Do you like to meet people, drive around and of course party?Good, because I need a driver/partner in crime. Guy or girl, it doesn’t really matter, you just need to be presentable, fun and reliable. Email me back asap with a picture and a few paragraphs selling yourself.Fingers crossed for the run of fine weather to bounce back. Autumn can’t set in yet. There are still too many parties that require sweet weather on the horizon, such as mine for instance on April 12th that you’ll all be receiving an invitation to next week. There's lots happening this week, so check it all out below - and make sure you read my full weekly wrap on the website too (click here). |
Winners From The Last GuideRichard Walker won the Chemical Brothers concert double pass. After hearing his Glastonbury nightmare caused by his girlfriend I just had to.Nikki Wilkie and Sasha Thomson won Island Style concert double tickets to Ridgeview Estate Winery. Michelle Anderson picked up the Sounds of Summer dance party passes. Shamila Unka took her brother to see the Blues trounce the Chiefs. Hugh Grierson and Jenna Irwin won 2 tickets each for WhiskyLive at The Civic. Lee Burney and Carolyn Guthrie won double tickets to The NZ Beer Festival at Ellerslie Racecourse. |
Prizes Up For Grabs1 x Mid-Summer Masquerade Ball fundraiser for Cure Kids double pass. It’s this Friday at the flash function zone on top of the museum. All drinks and a 3 course meal are included. Classy and great times all in one. The catch is that you’ll have to sit at my table. Write “Cure Kids”, and your phone number, in the subject line if you can come.2 x Chemical Brothers single passes. They play next Thursday at The Vector Arena. If you don’t win, get tickets, it will be out of this world. Write why you think you should win a ticket, and email me with “Chemical Brothers” as the title. 2 x NZ Beer Festival double passes. After the hugely successful launch of last year, this one will be bigger and better. It’s on at Ellerslie Racecourse on Feb 23rd. Get tickets now or try winning them by writing “Beer Fest” in the subject box and emailing me. Put “Beer Festival” in the subject line when you email me back. Included your phone number too please. 1 x Diesel Bourbon Bikini Comp. Heat 2 VIP double pass. Get stage side seats, free drinks and food. Best of all see some stunning women. It’s on at Pat’s Garage, Northcote this Saturday afternoon. Write “Diesel Bourbon” in the subject box and mail me back to be in the draw. 1 x Hero Dance Party double pass. On this Saturday at the glamorous Civic Theatre. The Hero festival has been on all month and this is the grand finale. Wearing less is best and skin is in. If you like wild times and cranking dance tunes write “Hero” in the subject line and email me. 1 x Marquis Condoms luxury pack. Someones going to have a ball with a pack of Selecta flavoured condoms, Titillata textured condoms, Sensolite ultra thin super sensitive condoms, Spiral and twist condoms, 3Vibra-Rings with 3 condoms, 3 lubricants (banana, strawberry and neutral) and 2 neon wrist bands. Write "Marquis Condoms" as the header for your email entry if you’re feeling lucky. 1 x Bluesfest double pass. On March 22nd in Whitianga. This is a massive event and will sell out soon. A swag of bands, only half of them Blues orientated, will rock the Coromandel all day. This comp will run 2 for weeks. Put “Bluesfest” in the subject line if you’d like to go, and mail me back. |
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Wednesday February 20thMovies In Parks – “Sleeping Dogs”Tahaki Reserve, Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden No Charge. 8 – 10pm Great chance to get some fresh air; rain or shine it’s on. Sleeping Dogs is a 1977 NZ classic about a guy who just gets up, leaves his family and rents a house on an uninhabited island. He finds a cache of arms, is arrested, jailed then offered the opportunity to make a fake confession, and go into exile or else face execution. Instead he manages to escape and flees across the country hunted by the government’s armed Specials. And/Or Big Wednesday Comedy Showcase The Classic, 321 Queen St, Auckland Central Entry $10 on the door. 8 – 10.30pm Ewen Gilmore MC’s the evening where up-and-comers get 10 minutes to make us laugh. Ewen is magic, and will carry the show no matter what. I’ve been to a few of these gigs and won’t be missing this one. Will be popping down to Globe Bar after if anyone’s keen? |
