Winning formula
Staging a talent show
As in 90s boy-band familiar? This is West Street Direction Zone, from The Choice. Forget X-Factor. This is The Choice - a weirdly wonderful talent show unlike any other. Laugh, cry and cringe, as five fearless actors take on all of the characters you love and those not so much. This immersive new show by award-winning playwrights Darlene Mohekey and Jess Sayer leaves it to the studio audience to select the winner each night. Featuring a who's who of New Zealand theatre, The Choice is directed by Jennifer Ward-Lealand, choreographed by Taiaroa Royal, and stars a cast of Blue Baths favourites including Jay Chasland (Dexters Deep Sea Discovery, The Imposter) Rutene Spooner (Whale Rider) Bronwyn Turei (Go Girls) Aaron Ward (The Almighty Johnsons) Tainui Kuru (Comedy Cabaret) and of course Blue Baths resident chameleon and musical director, Darlene Mohekey.
Jan 22-Feb 26, The Blue Baths, Rotorua.
Please note: there are only three Saturday evening shows - the last one is Saturday February 6. To book, contact 07 3502119.
Chinese New Year
Year of the Monkey Festival
This now 30-year-old festival to herald the Chinese New Year promises to be another magical event. The celebration features a dragon dance, traditional Chinese hot delicacies, arts and crafts, Chinese acrobats, songs, dances and martial arts.
Saturday, 9.30am and 4pm. Halls 3 and 4 of the ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West. Free entry.
To market
Artisans' wares
Northland's largest and most colourful arts, crafts and gourmet food market features live music in glorious surroundings. It also features the Maori Arts Sphere - a collective of Maori artists, gourmet foods and live music. Musicians performing at this week's market are Nicola Probet and local band V.I.P. Sit in a cafe and watch the world go by or wander the Hatea Loop walkway.
Saturday, from 9am, Canopy Bridge, Town Basin, Whangarei
Trails & tribulations
Sprint into action
If at first you don't succeed - Tri harder. The Tri Maori Event encourages families, teams, corporates and communities to participate in the Eco-Sprint Triathlon - a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km trail run which meanders through Duder Park trig looking over to Coromandel. If a triathlon is not quite your scene, perhaps a friendly 5km or 10km may just be what you're wanting to kick-start your New Year resolutions. The Eco-Sprint is the signature event for the iwi, whanau and visitors to their newly renovated Umupuia Marae.
Tri Maori Event, Saturday, Umupuia Marae, 163 Maraetai Coast Rd, Clevedon.
Birthday bash
Taking it to the streets
Federal St becomes Festival Street, a pedestrian-only party zone to mark SkyCity Auckland's 20th birthday. P Money, Diggy & Laughton and Weird Together Soundsystem are the headline acts, plus there'll be street food and refreshments available for purchase with pop ups of SkyCity's Bellota, Federal Delicatessen, Gusto at the Grand, The Grill by Sean Connolly, MASU, Andy's Burgers and Bar, Rebo, The Kitchen c/o SkyCity and Jade Dragon. For kids, there'll be balloon artists, face painters, bubble performers and cupcake decorating today from 2pm. Players from the SkyCity Breakers, SkyCity Mystics, Blues and Vodafone Warriors will also be on site, with autograph sessions available.
Today, 4pm - 10pm. Saturday, 2pm-10pm. Federal St.
A Karaka idea
One million reasons to go
Racing, fashion, celebrities and singers. It's a cluster of colour and entertainment at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million at Ellerslie. Now in its ninth year, this is an evening of fast-paced, high-stakes racing along with one unmissable party. Singer Hollie Smith will perform. In the $1,000,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million, the top 14 qualified youngsters from the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales race head to head in New Zealand's richest race. Following the last race at about 8pm, racegoers can party on to live music from HALO, followed by NZDJ on the decks. With free parking, great entertainment and six heart-pounding races, what's not to love?
Saturday, from 2pm. Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera. Free parking available. General Admission $10. Children under 15 free. For more information or tickets ellerslie.co.nz
Parked up
Friends with benefits
Kiwi music legends Neil Finn and the Topp Twins lead an exciting line up in a free concert at Silo Park tonight, to support refugee settlement in New Zealand. The stellar lineup also includes Hopetoun Brown, Thomas Oliver and the Jubilation Choir. Bring your blanket. Around the world more than 60 million people have been forced from their homes due to conflict. In Syria, more than 4.5 million have fled their country. A $20 koha to support refugee resettlement in New Zealand is welcomed. Donations can also be made through the Give a Little page:
All proceeds go to the New Zealand Red Cross refugee resettlement programmes. www.kiwisonboard.co.nz
Saturday night, 5pm-8pm. Silo Park. Free entry.
