Beats ‘n’ Brushes: The paint parties sweeping Auckland

Beats ‘n’ Brushes: The Paint Parties Taking Auckland by Storm

What started as a lockdown dream for a fun night out blending music and art has turned into a thriving business for three entrepreneurial women from Auckland. Combine musical beats, paint, brushes, and a local twist on an international trend—what do you get? An amazing party and a new family-owned business that has surpassed the expectations of its three founders.

Like many others, Yannika Tavai, her cousin Shaylise Potini, and their lifelong friend Carly Kirby spent their lockdown weeks staying connected online and dreaming about the nights out they wanted once life returned to normal. They began sharing videos of New York and London hip-hop and R&B paint parties, where DJs play music while partygoers paint with the guidance of an artist, creating masterpieces worthy of hanging on a wall.

Unlike most of us, they turned their lockdown dream into reality. Believing these paint parties would make a great night out, the trio decided to organize their own, adding their unique local flavor. With backgrounds in the arts and creative industries, and with partners and friends who are artists or DJs, they leveraged their networks, booked a venue, sourced art supplies, and spread the word.

Their first party was an instant success, with the June 2021 launch event selling out quickly. With requests pouring in for more events, the three West Auckland women, all mothers in their late 30s, registered their new company, Beats ‘N’ Brushes.

“We thought, ‘Yeah, we can do this!’” Yannika says. “It’s cool to do something different for people, to share an experience.”

Four days later, Aotearoa went into its August 2021 lockdown, forcing Yannika, Shay, and Carly to postpone future events. Despite the frustrations, they remained confident that there would still be demand for their unique paint parties.

They were right. While their first party sold out in a week, the next one in January—Lights Out, with a glow-in-the-dark and Alice in Wonderland theme, complete with hired giant model toadstools—sold out in four minutes and crashed their website. As soon as tickets for the Friday night event were sold out, they announced another event for Saturday.

Now, Beats ‘N’ Brushes has taken over the studio on Cross Street, off Auckland’s famous Karangahape Road, where it held its first gathering. They receive daily requests for corporate and promotional events, private parties, and kids’ experiences. They’re even heading to Whangārei for a party and see plenty of potential to expand Beats ‘N’ Brushes across the country, especially to smaller towns.

“It’s really rewarding to see people so happy,” says Carly.

In July, they’ll be focusing on Auckland, where they’re running three paint parties as part of the Elemental AKL 2022 midwinter festival. Given that the four-year-old festival was originally inspired by the elements, they’ve decided one party will have an earth, wind, and fire theme with music inspired by one of the world’s best funk bands. “Polysaturated” will have a Pasifika theme, and the first party, “Night in the ’09,” will take place at Westhaven Marina, where they hope views of Tāmaki Makaurau’s night skyscape will inspire budding artists.

Although they had never tried anything like throwing paint parties before, Yannika, Shay, and Carly all have relevant creative skills and work experience. Yannika worked in IT for a decade before studying artist management at MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) and becoming a DJ, including a stint at Base FM hosting Native Tongues. Shay, who owns and manages a barber shop, has a daughter who has performed around the world with Parris Goebel’s legendary Royal Family Dance Crew. Carly is a youth worker with Māori and Pasifika Trades Training, and her partner, DJ Seymore, is quickly building a following. They work alongside tattoo artist Chris Amosa, who supervises the art-making of partygoers.

The three admit they’re surprised and thrilled by how well their side hustle is doing. When asked if they could franchise, Shay laughs: “Well, you know, when you’re setting these things up, there’s always a moment or two where you laugh and imagine that it just might take off, so, yes, we joked about that, but we never thought we’d be in a position to think seriously about it.”

Find out more about Elemental here.