26 Great Things to Do in August

By Danielle Clausen
Viva
Images from the series Flash Cars will be on exhibiton at Black Asterisk gallery this month. Picture / Murray Cammick


1. Flash Cars In 2014, journalist, photographer and record label founder Murray Cammick found the missing negatives from his Flash Cars series that were last seen in the 1980's. As a result the full series is now set to show at Black Asterisk gallery, capturing Queen St's V8 and nightlife scene during the 70s. Black Asterisk, 10 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland, August 3-31. Visit blackasterisk.co.nz

2. NZ Fashion WeekHarman Grubisa, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Twenty-seven Names and Wynn Hamlyn are among the designer line-up showing their collections for Winter 2017 this year. There are also weekend shows open to the public, where the likes of Andrea Moore, World and Trelise Cooper will present their new collections. Catch up on last year's NZ Fashion Week coverage. Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland, August 22-28. For tickets, visit iticket.co.nz

3. Auckland Restaurant MonthAugust means Auckland Restaurant Month is upon us - try something new and celebrate the best in eating out with over 100 offers and events across 100 restaurants. Read more about the highlights here. Various locations across Auckland, August 1-31. Visit heartofthecity.co.nz

4. Postcards from PapatoetoeEmpty stores at the Papatoetoe mall, due to be redeveloped later this year, are being put to good use for exhibition Postcards from Papatoetoe. Eight young artists have created works in response to the area and visitors can also take away a work of their choice in postcard form. Old Papatoetoe Mall, St George St, Papatoetoe, Auckland, until mid-late August. Visit pantograph-punch.com

5. James Cousins: ResidentFor his latest show Resident, James Cousins used a mechanical process and spray guns to create multiple layers on the canvas so "the gesture of the hand is not evident in the work". Gow Langsford Gallery, 26 Lorne St, Auckland CBD, August 3-27. Visit gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz

6. Corita's Summer of Love Works by artist, activist and educator Sister Corita Kent are on display at City Gallery Wellington, in a show titled Sister Corita's Summer of Love. Made between 1962 and 1979, the pop art screen prints repurposed text from the world around her into messages of faith, peace and protest. City Gallery Wellington, Civic Square, 101 Wakefield St, Wellington, until October 16. Visit citygallery.org.nz

7. Semi PermanentSemi Permanent is an annual symposium bringing together designers, artists and thinks from around the world for two days of talks and workshops. Don't miss poet Cleo Wade, who's speaking on the Friday afternoon at the main event, or catch her poetry reading with the Women's Collective the night before. ASB Theatre, Auckland CBD, August 12-13 & Seafarers, Level 4, 52 Tyler St, Britomart, August 11. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.co.nz

A painting by Simon Kerr showing as part of Eddie ramshackle and the blackboard series. Picture / Supplied
A painting by Simon Kerr showing as part of Eddie ramshackle and the blackboard series. Picture / Supplied

8. Eddie Ramshackle and the blackboard seriesPainter Simon Kerr used the persona of Eddie Ramshackle for his upcoming show at Depot Artspace, assuming this identity to explore "a raw and basic representation" of himself. Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, Devonport, Auckland, August 13-31. Visit depotartspace.co.nz

9. Cat Fooks: Pleasant StHamilton born artist Cat Fooks has created a series of paintings that rework the objects she is surrounded by every day in her studio, such as frames, old paintings, frames and paint brushes. Anna Miles Gallery, 10/30 Upper Queen St, Auckland CBD, until September 2. Visit annamilesgallery.com

10. Pasifika Clothing est 1992This exhibition at Fresh Gallery Otara explores the label founded by Stan Tallon and Sjimmy Fransen and its relationship to Pasifika within Auckland's creative commnuity. 5/46 Fairmall, Ōtara Town Centre, Auckland, until September 3. Visit pacificpolynesia.co.nz

11. Street EatsBack for its fourth year, the annual Street Eats festival will see Shed 10 filled with stalls of Thai, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Indian food and beyond. Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Auckland Waterfront, August 6. Visit heartofthecity.co.nz

12. Auckland Indie MarketIndependent creatives, foodies and musicians will come together to set up shop for a day. ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom, Auckland, August 7. Visit indiemarkets.co.nz  

13. SkyCity Variety of ChefsAudra Morrice of MasterChef Asia and Nic Watt of Masu will present a specially designed menu with wine matches for the evening, in support children's charity Variety. SkyCity Convention Centre, 88 Federal St, Auckland CBD, August 18. Visit variety.org.nz

14. Absolutely Fabulous: The MovieEdina Monsoon and Patsy Stone are back to their old tricks as they return to our screens. The pair get themselves into hot water as Edina accidentally sends Kate Moss plummeting into the River Thames. In cinemas August 11.

