What's on this weekend

Fill up before For Grace, with a long Italian lunch at Vivace. Photo / NZ Herald

Looking for something to do this weekend? We've handpicked five of the best things to do around Auckland.

1. Big kids' toys

Kohia Terrace School Lego Show is the best block party in town this weekend, with lavish displays of Technics, Star Wars and Classic Space. Smaller sorts can bring their own creations in for judging (seriously, no grownups allowed). But try not to elbow the littlies out of the way at the vast buckets of Lego to play with. Bring spare change for the sausage sizzle and bake sale.

Details: Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm. Kohia Terrace School.

2. Food for thought

As well as eating your way around town, Restaurant Month has encouraged the lovely Documentary Edge to present foodie films, for free. This weekend, For Grace follows Chicago's Curtis Duffy as he turns his dream restaurant, Grace, into a reality (it currently boasts three Michelin stars). Fill up before hand with a long Italian lunch at Vivace (four courses, including Tuscan grill and a glass of Prosecco, $85).

Details: Vivace, Saturday 12 noon. For Grace, Saturday, 5pm. Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium.

3. At the setting of the sun

This weekend is the centenary of the great Chunuk Bair campaign of Gallipoli, so Auckland War Memorial Museum has a terrific programme of contemporary and historical responses to war. The Museum's Pictorial Curator Shaun Higgins presents images from the book, The Anzacs - An Inside View of New Zealanders at Gallipoli; poet Jerry Beale and musician Eddie Giesen collaborate for a piece based on Jerry's experience as a soldier, with an raw electronic soundscape; Rangatira o Apopo presents songs written by Maori during WWI by young performers from Auckland's secondary while Massive theatre's Nui Ensemble showcases pieces based on authentic stories and real people (12pm, 1pm and 2pm, WWI Sanctuary).

Details: All Saturday, 11am-3pm. Auckland Museum.

4. Play ball

Celebrate the Netball World Cup at the AMI Auckland Netball fan zone, with live screenings of every game across the 10 days of competition. Plus there'll be entertainment, a kidzone, giveaways, spot prizes, live interviews and expert commentary.

Details: Today: NZ vs Australia doors open 3pm, game starts 4.20pm.
Until Sunday August 16. AMI Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns.

5. Hang in there

If you haven't made Pick & Mix part of your regular weekend routine with the kids, you're missing out. This week it's Circus Fun with The Dust Palace - an hour of performance with Top of the Heap, full of wondrous circus characters, glitter and pirate ships float, then terrific workshops in acrobatics, juggling, hula hoops, handstands and slapstick.

Details: Saturday, show 10.30am, workshop 11.30 -12.30pm. Lower NZI Room, Aotea Centre; Sunday, show 10.30am, workshops 11.30 - 12.30pm, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.