Shimmy into those party pants—the weekend is just around the corner and it’s packed with everything from a pumping nightclub to Parris Goebel and an invisible museum. For reals. Reimagined fairytales, a Sunday roast minus the beast, classical music three ways, a stunning theatre performance and a playground made from nostalgia. All this and more.
Here are 14 epic things to do in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend.
Friday 12 August
Experience KA'A
From singer/songwriter/performer Pati (a.k.a. Disciple Pati) comes KA’A. Featuring original music, multimedia, film and live performances, the show is an exploration of Pasifika women, their bodies and their identity. If she’s already graced your insta feed, you’ll know @patii.af isn’t messing around so you know KA’A is going to be next level. If you haven’t already experienced it, tonight’s your last chance. Grab a mate, and a pair of tickets, and get along to Basement Theatre. HAU is part of a festival of new and original indigenous, Pasifika and/or LGBTQI+ stories.
Level Up Your Doodling
Actually take a lunch break this Friday, swapping yoru screen for a pencil and trying your hand at live drawing at the Auckland Art Gallery. The lunchtime sessions are a great way to shake off any work day tensions by putting pencil to paper in Tāmaki Makaurau’s art capital. If drawing isn’t your strong point, never fear—artist and observational drawing tutor, Abbey Lyman, will guide you through the process. Arrive just before midday to secure your spot. BYO drawing materials.
Get Your Giggle On With Mish Mash
A star-spangled improv lineup awaits you at Pitt Street Theatre this weekend at The Mish Mash Improv Spectacle. Featuring NZ Comedy Guild Nominated Best Improv Group for the past two years, Love Lamp, and Best Comedy Whangarei Fringe 2020 winner, Bull Rush, you’ll need to hold onto your sides lest they split. Consider yourself warned.
Saturday 13 August
Let It All Out
Creativity meets meditation in this monthly art reflection workshop at Manzana, a creative entrepreneurship community below Tatty’s on High Street. Hosted by Pastel and Soul, this workshop is for everybody, even if you don’t consider yourself artistic. Attendees will explore self-discovery and story-sharing through art in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Bring your own supplies, if you have them, or dip into their stash.
Place Your Fate In Your Shoe Size, Or Don’t
Cinderella has been revamped and fiesty looks good on her. The Royal New Zealand Ballet will be dancing this modern take on an old school classic at Aotea Centre with music by spellbinding composer, Claire Cowan, and lewks designed by Emma Kingsbury. Fun fact: Claire is the first female in the history of the Royal NZ Ballet to score a full length ballet. It’s about time.
Party Until Sunrise With Homo House
Aotearoa’s premier gay event organiser, Theta Project, is bringing their infamous nightclub Homo House to Neck Of The Woods this Saturday and the lineup’s looking lit. DJ ENN will be hopping the ditch to bring his cult-worthy house jams and disco domination in his first ever New Zealand performance. He joins local house music legend Dick ‘Magick’ Johnson and Theta Project’s own resident DJ Jordan Eskra making for one helluva party.
Sunday 14 July
Level Up Your Brunch Game
Tāmaki Makaurau sure can turn out a wicked brunch. Add the word bottomless and there’s no holding us back (especially now that Dry July is over). With ten diverse bottomless brunches and counting, you’re spoilt for choice. Think everything from breakfast ramen and indulgent Italian, to French toast and a good ol’ eggs bene, plus a rainbow of bottomless bevvies to wash it all down with—it’d be rude not to.
Behold The Nut Roast With A Cult Following
Tuck Into A Plant-Based Sunday Roast
The Bridgman has whipped up a beast-free roast for the plant-based among us and we hear it already has a bit of a cult following. Made with pistachio, shiitake mushrooms and parsnips, this is a nut roast that’s actually worth your time. Served with all the usual trimmings—roast potatoes, broccoli, carrots, even Brussel sprouts if that’s your jam (it is)—now you can have your Sunday roast with all of the flavour but none of the guilt. Score.
All Weekend
Drop The Beet-hoven
The Auckland Town Hall will be resonating with not one, not two, but three epic performances by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra this weekend. Conducted by Gemma New and featuring soloist Paul Lewis on piano, each performance—Orpheus, Reverence and Emperor—showcase a pair of piano concertos by famed German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven. Grab your tickets and get ready for the O.G. sound bath experience.
Embrace Your Inner Child At This Epic Lego Playground
Aucklanders, you’re in for a treat. LEGO New Zealand will be celebrating 90 years of play by turning Westfield Newmarket into the ultimate playground. Get amongst the fun and watch as your fave mini figures come to life. Don’t forget to collect your complimentary LEGO sample pack. Who said LEGO was just for kids? Whoever they are, they’re wrong.
Spark Your Creativity With Parris Goebel, Benee And More
A 5G-powered augmented reality experience has landed and it won’t cost you a cent. Download the Spark 5G Street Museum app (available on iOS and Android) and discover the secret worlds of your favourite creatives. Dance alongside Parris Goebel, peer into the magical world inside Benee’s head, watch David Dallas’ rise to fame unfold before your eyes, witness the spirituality in Teeks’ creative processes, and experience a story of resilience and rebirth by Askew One.
Get Amongst The Sky Tower’s Birthday Shenanigans
Tāmaki Makaurau’s iconic Sky Tower has just hit its quarter century and they’re taking their birthday month very seriously by throwing a celebration that’s sky high (we had to). Make a beeline for the tower’s base this month to score epic deals on tower entry, coffee and icecream, SkyWalk and SkyJump, champagne cocktails at The Sugar Club, and a whole lot more.
Banish Hanger With Restaurant Month
It’s that time of year again, when eateries all across central Tāmaki Makaurau bust out their most tasty, creative and excellent value-for-money menus at Restaurant Month. From $25, $40 and $55 menus to the popular Social Hour where you can nab two drinks and a sharing plate for $45, you’ll want to eat all the things.
Experience The Magic Of Tanabata At MASU
It's the last weekend to get involved with Tanabata at MASU. The CBD fave has partnered with Haku Vodka to bring the traditional Japanese festival (also known as the star festival) to life. The restaurant underwent a two-day refit to look the part, with thousands of lights, fukinagashi streamers and customary bamboo wishing trees all part of the festivities. Immerse yourself even further with a bite from their new Fuyu (winter) menu, and cocktails created especially for the occasion by award-winning mixologist Akira Ohki. See you there, star lovers.
Planning a dinner out? Make it a doozy with one of Tāmaki Makaurau's best shiny new restaurants.
Image credit: Spark 5G Street Museum.