Mt Eden Village hosts an annual family-friendly Halloween event, complete with spooky entertainers and craft activities.
Mt Eden Village hosts an annual family-friendly Halloween event, complete with spooky entertainers and craft activities.
1. Emerging Artist
Timaru-based artist Naomi Faifai’s work is instantly mesmerising. Her latest collection of vibrant and playful mixed media artworks are currently being exhibited at The Frame Workshop & Gallery in Herne Bay. Self-taught, Faifai’s pieces are influenced by her Samoan and Māori heritage and include Siapo (tapa cloth)patterning and symbols of everyday life. We bet you’ll leave with a new piece of art or a new favourite New Zealand artist at the least.
On now until November 10: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. The Frame Workshop & Gallery, 182 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay, Auckland. Free.
Naomi Faifai's art draws inspiration from her Samoan and Māori heritage, adding depth to her vibrant mixed media artworks.
Avoid the inconvenience and school night tantrums of mid-week trick or treating by celebrating Halloween on Sunday (October 29) in Mt Eden Village. Each year the village puts on a whānau-friendly event with spooky entertainers and creepy craft activities. There’s Freakella the Fortune Witch, Crewellini the Craft Witch, Egor casting spells, Mazui Majo the food witch and zombie makeovers by the Transylvania witches. Kids young and old should dress up in their most ghoulish Halloween get-up for the chance to win spot prizes - and don’t miss the opportunity to get down to some frightening festive jams - we’ve got 10 bucks on Thriller and Monster Mash playing at least once.
Sunday, noon-2pm. The Village Green, Essex Rd Reserve, Mt Eden, Auckland. Free.
3. King’s College Art Exhibition
This is not your average high school art show. The King’s College Art Exhibition includes student works, of course, but they’re exhibited alongside pieces by some of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging and established artists. The works on display span a broad spectrum of media including painting, indoor sculpture, photography, glass and ceramics. Not many schools can boast a sculpture garden on the school grounds but King’s College can and visitors can meander through it while enjoying a refreshment from the onsite cafe and pondering their next art purchase.
King's College Art Exhibition showcases a diverse range of artistic mediums, elevating it beyond a typical high school art show. Photo / Flamenco 2, Justin Wishart
4. Ms Information Q&A
Few people find the road to fame through microbiology but that’s what happened for Siouxsie Wiles when a global pandemic hit and the fuschia-haired scientist suddenly seemed to be everywhere all at once. Film-maker Gwen Isaac has made a documentary about Wiles that tells the story of her rise to notoriety and the torrent of abuse she subsequently received, making her a simultaneously reviled and revered public figure. Titled Ms Information, the film is open nationwide now and on Sunday there’s a special screening at the Bridgeway Cinema followed by a Q&A with Gwen and Siouxsie.
Filmmaker Gwen Isaac produced a documentary titled Ms Information that delves into Siouxsie Wiles' journey to notoriety.
5. Food trucks in Manly
Head north this evening for a food truck feed in the park. The Food Truck Collective is rolling into Manly Park tomorrow evening with delectable delights from Brooklyn Dogs, Cream, Double Dutch Fries, Mamas Donuts, Hash n Smash, K Pork, Karmic Kitchen, Natalia’s Food Journey and Roaming Flamingo in their convoy. Leave your chilly bin at home, this isn’t a BYOB event, instead there’s a pop-up bar to take care of your beverage needs. Flap out your picnic blanket and settle in for an evening of good food, good eats and good chats.
The Food Truck Collective rolls into Manly Park, offering a variety of delicious options from Brooklyn Dogs to Mamas Donuts.
6. All Hallows Eve
If anywhere’s going to have ghosts of the past lurking in the shadows it’ll be Howick Historical Village, which on Saturday is hosting its Festival of Frights. Wander through the old school house, the church, the sweet shop, the cottages and more, but keep your wits about you, you never know where you might find some frightening villagers creeping around. While you’re there you can learn about some Victorian Halloween traditions, enjoy food trucks, a gelato cart, games, face painting, the sweet shop and crafts. Dress up for the occasion and you might win a prize too.
Howick Historical Village offers a unique experience with its Festival of Frights, exploring Victorian Halloween traditions.
7. Sugar High
Dance off your dessert at Snack Pack’s Dirty Princess Cake Party on Saturday night, where chef Petra Galler is turning a Swedish Prinsesstarta - traditional layered sponge - into a wildly decadent dessert. With cake in your belly and sugar in your bloodstream, you can take to the dancefloor where DJs Grantis, B2B, TDK and Arii Jade will be spinning some sweet tunes well into the night. This is a party for cake lovers and dance lovers alike. It’s an all-too-rare pairing and we’re here for it.
Saturday, 8pm. Satya, K Rd, Auckland Central. Tickets $55 + booking fee for dessert and dancing; $20 + booking fee for dancing only from undertheradar.co.nz
8. Asia Pacific Film Fest
The small but mighty NZ Asia Pacific Film Festival opens tomorrow at Sky City, then takes up residence at Capitol Cinema from Sunday. Across the week there are seven films playing from all over Asia, plus our own film Muru representing the Pacific. This is probably your only opportunity to see these films on the big screen in Aotearoa and the screenings are free so take a squiz at the programme and book tickets pronto because some sessions have already sold out.
Saturday October 28 until November 4. Capitol Cinema, Dominion Rd, Balmoral. Tickets free but bookings essential at apff.org.nz
9. Plan Ahead: Unnatural Histories
Spice up your Tuesday evening with an exhibition opening at 250 Gallery in Ponsonby, where Lucy Eglington’s latest show Unnatural Histories is currently being installed. The exhibition contains selected limited-run prints of Eglington’s paintings from over the past five years. She describes her work as having a fable-like quality, creating the images as if to resemble the imaginings of an early naturalist. The artist will be in residence while the exhibition is up, so you may also get the chance to see Eglington at work.
Opening October 31, 5pm-8pm; then November 1-26, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm (late nights Thursday and Friday). 250 Gallery, 250 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. FREE.
Lucy Eglington's art exhibition, "Unnatural Histories," transports viewers into a world with a fable-like quality. Photo / Love’s Labours Lost
10. Plan Ahead: A Huge Twat
Dawn French is a Huge Twat. We didn’t say it, she did, it’s the title of her newest stand-up comedy show. The beloved British comic is bringing that show to our shores in May next year and tickets would make an absolutely fabulous Christmas gift for fans of French & Saunders and/or The Vicar of Dibley. French has a book out this month called The Twat Files, she has seemingly really embraced that word as her identity. Tickets have been selling like hot cakes and two extra shows have been added to keep up with demand, so get in quick.
May 29-31. The Civic, cnr Queen St and Wellesley Sts, Auckland CBD. Tickets from $164.90 + booking fee from livenation.co.nz
