The workshops at The Purple Lab are designed for people with little to no experience where everything is taught from scratch at entry level. Our workshops are a fun, hands-on & safe way to test or explore your creative talents or interests! We are always developing new workshops so if there is an introductory creative subject you would like us to look at providing in future, please contact us and we’ll see what we can do!
You choose
The Purple Lab, part of Phreaze Factory, known for its customised services makes no exception here! Book a single workshop or combine multiple elements of your choice from our portfolio for a tailored workshop series! On site, we are now only offering individual (one to one) workshops, with some larger workshops for community groups & organisations available off site. Our cosy space guarantees an intimate creative experience, the smaller numbers ensuring you get the most out of your sessions with us!
Local Artists
Supporting our local creative industry, The Purple Lab employs Tauranga-based artists for the majority of our workshops with guest artists invited on occasion to keep it fresh!
Pathways
Phreaze, a youth & community worker of 17+ years ensures all workshops include conversations & info around local education options, supports, tools & opportunities available for those serious about pursuing creative careers. Providing info for tangible next step options is a priority for us!
Have a youth group working on an event and wanting to make a poster but don’t know how? Send a representative or two in for a graphic workshop! Wanting to start your own clothing label but don’t know where to start? Check out our T Shirt Workshop! The Purple Lab is constantly developing new workshops depending on the needs of the community so please don’t hesitate to contact us with yours!
See below for some of our standard publicly available workshops and booth sessions we host throughout the year. Click any of the registration links below to bring up our calendar with upcomming available dates and easily book in online!
Workshops
- Intro to T-Shirt Printing (one to one)
- Conference Clique
- Intro to Beatmaking (one to one)
- (TPL BOOTH LICENCE) IN PERSON Intro to Audio Recording Workshop
- Music Notation (reading) for Beginners (one to one)
- Guitar for Beginners (one to one)
- One-to-One Artist Development with PHREAZE
- Intro to Vinyl Sign Making (one to one)
- SPECIAL: Inclusive Hiphop Spaces Aotearoa
- SPECIAL: Dawn Raid Artist Development Workshop (Apr 2021)
- SPECIAL: Custom Xmas T Shirt Workshop
- SPECIAL: Tauranga Hiphop Project Workshops
- SPECIAL: Ricky Paul Muzik Masterclass for TGA Beatmakers - FREE!
- SPECIAL: Dawn Raid PRODUCE A SONG Workshops (Oct 2021)
- SPECIAL EVENT: Hiphop / RnB Community Networking Hui
- SPECIAL: Kōrero with DJ Sir-Vere for Artists
Intro to T-Shirt Printing (one to one) $140 per person
Looking to start a clothing label or Custom Printing bizo? This one is for you! Learn the process of Vinyl Garment Printing (cutting) the best way you can – by doing it, and pick up some business insider tips and tricks at the same time!
- Next Workshop: Click Book Now link below to see available dates and times.
- One to One Workshop
- All Ages Welcome. Recommended for ages 14+
- Learn Basic Vinyl Garment Printing (Cutting) Process
- Digital Print & Sign Consult
- T Shirt, Vinyl, Machines and Tools Provided
- 'Starting a Printing Business' pathways & Tips
- Take Home your Custom Tee!
Conference Clique Please Contact Us for Pricing
Create a "Clique" at your conference!
Conference Clique workshops are targeted at businesses and organisations who would like to add a bit of fun to their conferences while still keeping it productive. We host a 90 minute session (can be shortened to 60 minutes if necessary) where we utilise the art of Hiphop to draw out thoughts and expressions around a particular subject or subjects (up to you!) from your conference attendees!
By the end of the workshop your attendees will have written and performed a song in rap – in line with the content of your conference!
- 1.5 Hr Workshop
- Recommended for Ages 16+
- No Limit on Participant Numbers
- All Equipment can be provided - enquire at booking
- Have fun testing conference knowledge retention!
- Draw out ideas from attendees in a creative way!
