WHAT'S ON

MARCH 2021

PLEASE NOTE: Information regarding times & dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, due to the pandemic, events may be postponed or cancelled. In some cases, tickets may be limited or social distancing measures employed as appropriate. Readers are advised to check events online for updates.

EXPOS & FESTIVALS

Autumn Baby Show

March 13-14, from 9am, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom If you can’t help but ‘fall’ in love with all things related to little ones, why wait until spring? Featuring a rich range of products, service and more, all intended to help parents and parents-to-be, this excellent expo expects to impress. Details via www.babyshow.co.nz.

Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo

March 27-28, 10am-3pm, Ellerslie Events Centre, 100 Ascot Avenue, Ellerslie Retiring types needn’t be shy when it comes to exploring the wide range of ways they can spend their days. International travel might be off the bucket list for a while but Aotearoa offers a world of travel options, and as this event is set to prove, there is an almost unlimited variety of pastimes well suited to seniors. See www. retirementlifestyleexpo.co.nz.

COMEDY

Heath Franklin’s Chopper – The Silencer

March 12 & 13, from 7.30pm, SkyCity Theatre, 78 Victoria Street Autumn Baby Show

West, Auckland City Done with suffering fools – and ‘suffering fools’ – one of Australia’s most notorious exports is ready to unleash havoc on the New Zealand stage during a nationwide tour. Arguably more famous than the infamous crook on whom he has built his act, Heath Franklin poses as a ‘bad guy’, thereby giving him licence to do and say what few (even comedians) would dare. Visit www.laughingstock.com.au.

Bill Bailey – En Route to Normal

March 23 & 24, from 8pm, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland City Being on the wrong side of the law might once have resulted in an appearance at The Old Bailey; these days, having ‘the old Bailey’ (aka English funny man, Bill Bailey) appear before us during a nationwide tour promises to deliver quite a different experience. ‘Bill-ed’ as offering a ‘funny, heartwarming mix of stories, music and history’, this show may help us all confront the strange days that abound. See www.billbailey.co.uk.

ARTS

Auckland Arts Festival

March 4-21, times and locations vary, Auckland From theatre to dance, music, The Haka Party Incident

cabaret and more, this annual festival showcases the Super City’s creativity in many forms. For a full schedule visit www.aucklandlive. co.nz/event/auckland-arts-festival.

The heART of the Matter - celebrating creativity in Clevedon

March 13, 1-9pm, Clevedon Hall, 1 Papakura-Clevedon Road, Clevedon There are some events which organisers make a song and dance about. But why stop there? From singing and dancing to sewing, playing, painting and more, this celebration of creativity explores art in all its many forms. See www. cvmft.org for details.

MUSIC, MUSICALS, THEATRE & DANCE

The Haka Party Incident

March 5-13, times vary, ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey Street, Auckland City While activism at Bastion Point or (more recently) Ihumatao may have captured the headlines, other incidents are not quite so well known. This play recalls a 1979 protest opposing the rehearsal of a ‘mock haka’, leading Auckland University students to learn a lesson they would never forget. For further information, see atc.co.nz.

Tutus on Tour

March 11, from 6.30pm, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau The Royal New Zealand Ballet is hitting the road in order to hit the stage during a national tour. A showcase performance, Tutus on Tour sees some of New Zealand’s best dancers perform some of ballet’s most renowned pieces. See www.rnzb.org.nz.

Grease

March 13-27, times vary, Harlequin Musical Theatre, 563R Pakuranga Road, Howick It’s got groove it’s got meaning - the exact meaning of ‘Grease’ may be slippery and subjective but we can all be sure that slicked back hair, leather jackets and hotrods will all play a part in this musical. See www.harlequintheatre.co.nz/ events.

