I’m on this mega-happy streak at the mo, hence these feel good quotes. I’ve been doused in them for over a decade now by teachers, employers and friends who mean well, and now I am somehow taking heed, through alien impregnation I think. Could all this glee just be the very near onset of Spring? Either way, I’ll take a lifetime supply please. It’s amazing how far a 24/7 PMA can take you. Even if it’s just landing a date with a person you’ve likes for ages, it’s worthwhile. Don’t you think?
 
My tasty week started with a little salsa at The Kingslander on Wednesday. I don’t know how many more times I can do a beginners class before it starts to stick. The 1 hour lesson felt much longer, and at the end I was mentally spent, but left with new friends made, sweet moves acquired and healthy red wine glow on my cheeks. I’ll be back again this week to fine tune.
 
Remix magazines 10th birthday at The Flight Lounge, and Coco Club, blew me away on Thursday. (a)Because I had no idea Tim Phin’s top-shelf rag had been gracing us for so long, (b)The versatility of 42 Below vodka, and (c)The very social array of people that had come out to play. When the 1.21 gigawatt lamp of the MTV camera flared it was all on. Amber always seems to arrive just went the masses are rather tipsy, but not exceedingly, and the carnage yet to unfurl. Resulting in hilarious footage of impromptu presenters, previously well hidden skeletons in closets being wrung out, un-PC jokes, even the odd funny face, that I should never have pulled.
 
Having heard about Rhombus’s amazing music, and live stage show, for may years I felt as amped as the next fan crushed at the front of the stage last Friday. It certainly was a roller coaster show, I heard, house, hip-hop, reggae, dub, electro and other sounds I couldn’t quite place. The on-stage energy was immense, despite the bands late start of 12.40am, so a fair whack of the crowd had left before they’d broken a sweat. Those that remained were treated to a sensational performance of unique kiwi music.
 
Everyone wants to be famous some time in their life. The party called Famous on Saturday definitely promoted some towards that goal. Opium is a first-rate venue, which I won’t get tired of any time soon. It wasn’t as packed, or as pretentious, as Fashion Beauty Music (the last dazzling dance party held there), but this left room for the cracking crowd to really get down to business. Staying till the end was always my intention, when the imminent time came SpyBar was on every ones lips. The party continued there till well after dawn, then as usual, people went 1 of 2 ways; they journeyed on to self discovery at generous like-minded party pad occupiers, or went home to plug into their drip and sleep. We toiled on.

THIS WEEKS KILLER PRIZES!

Email all entries to marty@martysguide.co.nz.  Only recipients of my weekly guide are eligible to win.

A double ticket to The Great Race Masquerade Ball held on September 8th. It’s the glamorous finale to the world famous Great Race; a rowing race on the Waikato River between Harvard University and The University of Waikato. I think it’s undoubtedly New Zealand’s most entertaining and extravagant annual party held in a world class venue in Hamilton. To go in the draw to win a double ticket, just mail me back with the name of 1, of the 7 themed areas, in the subject line. Then tell me who you’d take with you, and why. Check out www.theball.co.nz and www.thegreatrace.co.nz.
 
A VIP double pass to Whips ‘n’ Spurs held during the day at Ellerslie on September 8th. So get your friends together, dress up in your best party clothes and make a day of it. It’s the first big meeting of the season and over 1000 tickets have already been sold. To win one of these passes, have a look on www.whipsnspurs.co.nz, and mail me back with the main sponsor of the event in the subject line.
 
A 1 month membership to Les Mills Takapuna. It’s super modern, boasts all the world-class Les Mills group fitness programs and overall has a very friendly vibe about it. If you’d like to win this then reply with the name of the building Les Mills Takapuna is located in. Look at www.lesmills.co.nz/takapuna for more info.
 
3 double passes to Hospitality NZ. A massive event that shows off everything to do with hospo. The latest and greatest of everything will be on show, as well as more traditional aspects for the conservatives out there. On at the ASB Showgrounds from this Sunday. They are combining 5 huge trade events into 1 show, and you’ll have full access to all 5. To win tickets, mail me back with the birthday that Wine NZ is celebrating this year in the subject line. Look at www.hospitalitynz.co.nz .
 
4 double VIP passes to In The House at SpyBar this Saturday. No questions here, just mail me back with “In The House” in the subject line to be in the draw.

Last week had a super start. Bendon launched a new Lingerie range on Tuesday. It was a well laid on event with 42 below providing fine cocktails, James Leuii the beats, the surprisingly friendly and co-operative models by Red Eleven, but by far the coolest touch was a dressing chamber dedicated to a balloon twister. He really could concoct anything; I got a helicopter.
 
