KEY POINTS:
FAIRS & MARKETS
This Saturday Ponsonby Rd comes alive with music, entertainers and discounts across almost all shops on the strip. Enjoy the sounds of DJs playing live throughout the day and browse the stalls outside offering special deals, samplings and tastings. A highlight will be gourmet food store Nosh and its 20-stall mini Food and Wine Fest. Log on to ponsonby.org.nz to find out about store specific deals.
* Ponsonby Market Day, Ponsonby and Jervois Rd, March 15, 10am-2pm
FESTIVAL
Taranaki doesn't immediately conjure up images of New York's hottest DJs, or an international soul diva, or a master Japanese percussionist. Or perhaps, this weekend, it does. The World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival is a highlight for music lovers each year, and in 2008 the lineup is outstanding. From soulful diva Sharon Jones and the Daptones to the hipster Balkan flavour of Beirut, there really is something for everyone.
* WOMAD Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth, March 14-16, www.womad.co.nz
DANCE/DJ
This weekend it's all about award-winning DJs. Sydney's DJ Ajax has topped the prestigious In The Mix Best Australian DJ poll for the last three years running, and brings his quick mixing and indie electro sound to Code nightclub on Saturday. Meanwhile the only DJ to win the World DMC DJ Championships three years running brings his eclectic style to Coherent on Sunday night. Miami's DJ Craze will mix up hip hop, house, drum and bass and more in a way only a world-class scratch DJ can.
* DJ Ajax - Code, March 15; DJ Craze - Coherent, March 16
ART/AUCTION
If you've ever looked at a painting and thought: "How the heck did they do that?", this Saturday offers a chance to see art in action. Up to 40 artists will be painting new works based on Mt Eden under the watchful eye of the mountain. Works are available for purchase at an auction from 2.30pm, with all proceeds going to Eden Arts and the Young Mt Eden Artists' Awards. Artists include George Baloghy, Luis Fong, Nicky Foreman, Damian Kurth, Mike Morgan, Mark Olsen, Neal Palmer, Clyde Scott Paul Woodruffe, Simon Williams and more.
* Artists in Eden 2008 - Essex Rd Reserve, Mt Eden Village, March 15, 10am-2pm
JAZZ
Busy Kiwi musician Tim Hopkins promotes his new album Here Now After with a series of shows and workshops this month. Hopkins has worked with everyone from Nathan Haines to King Kapisi in his time, and Kapisi even drops a couple of verses on to this record. The Auckland masterclass workshop is tonight at KBB Music and that is followed by the first gig at Flight Lounge in Fort Lane. DJ/producer Yogi joins him for the show, so expect to dance.
* Little Big Horn workshop - KBB Music, Auckland, 7pm, March 13; gig, Flight Lounge, 10pm, March
CLASSICAL
Bar takings across the country will be astronomically out of proportion to your average Monday this week, all because of those smiling Irish eyes. St Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and we celebrate here in New Zealand with many bars opening specially for the day and offering live Irish music. The Auckland Philharmonia performs When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, a programme of Irish favourites with an Irish tenor, fiddlers and dancers and MC Noelle McCarthy.
* When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Aotea Centre, Saturday at 3pm, Ticketek
DANCE/DJ
The second annual Kingsland Festival this Friday will heighten the already lively strip on New North Rd with a street festival vibe. Street performers will keep people smiling between venues, specially selected DJs will be in every bar, and bars and restaurants will rise to the occasion as well. Imagine having pre-drinks at Ruby, dinner at Bouchon, beers at the Kingslander, then dancing the night away at Bond St. Plenty of options, so choose your own adventure.
* Kingsland Festival - multiple venues, New North Rd, March 14, 6pm-late
FOLK/POP
Since his last visit to New Zealand, singer-songwriter Matt Costa has brought out another album and will introduce the songs live on Wednesday at the Kings Arms. Costa, formerly a professional skateboarder, shattered his leg in 2003 and while recovering dedicated most of his time to the guitar. That dedication paid off, and he now finds himself signed to Jack Johnson's Brushfire records and touring the world.
* Matt Costa - Kings Arms, Newton, March 19
