I did them all, so I had a fairly good week. Easter has to be up there in the stakes for the coolest time of year. It creates 2 back-2-back short weeks, the weather’s generally sweet, there’s always lots to do and the bountiful chocolate is a definite bonus.

The Nite:Life awards were held at The Auckland Town Hall. It was a ceremony as part of the major Our House dance party taking place at the same time. I knew I was up for the “Best Scene Personality” award, but when I was asked out on to the stage I was awe struck. I hadn’t received a major award for the best part of a decade, so the thrill was indescribable and it still bubbles within.

The few seconds of glory ignited something; I tried to be everywhere, talk to everyone, drink everything (actually this sounds quite the norm) and may have gone a bit OTT, stepping on some important toes and putting a couple of VIP noses out of joint.

The Glamour dance party was on a few blocks away at Toto Restaurant, and seeing both parties were packed with fun party peeps up for a large one, I to and froed getting into quite a bit of mischief in transit. In one of these movements I mislaid my award, so that sucked.  In another I spilt the majority of an orange Bacardi Breezer on my loaned white shirt. You get the drift.

There was 1 other big party held on Thursday night. Crazy P and Norman Jay were headlining at Pontoon. A quick stop in there saw a more mature party crowd, and a flash restaurant superbly transformed into a world-class concert venue. I arrived at the right time. I’d not seen Norman play since London’s Notting Hill Carnival in ‘04. His tunes were original, worldly and very danceable, so I stayed longer than intended.

The other 2 gigs charged on. Glamour began to peter out about half 4, and Nite:Life banged it out fully fledged till the planned 6am. For me it was the town hall event that took the cake. It could have been the award, that it’s such a fab venue for large scale dance parties with more nooks and crannies than Narnia, the top international DJ’s, or just the fact that it was a very well orchestrated dance party.

Having these 3 pumping parties happening meant after party city and options for Africa. I chose one in Parnell. I’d only met the guy that night and he appeared normal enough so off we trucked. The place was a palace and soon piles of familiar faces beamed from the lift (that opened directly into the house) all carrying gifts to make the morning and afternoon all the more sweeter.

Friday was a blur, so moving on to Saturday, I did something out of character: turning my back on what I knew would be a spectacular night at Stonyridge Vineyard on Waiheke, I headed to Whitianga for The Bluesfest Festival, and a few out-of-the-ordinary nights at Cooks Beach (a hop skip and a jump from Whitianga). I regret the move a little due to the great feedback I’ve heard about the last Sundown dance party ever, but I’m always in search of new things and experiences, and the Bluesfest opened my eyes to some whole new kettles of fish.

Maybe me approaching 32 (this Friday) is a small turning point in my partying career. Who knows but the time away has left me motivated and riddled with ideas for the future. So keep your eyes open, ears alert and you’ll be seeing more of me in places you may not expect.