There's no such thing as boredom in Te Atatu this spring, with more than 80 events being held at the community centre over the next fortnight. The whole family should be covered with lessons on everything from Indian cooking and balloon art to sign language classes, fermented food workshops, and the intriguing-sounding build-your-own cardboard virtual reality headset class.
Today to October 29, times vary, Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre. Contact co-ordinator Leeanne Boyle on 027 801 5700 or email leeanneb1980@outlook.com for more information.
CREATIVE BARGAINS
Auckland's largest art market is taking over the Vodafone Events Centre until tomorrow, with the Auckland University of Technology-run sale raising money for Life Education. The supermarket-style event includes work from more than 1200 established and emerging artists, with pieces priced from between $100 to $5000. There's also a secondary school art award, with the top three artists up for $1750 in scholarships.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-3pm, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau. Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for children up to 16 and seniors.
HATS OFF
Concern for actors' mental health has sparked the Whariki Hauora (Wellbeing for Performers) initiative, which closes the annual Atawhai Festival. The one-off concert will raise money to help support performers who need counselling but may not feel confident asking for help. Artists include Caitlin Smith, Adam Burrell, Boni Terongopai Tukiwaho, Alexandra Grice and MC Ascia Maybury.
Today, 7.30pm, Te Pou Theatre, 44a Portage Rd (off McWhirter Place), New Lynn. Tickets from Shoretix, limited door sales. All proceeds donated to Whariki Hauora.
VIOLIN
She's been playing violin since she was 4, and Helene Pohl will bring her years of experience to the stage when she performs with St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra. Now 17, Pohl also plays the viola, clarinet and saxophone, studying at the Musikhochschule Cologne, Europe's largest music academy. A member of the New Zealand String Quartet since 1994, she was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to music in 2014. The conductor is Michael Joel.
Tomorrow, 2.30pm, St Matthew-in-the-City Church, corner Wellesley St and Hobson St. Door sales cash, adults $25, concessions $20, under-12 free.
EQUIDAYS
Showjumping, veterinary sessions, maybe a spot of horse-whispering - all things equine have galloped into Hamilton this weekend. The annual Equidays is a horse-lover's heaven, with competitions, demonstrations, clinics and training sessions held around more than 200 exhibitions. Take your kids - or don't, if a pony is not in their future.
Today, 9am-4pm and tomorrow, 9am-5pm, Mystery Creek Events Centre, 125 Mystery Creek Rd, Hamilton.
ARTISTS
See inside a potter's studio, or peruse the work of one of the local painters in the picturesque surrounds of Coromandel Town. The Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour has been welcoming visitors to the town for a decade now, and this year will also include an exhibition including up to 28 local artists in one place. There might even be time to pop to the beach.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm, Hauraki House, Kapanga Rd, Coromandel Town.
COLOURFUL
Since the Bradley Lane outdoor mural festival started four years ago, 10 walls around Glen Innes have been transformed by nationwide graffiti artists alongside local youth. It returns this weekend, with anyone aged between 15-24 with an interest in street art welcome to join artists Berst, Component, DSIDE, Fluro, Haser, TrustMe and Elliot Francis Stewart in decking out the town centre.
Today and tomorrow, live painting 10am-5pm, town centre, Glen Innes. Artist's talk 7pm-9.30pm, Te Oro art centre, 98 Line Rd, Glen Innes. For more info on volunteering, or about the event, contact info@teoro.org.nz.
NEXT WEEK:
TALK TALK
Some of the country's top talkers will share the moments that have left them lost for words as part of The Pantograph Punch's 2016 season. John Campbell, Carol Hirschfeld, Wallace Chapman and Noelle McCarthy will divulge their own personal moments of speechlessness - hence the name of the performance, Dead Air - to host Guy Williams.
October 19, 8pm, Q Theatre, 305 Queen St. General admission $20.
THIS MONTH:
POP UP
Experience the taste of the Caribbean without leaving the city limits. MasterChef star Jax Hamilton will bring spicy island flavours to life at an exclusive Caribbean pop-up restaurant, serving up a five-course degustation feast. Each course is accompanied by wine, with a Caribbean band to provide the atmosphere. Hamilton has written two books, Jax Cooks and Union Jax.
October 28, The Oak Room, 17 Drake St, CBD. Tickets $75 on eventfinda.
LABOUR WEEKEND:
MINI ME
Small things are always more adorable, which is why a visit to a miniature exhibition is the cutest option this labour weekend. The NZAME (New Zealand Association of Miniature Enthusiasts Inc) is holding a three-day "Celebrating the 1940s" exhibition of collectable dollhouses, room settings and other tiny items crafted to scale, with items expected from 24 miniature-making clubs around the country.
October 22-24, 9.30am-4pm, Classic Flyers Museum, 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui. Adults $8, seniors $6 and children $3.
HOPETOUN BROWN
A year after the success of their first album, duo Tim Stewart and Nick Atkinson release their hip-hop influenced second, Look So Good, on October 28. The album sees star turns from some of Hopetoun Brown's closest collaborators, including Tami Neilson and Tim Stewart, and brass players Finn Scholes and Kingsley Melhuish. Catch them on their promotional tour nationwide.
October 28-29, 8pm, The Wine Cellar, St Kevin's Arcade. Tickets from eventfinda.
MUSTANG
Fifty years of the classic Ford Mustang will roll into town as part of the 37th National Mustang Convention, which includes a convoy from Takapuna to Helensville. A total of 150 Ford Mustangs, including the original 1964 model to the latest 2016 version, will be on show. It's a little-known fact that after the US, New Zealand has more Mustang owners per capita than anywhere in the world.
October 22, 10am-4pm, Viaduct Events Centre. Entry $10 for an adult and $15 for a family. October 23, 10am convoy to Helensville's AMP Showgrounds, on display from 11.45am-2pm as part of Art in the Village.
