at www.sunlive.co.nz. This takes place September 15, 17 and 18, and again October 13-16, down along The Strand. All I can do is repeat how appalled I am by the line-up. And last week, while I was still getting over the disappointment of seeing such an event wasted by presenting a Queen tribute show, an Eagles tribute show and a Joe Cocker tribute show, I failed to notice that also featuring are tributes to Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Perhaps the organisers are looking to set up a Stars In Their Eyes franchise.

The ‘real' Tauranga show

And then there's a real festival (as opposed to one that just calls itself that) in October. The 2011 Tauranga Arts Festival was launched last week and runs October 20-30. Once more the Crystal Palace will be returning to The Strand and a host of national and international dance, music, literature, photography and other arts will be on display. It's a very good line-up and the programmes are kicking around town (and are certainly at Baycourt). Grab one now. The organisers have kept the ticket prices very reasonable, even for top international acts, so there should be something there to suit every taste – more on that in upcoming weeks.

And, in amongst all this frantic cultural activity, there are still local groups going about their regular business and presenting fine music.

The annual Jazz For Waipuna concert, raising money for the Waipuna Hospice, takes place next weekend (Sunday, September 11). This year it's happening in Greerton at the Tauranga RSA (Formerly Fahey's) and features an extensive line-up. On the bill are Carol Power, Bay Dixie, Carol Storey, 3's Company, Sebastian and Camila, Kokomo, and the Woody Woodhouse Connection. It's 4-8pm and tickets are $15 on the door.

Little bit of country

There's also an exciting gig coming up at the Katikati Folk Club on September 16 when the club is graced by the country and bluegrass sounds of Beverly and the Clench Mountain Boys. The Beverly in question is Auckland singer Bev Young, a veritable jewel of New Zealand's folk scene. The band (named in tribute to the famous Clinch Mountain, inspiration for the legendary Carter Family and Stanley Brothers) includes Bev's husband Al Young, one of the original pioneers of the Kiwi blues world.

Folk Club shows are at the Katikati Bowling Club (which is on the main road). This one starts at 7.30pm and tickets at the door cost $20.

And back to the Film Festival…
Drawn from the (literally) hundreds of films at the Auckland festival, one can only look sadly at the many titles that never made it here and be thankful that we have the Rialto to at least bring us something. My tastes may be a little less than mainstream, but here are a few things that excited me.

Lars Von Trier's new ‘provocation' is here. It's called Melancholia and, at Cannes, was buried under the controversial weight of the director comparing himself to Hitler. Silly boy.

There's a killer French thriller, Point Blank (no relation to the John Boorman film); the restoration of Metropolis (1927); a Norwegian mockumentary, Troll Hunter; a bit of Chekhov; psychological thriller Take Shelter; and a whole pile of documentaries (though none of the great music docos from Auckland).

Programmes are now available at the cinema.
Since most films only have two showings it might be worth booking early.