Ireland and Algeria just two influences as programme starts

Young dancers face up to artistic director Neil Ieremia's challenge. Photo / Supplied

Auckland Arts Festival artistic director David Malacari describes the silver rocket logo as a metaphor for "a journey into the infinity of ideas within the artistic mind".

Auckland's fifth biennial festival, which opens next Wednesday with seven events, is staged in venues right around the city, with a feast of acts from New Zealand and abroad.

The festival is for you and your family; for the opening days of its 18-day programme, we recommend:

THEATRE

Havoc in the Garden: British writer-actor Lennie James and Auckland's Massive Company reunite in a drama about violence in a small Auckland neighbourhood; music by Tama Waipara (Herald Theatre, March 2-6; Mangere Arts Centre, March 9-12; Pumphouse, Takapuna, March 16-26).

Paper Sky: A Love Story: New Zealand's Red Leap Theatre returns after its poignant 2009 festival hit The Arrival. Recommended for ages 8 and up, Paper Sky is a fantastical love story (Playhouse Theatre Glen Eden, March 4-6; Mercury Theatre, March 10-14).

Silver Stars: Irish theatre company Brokentalkers tell stories based on interviews by songwriter Sean Millar with gay men; with song-cycles and archival video images (Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber, March 2-5).

Live Live Cinema: Carnival of Souls: Director Oliver Driver conducts a "re-imagined soundtrack" to Herk Hervey's 1962 horror movie about a haunted woman. (Mercury Theatre, March 4-5; The Civic, March 20).

DANCE

Loin ... (Far): Algerian-French choreographer Rachid Ouramdame's solo work about colonisation based on the journals of his father, a soldier in the French Army in Algeria (March 3-5, Bruce Mason Centre).

Who Are You?: Black Grace's UrbanYOUTHMovement - dancers aged between 16-21 - face up to artistic director Neil Ieremia's challenge that they are "lazy". (Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre, March 2-5; Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden, March 8-10; Mangere Arts Centre, March 16-19).

MUSIC

Xerxes: Handel's 1738 romantic comedy is glammed up by Trelise Cooper's costumes and designer John Verryt's set in this NBR NZ Opera production accompanied by German period Ensemble, Lautten Compagney (The Civic, March 2-6).

Lautten Compagney: The elegant Berlin ensemble presents two programmes, Handel With Care and Timeless, featuring the music of Philip Glass and Tarquino Merula, under the baton of Wolfgang Katschner (Auckland Town Hall, March 4 & 8).

Smoke & Mirrors: Vaudeville, tap, acrobatics, cabaret, a ringmaster called iOTA ... this show from the makers of La Clique is predicted to be a sellout; "strong language" and "adult themes" (Spiegeltent, March 2-19).

FOR FREE

Festival Garden: Aotea Square will host free music from 4.45pm till late each day (from 2pm in the weekends) and a free Movie in the Parks. The Spiegeltent hosts free talks from 12.30pm weekdays and city galleries are holding exhibitions.