Intro to Beatmaking (one to one) $80 per person
Have an interest in music or can’t (and don’t want to!) stop the rhythm? Need to make some background music for a visual project or dance crew? A lyricist but no original beats to write to? Start learning how to make your own right here!
- Next Workshop: Click Book Now link below to see available dates and times.
- 1 Hr Workshop
- 60 Min Workshop
- All Ages Welcome. Recommended for ages 10+
- Learn how to make a beat using digital music software
- Introduction to Beat Construction
- Basic Beat Mixing Techniques
- Learn to use/record Midi Keyboard
- Receive your completed beat by email afterwards
- Pathways, tips and more!
(TPL BOOTH LICENCE) IN PERSON Intro to Audio Recording Workshop $80 per person
Already writing songs but have no idea how to record them? This introduction to audio recording workshop is a great place to start! What's even better - successfully complete this workshop to get your "TPL Booth Licence" then pay only a KOHA to use our booth and recording equipment in The Purple Lab afterwards!
- Next Workshop: Click Book Now link below to see available dates and times.
- 2 Hour IN PERSON Workshop
- Limited to 2 Participants Max
- All Ages Welcome. Recommended for ages 14+
- Learn to record quality vocals
- Take Home Your Audio Recordings
- Some Basic Mixing Techniques
- Access to The Purple Lab audio recording equipment for Koha once completed!
- Note: You will need to use the booth atleast once per month to maintain your TPL Booth Licence and access to Book a Booth for Koha (incase you forget how to use it safely and correctly).
Music Notation (reading) for Beginners (one to one) $15 per workshop
Playing an instrument but have never learned how to read music? This is for you!
Knowing how to read music is ESSENTIAL when working in professional music environments, if you have the talent but just need this skill to level-up, come and join our workshops!
About your tutor: Rex is of Samoan/German descent so has naturally grown up with music a big part of his life! He holds qualifications in music, including Music Theory, with his 'weapons of choice' being guitar and piano/keyboard. Rex is the most patient person you will ever meet and is guaranteed to make your learning experience a stress-free one!
- One to One In Person Sessions
- All Ages Welcome
- Start from scratch, no experience necessary!
- Available during Phreaze Factory store open hours as well as Tuesday nights.
- Book one session at a time and stop paying for unused lessons!
- Start any time throughout the term!
- Everything provided
- Bookings Essential
Guitar for Beginners (one to one) $15 per workshop
Always wanted to learn guitar but feeling nervous about doing that in big group classes or don't want to commit to a full term of fees without knowing if you're going to like it or not? This is for you!
About our tutor: Rex is of Samoan/German descent so has naturally grown up with music a big part of his life! He holds qualifications in music, including music theory/notation, with his 'weapons of choice' being guitar and piano/keyboard. Rex is the most patient person you will ever meet and is guaranteed to make your learning experience a stress-free one!
Being individual sessions, these book out quite quickly so please book ahead where you can to ensure you don't miss out on a spot!
- Start from scratch, no experience necessary!
- All Ages Welcome
- Available during Phreaze Factory store open hours and Tuesday nights.
- Book one session at a time and stop paying for unused lessons!
- Start any time throughout the term!
- One to One sessions
- Bring your own guitar or use ours!
- Bookings Essential
One-to-One Artist Development with PHREAZE $80 per hour
Ever wanted to just catch Phreaze one-on-one and pick her brain about music business or her experiences? Or want to get in the booth and have her produce you for an hour? Need her feedback on something you're working on? Get help developing your lyrics or production skills? etc etc?? This is your opportunity to do it! The hour is YOURS to discuss or work on whatever you would like to work on with Phreaze - ONE ON ONE in The Purple Lab!
- All Ages Welcome
- 60 Minute Session
- Individual / one-to-one with Phreaze in The Purple Lab
- Pathways for further development provided
- You choose what to work on in each session
- All equipment in The Purple Lab made available for use during each session
- Phreaze's Experience includes Lyricism, Performance, Event Coordination, Networking, Artist Management, Beatmaking, Audio Engineering, Music Business, Merchandise, Imagery, Marketing & Promotions, Goal Setting and much more!
