Action includes cable car rides and the Westpac Stadium's 15th birthday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Action includes cable car rides and the Westpac Stadium's 15th birthday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
You can't beat Wellington on a good day and next weekend will definitely provide Wellingtonians with three wonderful days — of celebration regardless of the wet weather forecast to hit the capital city.
The Capital 150 weekend commemorates the 150th anniversary of Wellington becoming our country's capital city. As Auckland's "little brother" prepares to pop the champagne corks, here are the Herald on Sunday's best picks to mark the occasion.
Rocking Parliament
Dave Dobyn.
Parliament grounds will host The Big Birthday Party on Saturday. The event will feature a concert by Kiwi chart-topper Dave Dobbyn, accompanied by the Orpheus Choir.
Parliament House will be centre stage with a spectacular 3D light and sound show bringing the city's rich history to life.
Field of dreams
Westpac Stadium, which is celebrating its 15th birthday, will open its gates on Saturday from 10am-3pm.
Fans can test their sporting skills on the playing arena and visit the ground's dressing rooms.
Laugh out loud
7 Days team leader Paul Ego will headline a night of laughter at VK's Comedy & Blues Bar on Saturday night. Later, the venue will host Cards Against Humanity, in which comedians and improvisers will rely on audience interaction in outrageous skits.
The Fringe Bar will host Raw Meat Monday, where all-comers are welcome to unleash their comic gold on stage.
Over the weekend our national museum will treat visitors to free behind-the-scenes guided tours. These will feature a host of Maori and Pacific Island treasures, its vast art collection, items from James Cook's first visit to NZ, rare objects from Wellington's past, and a range of costumes and needlecraft, from the drama of Versace to the gowns of drag queen Carmen.
Go to a gig
Photo / Dean Purcell
Kiwi rockers I Am Giant play at Bodega on Saturday night fresh from the chart success of their latest single
Kiss From a Ghost
.
Also on Saturday, Myele Manzanza & The Eclectic will unleash their popular African-fusion music at The Rogue and Vagabond, and the Valhalla venue will host the Shadowplay Winter 15 event, featuring Joy Division cover band, Permanence, plus other bands and DJs.
For those wanting music that's a bit more low-key, Upper Hutt's Cosmopolitan Club will be transformed into "country central" next Sunday, when 20 acts will play at the venue from 2pm.
Free for all
The doors to more than 30 national institutions — including Capital E, City Gallery, Government House, Katherine Mansfield House and Garden, Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and The Dominion Museum Building's Great War Exhibition Open House — will be open for free visits next Saturday and Sunday. Punters can also ride Wellington's cable car for a gold coin donation on Saturday and Sunday.
Happy feet
Dance lovers are in for a special, and free, weekend with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand School of Dance offering performances and behind-the-scenes visits over the weekend.
RNZB visitors will have the opportunity to watch the full company in class and rehearsals for the premiere of its upcoming A Midsummer Night's Dream production.