Thursday February 21stWestpac Rescue Helicopter fundraiserDenim Bar, 207 Parnell Rd, Parnell No Charge. 8pm – Close Fun and hijinx at my favourite Parnell watering hole. Prizes, auctions and cheap cocktails and 2 Heinekens for $10, all raising money for a super creditable cause. And/Or Movies By Moonlight – “Talladega Nights” Hootoons Reserve, Albany No Charge. 8.30 – 10.30pm North Shore City is only the third city in the world after New York and Paris to offer its residents free outdoor movies in this way. It's truly a first class experience and product. There will be food and coffee stalls as well as port-a-loos if you get caught short. Come prepared. |
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Friday February 22ndAuckland Lantern Festival (begins)Albert Park, Central Auckland No Charge. 5 – 10.30pm The 2008 Lantern Festival welcomes the Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac. The festival features hundreds of beautiful lanterns, including brand new designs from China, to bring the Chinese New Year celebrations to a glowing finale. There will be performers from NZ and overseas as well as crafts, delicious food, fortune-telling, fireworks and martial arts displays. And/Or Mid-Summer Masquerade Ball fundraiser for Cure Kids The Auckland Museum, The Auckland Domain Tickets $125 from Kelly.Huntley@lep.co.nz, or call 0274478434. 8pm – 12am I’m quite excited about going to this. I’ve got a new designer suit from Cube, am getting my mask painted on and have an exquisite date. The venue is supreme, with dreamy views, live bands performing all evening and you get a 3 course meal with complimentary drinks throughout. Splash out and live like a king for a night, all for the Cure Kids charity. And/Or Turnaround Exclusive Club Night feat. Benji B Bacco Room, Toto Restaurant, 53 Nelson St, Auckland Central Entry $20 on the door. 11pm – 6am Benji B began playing the saxophone aged 6, 10 years later he was playing all over London and became the youngest ever producer for BBC Radio 1. His DJ sets blend tunes from various genres of underground soul music: broken beats, hip-hop, house, UK garage, jazz, soul or Detroit techno. This night will be spectacular. Wicked people and highly qualified supporting DJ’s. |
Saturday February 23rdNZ Beer FestivalEllerslie Racecourse, 80-100 Ascot Ave, Greenlane Tickets $25 from www.iticket.co.nz or any Liquorland outlet. 12 – 9pm If you do one thing this weekend this should be it. 24 breweries show off over 70 beers. Bands, DJ’s and room for 10,000 people. Well worth it, bring lots of cash and come early. And/Or A Bush Party with Fat Freddies Drop Matakana Music Mountain, Govan Wilson Rd, Matakana Tickets $85 from www.ticketek.co.nz. 4.30 – 11pm Fat Freddies are geniuses. Somehow their essential electronic fusion of beats and lyrics manage to appeal to almost everyone. Subtle differences now come into their sets, a little less dub and reggae, and a bit more soul, country and blues. The boutique venue is nestled in pristine native bush, and just an hour’s drive from Auckland, so get prepared to get laidback. There’s a picnic afternoon/evening session concert on tomorrow, but this is the one you want. And/Or Hero Dance Party Extravaganza The Civic Theatre, Cnr Queen & Wellesley St, Auckland Central Tickets $49.90 from www.ticketek.co.nz. $80 on the door. 10pm – 6am Now in its 18th year, the Hero party is renowned for its flamboyant and spectacular shows, plus full-colour laser lighting, various mirrored objects, and big-screen visuals. I’m going for the energy, sights and to hear one of my fave old school uplifting trance DJ’s Paul Goodyear from Barcelona spin his stuff. |
Sunday February 24thHolden Astra Summer Sounds feat. Ardijah & Chong NeeSturges Park, 25a Fort Richard Rd, Otahuhu No Charge. 4 – 7pm 6 membered group Ardijah’s sound is timeless, unique and mature. A sweet blend of funk, soul, hip-hop and rap combined with their own distinct Poly Funk creation (Polynesian groove rhythms). They’ve traversed the ages, from the 80’s through till now and collaborated with many artists and producers nationally and internationally to maintain and grow their presence. Chong Nee supports. His unique heritage of Chinese/Samoan/Maori gives his hip-hop and R&B tracks a very spicy Pacific flavour. And/Or Free Parking #4 Eric Armishaw Reserve, Walker Rd, Pt Chevalier No Charge. 1 – 6pm Come on time for a change. These picnic (drinking) parties are all good. This one’s had lots of advertising and at a cool spot. It launches at 1pm with the Morning Steppa, then at 2.30 the sweet soulful sounds of Isaac Aesili take over. The Outer Drive boys (Mark Burgess & Andrew Shearer) bring home the bacon with luscious tunes till 6. |