Intro to Vinyl Sign Making (one to one) $80 per person
Are you one of those people that likes to customise everything? Or are you thinking about getting into the sign making business? Here is a good taste tester for you! Learn how to make a custom one-colour Vinyl sign/decal using the cutting process including discussions around the next level - full colour print signage!
- One to One Workshop
- All Ages Welcome. Recommended for ages 14+
- Learn Basic Vinyl Sign Cutting Process
- Digital Print & Sign Examples
- Vinyl, Machines and Tools Provided
- Take home your custom decal
- Pathways & Tips and more.
SPECIAL: Inclusive Hiphop Spaces Aotearoa FREE
A one-day development Wānanga and Networking Session for facilitators already utilising Hiphop to develop communities proudly supported by Tauranga City Council Creative Communities Scheme.
Among many new learnings, participants will leave having broken the ice around appropriate terminology and develop better understanding when working with community members of a variety of backgrounds. This important work, we hope, will be the first of many of these wānanga to come.
Special guest speakers for this pilot include:
Leroy F Moore Jr. from Krip-Hop Nation - fighting for equality for disabled members of the International Hiphop Community
Bonnie Maihi - exploring her research around cultural confidence and pathways for rangatahi Māori / youth growing up within gang spaces in Aotearoa
Tommy Raki - discussing history of the rainbow community in Hiphop, touching on its relationship within Christian Hiphop also.
The main aim of this workshop is for participants to return to their Hiphop learning spaces and implement new strategies based on learnings from the wānanga, therefore making their spaces more inclusive.
We are also providing a networking session at the end of the wānanga in the hopes of encouraging relationships between participants. This will help to foster the continuance of sharing resources between Hiphop facilitators all over Aotearoa, growing together.
- Saturday 26 August 2023
- 10am-5pm
- Open to Hiphop workshop facilitators all over Aotearoa
- Lunch Provided
- Travel Funds Available (conditions apply)
- Networking session ft Live Band and Open Mic
- Limited Spaces (8)
- Bookings Essential
SPECIAL: Dawn Raid Artist Development Workshop (Apr 2021) - FREE! (sorry, all booked out!)
We have had alot of requests for a 'next level' to The Purple Lab music workshops and what better way to answer this call than to bring in one of New Zealand's most experienced Hiphop icons - BROTHA D!
Brotha D is heavily renowned as Co-founder of New Zealand's most internationally recognised Hiphop Label 'DAWN RAID ENTERTAINMENT', the launching platform for many of New Zealand's most influential urban music artists such as AARADHNA, DECEPTIKONZ/HORSEMEN FAMILY, SAVAGE, MAREKO, DEVOLO, ILL SEMANTICS and many more.
Aside from the business tip, Brotha D is also an established artist and youth/community worker in his own right through his 40Days Touring and Youth Service initiatives but has had his heart in the streets of his home in South Auckland since day dot.
Thanks to Tauranga City Council Creative Communities Scheme, Brotha D is now comming to Tauranga to share his knowledge with us, supported by our very own female MC, PHREAZE! See below for what's included in this FREE full day workshop!
This workshop is targeted at Hiphop & RnB artists who are already practising (performing or even recording at home is fine if you're ready to get out there!) and ready to take it to a National and International level but could use some advice around how to do that.
As there are very limited spaces for this workshop, we want to make sure serious artists are able to attend. For this reason, all registrations will require you to provide an online link to a recording of one of your songs, or a performance video. All successful registrations will receive a confirmation by email which needs to be signed (online) to confirm your spot.
IMPORTANT: Please keep an eye on your email account, if we do not receive this confirmation back in a timely fashion, your space may be offered to the next person on the waiting list.
- Business - Music business strategies
- Artistry - Strategies to help develop your songs for commercial release
- Jam Session - Jam and connect with like minds
- Full Day Workshop (10am to 3pm)
- Lunch Provided
- Open to ages 14+
SPECIAL: Custom Xmas T Shirt Workshop - FREE! (sorry, all booked out!)
