Yeehaa! We now have 8,000 guide-getters. Keep spreading the word. But don't leave your Xmas shopping to the last minute!It was only 4.5 months ago that we conquered 5,000, now it’s 8k and rising. This is awesome fun. Let’s try and make it 10 by winter. Get your friends to sign up via the website so they know about all the events you do. But don’t let this distract you from completing your Christmas shopping before the due date.I had a lot of fun writing my weekly review this week - click here to check it out. And don’t forget there’s a space at the end where you can add your comments - sensible or totally random - and let the world know what you’ve been doing too. We also have 3 new image galleries (click here). |
Winners from Last WeekHuw O’Conner and Olivia Bennett both won Big Day Out tickets.Steven Gilliland won the Chemistry dance party tickets. Ben Young won the Gillette face care and shaving pack. Jo Lines-Mackenzie and Charlotte Cull won the NZ Breakers double passes. Gareth Hookham, Nicky Wall, Tui Maybury, Louise Zamiri, Alex Dickie and Tracey Sadgrove all won the AA and George FM Finely Tuned Vol. 3 CD. |
Cool Things to Win This Week1 x double pass to go wild with the gee-gees TODAY at Ellerslie Racecourse. You have to be available from 4.30pm. Mail me now if you’d like to go. Include your mobile number and I’ll call the winner asap.1 x double pass Summadayze on January 4th ’08. The first ever dance party at The Vector Arena and what a star-studded line-up. Sneaky Sound System, David Guetta, Benny Benassi and so on. Utter madness. To be in to win email me back with “Summadayze” as the header. 1 x double pass to Groove In The Vines this Saturday at Isola Estate, Waiheke Island. It’s a whole day event with some big acts. Put “Isola Estate” in the subject line and email me back if you’d like to go. 2 x double passes to Soniktonik’s Xmas Party at Ink Bar this Saturday. Electro techno at it’s very best. Put “Soniktonik” as a header when you email me to enter this draw. 1 x double pass to Groove In The Park on February 6th ’08 at Western Springs. It’s a while off but will be bigger and better than last year. If you like to get sorted ahead of time then email me with “Groove In The Park” in the subject line. 2 x double passes to Electrofest at Zanzibar this Friday. A cool place to meet friends then go elsewhere, or just stay and go crazy. Write “Electrofest” in the subject box and email me if you want to win. 1 x double pass to The Jambalaya Music Festival held in Rotorua on January 4th – 6th. A plethora of music over 3 days in a dream setting. Go to www.jambalaya.co.nz for further info. To try and win email me back with “Jambalaya” as the subject. |
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Wednesday December 12thLindauer Twilight Summer SeriesEllerslie Racecourse, 80-100 Ascot Ave, Greenlane Tickets $30 from www.whipsnspurs.co.nz or from the gate. 4.30 – 7.30pm I never miss these. Yes, I put a wager on the odd race, but it’s the social aspect that I’m more interested in; everyone’s always in such high spirits. You receive free bubbles on arrival, and there’s entertainment on and off the track until well past dark. Come along for a gander. And/Or The Kingslander’s Xmas Party 470 New North Rd, Kingsland Invite Only 7 - 9pm. No Charge. 9pm – 1am It’s a big sports bar with a difference. They have singles dos, salsa dancing, comedy, rock bands and tonight they have my favourite party DJ, Karn Hall, mixing for 4 hours. Tonight’s a special night with famous guests, laser light show, little elfs and super sexy Brazilian hosts; so it’s formal dress, 10 minutes of speeches at 9, then it’s all go on the dancefloor till close. And/Or Free Bloc Party Britomart Square, Downtown, CBD No Charge. 7.30 – 11pm This will be a massive party in the streets, rain or shine – it’s going to rock. Expect a few youngsters milling around sipping gin from Dad’s liquor cabinet, but dodge them and get into the epic sounds of Midnight Juggernauts, an indie-electro-synth group from Melbourne. Hot off the heels of their newly released album Dystopia, the Juggernauts fly into NZ for this one-off exclusive gig. Tonight they are supported by the NZ electronic hipsters, Pig Out. |