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Monday February 25thDesperate Housewives NightThe Kingslander, 470 New North Rd, Kingsland No Charge. 8.30 – 9.30pm Arrive early, stay late. It’s social, cosy and all you ladies have the entire upstairs to yourself. Get a vino during the ads, text, gossip, or just have fun. |
Tuesday February 26thPassport PartyForte, 2 Fort Lane, Auckland Central No Charge. 9pm – Late An interactive event designed to welcome international travellers and students to Auckland, showing them a good time Kiwi style. Hosted by MC Cy Constantine, who invites you to play party games for spot prizes. $4.00 drinks and Latin, electro and house beats. |
Wednesday February 26thMovies In Parks – “Goodbye Pork Pie”Tahaki Reserve, Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden No Charge. 8 – 10pm The ultimate Kiwi classic movie. The story of two young men in a stolen yellow Mini who, with anarchic cheerfulness, race from one end of NZ to the other, miraculously avoiding being arrested. |
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Cool Events on the HorizonFebruary 28th, Chemical Brothers, Vector ArenaFebruary 28th, Sounds In The Sun, Unitec February 28th, Holden Astra Summer Sounds, Te Wero Island, Viaduct Basin February 29th, Blues At Blockhouse Bay, Blockhouse Bay Reserve February 29th, Leap Day, Half Price Bungy Bridge Jump, Auckland February 29th, Katchafire, Auckland Zoo March 1st, Greg Johnson & Anna Coddington, Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay March 1st, Mercedes Derby Day, Ellerslie Racecourse March 1st, Corona Music Festival (begins), Isola Estate, Waiheke Island March 1st, Vaccine Dance Party, Space March 2nd, Toto, The Civic March 2nd, BFM Summer Series #2, Albert Park March 2nd, Matakana Food & Wine Festival, Matakana March 2nd, Bic Runga, Greg Johnson, Anika Moa concert, Villa Maria Winery, Manakau March 4th, Santana, Vector Arena March 5th, Cheesefest, SkyCity March 5th, Auckland Cup Day, Ellerslie Racecourse March 5th, Movies In The Parks, The World’s Fastest Indian, Tahaki Reserve March 6th, Concord Dawn, Unitec March 6th, Auckland International Boat Show (begins), ASB Showgrounds March 7th, Pasifika Festival (begins), Western Springs Stadium March 7th, Auckland Trotting Cup, Alexandra Park March 7th, The Tutts, Electric Confectionaries concert, Unitec March 7th, Steve Bug Dance Party, Coherent March 8th, Hokitika Wild Foods Festival, Hokitika March 8th, Diamond Day, Ellerslie Racecourse March 8th, Diesel Bourbon Cola Bikini Comp. Final, Pats Garage, Northcote March 8th, BFM Summer Series #3, Onepoto Domain, Northcote March 9th, Karaka Summer Harvest, Karaka March 9th, Holden Astra Summer Sounds, Pt England Reserve, Glen Innes March 14th, Womad Dance Festival, New Plymouth March 15th, Johnny Devlin & The Tornadoes + Ray Colombus, Tahaiki Reserve March 16th, F1GP, Melbourne March 16th, BFM Summer Series #4, Henderson Park, Waitakere March 16th, Wigs On The Waterfront, Viaduct Harbour March 16th, Round The Bays Fun Run, Downtown Auckland March 17th, St Patricks Day March 19th, The Jam, SkyCity March 20th, Royal Easter Show (begins), ASB Showgrounds March 20th, Glamour Dance Party, Toto’s Restaurant March 20th, Our House Nite:Life, Auckland Town Hall March 20th, Rabbit (begins), Silo Theatre March 21st, Good Friday March 22nd, Auckland Dragon Boat Festival, Viaduct Harbour March 22nd, Super 14 Blues V Stormers, Eden Park March 22nd, Jimmy Barnes, Mangawai Tavern March 22nd, Bluesfest, Whitianga March 22nd, Sundown Dance Party, Stonyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island March 22nd, Smashing Pumpkins, Vector Arena March 23rd, NRL Warriors V Eels, Mt Smart Stadium March 26th, Duran Duran, Vector Arena March 28th, Split Enz, Vector Arena March 29th, Oxygen Dance Party, Transmission Room March 30th, BFM Summer Series #5, Narrowneck Beach Takapuna April 12th, Party Marty’s 32nd Birthday, Everyone’s Invited, Central Auckland |