Thanks to Creative BOP & TECT, The Purple Lab is offering a one-off Custom Christmas T Shirt Workshop on Monday 21st December 2020 from 10am-12.30pm FREE OF CHARGE! Design your own custom text and add some of our pre-made Christmas graphics to spunk up your creation! We have just 4 spaces available for over 14's and 4 spaces (plus a guardian to help!) for under 14s. An awesome whanau Christmas activity!
Registration is essential and it's first in first served so get in quick!
NOTE: As this is a FREE workshop with very limited spaces, please be considerate of the rest of the community. Only complete the registration below if you are definitely able to attend the workshop. Once you have registered, a confirmation email will be sent if there are still spaces available. This confirmation needs to be signed (online) and returned within 2 days or your space will be offered to another participant.
- Hands on 2-2.5 hour workshop
- Intro to vinyl garment printing
- Create your own text design
- Add ready made Christmas graphics
- Everything provided
- Take your creation home!
SPECIAL: Tauranga Hiphop Project Workshops - FREE! (sorry, all booked out!)
If you are a bedroom MC but want to start showing it to the world - this is for you!
If you have always wanted to learn how to rap but never had the chance - this is for you! Can rap but don't have access to original beats or have any idea how to make your own - start here!
The Purple Lab is proud to announce that we have teamed up with CREATIVE NZ & RAW FORM to bring you a very special series of FREE beginner workshops as part of our TAURANGA COMMUNITY HIPHOP PROJECT!
Attend 5 DAYS of Hiphop focused workshops learning basics in BEATMAKING, LYRICISM/RAP, RECORDING, HIPHOP/MUSIC BUSINESS PATHWAYS and more! IMPORTANT: You MUST be available to attend all 5 days from start to finish of each workshop.
There are only 2 sets of workshops being offered and only 8 places in each set of workshops! One for Rangatahi and one for Adults - first in first served! All workshops will be held at THE PURPLE LAB - Phreaze Factory Unit 7/15 Roxanne Place, Poike, Tauranga. Get your registration in today - these will fill FAST
- RANGATAHI (Ages 14-17): Mon 23 Nov - Fri 27 Nov 2020 5.30pm-8.30pm
- ADULT (Ages 18+): Mon 7 Dec - Fri 11 Dec 2020 5.30pm-8.30pm
SPECIAL: Ricky Paul Muzik Masterclass for TGA Beatmakers - FREE! (Sorry, All Booked Out!)
A FREE (thanks to Tauranga City Council Creative Communities Scheme!) one-day development workshop for practising or aspiring local beatmakers or producers facilitated by award-winning music producer, Ricky Paul Muzik. This workshop will not only work step-by-step through beatmaking production, it will also provide learning around the music industry from a beatmaker/producer perspective and will teach producers how to safeguard their work in the process.
In addition - participants will also have the opportunity to put all of their learning to professional practice. The participants will create 1-3 beats with Ricky at the workshop as a collective. 1 of these beats will feature well respected Hiphop artist, Mareko, from the very well established Hiphop Crew and NZ pioneeers, The Deceptikonz / Horsemen Family and established soloist in his own right. This song will be released on digital platforms and each participant will be officially credited as a producer.
ABOUT RICKY PAUL MUZIK - Facilitator
Ricky Paul Muzik- Born Ricky Paul – is a Māori, Northland, New Zealand based, award winning music producer. Ricky’s musical production has spanned many genres including Hip Hop, RNB, Christian, Dub, Reggae & Pop. In 2022, Ricky produced and released his first full-length producer album entitled “Season One - The Golden Era”. The album debuted at: #1 Album iTunes New Zealand #1 Hip Hop album iTunes NZ #1 Pop Vortex #12 Official Charts NZ.
