A round-up of what's on around the country this Labour weekend.
Auckland
Waiheke Jazz Club Annual Labour Weekend Jazz Event
When: Saturday 22nd, 12pm-4pm
Where: Peacock Sky Vineyard
Cost: $10 (under 12s free)
Take a load off this Saturday with some jazz and blues in the vines at Peacock Sky Vineyard on Waiheke Island. The Briar Ross Quartet, with guest Pete France on sax, will be playing some easy listening jazz standards. Keep an eye out for the flock of wild peacocks from who the winery takes its name.
Click here for more details.
The Big Night Out
When: Sunday 23rd, 4pm-10pm
Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana
Cost: $20 (children 14 and under free)
Pack up the family or get a bunch of friends together and head to Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana on Sunday for music, movies and fireworks to celebrate the long Labour weekend. The music, from the Mighty Groove Diggers, JamesRAy and more, starts at 4pm. Casablanca is on the big screen at 8pm, and at 10pm there is a fireworks display.
For more details click here.
Armageddon Expo
When: Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th, 9am-6pm
Where: ASB Showgrounds
Cost $18 (but concessions are available for students and children)
It's time to unleash your inner sci-fi nerd and get merchandise signed by your favourite superheroes. This year the Armageddon Expo is bringing a new list of TV and film stars including David Faustino from Married With Children, Michael Biehn from Aliens, The Abyss and Terminator and John DiMaggio, who voices Bender from Futurama.
For more details click here
Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen
When: Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th, 8pm
Where: Aotea Centre
Cost: $25 ($20 for students)
The show that sold out the comedy festival is back characters of Jane Austen's novels back to life through called an improvised Austenian musical. Starring famous ex-hobbit Lori Dungey and comedian Penny Ashton with musician Robbie Ellis.
For more details click here.
Labour Weekend Comedy Showcase
When: Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, 8pm
Where: Classic Comedy club
Cost: $15
A showcase of 10 bright new comedy talents featuring ten comedians with special guest MC Nick Rado, fresh back from the UK pro circuit. Featuring Sean Downie, John Carr, Sarah Harpur, Lewis Dean, Jayran Mansouri, Guy Williams, Fasitua Amosa, Joseph Moore and Alan McElroy.
For more details click here.
Whangarei
Whangarei 2010 International Jazz and Blues Festival
When: Friday 22nd - Saturday 23rd
Where: Grand Hotel
Cost: $40
Following the popularity of last year the Whangarei International Jazz and Blues Festival is back in 2010. Artists at the event include the legendary Hammond Gamble, hot international kiwi guitar player, Billy TK Jr, RnB rock giants Brillieaux plus special international guests crooner Diana Harris, blues guitar player Robbie McGregor, country blues artist Erica Sunshine Lee and Tony Painting.
Rotorua
The SingleSpeed World Champs
When: Saturday 23rd, 10:30am (the race begins)
Where: Waipa MTB park
Cost: Free to watch (registrations have closed)
Over 1000 riders from all around the globe have gathered in Rotorua this Labour Weekend for the Singlespeed World Champs, an event where riders must cycle 40kms around a hilly track on a bike with only one gear. As well as the glory of winning, the champion of the event must be inked with the event's tattoo a prize no champion has tried to give up in the event's 15 years history.
For more details click here.
Tauranga
Anika Moa
When: Sunday 24th, 7:30pm
Where: The Colosseum
Cost: $40.00
Playing songs off her new album Love in Motion, Anika Moa stops off in Tauranga as part of her nationwide tour. Although she's long been a Kiwi favourite, Anika picked up the Best Solo Female Artist award at this year's Vodafone Music Awards.
For more details click here
Hamilton
Shiverdown Music Festival
When: Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th
Where: Mystery Creek Events Centre
Cost: $70
Nine hours of continuous live music coming to the mighty Waikato! Immerse yourselves into the soulful tones of Aotearoa's finest including The Black Seeds, Katchafire and dDub.
Click here for more info.
Taupo
Taupo Mind Body Spirit Expo
When: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th, 10am-5pm
Where: Tauhara College, Invergarry Road
Cost: $5
Click here for more details.
Wellington
Disasteradio album release
When: Friday 22nd, 9pm
Where: San Francisco Bath House
Cost: $10
Disasteradio is hitting the stage this Labour Weekend to celebrate the release of his latest album Charisma. With solid line up of friends and DJs including Leno Lovecraft and Monster Mash (Thought Creature Electro Set), you should prepare yourself to be dancing all night - the last act only takes to the stage at 4am!
For more details click here
Brian Brake: Lens on the World
When: Saturday 23rd onwards
Where: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Cost: Free
Opening this Labour Weekend, this exhibition takes a retrospective look at the life and work of Brian Brake, one of New Zealand's most internationally-recognised photographers. During the opening on Saturday, speakers will talk about Brake and his photography.
For more details click here.
The Diwali Festival of the Lights
When: Sunday 24th, 1pm-10pm.
Where: TSB Bank Arena
Cost: Free
Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Indian communities around the world celebrate the festival by lighting lamps, candles and fireworks to represent the triumph of light over darkness. The day will host a range of performances, both international and local.
For more details click here.
Christchurch
Band together Concert for Canterbury
When: Saturday 23rd, 11am-8pm
Where: Hagley Park
Cost: Free
Following the devastating earthquake that shook Canterbury last month, a massive line up of New Zealand musicians have banded together to put on free a show in Christchurch.
The lineup includes Anika Moa, Bic Runga, Che Fu, Dane Rumble, Dave Dobbyn, J Williams, King Kapisi, Nathan King, Dame Malvina Major, Julia Deans, Ray Columbus and Dinah Lee will be joined in the lineup by supergroups including Dukes, Evermore, The Exponents, The Feelers, Minuit, Midnight Youth and Opshop.
For more details click here.
Doing Hard Labour - The Tim & Gary Show
When: Sunday 24th, 2-5pm.
Where: Melton Estate
Cost: $30
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt and former MoreFM host Gary McCormick return for an afternoon of laughs after their sold out comedy shows in August.
For more details click here.
Dunedin
Surf Friends
When: Friday 22nd, 8pm.
Where: ReFuel
Cost: $10
Auckland indie-rockers head south to Dunedin as part of their nation-wide tour. In their own words, Surf Friends are driving a new alternative sound with their blend of "the early indie sounds of Flying Nun bands with new experimental waves".
For more details click here.
Final days of the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival
When: Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th.
Where: Dunedin Botanic Gardens
Cost: Varied (though many events are free of charge)
There are over 40 events to choose from at this celebration of Dunedin's magnificent rhododendrons, including food and wine samplings, garden tours, exhibitions, art and much more.
For more details click here.
