Today and selected dates until May 1. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Escape route
Tauranga's Escape! Festival features My Culinary Journey, with guests including globe-trotting chef Peter Gordon in conversation with food writer Jesse Mulligan, an Italian-themed morning tea with novelist Nicky Pellegrino, and performances of Michael Hurst's one-man show, No Holds Bard.
June 3-6, Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga. Tickets from the Baycourt box office or ticketek.co.nz.
Fine art
Artists Daniel Tippett and Tracey Tawhiao are in Grey Lynn running a pop-up exhibition of small and large-scale paintings, limited edition prints and selected local handmade items. Daniel is renowned for his public murals, the latest being along the new Northwestern cycleway. Tracey's best known for large, international-scale installations. They also host live performance and plenty of fine art for Anzac weekend.
Today, art and music from 2pm, 41 Surrey Cres. Art on sale daily until May 1.
25 April
Film-maker Leanne Pooley's innovative feature documentary brings the story of
the New Zealand experiences at Gallipoli to life for a modern audience through
a reimagined world. Using graphic novel-like animation, 25 April brings World War I experiences out of the usual black and white archive pictures and into vibrant, dynamic colour. Weaving together animated "interviews" based on the diaries, letters and memoirs of six people who were there, the film tells the compelling and heart-wrenching tale of war, friendship, loss and redemption using the words of those who experienced it.
From April 28, NZ cinemas.
Illuminate
Take one of the country's pre-eminent composers, throw in 150 musicians from around the world and imagine watching the results beamed much, much larger than life. No Man's Land is a film born of giant aspirations. The project was led by New Zealand composer John Psathas, who wrote the music for the performance filmed on location at the sites of the Western, Eastern and Mediterranean fronts of the Great War. It is performed by musicians from more than 20 countries, who share one common thread - they are all descended from opposing forces of the war. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark praised the film as having "a strong message of reconciliation, through the common language of music". It will be projected on to the northern outside wall of Auckland Museum in the lead-up to Anzac Day. Blankets and cushions are a must-bring.
Today and tomorrow, 6.30pm-10pm, Northern facade of Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Plan ahead...
Next week: Clean it up
There's nothing like playing a part in environmental history to warm the cockles of one's heart. Next weekend's Puhinui Stream clean-up is not only an altruistic opportunity, but a New Zealand record attempt. Organisers, the Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust, hope the clean-up will be the biggest community effort in the country's history, and are aiming to get at least 2000 volunteers helping to clean the Manukau stream and Otara creek up to the foreshore. Both locations are notorious urban dumping grounds. Register a team, or follow the efforts on Twitter on #NZLARGESTCLEANUP.
April 30, 8am- 12.30pm. See beautifulmanukau.org.nz
Next week: Get crafty
Winter is a great time for an indoor hobby, and there are plenty to choose from at the Stitches & Craft Show. From quilting to floristry and textile art, every craft you can imagine will be packed under one roof, with some of the country's top quilters to exhibit their wares. There will also be tips on "upcycling", and the latest trends in knitting, embroidery, card making, fashion styling, applique, crochet, accessory and soft toy-making. There will also be areas to make your own take-home projects.
April 28-30, ASB Showgrounds. Check out craftevents.co.nz.
Next week: Celebration
The contribution Auckland's refugee population make to this city is set to be celebrated with a community day outside the City Library. Find cuisine from Iraq, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Sudan, play interactive activities or chill in the children's zone. There will also be music and poetry.
April 29, 11am-2pm, Central City Library, Lorne St Concourse.
Next month: Sanctuary
May Day might be a traditional springtime festival, but the team at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari have repurposed it for the Southern Hemisphere. The ecological restoration project in Pukeatua, near Cambridge, is the largest in the country and for May Day will run guided walks through forest and wetlands, with afternoon tea, kids activities and food on offer.
May 1, 1pm-4pm, Sanctuary Mountain, Pukeatua. Cost is $50 per adult or $120 per family. Visit sanctuarymountain.co.nz
