Song, satire and silliness is promised from Gregory Cooper and Mark Hadlow's new play, the pithily-named The Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy Abridged. The touring romp is a deconstruction of nearly 250 years of history, bringing to life the turbulent past of the Royal New Zealand Navy - from world wars, nuclear testing and piracy to the calm shore of the present day. There's also a free children's pantomime.
Today, 11am, 2pm and 7pm, Bruce Mason Centre, The Promenade, Takapuna. Children's pantomime (also by Hadlow and Cooper) today at 11am and 2pm.
SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN
It's Conservation Week, and Sanctuary Mountain is celebrating with guided tours, demonstrations on how to make your own tracking tunnels, and a slew of other family-friendly activities and competitions all week long. The community-led conservation project is a pest-free ecological island surrounded by beautiful native forest.
Today and tomorrow, 8.30am-4pm, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, 99 Tari Rd, Te Awamutu. Go to sanctuarymountain.co.nz and enter discount code CWSMGT for a 25 per cent discount.
BARD BACK
Actor Michael Hurst - who New Zealanders of a certain age might remember fondly as the spritely IoIaus in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - will perform hit show No Holds Bard in a limited mini-season. Hurst has performed his comedic take on Shakespeare's most famous leading man around Australasia and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with this version the most refined yet.
Tonight, 7.30pm, Titirangi Theatre and September 23 and 24, 7.30pm, Artworks Theatre on Waiheke Island. Tickets from titirangitheatre.co.nz and artworkstheatre.org.nz.
MOTOR SHOW
With house prices being what they are, a trip to Hamilton for the NZ Motorhome show might be quite a prudent idea. The newest and best motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers. pop-tops, campervan fifth-wheelers, tents and almost any other RV and camping acccessory you can think of are promised at the annual show - along with cooking demos, seminars, a vintage caravan area, entertainment and more.
Today and tomorrow, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. Adults $15, under-16 free.
PADDLE RACE
No matter the vessel, paddle-happy boaties are being invited to join Cambridge's iconic Paddle Race along the majestic Waikato river. The yearly event is open to all types and class of boat, from stand-up paddle boards (not technically a boat, in our opinion) to waka. Competitors splash their way 23km down the meandering river to finish at the Waikato Sports Fishing Club for prizegiving. There is also an 11km race option for beginners.
Tomorrow, 9.30am, Cambridge Riverside Reserve, Domain Ave, Cambridge. The 11km event starts at 11am from Acacia Reserve.
CULTURAL FEST
Tea ceremonies, martial arts demos, singing and dance performances - what's not to like about Auckland Museum's Cultural Festival 2016? The two-day family-friendly event canvases the best of Korean, Chinese and Japanese culture, with events on several times during the day.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain, Parnell. Free with museum entry.
LAST CHANCE
SPACE TO DREAM
There's only two days left to see celebrated exhibition Space to Dream: Recent Art from South America at Auckland Art Gallery. The multi-sensory show honours the art, cultures and recent histories of different South American countries - with the crowd favourite Just like drops in time, nothing (2002), by Ernesto Neto, involving more than 180kgs of spices.
Today and tomorrow, 10-5pm, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, corner Kitchener St and Wellesley St, Auckland. Tickets $15, children 12 and under free.
NEXT WEEK
MONDAY
It's been 123 years since women got the vote, and the National Council of Women are marking Suffrage Day with a call to arms for gender equality. Interested parties can meet for a celebration and discussion at the Auckland Suffrage Memorial.
Sept 19, 12.30pm-1.30pm, Auckland Suffrage Memorial, Lower Khartoum Place, Auckland CBD.
TUESDAY
Hosts Russell Brown and Charlotte Ryan are joined by political candidates and commentators from around the city, including local lad Bill Ralston, Otara local board chairman Efeso Collins and Chloe Swarbrick, at this free talk event. The focus is on local body elections, with DJ Anthonie Tonnon hitting the decks in the breaks.
September 20, 6.30pm-9pm, Golden Dawn, Ponsonby Rd. Entry is free.
NEXT SATURDAY
Leading a plant-based lifestyle can also be funky, as new food event Vegan Vibes attests. Headlined by award-winning author Kristin Lajeunesse (pictured), the festival will showcase the benefits of veganism through food, fashion, health and beauty products, workshops, and film screenings. There's also face painting and a bouncy castle, with live music from Sal Valentine and the Baby Shakes.
September 24, 10am-4pm, Soper Reserve, 95 Newton St, Mt Maunganui. Tickets are $6 per person (14-and-under free) on eventfinda.co.nz. See Vegan Vibes on facebook.com/veganvibesnz.
COMING UP IN DECEMBER
DOSE OF DAHL
The acclaimed production of Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine comes to Auckland for the first time this December. The tale of George's revenge on his mean grandma has just had a sell-out season in Australia, celebrating 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl, and is designed to be appreciated by those aged 6 to 106.
December 17-22, 10am and 1pm, at the Bruce Mason Centre. There is also a 6pm show on Dec 17. Adults $26, senior citizens $21, children $19. See ticketmaster.co.nz
