1. The Controversial Film Festival has kicked off at Academy Cinemas and this Friday, The Holy Mountain will be screening at 8.30pm. The film sparked controversy upon its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973 for its inclusion of violence and alleged drug use by the actors during filming. The surrealist fantasy explores themes of consumerism, militarism and exploitation.
2. For this weekend only, photographers Colby Sadeghi and Adam Custins will show their new works at Thievery Studio. The photographers have come together to celebrate their love of instant film photography. Adam will be presenting a new body of work called The School of Philosophy. Colby, who is NY based, has spent the last year and a half in New Zealand shooting personal projects on vintage Polaroid film.
3. The Curvy Girl Market Rack Sale is on Sunday, hosted by The Carpenters Daughter at their Point Chevalier store with racks of pre-loved, good quality clothing ranging from sizes 12-26.
4. Head to the Earth-Beat Harvest Festival, a great chance to spend time outdoors before summer well and truly disappears. With a focus on sustainability and community, the line-up includes live music, yoga, meditation and wellbeing workshops.
5. Take some time to recharge and visit the new Elizabeth Arden treatment room on Queen St, and choose from their extensive range of facial options, nail and beauty services or try a hot stone massage.
6. Take a trip to the Waiheke Food and Wine Festival and enjoy a Saturday at Te Motu trying out the island's fare. 15 local vineyards will be there for wine tastings, as well as food stalls from the likes of Kapiti cheese. Give some of Waiheke's award-winning olive oil a try from Azzuro Grove, Rangihoua Estate and Matiatia Grove.
7. If you're still in denial that Easter weekend is over, head along to Karaoke at Harry Bar on Sunday night from 8pm and make your weekend last a little longer with some singing, wine and nibbles.
8. Cup and Bun espresso bar opens on Friday at 2A Hakanoa St in Grey Lynn. The main offering is cups of coffee and savoury filled buns - think rib eye, bacon and soft egg, pork belly, oyster mushroom and haloumi. The cafe has a minimal, Scandinavian style fit out and offers coffee and sweet treats alongside the buns.
9. To celebrate the launch of Neuw Denim at Smith and Caughey's, the brand has installed a tattoo parlour in the department store's iconic window on Queen St. Stefan Sinclair of Two Hands Tattoo will be live tattooing from 12 - 3pm this Saturday – be sure to head down and watch the action unfold.
