Need to know: Weekend Planner

Weather

Aucklanders face overcast skies with a few showers (more widespread north of Orewa). More of the same tomorrow, although there could be more rain. It should clear on Sunday.

Sport

Wimbledon reaches its climax this weekend (Sky Sport, 1 am nightly). Saturday brings the second Australia-Lions test from Melbourne (Sky Sport, 9 pm) and the NZ Warriors-Parramatta Eels at Ericsson Stadium (TV 3, 10.30 pm, Sky Sport 11 pm).

Today

* Get your red and green wheelie bins out this morning if you live in New Windsor, Blockhouse Bay, Lynfield, Remuera, Meadowbank and St Johns.

* The 33rd Auckland International Film Festival gets underway today with screenings at the Civic, Sky City Theatre and Village Queen St multiplex. For screening details visit the Ticketek website or grab a programme at a cafe near you.

* Sky City wants volunteers to assist with a fundraising campaign for the Special Olympics team, starting on Sunday. To become a volunteer call Tim Kay (09) 523-2456. Donations can be made by calling 0800 282-821.

* Drag out your best heels, shortest skirt, sheerest stockings and longest ear-rings, it's Christine Rankin Day: a chance for women and brave men to strike a blow against corporate grey.

* The Great New Zealand Craft Show is on at the North Shore Events Centre, Silverfield Lane, from 10 am to 5 pm until Sunday. Entry costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and 50c for schoolchildren (no charge for under-5s).

* Native Treasures and Foreign Invaders, a cuddly display of bugs, spiders, fungi and weeds, is at the Westfield Shoppingtown at St Lukes from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Special guest: a live Avondale spider (the type used in the movie Arachnophobia.)

* Chemistry, a six-weekly night of trance and house kicks off at 11 pm in the St James Complex. Tickets are available for $29 at Ticketek.

* Another day: Happy 56th to Berton John Gervais, aka Burt Ward or Robin, Batman's Boy Wonder. After fame as the world's youngest pro skater at 2, 19-year-old Burt was asked to audition after selling a TV producer's home. On first sight he thought it was a porn film, but quickly settled into typecast Bat-fame. Burt later appeared in Beach Babes from Beyond Infinity and wrote Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights.

Tomorrow

Favourite freebie

* Join poets, comedians and toastmasters for Take a Stand Day - a chance to mount a soapbox in the name of free speech - from noon to 5 pm at the Band Rotunda in Albert Park, Auckland City. Interested? Phone organiser Buick Smith at (09) 625-9541.

* All IR 3 tax returns are due to be filed with Inland Revenue today. For more information visit the Inland Revenue website.

* The 12th annual Midwinter Doll and Teddybear Festival is at the ASB Stadium, Kohimarama Rd. The event is open from 10 am to 4 pm today and tomorrow. Admission costs $5 for adults and $4 for children. Since 1990 the doll and bear event has featured artists and craft folk from New Zealand, Australia and Holland.

* The Hollywood Cinema's silent movie season presents Our Hospitality (1923), starring Buster Keaton, his wife, son and father, at 2 pm. Keaton, who died at the age of 70, received a special Oscar for his life work in comedy and his work continues to be acknowledged at festivals around the world.

* A Polynesian Hula and Dance Workshop is on in the Grey Lynn Hall from 9.30 am to noon. Bookings are essential: for more information phone (09) 575-6551.

* Dance Passion, an evening of South American dance, is on at The Railway Campus (the old railway station off Beach Rd), from 8 pm. For more information visit the Tango Tiempo website.

* Winter Salon, a look good-feel better charity exhibition, is at The Lane Gallery, 12 O'Connell St. Opening hours are 10 am to 3pm on Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays.

* The Auckland Philharmonia presents Landmarks at 7.30 pm in the Bruce Mason Centre.

* A two-day antique fair starts at St Kentigern College, Pakuranga. Opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Entry costs $5.

Sunday

* Sneak Peaks is a multi-media performance event at the Atomic Cafe, 121 Ponsonby Rd, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Proceeds will help Jackie Grey perform at the International Sommertanzwochen Dance Festival in Vienna. Door sales are $15 ($20 with a glass of wine).

* Hardy souls can head to Mission Bay for a mass winter swim at 9.30 am.

* Caroline Vercoe delivers a Pacific Pathways lecture on contemporary Pacific Art at 3 pm in the Auckland Museum.

* New Zealand director Gaylene Preston will introduce her movie Titless Wonders, which is screening as part of the Auckland Film Festival, at 6.30 pm in Cinema 6 of the Village Queen St multiplex.

* The Collectors Market brings antiques, curios and collectables to the Alexandra Park Raceway. For inquiries or stall reservations call (09) 524-2462.

* The Orchid Society Show is on in the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall from 10 am to 4 pm.

* Puff the Magic Dragon is on at the Pumphouse Theatre at 11 am and 2 pm until next Saturday. For bookings call (09) 489-8360.

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