Thursday December 13thSystematicThe Supper Club, Cnr Beresford Square & Pitt St, Auckland CBD No Charge. 7pm – Late I’ve been told off for being biased to house and hard dance music, well here you go. Drum’n’bass, breaks and dubstep at your service. The venue is good for early drinking as well as late night affairs. Right across the way is Foci who also has a DnB night, so double trouble. And/Or Architecture In Helsinki The Kings Arms, 59 France St, Newton Tickets $35 from Real Groovy. 8pm – 12am Although I had never heard of these guys till recently I really do wonder why, they sound astonishing. They are an Australian musical collective based in Melbourne who have opened for the likes of David Bryne and toured the world extensively. All the band members can play multiple instruments, for example analogue synthesizers, the glockenspiel and handclaps. When added to the more traditional instruments like the trumpet, tuba, clarinet, recorder; and the even more standard guitars, bass and drums, you get the most amazing collaborative sound. |
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Friday December 14thValente (ex Malente)Mesh Bar, Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna / Met & Code, Cnr High & Shortland St, Auckland Central Tickets $17 from Real Groovy, Route 66 or Mesh Bar. 5pm – 7am This sounds right up my alley. 14 hours of partying. Start at Mesh with a summer-themed party with pumping house and electro to kick-start your night, then at 10pm all get on a big bus and hit Met and Code. 20 of NZ’s top DJs, full production, boosted lighting, Christmas giveaways, and live entertainment. Bring it on! And/Or Electrofest Zanzibar, Cnr K’ Rd & Pitt St (Upstairs), Newton Entry $5 on the door. 10pm – 6am A good bar, with good backdoor balcony, good bar prices and 6 of Auckland’s best electronic DJ’s; The best ones being Tim Richards (who has a way that makes even the most stubborn male dance), and Luke Walker (who has released tracks and played all over the world), and you’ll have one hellofa groovy night. And/Or Sweet Dreams Forte Bar & Niteclub, 2 Fort Lane, Auckland Central No Charge. 10pm – 6am I went to the first Sweet Dreams and the vibe was sheer party-to-the-max. All your favourite party trax remixed and spun with gusto by Dodgy Rodge, and his band of merry men. Forte isn’t half bad either, areas where you can go bananas and also chill, converse and gently sip cocktails. Worth a look. |
Saturday December 15thGroove In The VinesIsola Estate Vineyard, 74 Onetangi Rd, Waiheke Island Tickets $55 from www.islandevents.co.nz, Fullers Ferries or Real Groovy. 12 – 11pm Kora and Sola Rosa are the big names at this gig for me, thus it’ll be a very groovy day. If it’s sunny you must go to this, even bring a picnic if you wish. It’ll be an amazing experience at one of New Zealand’s premier vineyards. The party ends at 11pm so you have plenty of time to catch ferries and party on elsewhere. And/Or Soniktonik Xmas Party Ink Bar, 268 K’ Rd, Newton Entry $10 on the door. 10.30pm – 7am Electro, House and Techno city here, with some of the friendliest party-people you could ever hope to come across, all in a club with the best indoor/outdoor flow around - odd seeing it’s underground. And/Or TAG Promotions Xmas Party. Feat. Autobots Zen, 17 Albert St, Auckland Central Entry $20 on the door. 10pm – Late I’ve heard of these guys for years, but never had the chance to see them. They spin tunes similar to Fat Boy Slim, The Crystal Method, Krafty Kuts, The Plump Djs and Stanton Warriors; but better of course ;-) The Bots have toured the world 10 times and played for millions in their time. Now it’s our turn to check them out and a brand new venue. |
