Booking a gig, event, residency or club night


We're a little different. We don't care about the size of your crowd or how much money we can get at the door. For us, it's all about the community. We're an evolving, messy experiment in building a better creative whānau for Whakatū Nelson.


What we're looking for

We love to host events that:

  • Feel like they couldn't happen anywhere else.
  • Strengthen and inspire our community and yours.
  • Get people mingling between our communities.
  • Come from a progressive place, wanting a better Whakatū Nelson.


Ways to Use Our Space

We offer several pathways tailored to different needs, but they all must align with the WAA! kaupapa.

1. Week Nights: The Heartbeat of WAA!
These regular, informal gatherings are for building our creative community.

  • Cost: Free for Members, koha for non-members. All proceeds go directly to supporting WAA!
  • Ideal for: Jam sessions, skill-shares, social making, anything regular and community-focused.

2. Hosted Events & Gigs
We welcome proposals for one-off events, performances, workshops, or showcases.

  • Cost: We have no set hire fee. You keep the door charge/ticket revenue and donate what's fair and affordable back to WAA! This goes directly into our not-for-profit space.
  • Access: Must include a member discount/perk, and ideally one for teenagers and the unwaged.
  • Ideal for: Gigs, plays, launches, workshops, and inventive events that get people mingling.

3. Short-Term Residencies
We offer free space access for artists, musicians, or creators working towards a specific outcome or show.

  • Cost: Free of charge.
  • Eligibility: You must be a WAA! member. Residencies are limited and must be flexible, as they may be rescheduled around  festivals and special events.
  • Ideal for: Band practice, dance rehearsal, developing a new art project—any creative work with a set deadline.


Space Usage at a Glance


FeatureWeek Nights  Hosted EventsShort-Term Residencies
Builds WAA! Community✓✓✗
Money goes to WAA!✓Donation welcomed✗
Revenue goes to Performer/Artist/Organiser etc✗✓✗

Host must be a WAA! Member✓✗✓
Requires date flexibility✗✗✓
MembersFreeDiscountedFree
Non-membersKohaFull PriceNot applicable


The Nitty-Gritty

We prefer public, regular, affordable, quirky, and inventive events. Most importantly, we strive to be inclusive of teenagers.


Why Alcohol-Free? 
This isn't a puritanical thing! It's about legal simplicity and creating a safer, more inclusive space for youth and those who prefer to avoid alcohol. We also don't have a bar.

  • The Rule: Hosted Events & Gigs are alcohol-free.
  • The Exceptions: If an organiser (not WAA!) obtains a temporary licence, or for our private member events. But honestly, what's a couple of hours without drinking? There are great spots nearby for that before or after.



Final Thought:
None of this is set in concrete. We're an evolving, messy experiment, but now you know what makes us tick. :-)


Use the form below to apply:

Request a booking

Check out our full calendar for gaps.