The New Zealand Dance Company's Gallipoli-inspired show, Rotunda. Photo / Supplied
The New Zealand Dance Company's Gallipoli-inspired show, Rotunda. Photo / Supplied
Our first long weekend for Anzac Day, how can we not get excited?
1: Cine-addicts
Even if dawn parades and poppies are not your thing, check out some of the classics of war time cinema. Avondale's old-school Hollywood - a picture theatre in the true sense of the word - has the Academy Award winning silent war film Wings, accompanied by the splendidWurlitzer organ. It stars Clara Bow and an appearance by newcomer Gary Cooper. The Art Gallery has a free screening of Peter Weir's award-winning 1981 film, Gallipoli (starring Mel Gibson, Mark Lee).
Details: Hollywood Cinema, Avondale, Saturday, 2pm. Auckland Art Gallery, Saturday, 1.30pm
The New Zealand Dance Company is bringing back its outstanding show Rotunda complete with a live brass band, music by Don McGlashan, Gareth Farr, waiata and choreography by Shona McCullagh. Utterly poignant.
Details: Saturday, 3pm. ASB Theatre.
3: Battle ground
Buddies in war, but for the first time in their 20 year history, the Vodafone Warriors play an Anzac Day game at home against the Gold Coast Titans. Fierce, let's hope we're on the way to taking the team back into the finals.
Details: Saturday, 2pm. Mt Smart Stadium.
4: Racing stripes
Waikaraka Grand Final with monster trucks and stockcars settling who is 'King of the Park'. The spectacular monster trucks execute their huge jumps while smashing and crashing over cars, then it's everyone's favourite sign-off - the fireworks.
Stockcar champion Gerry Linklater from Wanganui, racing at Waikaraka Park. Photo / File
5: Furry friends
On a fluffier note, Waitakere Alpacas welcome all interested humans to their alpaca farm open day to learn all about them, you might even decide to take one home. While closer to home it's the National and Auckland Cat Shows, featuring all things feline. There's a Veteran's Parade (that's over seven, in cat years) while the rest of the weekend hosts seminar speakers from around the world.
