KEY POINTS:
The 15th annual Pasifika festival kicks off at Western Springs tonight. Phoebe Falconer offers a visitors' guide.
So what happens when?
Tonight's concert is a snapshot of the festival's hottest performers.
The line-up includes the Yandall Sisters, operatic tenor Ben Makisi, Jamoa Jam, Spacifix, Tha
Freestyle, Ardijah, Brother Love, Loata Mahe and a host of others. The evening's MC is Tofiga, half of the comedy duo Laughing Samoans.
Tomorrow four different stages will provide all-day entertainment, with traditional dance and contemporary song. The Arts Arena in the Western Springs quarry hosts a mixture of poetry, opera, film and comedy.
Ten cultural villages, representing different Pacific Island groups, offer workshops, food and craft stalls and interactive and cultural displays.
There are more than 350 stalls in the festival, so you need never go hungry, thirsty, ignorant or craftless.
How long has the festival been going?
This is No 15. The Pasifika Festival is the largest free community event of its kind in the world.
Last year more than 200,000 people attended, so expect a crowd.
What is the weather going to do?
It should be fine, a bit cloudy perhaps, with possibly a light shower.
What else do I need to know?
* Listen to Newstalk ZB, Radio 531pi, Niu FM or Flava 96one for cancellation notices. There is no rain date for the event, so it will be cancelled only if the weather is really rotten.
* Try to use public transport. If past years are anything to go by, the traffic tailbacks on the Northwestern Motorway will be monumental.
There are other events around the city, such as the International Boat Show at the Viaduct, races at Ellerslie and, later on, rugby at Eden Park, none of which will ease traffic flows and woes.
* Free programmes and site maps are available from the three information tents by the entrances.
* Use a backpack for the littlies instead of a pushchair or pram.
* Take water, sunhats and sunscreen.
* Keep left on bridges and footpaths.
* Arrive early, do a round of the stalls and then chill out in front of the stage of your choice.
How do I get there?
Bus: From the south or east, catch a regular scheduled bus to Newmarket. Special Stagecoach buses will leave from 277 Broadway to Western Springs every 15 minutes from 9.30am-1.30pm, returning 1.15pm-5.30pm.
From the north, east and central city, catch a regular bus service from Britomart at stops D1, D3 or D8, or take an 045 bus from Queen St or K Rd and ask for the Western Springs stop.
From the west, any regular scheduled service to Downtown will drop you at Western Springs.
Train: Catch a train to Britomart and then bus to Western Springs.
Car: If you must drive, there is free parking at Unitec in Carrington Rd and regular shuttle buses to Western Springs.
There's also parking at $5 for the day at Western Springs College in Motions Rd.
Pasifika Festival
Where and when: Tonight (opening concert 7.30pm-9pm, outer sports fields) and tomorrow (Western Springs Lakeside and Stadium) 10am-5pm.
What does it cost? Admission is free.
