What's on this weekend

Herald online

7 Nov, 2014 09:00 PM3 mins to read

Make sure to check out some these event over the weekend. Photos / NZ Herald, Supplied

Here are some events to keep you busy this weekend, whatever the weather.

Is it going to be sunny? Windy? Rainy? Probably all of the above at some point in the weekend, cos that's spring in Auckland. So go outdoors, then indoors, then outdoors for a bit.

Great shapes

The tenth year of the biennial NZ Sculpture OnShore is a goodie. Billed as the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in the country with 100 works making the most of the stunning cliff-top location. Don't miss chef Jeremy Schmid's chic Officers' Mess Café, a great pause in the art viewing and buying. This fundraiser for Women's Refuge NZ include a hosted twilight viewing and picnic (Saturday, 6.30pm, $20), plus free guided sculpture walks 11am and 1pm daily.

Jack Marsden-Mayer won the NZ Sculpture OnShore award in 2012 with his elephant sculpture of Kashin. Photo / Mark Meradith

Details: Until November 16, 10am-6pm. Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, Devonport.

Toys for the boys

You know you want to get to Big Boys Toys, whether you're 5 or 85, to smell the sweet fumes of petrol and adrenaline. Big Boys Toys has six halls of excitement, thrills and spills from cars, motorbikes, plus technology, merchandise and some of the biggest names from the world of action, including our own Scott Dixon.

Photo / Kellie Blizzard

Details: Friday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. ASB Showgrounds.

Sweet old fashioned

Get a head start with the Christmas shopping - there are plenty of sweet galas and fairs to choose from. Retro-buffs head to the Auckland Retro fair for furniture, collectibles, textiles and more, while crafters can make a bee-line for Craft Out West show of over 70 stalls of ceramic art, mosaics, jewellery, textiles and toys, baking, Christmas decorations and paper craft (supporting Hospice West Auckland). Textile artists know that the Auckland Quilt Guild's annual Festival of Quilts with over 250 quilts and more than 40 merchants is the place to go for superb heirloom buys and inspiration. Michael Park Sschools summer fair has organic food (naturally), live music and bespoke crafts.

Some of the wares seen at Craft Out West.

Details: Auckland Retro Fair, Sunday, Alexandra Park Raceway.
Craft Out West, Saturday and Sunday, West Wave Recreation Centre, Henderson.
Festival of Quilts, Saturday and Sunday, QBE Stadium (formerly North Harbour), Albany.
Michael Park school fair, Saturday, Ellerslie. On Facebook.

The hills are alive

Hubbards Head2Head Walk is a 24 hour walk fundraiser, that gives you a fresh experience of Auckland over a scenic 125km around the Manukau Harbour. Go watch the walkers and support this year, start training for next. Walkers head from Orua Bay and finish 24 hours later at Huia.

The Hubbards Head2Head walk travels on a 125km route around Auckland.

Details: Starts Saturday 10am. Orua Bay Holiday Park.

Russian roulette

The Kostroma - Russian National Dance Company has the sort of spectacularly dance, dramatic music and theatre that only a country with such a history can produce. You'll be gobsmacked at the 45 outstanding dancers, 600 lavish costumes and over 15 breathtaking sets.