From there I pied pipered some troops along to Grolsche’s new bottle launch at The Stardome Observatory. What a great place to launch the new bottle for the future. First off we went into the galaxy room, searching the Milky Way and beyond. It was out of this world and informative, despite the alcohol effects taking force on most of the gazers. Wandering the rest of the observatory we checked out meteors, Saturn’s rings and the decked-out rave room, with full coloured laser show and pumping beats. It was when a certain blonde someone demonstrated the lack of centrifugal force a large spinning table and a fully ladened plate of tapas has, that we knew it was time to move on.
 
Remaining sober(ish) on Wednesday I did “Dinner and a Movie” at Toto’s. The meal was the best yet, but the movie was very much on the flip side. “Crump” has to be one of the most offensive films I have ever seen. I’ll leave it there. Which is exactly what 90% of those watching did - retiring to the comfort of the roaring open fire in the main bar area. Vice Magazine were holding their 2nd birthday party at 4:20 club on the same evening so I went there. Ideal move if you like the EMO massive, out-of-tune instruments giving more feedback than a jumbo jet and sickly bourbon and coke RTDs. So Pony Club was the only option for some feel good 80’s. We closed the night out with nightcaps at Lime Bar, while dodging wobbly older men and sheilding the girls I was with.
 
Thursday’s atrocious weather didn’t dampen the urges of many. Sing Sing at Pony was as busy as ever, this may have been to the toliet malfunction upstairs at Showgirls. So the calibre of candy was quite captivating.
 
It was one of those nights on Friday, those ones when you are out for just a couple and home tucked up in bed by 12 at the latest, no ifs or buts; but it all goes pear-shaped. Two smallish house parties warmed me up, before A’isha’s official opening party. Unfortunately, I can’t see the place doing well, let alone attracting the 25+ cocktail drinking urban professional they are aiming for. Even with the help of the George FM crew it lacked a party vibe. Malente at Toto’s was next. Arriving soon after 12 it was packed with youngsters keen to impress. One obviously did in excess as the fire alarm was triggered and the party shut down.
 
Walking from there to Spy I encountered 3 seperate comotions with a collapsed person not looking well on the footpath, and a NZ Black taxi driver being pulled over and breathalyzed by the 5-0. What’s going on here Auckland?
 
Ohakune has to be one of the best party spots in the country during the ski season. It was my first time, and the entire 2 nights I was there was like a dream. It reminded me of Aspen, from the movie Dumb and Dumber. The Powderkeg was even better than I had heard, on the stroke of the final whistle of The Warriors game, funky uplifting beats pounded and the table dancing began, led mainly by Amber who I gather is nursing some brutal bruises. The Projector Room next door was a funky atmospheric change (once you got past the determined bouncer).
 
Partying all night was never going to be hard. I was on holiday for goodness sake. After a realxing few hours in the spa it was time to have a look up the mountain. We did, had a brief snow fight, Corona and headed back down to the party house on Foyle St. Later that day we cleaned up our act and went to the Classic Comedy night at the Turoa Lodge. Word of advice; don’t sit up the front when you are feeling fragile.
 
A little jaded we reluctantly got back to Auckland Monday evening. I went to Studio 111 for my first TV interview in connection with this Guide. I passed, but it wasn’t my best work.

Last weekend really began on Wednesday, a guide-getting group of 25 went to Toto’s restaurant for a fine dinner and fabulous movie. Rolling on from there we took in Cowboys, then Indians, at The Viaduct. Retro Wednesday at Pony was a riot. I haven’t been refused bar service for almost 10 years, but apparently I had had my quota. Proven when I fell on Brooke and temporarily broke his finger.
 
Lucie Boshier, had a very colourful birthday bash at her shop on Nuffield Street on Thursday, whereas Kingan Jones, a few doors down, had a less vibrant affair but equally exciting. Venturing out of ones comfort zone always quickens the pulse. After the glitz of these fashion boutiques we hit The Sapphire Bar, in Highland Park, for the lingerie finals. Chrissy put on a great show, attracting a big/varied crowd.
 
Back to the norm, it was Pony time once again. It was as live as ever, no one more so than Aja who found a passion for doing styley Dukes of Hazard slides over the booth tables. The kebab urges took over and it was time to leave, ahead of me at the counter was a talkative Ridgey. He was feverishly devouring a fried chicken thigh, claiming it was the best he’d ever had, in-between mouthfuls.
 
The Crazy Mexican Singles Party on Friday was rather low on numbers, perhaps we have all finally found a significant other to cherish? Yeah Right! So leaving there I bounced around Ponsonby for a few night-caps.
 
Going to the rugby and electing not to drink felt very odd and out of character on Saturday, but I have to curb it somehow if I am ever going to compete in this marathon in 2 months. I really enjoyed seeing Auckland beat Waikato, so we continued on across town to see The Warriors terminate The Titans. A uniform party, Vivi La Resistance at Bacco followed, the organisation was one of the best ever, often I had to slap myself to see if it was all real. Oxygen dance party at The Studio had a grand turn-out. The uplifting tunes in collaboration with laser light show was mesmerizing.
 