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Sunday December 16thPony RidgeStonyridge Vineyard, 80 Onetangi Rd, Waiheke Island Tickets $25 from www.theponyclub.co.nz. Or $35 on the door. 4 – 11pm NZ’s best drunken jam session goes postal over to the only vineyard I know of that could handle it. Groove in the Vines is on next door the previous day so you could make a whole weekend of it on the island. And/Or ASB Christmas At The Zoo Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Western Springs Tickets $9 - $18 from www.ticketmaster.co.nz. 5 – 9pm Take the kids to the zoo for interactive fun and entertainment everywhere you look. There will be all the usual Christmas bits and bobs, the Christmas fairies of Hippo River, walking Christmas Trees, Santa Claus, free face-painting, carol singers, bouncy castles and a huge inflatable obstacle course. And/Or The NZ Comedy Guild Awards 2007 The Classic, 321 Queen St, Auckland Central Tickets $20. Bookings essential from www.comedy.co.nz. 7 – 11pm The awards will be celebrating some of NZ’s best comedy talent, with a Bollywood-themed ceremony. It appears that it’ll be a bloody good night, with a lot of piss-taking and general holla-ba-loo. There will also be plenty to be horrified by, as the nominees for the Most Offensive Gag of the Year Award each get a chance to perform the piece that won them their nomination. |
Monday December 17thQueen City Big Band Xmas PartyThe Gables Tavern, Cnr Jervois & Kelmarna Ave, Herne Bay Entry $5 on the door. 7.30 – 10pm Now for something completely different (yet maybe not if you are over 55 and enjoy a daily 5pm sherry). I hear last year’s gig sold out and even got noise control called, but if you like early swing, modern rock and big band classics then this just might be for you. Paul Norman leads a group of over 20 young musicians and singers to enthral old and even older :) |
Tuesday December 18thThe Franklin Road Xmas LightsFranklin Rd, Ponsonby No Charge. 8pm – Late Every year neighbours attempt to out do one another with more and more complex, and creative, Christmas light displays. There’s normally a queue so if you have time, push play, park up and walk it. |
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Up And Coming Fun TimesDecember 18th, LAST MARTY’S GUIDE for 2007December 20th, NZ Breakers V Wollongong Hawkes, North Shore Events Centre December 21st, Electric Xmas Dance Party, Coherent December 23rd, George FM Party, Tahiki Reserve December 23rd, Summer Sessions, Malt Bar December 26th, Boxing Day Races, Ellerslie Racecourse December 26th, BlackCaps V Bangladesh, Eden Park December 26th, George FM Beach Parties (begin), North Island December 27th, George FM Summer Party @ The Smashed Pipi, Mangawai December 30th, George FM Summer Party @ The Sand Bar, Waiheke Island January 4th, Summadayze Dance Party, Vector Arena January 4th – 6th, Jambalaya Music Festival, Rotorua January 7th – 12th, Heineken Tennis Open, ASB Tennis Centre January 9th, FIRST MARTY”S GUIDE for 2008 January 10th, NZ Breakers V The Gold Coast, North Shore Events Centre January 11th, Global Summer Dance Festival, Ellerslie Racecourse January 15th, Billy Bragg, Leigh Sawmill January 20th, Evermore, Auckland Zoo January 25th, International Customs Day, Maritime Museum January 28th, Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, Waitemata Harbour January 31st – Feb 5th, Auckland International Buskers Festival, Auckland CBD February 1st, Liam Finn, Auckland Zoo February 6th, Groove In The Park, Western Springs February 8th – 10th, Splore Music Festival, Tapapakanga Regional Park February 16th, Devonport Wine & Food Festival, Devonport February 16th, Tiger Beer Dragon Boat Festival, Viaduct Harbour February 17th, The Phoenix Foundation, Auckland Zoo February 29th, Katchafire, Auckland Zoo |
New Years Eve RecommendationsDecember 31st, Salvation Dance Party, Galatos, Auckland CentralDecember 31st, Rhythm & Vines Music Festival, Waiohika Estate, Gisborne December 31st, Oxygen Dance Party, Transmission Room, Auckland Central December 31st, Highlife Dance Party, Stonyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island December 31st, Fevah Dance Party, Imerst, Wellington December 31st, Phat 08, Inangahua, South Island December 31st, Canaan Downs Festival, Takaka Hill, South Island |