An exclusive first look at what's on at the 2017 Auckland Arts Festival.

After The Monogram Murders, her first novel starring Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, Sophie Hannah was keen to write a second.

Steve Braunias pictures himself living in one of the photographs in his new book - a photo essay about sad, beautiful shops in small towns.

Schubert's Piano Trios are exquisitely caught in the palette of their times.

Young and dazzlingly talented APO Composer-in-Residence delivers.

Sea calmly meets sky in Stanley Palmer's mature and masterly images.

Author Jay McInerney admits he shares some characteristics with his protagonist, Russell.

Corporate art collections unlocked during Artweek tours.

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No.2 & Concert Fantasia is a superb symphonic adventure from the New Zealand Symphony.

Playing video games inspired dancer Joshua (Fale) Faleatua.

The Sellout, a satire of race and class in the US that has drawn comparisons to Richard Pryor and Mark Twain, has won the Man Booker Prize.

Dropping a plate or spilling a drink would be bad, but few will suffer this indignity.

A retired Kiwi academic is behind the decision to name Christopher Marlowe as co-author of three of William Shakespeare's plays.

A Northland farmer's first attempt at releasing a song internationally via social media has clocked up a whopping 12 million Facebook views.

The Pop-Up Globe will pop up from February to May next year at the Ellerslie Racecourse.

It's all new for Pop-up Globe which returns with four more plays, a different location and groundbreaking interior design.

Janet McAllister continues her mission to visit each and every one of Auckland's 55 libraries.

Babs Tarr rose to comic book stardom in part for her ability to draw women who are badasses. After helping redesign classic DC Comics character Batgirl, Tarr knew right away that Barbara Gordon wouldn't be the last tough heroine she'd draw.

Australian author Tim Winton tells Linda Herrick how he grew out of an obsession with firearms.

Revisiting classic plays provides a lesson for younger actors and entertainment for audiences.

Songwriter Rosanne Cash was having a cup of tea at her New York home yesterday when her husband, John, ran downstairs "like an elephant".

IN THE GROOVE: Thousands of revellers packed in front of a sound stage on Mount Main Beach to welcome in the New Year. PHOTO/FILE

RED HERRING by Jonothan Cullinane (HarperCollins, $37) Auckland 1951: trams run along Queen St, women aren't allowed in the RSC

Unlocked Collections begins with the Spark offices on Victoria Street

Brave Auckland teenagers hit centre stage for their final performance in Manawa Ora: Courage is Contagious.

Help yourself to a sizeable pinch of salt before watching this clip, shot in Melbourne, that purports to show secretive graffiti artist Banksy at work.

Inspired by street artists Banksy and others, Gabriella Lidstone White was given free rein to create a giant masterpiece on the library.

Elena Ferrante's searing portraits of women have won her international acclaim, though very little is known about the author herself.

The news author "Elena Ferrante" may have been unmasked as translator Anita Raja has upset her fans across the globe.

Glen Innes art gallery director Gary Silipa led a double life as a computer network engineer during the day and illegal graffiti artist at night until his addictions got the better of him.