1. Take some time out to get lost in Fiona Pardington's majestic photographs at her new exhibition A Beautiful Hesitation opening on Saturday at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Spanning 30 years of Fiona's work, the show has been divided into four themes: flesh, becoming, a language of skulls and still life.
2. Visit and try out one of the latest eateries to open around Auckland, from Little Jimmy on Manukau Rd to White & Wong's on Quay St.
3. For the first time, the queen of pop Madonna will perform in NZ. Her Rebel Heart will take over at Auckland's Vector Arena on Saturday and Sunday night, with limited tickets still available. And although the show is in support of her latest album, the audience will also be treated to old favourites such as Material Girl and Holiday.
4. Treat yourself after a long week to a progressive 3 course meal thanks to restaurant pop-up The Cult Project. On Friday night, chefs William Cook and Carlo Buenaventura will take over what used to be Late Night Diner on Ponsonby Rd to serve up simple, refined dishes. This week's menu includes an entrée of calamari, corn and dashi broth, citrus, and long pepper, gurnard, sourdough, and flavours of bouillabaisse, finished with elderflower, blood orange, and nectarine for dessert.
5. The Auckland Arts Festival kicked off earlier this week, with a dynamic schedule ahead for the month of March. Head out on Friday or Sunday night to Tar Baby, a play led by American comedian Desiree Burch. Her performance tests the notion of a post-racial America through a clever mash up of stand-up comedy, current events and memoirs. Be warned: audience participation may be part of the show!
6. Support the next generation of fashion talent by visiting the CCO Next Generation x Pop Up Now shop, opening on Friday. Fresh from AUT's fashion school, CCO is collective of fashion design graduates who are returning to AUT to complete their honours year. The clothes for sale will be a progression of their looks shown at AUT's graduate show last year, and are sure to surprise - a great chance to pick up a one of a kind wardrobe addition.
7. Get your ultimate caffeine fix this Saturday by visiting the Auckland Coffee Festival at Shed 10. A celebration of all things coffee, it's the perfect chance to explore new products and trends. There will also be plenty of food on offer.
8. An exhibition worth checking out is Claudia Jowett's Liberal Application at Bath Street Gallery in Parnell. Last year Jowett graduated from Elam with a Master in Fine Arts, and is a young contemporary painter to watch. She describes the explorative process used to create her precise works as simultaneously "unfolding and becoming".
