KEY POINTS:
SPORT
Running around the bays is so two weeks ago. This weekend, jump onto two wheels and Bike The Bays instead. The event starts at Orakei Domain on Sunday morning and concludes with prize giving and a picnic at 11am. If you would rather be on the water, King Of The Harbour sees Auckland athletes paddling the Waitemata on Saturday in a variety of crafts. There are short and long courses and the public, all ages, can enter the single surf ski, outrigger and sea kayak races.
* Bike The Bays - Orakei Domain, March 30, 7am; King Of The Harbour, Narrowneck Beach, North Shore, March 29
FESTIVAL
This is a no-brainer for those living in central Auckland. The second Annual Phoenix Festival happens in Basque Park this Saturday, and anyone who enjoyed a sunny afternoon out last year will no doubt be back for more. Great live Kiwi music provided by hip electronic jazzman Lewis McCallum and his orchestra, theatrical reggae rockers Kora, and the easy sounds of SJD. In between, expect quips from Dai Henwood and choice selections from the Turnaround DJs. Markets, food stalls and entertainment for the kids. Fingers crossed for the weather.
* Phoenix Festival - Basque Park, Newton, March 29, noon to 6pm
PASIFIKA
Polyfest is one of the largest secondary school cultural festivals in the world and a showcase performance by some of this year's best entrants happens this weekend. About 9000 students get involved each year so choosing people to perform this Saturday at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre would be an unenviable task. This show of Maori, Cook Island, Tongan, Samoan and Niuean cultural performances will be opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark.
* ASB Polyfest Showcase - TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, March 29, 6.30pm-9.30pm
ROCK
Rattle yourself awake early in the week with Finnish metalheads H. I. M. live at the Powerstation in Auckland. Last time they visited Auckland it was for a thunderous sellout show at St James Theatre in 2006. They return to tour what they proclaim to be their heaviest, creepiest and sexiest album yet, Venus Doom. The gloom of their music can probably be attributed to the album being written and recorded over the course of a chilly Finnish winter. These guys have recently toured with Metallica, Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance, so must know how to rock.
* H. I. M. Powerstation, March 31
DANCE/DJ
With his third album, Perfect Timing, attracting plenty of attention, Auckland-based Detroit expat DJ Recloose has pulled together his live band for a national tour, which just so happens to stop in at K Rd's 4.20 on Friday night. Anyone who bought the live CD last year will know all about the funkiness set to emanate from this collective. On the night, listen out for live versions of The Sanctuary and So Cool, both of which feature standout vocal contributions from singer/rapper Tyna. The legendary Dam Native is in support.
* Recloose Live Band with Dam Native - 4.20, K Road, March 28
FILM FESTIVAL
The World Cinema Showcase returns to Auckland's Academy Cinemas for its tenth year. From Cannes winners to Beatles-inspired musicals to illuminating, educational and entertaining documentaries, there is plenty to enjoy. A highlight could be War/Dance, a documentary which tells the story of school children in war-torn Uganda finding salvation through dance, or Brian De Palma's Redacted (pictured above) but really, it's up to you to check the programme and discover your gem.
* 2008 World Cinema Showcase Academy Cinema, Under Auckland Public Library, March 27-April 6
ROCK/POP
Shayne Carter's band Dimmer is back on the road, touring New Zealand and Australia in support of Peter Sonic Boom Kember. He's touring under the name Spectrum, but fans of his other projects, Spacemen 3 and E. A. R., will be excited. It was while supporting the Englishman in Los Angeles that Dimmer found a mutual musical appreciation existed, and now the bands find themselves together again. With Dimmer working on their fourth album, this could be a good chance to sneak a listen to some new material.
* Spectrum and Dimmer - Kings Arms, Newton, March 28; Leigh Sawmill Cafe, March 30
FAMILY
The rather ominously titled Motat Military Weekend takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Western Springs spot. But it isn't some kind of alarming boot camp, rather a look back at what military life was like for the New Zealanders who fought in the two World Wars. There will be battle re-enactments, rides, the slightly disturbing mortar-shot lollie scramble, and a fully restored LP2 bren-gun carrier tank to see. Camouflage face painting anyone?
* Motat Military Weekend - Great North Rd, Western Springs, 9am-5pm, March 29, 30