15. Bloody Sundays Madame George will host Bloody Sundays in collaboration with William Cook and Carlo Buenaventura of The Cult Project. See out the weekend with a hearty dinner, drink specials and a free-for-all turntable just bring along your own records. Madame George, 490 Karangahape Rd, Auckland CBD, every Sunday evening. Visit thecultproject.co.nz

16. Northart August ExhibitionsThere are four new exhibitions opening at Northcote's Northart gallery this month - Bernard Waters: Still Life and other Paintings, Jacqueline Aust: Building a Presence, South: Photography by Stephen Piper and Bob Drake: Elements of Sacred Geometry, which explores graphic shapes informed by the early European modernists. Northart, Norman King Square, Ernie Mays St, Northcote, Auckland, August 7-24. Visit northart.co.nz

17. GiselleThe Royal New Zealand Ballet will take classic tale Giselle on tour this month, filled with mystery and heartbreak. The story unfolds as young Giselle is courted by Count Albrecht, who is engaged to another women.  Various locations across the country, August 11-September 9. Visit rnzb.org.nz

18. Winter Wine, Shellfish and Seafood Festival Head along to sample fresh shellfish, seafood and wine, try something off The Fish Market's special menu or watch NZ Oyster Opening Championship. Auckland Fish Market, Jellicoe St, Auckland CBD, August 20. Visit eventfinda.co.nz

There will be plenty of interesting pieces for sale at the Auckland Vintage Textile Fair. Picture / Supplied
There will be plenty of interesting pieces for sale at the Auckland Vintage Textile Fair. Picture / Supplied

19. Auckland Vintage Textile FairSpend the day hunting through vintage fabrics, linens, garments and accessories whilst chatting to knowledgeable vendors. Alexandra Park Raceway, cnr Greenlane and Manukau Rd, Auckland, August 21. Visit vintagetextilefair.com

20. Alan Carr: Yap Yap YapAlan Carr will be bringing his distinct sense of humour to NZ as he tours the country for the first time with his stand up show Yap Yap Yap. We chatted to the comedian ahead of his visit. Various locations across the country, August 13, 15 & 18. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.co.nz

21. New Zealand Chocolate Festival 2016 Te Papa Museum will host this year's NZ Chocolate Festival, celebrating chocolate in all forms with artisan demonstrations, samples and a chocolate fountain. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Wellington, August 13-14. Visit chocolatefestival.co.nz

22. Botanic D'LightsAcross five nights, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens will be transformed with illuminated installations and artworks in an array of colours. There will also be food trucks and hot drinks stalls if you're after something warm as you take a wander. Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Ave, Christchurch, August 3-7. Visit bethere.co.nz

23. Selena GomezBringing her Revival tour to our shores, Selena Gomez will perform in New Zealand for the first time. Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière recently included the singer - and most followed person on Instagram - in the brand's latest Series 5 campaign. Shot by Bruce Weber, it was the popstar's first appearance for the fashion house. Vector Arena, Auckland, August 13. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.co.nz

24. Clicquot in the SnowDon't let winter get you down: head to Queenstown for Clicquot in the Snow and enjoy fine dining, views, a fashion show from Kathryn Wilson and of course, Champagne. Find out more about the highlights here. Various locations throughout Queenstown, August 3-7. Visit clicquotinthesnow.co.nz

25. Trend BeaconsScreening at the Auckland Art Gallery as part of NZ Fashion Week, this documentary takes a look inside the world of trend forecasting - examining the relationship that fashion and design have to our everyday lives. Auckland Art Gallery, cnr Kitchener and Wellesley St, August 27. Visit aucklandartgallery.com

26. He Mana, He WahineExploring feminism within New Zealand, poet Courtney Sina Meredith, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Dr Pala Molisa and Annah Pickering will come together for an evening to discuss topics such as the mana wahine theory, sex and activism.   Auckland Museum Events Centre, August 9. Visit aucklandmuseum.com

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