The stars will be out on the waterfront to celebrate Matariki, with light installations, taonga puoro (Maori flute) performances, and DJs spinning the decks at the Mighty Matariki Markets. There's a huge array of Maori food and specialist craft offerings, interactive kite, flag and star workshops, traditional Maori games and activities, and the Auckland Astronomical Society telescopes on hand for viewings of Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon.
TODAY, 2pm-10pm and tomorrow, noon-5pm, Auckland Waterfront. All events are free.
SCONE WEDNESDAYS
Freshly baked scones will be served up every Wednesday this month at Cornwall Park, with an historic coal range fired up to cook the treats of yore - complete with jam and cream. Next week, take the kids along for a cooking lesson on how to make gingerbread biscuits. Kids get to decorate and bake their own treat. Registration on arrival.
EVERY WEDNESDAY between midday and 2pm, at Cornwall Park Information Centre. Gingerbread: July 20, 11am-2pm. Suitable for ages 5-up.
Parent supervision required. Activity takes 20 minutes plus cooking time.
Picture this
Time is running out for Aucklanders to experience the eye-opening World Press Photo Exhibition. Hosted in the historic ballroom space of Smith & Caughey's on Queen St, the arresting images are complemented by captions outlining the fascinating stories behind them.
Staying open late every night, the gallery makes an excellent post work outing or mid-winter activity.
Until July 24.
Mon-Wed: 9.30am-6.30pm
Thurs-Fri: 9.30am-9pm
Sat: 10am-6.30pm
Sun: 10.30am-6pm.
Level 6, Smith & Caughey's,
253-261 Queen St. School, group bookings, and corporate hosting opportunities available. Weekends $15/Weekdays $12. Students $10.
KID FRONT
Join Auckland Museum for a fun activity exploring what life was like for children during World War I. Step back 100 years for a day in the life of schoolchildren, guided by awesome actors. You'll get to do some fundraising with specially created games - collecting scrap, bottles and even eggs. Meet in the Atrium, these school holidays for Kids on the Home Front.
Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain.
Mon-Fri until July 22, 10.30am, 11.30am and 1pm. Children $10, Institute member's children $7.50. Bookings recommended at ticket desks, (09) 306 7048 or aucklandmuseum.com
RAINBOW'S END
If it's been too long between roller coasters, a trip to Rainbow's End will solve that problem and be a fun day out for the kids, too. All the rides are open these school holidays, including new ones like the Stratosfear.
There is also live entertainment, Kidz Kingdom indoor and outdoor play area for children under 8. Today and on July 23 the "Ignite the Nights" - event will feature live music, fire dancers, lights and rides.
TODAY and every day, 10am-5pm.
Ignite the Nights is today and July 23, 5pm-11pm. Details at rainbowsend.co.nz
PLAN AHEAD
TINY DANCERS
Lions and tigers and ... ballet dancers, oh my! Excerpts from Francesco Ventriglia's The Wizard of Oz will be among the dances performed by The New Zealand Royal Ballet as part of Auckland Live's Pick & Mix family festival events. There will also be a duet from Alexander Ekman's Cacti, a new work by RNZB dancer Loughlan Prior, and a workshop for children - led by the ballet's dance educator Pagan Dorgan - teaching ballet essentials and new dance steps.
July 23, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre and July 24, Bruce Mason Centre. Performance 10.30am, workshop 11.30am. See aucklandlive.co.nz/pickandmix2016 for details.
Try this out
Musical collaborations, interactive artworks, eclectic performances - The Experiment is bound to be one thing, and that's unpredictable. The art and music festival is a mash-up of creative genres and will feature bands, solo performers, theatre, dance, multimedia exhibitions and street artists including Yoko-Zuna, Weird Together, Cat Ruka, Tourettes, SoccerPractise, Pretty Asian Theatre, Disco Bloodbath and more.
July 22 and 23, 6.30pm-late, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, Auckland. Tickets $20 pre-sales, $35 double passes from undertheradar.co.nz. See more at theexperiment.co.nz.
HOSPICE FUNDRAISER
Hibiscus Hospice's flagship event is back on July 30, this time celebrating Motown music. The line-up includes live tribute performances for some of Motown's finest - The Temptations, Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, and more.
This fantastic Tribute Show, complete with dramatic lighting and effects will take you back to re-live some of the most memorable and outstanding musical experiences of the 50s, 60s and 70s - it's a great opportunity to dress up to suit.
Legends of Motown Show, Dinner and Dance, Saturday, July 30 from 7pm
at the Orewa Arts and Events Centre.
Tickets $75 or $100 VIP (includes transport to and from venue for Hibiscus Coast residents). Available online at hibiscushospice.org.nz or ph (09) 421 9180.
Songs from heart
It will be a hit-heavy playlist for the Heaven Bent Gospel Choir next month, as they celebrate 20 years of gospel singing with a Top 20 concert. It will showcase favourites from the 35-strong choir's repertoire, with performances from heartfelt traditional spirituals to modern arrangements of African American, African, soul, "Southern" gospel songs and Maori and Pacific compositions.
August 6, 7.30pm, 55 Amy St, Ellerslie. Adults $20, concession $15, under-12s free.
Contact Mike Tolhurst 021 041 1925 or mike@miketolhurst.nz
