Weekender: Put a needle on the record

The huge selection of music CDs at Real Groovy on Queen Street in Auckland. Photo / Chris Gorman

Our top picks for your next weekend getaway.

This Saturday marks the annual celebration of the record at stores around the globe, including throughout New Zealand. Record Store Day is a chance for vinyl enthusiasts to indulge in their passion, with performances, deals and new releases on offer. In Auckland, head along to Real Groovy on Queen St for sets by Polyester, Bloodbags, Wax Chattels, Unsanitary Napkin and SWIDT on what it promises will be its biggest Record Store Day to date. Other Auckland stores participating include Conch, Marbecks and Southbound. At 369 Queen St, City, Saturday, April 21, 9am-7pm.

A wonderful night out

The Killers play their first New Zealand shows since 2009 over the next week, in support of their fifth album Wonderful Wonderful.

Brandon Flowers of the Killers. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Mr Brightside rockers from Las Vegas, fronted by possibly the world's coolest Mormon, Brandon Flowers, play Auckland's Spark Arena on Friday, Wellington's TSB Bank Arena on Saturday (sold out) and Christchurch's Horncastle Arena next Tuesday. Tickets from $119.90 at Ticketmaster (Auckland) and $91.40 at Ticketek (Christchurch).

One for the birds

Here's a great event to get the kids appreciating New Zealand's flora and fauna these school holidays: Aongatete Forest Project's annual

Breakfast with the Birds in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park

.

The kereru is New Zealand's only endemic pigeon.

The overnight event begins on Friday with dinner and an informative night forest "Walk with the Weta", then on Saturday morning you'll enjoy the special treat of waking up to a dawn chorus of native birds. After breakfast, there'll be another guided walk, "Foray with the Fungas". Tickets are just $40 from events@aongateteforest.org and include the two meals and accommodation. Children over 8 welcome. Aongatete Lodge, Wright Rd, Katikati. Friday, April 20, 5.30pm to Saturday, April 21, at 10am.

Funny ha ha

Get your laughing muscles at the ready for the

New Zealand International Comedy Festival

, which kicks off next week with the Best Foods Comedy Gala in Auckland next Thursday and Wellington next Sunday.

Comedian Arj Barker.

Hosted by Dave from

Flight of the Conchords

(aka Arj Barker), this year's line-up features a great mix of locals as well as international stars including Heath Franklin's Chopper, Phil Wang, Sarah Callaghan, Andy Zaltzman, The Umbilical Brothers and many more. ASB Theatre, Auckland, Thursday April 26 from 8-10.30pm and Opera House, Wellington, Sunday April 29 from 7.30-10pm. Tickets from $79.90 at Ticketmaster.