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Laneway Festival 2011
All the action from the bands and the crowds at the 2011 Laneway Festival at Aotea Square on Auckland Anniversary Day.

One for the birds
Live At the Islands draws some big music names to support conservation work.

Sea snails prove a challenge for daredevil tasters
Thousands have been flocking to the Viaduct Harbour this holiday weekend to tuck into seafood ranging from oysters to sea escargots (sea snails).

Fishy feast of firsts at festival
Despite marking its fifth consecutive year, the 2011 Auckland Seafood Festival has a number of firsts up its sleeve.

Herald photographers' Big Day Out pics
All of the action from yesterday's Big Day Out at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium.

Don't miss: Margaret River Wine Region Festival
The annual Margaret River Wine Region Festival showcases wares from many of its 100 or more producers.

Improved crowd control promised at music fest
Crowd control at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines festival is being improved after boisterous partygoers forced organisers to shut down bus services last night.

Fat Freddy's global profile grows
Kiwi collective Fat Freddy's Drop has won a spot at one of the biggest music festivals in the United States.

Putting New Zealand music on the map
Taking New Zealand's rich and diverse music scene to the world is the aim of Womad's Emere Wano, who has launched the music expo Sounds Aotearoa to provide an opportunity for NZ artists to be heard overseas.

Jolly good shows
Paula Yeoman looks at the hottest music festivals on offer over the next few months and talks to an expert on the subject of sweet summer vibes, Tiki Taane.

Dunedin: Buckets of cool charm
Like your frocks fabulous and your produce pesticide-free? Dunedin's for you, writes Rachel Grunwell.

Don't miss: London International Mime Festival
This fabulous annual festival of wordless performance spans the full mime spectrum, including live art, physical theatre, circus and puppetry.

Gisborne: Five girls and a campervan
A road trip to the Gisborne Wine & Food Festival is a hilarity-filled affair for Sarah Ivey and friends.

Don't miss: Loi Krathong
Held on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Loi Krathong is one of Thailand's most atmospheric traditional festivals.

Ecuador: Animal magic in the mountains
Jim Eagles avoids a guinea pig lunch but is charmed by a fortune-telling bird.

Wales: Tiny village a mecca for book lovers
Welsh town Hay-on-Wye is the perfect spot for bookworms, finds Geraldine O'Sullivan Beere.

Don't miss: Canadian Aboriginal Festival
North America's diverse indigenous culture is explored and celebrated at this massive pow wow and festival.

Sting to play 2011 Mission Concert
Ex-Police frontman Sting has been confirmed as the headline act for the 2011 Mission Concert.

Fireworks to follow July 4 festivals
The nation's largest fireworks show will light up the skies over the Hudson River straddling New York and New Jersey, to celebrate American Independence Day.

Crowds throng sun-baked Glastonbury Festival
Recent nay-saying that the festival neglects the young is insane. Teens were the most visible age-bracket on site.