What's on this weekend

Laugh it up

The New Zealand International Comedy festival continues its hilarious reign this weekend, with a bevy of shows on offer. If you went to the Flick Electric Co Comedy Gala, or saw it on television, this year the festival organisers have a handy tool on the website that allows you to see a list of who performed at the taster night, and where to find their full show.

Today until May 15, venues nationwide.

Morris dancing

It's been 37 years since the first Morris dancers jigged in formation on this city's streets, and this May Day the City of Auckland Morris Dancers plan to go one better and be the first to greet the sun. Newcomers and passersby are welcome to join the torch-lit procession up Maungawhau Mt Eden tomorrow, with dancing on the summit from 6.15am. Morris dancing is a traditional English dance, characterised by rhythmic stepping and bells. If you miss the procession, they will also perform today around the inner link bus route or tomorrow at K'Rd Open Streets.

Today all day, inner link bus route. Tomorrow 6.15am, Maungawhau Mt Eden.

Pop-up globe

Those lamenting their lost chance to attend Shakespeare at the Pop-up Globe can rest easy - the season has now been extended for a second time. The Pop-up Globe is the world's first full-scale replica of The Globe, William Shakespeare's old haunt. The Auckland season has proven so popular, artistic director Dr Miles Gregory says, they had to extend it. "We've been overwhelmed by both demand for tickets and the most amazing feedback." Two additional weeks of Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night are now on sale via Eventfinda, with the last show on May 8.

Today 7.30pm, Pop-up Globe, Bard's Yard, 38 Greys Avenue.

Exhibition

Four contemporary artists were asked to make site-specific artworks for Auckland's historic Pah Homestead, with the result exhibition Parlour Games. Artists Matt Coldicutt, Philippa Emery, Natalie Guy, and Amy Unkovich considered the domestic history of the Homestead in their works, shown along with works chosen from the James Wallace Arts Trust collection. The Homestead has been used as a private residence, an orphanage, novitiate, and a boarding school before its current incantation as an art gallery. The new cafe, Homestead, is now open too.

Today until 26 June. Pah Homestead, 72 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough.

Listen up

Check out the programme of events at Auckland Libraries for New Zealand Music Month in May. Auckland Libraries supports NZ Music Month by providing an exciting region-wide programme of events over the month of May, including performances by local musicians, workshops, ukulele lessons, talks, talent quests and much more.

From tomorrow until Tuesday, May 31. Auckland Libraries region wide.

Related articles:

Music Month flashback: I See Red by Split Enz

3 May, 2016 2:00pm

Quick Read

Street fest

Performance art and street dining will replace cars on Karangahape Rd this Sunday, with the street closed to traffic and open for festivities between noon and 7pm. Open Streets is set to be Auckland's biggest closed-street event this year, with live music, food, art installations and pop-up performances on the infamous strip between Upper Queen St and Ponsonby Rd.

The day is run by Auckland Transport, who are also using it to ask for live feedback on K Rd's major streetscape upgrade. People are encouraged to cycle, walk or take public transport to the event.

Tomorrow, noon- 7pm, Karangahape Rd.

African safari

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Animal lovers, there are still two more days left to take Auckland Zoo's African Safari, a tour through the zoo's African wildlife. For the uninitiated, this includes the cheetah, giraffe, hippo, lion and rhino, among other species. At each stop, attendees will meet rangers Rae and Raf, who will regale the crowd with tales of the unique African species and - most importantly - the threat to their survival they face in the wild.

Today and tomorrow, Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Western Springs. Normal zoo admission applies.

PLAN AHEAD

Bottle up your signature

Ever wanted to bottle your own musk? Give it a go next weekend at a natural perfumery workshop held at the historic Alberton house in Mt Albert. The workshop will look at the history of fragrances from the Victorian era, where delicate, simple florals were the must-have scent, up until the modern day. The class will be led by Vanessa York, of Auckland's boutique perfumery Les Fleurs du Mal, who distils her own botanical material to make scents in small, limited edition batches. Participants will make their own signature fragrances to take away. The workshop runs for an hour and a half, followed by tea and refreshments.

May 8 or 14, 10.30am, 100 Mt Albert Rd. To book, phone Alberton on (09) 846 7367 or send an email.

Swiss Market

Bratwurst sausages, yodelling, alpine horns - what's not to like about a Swedish festival? Head to Penrose next Saturday for a proper Swiss Market day. This includes an array of treats including breads and pastries, cheeses, chocolates, traditional gingerbreads, along with stalls displaying Swiss Army knives, musical instruments and arts and crafts. There's also a merry-go-round, a bouncy castle, and some cuddly St Bernard dogs for the kids.

May 7, 8am to 3pm, 6 Rockridge Ave, Penrose.

Aim high

The SkyCity Northern Mystics are into their 2016 season, with five home games still to play at the Trusts Arena in Henderson for the ANZ Championship. With a devastating one-point loss to the Tactix at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena this week, the team will be looking for a strong comeback when they play the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Auckland on Monday. Tickets to all games are available on Eventfinda.

May 2 and 16, June 6 and 26, and July 2, 5pm, Trusts Arena, 65-67 Central Park Drive, Henderson.