A Saturday night wouldn’t be complete without stopping in at Spy Bar for a look at the party massive before they splinter off, heading to a myriad of places. I ended up at Steve’s place. Probably one of the best after party places in Auckland. This was highlighted by the swelling numbers as lunchtime approached. Time to move on to a few other destinations before dusk settled. The weekend curtailed with two lovely guests back at mine.

I’m going to give the Auckland Marathon a whirl this year. Just need to get the OK from my physician next Thursday. Then I can go full steam. Any advice from y’all out there would be much appreciated

Last week was a bit tame for me really. With this new marathon running goal, my drunken late nights are not as drunken, and not as late.
 
The Air NZ Screen Awards on Wednesday was rather rowdy. Loads of faces that you normally see in 2D form came to life. All image conscious many paraded around giving shallow compliments. Most baled early missing the fine after party that left a few faces, and eyes, red.
 
Thursday I checked out the Hope Foundation charity event at Hopetoun Alpha, where the likes of Zambesi, Trelise Cooper and Helen Cherry were on show while SJD played a live set on front stage. Nice concept. Then Sample Gee went wild on the decks at The Globe Bar for the Mid-Winter Jam. People got frisky and had loads of fun, the $4 drink specials had nothing to do with this of course. While this was going on, the charity corporate boxing event, the “Crown For Downtown” was in full swing. It was superbly run, fun and extremely entertaining. Hence the sell-out I suppose.
 
La Zeppa had another packed house after work on Friday and Manuel Bundy launched a little ripper of an EP at The Khuja Lounge.
 
Nuffield Street had a gala block party on Saturday afternoon. With the street blocked off all the shops came to the party, all adding their own special touch. George FM added to the vibe by adding some quality sounds. After that there was a bit of a lull before the Latin Fiesta at The Kingslander, that saw big crowds and absolutely delicious Brazilian carnival girls entertain.
 
Flamingo at Spy Bar polished off a busy Saturday. The extra decor and interactive entertainment being an ideal touch when in symmetry with the scolding house beats. Saturday blended into Sunday as is now regular. Megan Franich held a live ALT TV broadcast of her Spoiled Rotten show, from Verona later on Sunday. Following this The Juliet Williams Variety Concert at The Kings Arms got under-way. 120 people showed their support, raising over $1,700 for my favourite cousin to get treatment in L.A. Clayton Carick-Leslie was the ringmaster and did a fantastic job linking the whole show. All the bestest Juliet. x

This past week I lost someone who I cared for deeply. One of those instances where you realise things just a little too late. To occupy my mind I have decided to get training and compete in this years Auckland marathon. I’ll be sending you all a separate email soon, as I am trying to raise $5000 for the SPCA, and would love sponsorship.
 
I believe in making hay while the sun shines, so last Tuesday I did. The goodtimes at The Globe Bar were so good I sayed until I was viewing the inside of the toilet bowl up close. Brilliant party music appealing to everyone and a great cross section of people to mingle with.
 
Pony Club on Wednesdays is building nicely. Seems the only real option in this big city of ours if you want to let your hair down mid-week. Sponge Bar put on a sweet night last Thursday to celebrate their 6th birthday, with the help of George FM and Bacardi. Loads of free booze and nibbles always makes for a fun time. It just proves that Sponge isn’t quite water-logged just yet. The final 2 days of their anniversary blowout were slightly tamer in comparison, but still fun. BBQ’s never go out of favour with me.
 
Khuja played host to funk/soul stormers, The Tornadoes and Tyra Hammond on Friday. There was the usual warm, cultured crowd of party people and soul loving shakers with dancing galore. This team is exciting and should be kept an eye on. While this was busting out, 2 blocks away Karn Hall and Tim Phin were laying down a plethora of beats at Match Bar. Always a good place to start your night on the tiles, arrive about 10pm, savour your favourite cocktail and take in the great social scenery, mainly due to the modelling agency upstairs.
 
The Auckland rugby team got their 2007 campaign underway by beating Counties convincingly, and The Warriors absolutely blitzed The Kinghts early Saturday evening moving to 4th on the NRL table. Miss Auckland 2007 also took place on Saturday in a packed out room at The Crown Plaza. Of the 24 contestants none really stood out as being a sure-thing winner, but there were stand outs in certain catagories. It was an intoxicating start to a big night.
 
Flight Lounge played host to Nicky Sinden’s airport themed leaving party before midnight. Arriving late I bumped into a few red-eyed stayers still in uniform, then did a mandatory circuit around the nearby watering holes before roosting at Spy.
 
A rainy Sunday of after parties evolved, with the only taxi company I can remember, while in a state, 300-3000, getting all my business. Broken pot-plants in electronic doors, random guests locking themselves in the shower, coloured balloons, dress-ups, obstacle courses and a special version of cranium all went down, so just the usual really.