KEY POINTS:
Here's a thought for the day: do something different. In Auckland today we are spoiled for choice. There is the Pasifika Festival at Western Springs - those who go always speak glowingly of the vigour and variety of the Polynesian experience - or the Kumeu Show. If city dwellers think farm animals, equestrian events, wood-chopping and gumboot throwing cannot be entertaining they have not grown up in the country, or have been too long away from the smell of fresh hay.
Alternatively, the boat show at Viaduct Harbour is bound to have some beautiful pleasure craft on display, and the Viaduct is always good for a sunny afternoon. Or there is Ellerslie and the "Starcraft at Arrowfield Diamond Day", part of Auckland racing's big week of the year.
Then tonight, too soon after the last free concert in the Domain perhaps but nevertheless, Auckland's annual arts festival, AK07, opens with a French fireworks production.
And we ought not forget the rugby. The Blues are top of the Super 14 table and at Eden Park tonight they face one of the newly conquering South African sides, the Lions. If you have seen Super 14 only on television, you have not properly seen the pace of professional rugby and felt the force of tackles from the sideline.
So do it, just for a change. The weekend weather forecast could not be better, the summer is running out, clocks go back next weekend. Take family or friends and take a chance. And having done it, do it again several times next week. The Auckland Festival, which runs through the week, will survive only if we are open to new experience and prepared to make the effort.
Its director, David Malacari, urges us to go to shows we may hate. That is a novel way of promoting entertainment, but honest. Not much of Auckland's low-budget festival sounds like popular fare and some if it will be self-indulgent nonsense. But there will be unexpected gems too. Let's find out.
