EcoWest Festival
Over the next month, the EcoWest Festival is highlighting Auckland's natural beauty and the ways we should be caring for it. With workshops, walks and working bees, this year's festival is focused on supporting the rahui that has been placed on the Waitakere Ranges, while new event categories celebrate clean transport and the importance of locally grown food.
When: Until April 15 Where: Various locations, West Auckland Visit: Ecowest.org.nz
Aldous Harding and Perfume Genius
What a combo. The Auckland Arts Festival sees Aldous Harding and Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) perform as part of an incredible double-bill. While you're at Silo Park, check out the food offerings at the Festival Playground, which is only around for the length of the festival.
When: Thursday March 15, 8pm Where: Silo Park, Beaumont St and Jellicoe St Tickets: $55 from Aucklandfestival.co.nz
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race sees 65 boats covering 45,000 nautical miles from Alicante, Spain, to The Hague in the Netherlands. Catch some of the action at Auckland's Viaduct where the boats are docked until March 18; it's been transformed into a vibrant racing village with food and drink pop-ups just for the occasion.
When: Until March 18 Where: Viaduct Harbour, City Visit: Volvooceanrace.com
Kamasi Washington
If you can't make it down to WOMAD (details below), you also have the chance to catch the talents of innovative jazz musician Kamasi Washington at The Powerstation this Friday. He's won numerous awards for his ambitious and intricate sounds, which have helped to popularise jazz with a new generation and has also collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Run the Jewels, and John Legend.
When: Friday March 16, 8pm Where: The Powerstation, 33 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton Tickets: $70 from Ticketmaster
WOMAD
The most exciting place to be this weekend is surely New Plymouth, where the colourful and creative music and art festival WOMAD is taking place. Brooklands Park will ring with the sounds of a melting pot of folk, afro-funk, hip-hop, classical, jazz and punk rock performed on violins, ouds, koras and squeezeboxes. With artists from countries as varied as Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and Mauritania delivering a blend of traditional and modern performances; expect diverse languages, cultures, harmonies and rhythms from the big names and to discover glorious artists you've never heard of.
When: March 16-18 Where: TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Tickets: $265 from Womad.co.nz
Love Me As I Am
Experience a special tribute show to honour the late, great Māori musician Mahinerangi Tocker at Auckland's Town Hall as part of the Auckland Arts Festival. Tocker wrote more than 1000 songs during her career, with her live performances characterised by an infectious energy and humour. An impressive line-up of female singers including Nadia Reid, Charlotte Yates (pictured), Anika Moa and Emma Paki will give some of those songs a good go across two nights.
When: March 16-17, 8pm Where: Auckland Town Hall Tickets: Start at $40 from Aaf.co.nz
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Advertise with NZME.Kokedama Workshop
This workshop will see you create two free-standing Kokedama, a Japanese style of wrapping plants in natural materials that we've fallen in love with. As the weather cools, we'll be spending more time indoors, making it a great time to spruce up your home with some greenery.
When: Saturday March 17, 10am-12pm Where: 35 Uxbridge Rd, Mellons Bay Tickets: $98 from Uxbridge.org.nz
Harry Potter Movie Marathon
Let's be honest, getting out and about is nice, but sometimes you just want to spend the weekend eating popcorn and watching a group of promising young magicians and witches save the world from evil. Academy Cinemas understand this and are hosting a Harry Potter movie marathon titled Potterfest 2018 this weekend. Magic.
When: March 17-18 Where: Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne St, City Tickets: $40 from Academycinemas.co.nz
Disengaged Territories
Photographer and artist James K Lowe's thoughtful approach to photography hasn't gone unnoticed. He balances commercial work, photographing campaigns and lookbooks for some of the country's top fashion labels, with his own personal projects. A new exhibition showcasing works produced during his Masters of Fine Arts degree at Elam explores the consumption and proliferation of imagery. "I started with the question: 'Is it possible to create something real within a society that functions on [digital] platforms built for an audience selling itself its own reality?' The works sit as a series of constructed realities made real by the lens."
When: March 19-29 Where: Allpress Gallery, 8 Drake St, City Visit: Facebook.com/AllpressStudio
DON'T MISS
More events to book and look forward to
A Certain Style: Bruce Papas, March 19-April 1
Body Double, March 20-29
NZ Coffee Festival, March 24
Morning Rave, March 28
Agatha Christie Film Series, April 7-28
No Such Thing as a Fish, May 19
Marlon Williams, May 25