He has produced and co-produced music for a range of artists including: Scribe, Sammy Johnson, Bizarre, Bone Thugs -N- Harmony, Busta Rhymes, Fiji, Tiki Taane, Ché-Fu, Chong-Nee, Daz Dillinger, The Dayton Family, The Deceptikonz, Devolo, Diggy Dupé, The Game, Ghostface Killah, Jadakiss, Kokane, Kool G Rap, Kings, KRS ONE, Kurupt, Mareko, Tha Movement, Nas, Poetik, Redman, Royce Da 5’9, Scarface, Sid Diamond & many more…Ricky’s music show-cases high value, vision and execution demonstrating passion in each project.
He continues to work with both new and established artists, choirs and bands as an Executive Producer, A&R and within the area of production.
ABOUT MAREKO - Feature Artist
Mark Sagapolutele, best known by his stage name Mareko, is a New Zealand rapper and hip hop artist of Samoan descent from South Auckland. Mareko's career began as a member of the Deceptikonz, a South Auckland rap crew. The group won accolades in 2001, receiving nominations for several New Zealand music awards and Mareko was subsequently crowned Best MC in New Zealand after winning the National Battle for Supremacy contest. Mareko released a solo album, White Sunday, in 2003, which peaked at #4 in New Zealand. Two singles from the album hit the New Zealand singles charts that year: "Mareko (Here to Stay)" (#4) and "Stop, Drop and Roll" (#6; credited to Mareko feat. Deceptikonz). In 2006, Mareko returned to the charts with a guest appearance on Tha Feelstyle's #17 single, "I Do Believe (Tha Remix)" and in late 2022 ''Untitled: Act I'' with instrumentals by Ricky Paul Muzik. Mareko is a well-respected Hiphop legend in New Zealand music and is still very actively performing and releasing music.
- FREE WORKSHOP thanks to Tauranga City Council Creative Communities Scheme!
- Lunch Provided
- Full Day Workshop 10am-4pm
- Open to Ages 14+
- Bring your own gear to the workshop or use ours!
- VERY LIMITED SPACES
- Open to Tauranga City or Western BOP Residents Only
- Must be a Practising Beatmaker to Apply (please see our Intro to Beatmaking if you are interested in Beatmaking but are not yet practising)
- THE BEATS - Bring your own equipment or use ours to create beats from scratch! Ricky will break it right down at the workshop so you can LEVEL UP at home!
- THE BRAND - Get a kick-start to your brand by creating a beat during the workshop that will feature world renowned artist MAREKO and be released on all major digital platforms!
- THE BUSINESS - Learn the Ins and Outs of the International Music Business from a Beat-makers Perspective! Learn how to protect your work and more!
SPECIAL: Dawn Raid PRODUCE A SONG Workshops (Oct 2021) FREE! (Sorry, All Booked Out!)
After a successful PHASE 1 with Dawn Raid Entertainment, thanks to Creative New Zealand, we are bringing back one of New Zealand's most experienced Hiphop icons - BROTHA D along with Ricky Paul Muzik and a special secret guest engineer for a PHASE 2 & 3!
This time, participants will create a song with Brotha D and his production team from scratch and then will perform it at a compilation launch event! You are able to register as a group act or as a soloist too!
Brotha D is heavily renowned as Co-founder of New Zealand's most internationally recognised Hiphop Label 'DAWN RAID ENTERTAINMENT', the launching platform for many of New Zealand's most influential urban music artists such as AARADHNA, DECEPTIKONZ/HORSEMEN FAMILY, SAVAGE, MAREKO, DEVOLO, ILL SEMANTICS and many more.
Aside from the business tip, Brotha D is also an established artist and youth/community worker in his own right through his 40Days Touring and Youth Service initiatives but has had his heart in the streets of his home in South Auckland since day dot.
This workshop is targeted at Hiphop & RnB artists who are already practising and writing their own lyrics.
As there are very limited spaces for this workshop, we want to make sure serious artists are able to attend. For this reason, all registrations will require you to provide an online link to a recording of one of your songs, or a performance video. All successful registrations will receive a confirmation by email which needs to be signed (online) to confirm your spot.
