Need to know: Weekend Planner

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Weather

Cloud, showers then widespread rain today in the Auckland area. More of the same tomorrow, easing to showers. On Sunday the showers will be punctuated by fine breaks.

Favourite freebie

The Organ Society is holding a free variety concert at 107 Hillsborough Rd, Mt Roskill, at 2 pm on Sunday. Call 828-4509 for more information.

On the ball

* NPC rugby (times refer to Sky Sport coverage) tonight: Canterbury v Taranaki (Ranfurly Shield challenge, 7.30 pm). Tomorrow: North Harbour v Northland (2.30 pm), Southland v Waikato (2.30 pm, Sky Sport 2), Auckland v Wellington (7.30 pm). Sunday: Otago v Bay of Plenty (2.30 pm).

* Soccer: Brisbane Strikers v Kingz, live on Sky Sport 2 at 8.30 tonight. England v Greece (World Cup qualifying, Sky Sport, 2 am Sunday).

* Motorsport: Bathurst 1000 (TV One, Sunday, 11 am). New Zealander Scott Dixon races in the CART Grand Prix of Houston (Sky Sport, 7 am Monday).

Holiday activities

* The Alphabet Soup show reaches the Glenfield War Memorial Hall in Hall Rd, at 10 am today, and the Sunnynook Community Centre, corner of Sunnynook Rd and Sycamore Drive, at 2.30 pm. Tomorrow there will be a free show at the Northcote Shopping Centre at 10 am. Tickets are $2 for the show in the Brian Gerrard Theatre at Birkenhead College, 140 Birkdale Rd, at 2.30 pm.

* Take a jar with a lid to Devonport Library at 10 am today so you can plant a seed and watch the roots grow.

* Start your Hallowe'en preparations this morning at the Birkenhead Leisure Centre, and follow up with a swim this afternoon.

* Take something yummy to share for lunch at the Beach Haven Squash and Tennis Centre, Cresta Ave.

* Remember, the community centres in West Auckland still have lots going on. Look under Waitakere City Council in the phone book for addresses and contacts.

* Pop into the Discovery Centre at the Auckland Museum between 10 am and noon or between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm for any of the 10-minute activities (no need to book). Today you can make a funky fur animal card, and tomorrow you could build a dino diorama.

Today

* The Aids memorial quilt will be unfolded in Aotea Square at 10 am today, and will be on display until tomorrow. If the weather is unsuitable, the quilt will be in Aotea Chapel, corner of Queen St and Airedale St. Phone 578-0365 for details.

* Students at the University of Auckland's School of Music are holding a concert at 1 pm in the Music Theatre at 6 Symonds St. Call 373-7599 ext 7409 for details.

* Local government elections close in a week. If you are voting by post, papers should be in the mail no later than 5 pm on Thursday.

* American pop-punk band Good Charlotte, supported by New Zealand bands Rubicon and Steriogram, play at the Powerstation at 7.30 pm. Bookings for this all-ages gig at Ticketek, 307-5000. Tim Finn and band, with special guest Anika Moa, play at 8 tonight and tomorrow night at the Westend, St James Theatre complex. Book at Ticketek.

* The North Shore City Council wants to change its district plan to protect the Long Bay environment while allowing for some development. The variation proposal can be viewed in council area offices and the city's libraries, and submissions are invited. Call 486-8600.

* The NZ Symphony Orchestra's concert tonight features favourites such as the Firebird Suite by Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 6, Pathetique. Book for this 6.30 pm concert at Ticketek.

* Another day: It's National Frog Day and Department of Conservation staff are keen to learn about frog numbers in our areas, if the numbers drop and if the frogs seem sick.

Tomorrow

* Daylight savings starts at 2 am on Sunday. Put your clocks forward an hour when you go to bed. Daylight saving ends on the third Sunday in March next year.

* The HazMobile, a mobile collection service for household hazardous waste, will be in the Franklin District Council car park, Manukau Rd, between 10 am and 2 pm today.

* The Auckland Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7.30 pm in the Kerikeri Memorial Hall in the Bay of Islands. Call (09) 407-7046 for details.

* National GE Free Day will be acknowledged at noon at the Auckland Town Hall, which will be wrapped in a banner holding thousands of signatures. All welcome.

* Australian singer Renee Geyer performs with the Auckland Philharmonia in a concert of jazz and cabaret in the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, at 8 pm. Call 0508 266-237.

* A bare-knuckle knockdown karate tournament of 10 fights will be held at Lagoon Stadium, Lagoon Drive, Panmure, at 7 pm. Not for the faint-hearted.

* Classical guitarist John Couch is giving a concert in St Barnabas Church Hall, on the corner of Mt Eden Rd and Bellevue Rd, at 8 tonight. Call 834-4492.

Sunday

* The Glen Eden railway station in West Coast Rd will be reopened today at 12.30 pm after its renovation. There will also be a street parade, music and steam train rides.

* A public meeting organised by the Auckland Refugee Council and Amnesty International will be held in the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, Dominion Rd, at 1.30 pm. Call 378-7434 for details.

* The City of Sails Chorus is giving a free concert in the foyer of the Auckland Museum at 3 pm.

* Visit the European Food, Wine and Cultural Festival between 10 am and 3 pm at Ceramco Park, Glendale Rd, Glen Eden.

* Birkenhead Transport is changing the Sunday timetable for the Beach Haven-City service from today. Call Rideline on 366-6400 for details, or visit the Rideline website

* A free family fun day has been organised at the Manurewa Pool in Francis St between 10 am and 1 pm. Kick start the exercise habit this summer.

* Global Perspectives and Media Awareness, a public meeting on genetic engineering, will be held in the Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd, at 7 pm.

* La Dolce Vita is an evening of romantic classical music and song at St Lukes Church, 130 Remuera Rd, at 5 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door.

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