Strasbourg 1518

March 19 & 20, from 8pm, ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey Street, Auckland City Many steps are taken during a revolution so, as this performance is set to prove, dance is a most appropriate medium through which

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Strasbourg 1518

to explore history’s pivotal events. When the people of Strasbourg took to the streets in defiance of an oppressive regime, they unleashed a fever of dance as never before witnessed, as this show (part of the Auckland Arts Festival programme) reveals. More information at www. asbwaterfronttheatre.co.nz.

20th Anniversary Royal Variety Show

March 22, from 11am, Somervell Presbyterian Church, 497 Remuera Road, Remuera, and April 6, from 11am, St Columba Presbyterian Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany A right royal affair, this show expects to be the crowning glory of Operatunity’s 20th anniversary. A musical birthday party, it will showcase some of the most inspirational and comic moments this talented theatre company has been involved with during the last two decades on stage. Details via www.operatunity.co.nz/concerts.

Sweet Strings – In Your Neighbourhood

March 22, from 6.30pm, All Saints Church, 17 Selwyn Rd, Howick, and March 23, from 6.30pm, St Luke’s Church, 130 Remuera Rd, Remuera The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is back in our neighbourhood! During these concerts musicians will be in full swing with violins, cellos and more to showcase the strength of string. See www.apo.co.nz/whats-on.

HOME & GARDEN

Ayrlies Plant Fair

March 19-20, 9am-3pm, Ayrlies Garden & Wetlands, 125 Potts Rd, Whitford A fine array of plants awaits at this top local plant fair. Not only will plants be available for sale but visitors will have the opportunity to explore this wonderful garden with entertainment, including live music, also on offer. See www.ayrlies.co.nz.

FAMILY FUN

Panmure Basin Fun Day

March 7, 11am-4pm, Panmure Basin, Panmure Pirates are on the ‘March’! This year’s fun day will include many favourite events – including the great raft race and skateboard competitions – as well as a pirate trail. See www.popintopanmure. co.nz/panmure-events.

Beachlands & Maraetai Trolley Derby

March 7, 10am-4pm, Omana Regional Park, 2 Omana Beach Rd, Maraetai Driven by rising racing stars (aged six and up), the vehicles in this Ayrlies Plant Fair

derby will have all involved in a spin! In addition to races, this event features entertainment and more. See www.rotarytrolleyderby.co.nz.

SPORT, MOTORING & RACING

America’s Cup – America’s Cup Match series

March 6-21, Auckland waterfront Following on from the World Series and the PRADA Cup, this event sees the best of the rest take on Emirates Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug. Visit www.aucklandnz. com/36th-americas-cup/about.

Auckland Cup Week

March 6 (Vodafone Derby Day) and March 13 (Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day), Ellerslie Racecourse, 100 Ascot Avenue, Remuera Including two marquee events on the racing calendar, Auckland Cup Week sees our ‘city of sails’ resonate to the sound of hoof beats. In addition to the on-track action, visitors can expect a feast of fashion and more. Visit www. ellerslie.co.nz/auckland-cup-week.

Auckland Brit & Euro Classic Car Show

March 7, 10am-3pm, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Bells Rd, Pakuranga Been driven mad lately? If so, take a ride to Lloyd Elsmore Park to meet some classic characters who are mad about motors. Oh, and they’ll definitely be bringing their classic cars with them too! Not just an event for car enthusiasts, this family-friendly, free event has plenty of fun mapped out. Details via www.briteurocarshow.nz.

Maraetai Half Marathon

March 14, 6-11am, from Te Puru Park, Beachlands, Auckland While some may take in the picturesque scenery of the Pohutukawa Coast at an amble, others will be going for gold. With courses ranging from a 2km ‘Kid’s Dash’ to the main event, the half marathon, various options are available to suit runners and walkers of all ages and levels of ability. See www. maraetaihalfmarathon.co.nz.

Lexus Urban Polo

March 20, Auckland Domain, Park Road, Grafton, Auckland City Sport, fashion, food and music are all on the menu during this event. A chance for an all-too-country sport to come to town, Urban Polo features quick-fire, fastpaced matches of a game played by princes and kings. See www. urbanpolo.co.nz for details.

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