IMPORTANT: Please keep an eye on your email account, if we do not receive this confirmation back in a timely fashion, your space may be offered to the next person on the waiting list.
See below for commitment required and what's included in this workshop series!
- 3 Hour Beatmaking Session with Ricky Paul Muzik
- 1.5 Day Recording with a Secret Guest Engineer!
- 1 Day Music Marketing Session with Brotha D
- Performance at Compilation CD Launch Event (Tauranga)
- Open to ages 14+
- Register as a Group or Solo Act
- Runs Oct through to Dec 2021
- Open to Bay of Plenty based Hiphop and RnB Acts
- Full song overseen by Brotha D
SPECIAL EVENT: Hiphop / RnB Community Networking Hui -FREE
A free and intimate Tauranga networking event for Hiphop & RnB Artists, Industry workers and the like including National guests, Live Band and Open Mic! Very limited spaces and booking is essential. Proudly Supported by Tauranga City Council's Creative Community Scheme.
- FREE
- INTIMATE (Limited Spaces)
- TAURANGA IMPROV CO-OP'S IMAGINARY BAND LIVE
- OPEN MIC
- NATIONAL HIPHOP INDUSTRY GUESTS from Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington, Te Kauwhata, Auckland, Tauranga
- NIBBLES PROVIDED
- BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
- PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL'S CREATIVE COMMUNITIES SCHEME
SPECIAL: Kōrero with DJ Sir-Vere for Artists - FREE!
When New Zealand's number one turntable rocker, DJ Sir-Vere, steps to the
turntables, the party gets live; and the story could end there. It doesn't though,
and it sure as hell didn't start there either.
A South Pacific Hip-Hop pioneer, key member of legendary New Zealand DJ
crew S.A.S, and a universally respected nightclub, radio and mix CD DJ/host in
New Zealand, Sir-Vere has spent decades extensively touring Australia and
Aotearoa, resulting in over 15 released editions of his Major Flavours Mix series.
With over a quarter of a million Major Flavours CDs sold in New Zealand and
Australia, a number one on the Australian ARIA chart, multiple industry awards
on both sides of the ditch, and credit for helping launch the careers of SCRIBE,
SAVAGE and P-MONEY, Sir-Vere's track record speaks volumes.
In this special edition workshop, we will tap into not only Sir-Vere's first-hand accounts of NZ Hiphop History, but also his extensive knowledge of Major Music Media (RADIO, TV, MAGAZINES, PODCASTS - he's done it all!), helping our local artists get their foot in the door!
Former editor of Rip It Up - New Zealand's longest running music magazine - Sir-
Vere can also be found on the airways in Auckland, hosting Mai FM’s Mix
Weekends to the country’s biggest urban audience and is also Music and
Cultural consultant for the station. He has also hosted shows on NZ's MTV and C4 Music Channel.
In 2018, Sir-Vere’s impressive list of accomplishments and awards added
another from the highest office in the Commonwealth – from the Queen herself.
Given the New Zealand Order of Merit, Sir-Vere now carries the O.N.Z.M. letters
after his name. Further, Mai received Station of the Year 2018 at the New
Zealand Radio Awards – the most distinguished award in all of radio.
This workshop will book out quickly, get your registration in today to avoid disappointment.
- Free Event
- Nibbles and Refreshments Included
- Music Artists & Managers from All Genre welcome!
- STRICTLY for Tauranga area Artists or Artist Management ONLY
- Thursday 14th December 6pm-9.30pm
- The Jam Factory, Historic Village, 159 Seventeenth Ave, Tauranga
- NZ Hiphop HIStory - DJ Sir-Vere's first hand account
- Major Music Media - How to get your foot in the door
- Open Floor Q & A
- Limited Tickets - BOOKING ESSENTIAL (no ticket, no entry)
- NOTE: If the event becomes fully booked and you have booked a special event ticket with us before without attending, please ensure you are contactable so we can confirm your space or it may be made available to another attendee.
- Please only book if you are definitely able to attend. There are limited tickets to this event and we don't want anyone to miss out.
