Hawke's Bay has plenty of activities and events for people of all ages to enjoy. We list seven of the best on offer this weekend.
The F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic is back and bigger than ever, dishing up a series of "out of the box'' food and wine events in stunning locations throughout Hawke's Bay. This year we are popping the bubbles in celebration of F.A.W.C!'s fifth birthday. With 80 delectable events during 10 glorious Hawke's Bay days, this truly is a celebration of all things food and wine in Hawke's Bay. Thanks for being part of F.A.W.C! - go forth and lick those plates clean.
1 - F.A.W.C! Marine Parade Brews
Brews and fine cuisine: This is for the beer afficionado or just the beer curious - a chance to join five local brewers as they pour old favourites and one-off botanically themed brews crafted exclusively for this event. Chat with the brewers, test your blind-tasting skills and match your beers with some mouthwatering dishes from the Design Cuisine smoking grill.
■ Sound Shell, Marine Parade, Napier, today, 11.30am to 5.30pm. Ticket price includes one beer and food to the value of $5. R18, general admission $20.
2 - F.A.W.C! Electrolux Masterclass Series
A rare chance to get up and personal with the creme de la creme of New Zealand's culinary superstars and learn some of their tricks and secrets firsthand. Each chef will cook something from their repertoire, from scratch, right in front of you. They'll talk you through each stage so you can recreate the dishes at home. With Nici Wickes on the mic as MC, you'll not only have a fun, informative time but you'll also have the chance to ask the chefs questions or even get them to sign your cookbooks. Nadia Lim, 9.30am; Monique Fiso and James Beck, 10.45am; Ray McVinnie, noon; Nici Wickes, 1.15pm); Ray McVinnie and Nici Wickes, 2.30pm.
■ At the MTG Century Theatre, Herschell St, Napier, today, 9.30am to 3.15pm. All ages. Series pass $40, general admission $10.
3 - F.A.W.C! Getting Jazzy
Put on your glad rags for this decadent Deco-style dinner. It's a Roaring 20s-themed night, so dust off those sequins and blazers and get fancy. A stompin' jazz band will play throughout the night as you enjoy a four-course meal with wines matched. Afterwards, kick up your heels and immerse yourself in the Deco ambience, as the 20-piece band play classic tunes from a bygone era. Head along and get jazzy. The $160 ticket price includes champagne cocktail on arrival, four-course set menu with wines throughout dinner and live entertainment.
■ Mission Estate Winery, Church Rd, Greenmeadows, today, 6.30pm to midnight. R18.
4 - Havelock North Markets
On the first Saturday of the month markets are set up in the village, with a wide and colourful variety of goodies on offer. There is the Piece-Makers Market by Hawthorne Coffee, the Havelock Handmade Market in the village court with its locally made unique handcrafted products and the St Columbas Church Market - all within walking distance of each other.
■ Havelock North Village, today, from 9am.
5 - 'Sons of a Bitch' and Mel Parsons
Following their smash-hit, sell-out tour of the South Island earlier this year, the team who brought you 'The Bitches' Box & Mel Parsons' are excited to announce they are heading back to the farm with a new show. It's an evening of music, theatre and comedy, complete with BBQ and bar.
■ Longview, 3387 Puketitiri Rd, Patoka, today, starting with a fundraising BBQ dinner. Come hungry and support your local kids. A cash bar for purchasing Allan Scott wines and beer will be open throughout the evening. From 6pm. All ages and licensed. General admission $42.50.
6 - Concord Strings and Cantare Chamber Choir
Top-class music and voices will feature in concerts in Hastings tonight and Napier tomorrow. The works of Delius and Greig, as well as items such as Dag Wiren's Serenade For String Orchestra from the Concord Strings ensemble, which has been entertaining audiences in the Bay for more than 40 years. The Cantare is a cappella choir of 24 voices which performs a colourful and diverse range of fine pieces.
■ St Matthew's Church in Hastings, tonight from 7.30pm and Waiapu St John's Cathedral in Napier, tomorrow at 2.30pm. Adults $20, senior citizens $15 and students $10.
7 - Megawalk for Caneen
A series of courses for all. The Mega is a 28km run or walk. Participants will follow a clearly defined route through Hastings to the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. The course then heads toward Whakatu before joining the Rotary Pathway at Pakowhai Park, adjacent to Chesterhope Bridge. It then follows the pathway to Ahuriri. The finish line is at Mitre 10 Mega Napier. The Half Mega is a 15km run or walk that starts at Awatoto, opposite the southern end of the fertiliser works, at 9 am. The Short Mega is a 6.5km walk or run which starts behind Ocean Spa on the Marine Parade at 10am. The Mega Meander is a 3.5km walk or meander starting at 10am at Perfume Point Ahuriri. All proceeds raised go to CanTeen and are put toward the wonderful activities and camps they provide for their members.
■ Tomorrow, from 7.30am, at Mitre 10 in Prebensen Drive. Adult 16+ $20, child 5-15 $10, senior 65+ $10, family (2 adults and 2 children) $40, teams of 4 members $60, under-5s free. Bus pass $3.