for a new festival dedicated to one of Auckland City's favourite pastimes. The Auckland Festival of Sailing will bring together top international match racing skippers and teams and top ranked amateurs for the 23 days of racing consisting of 3 separate regattas.   Off the water activities, events and entertainment will take place at the festival hub to be established on the Viaduct.

huge selection of locally made and imported yachts, launches and trailer boats, and the latest in marine electronics and boat equipment.   A selection of classic yachts presented by the Classic Yacht Association will provide a wonderful spectacle. These yachts have survived owing to the qualities of the New Zealand kauri timber they are made from, and a tradition of fine craftmanship.

on that Sunday as well as free entertainment and giveaways it should be a great day. Art Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the Auckland Art Precinct, The 4th Auckland Triennial, the building of the Auckland Art Gallery and the fact that we live in a culturally and artistically thriving environment. Some events that will occur during the Art Sunday include a children’s drawing competition at The Lane Gallery, a coffee voucher handout at Parsons Bookshop, and Gow Langsford Gallery will be holding a draw to win a collection of art books including a signed copy of Max Gimblett’s 2003 monograph. (Conditions apply.) Start your art adventure in Khartoum Place where you can pick up your Art Sunday map then follow the yellow dots. Throughout the Precinct, local cafes will be serving great coffee and the galleries will be offering boutique NZ wine and of course some of NZ’s best art. Galleries and participating businesses will be open 12 - 5 pm.

of the best of whats on in and around Auckland City. Enjoy a family day out at the Royal Easter Show at the ASB Showgrounds, dance till the early hours at Our:House at the Ellerslie Event Centre, or catch the final days of the Auckland Theatre Co.'s The Importance of Being Earnest at the Maidment Theatre. Or, if its a little R & R your after, try a Guinot Signature Facial Treatment at the Hyatt Regency. There are plenty of exciting things to do. Have a look at the list we've put together below and start planning your Easter break in the BIG little city.

for three major Tony Awards in 2004, Avenue Q has gone on to be one of the longest running shows on Broadway, and remains a huge hit on London’s West End. After a tour throughout Australia to rave reviews and sold-out houses, the hilarious, R-rated and highly entertaining night out hits Auckland.

swept our world. More than 124 million years later the first human plucked a flower to adorn their hair. Our floral love affair had begun.  This is the story of flowers, told through two of our most beloved blooms, the orchid and the rose.     From 4 December 2009, The Magic of the Rose unravels the fabulous tales of love, passion and secrecy that have made the Rose revered by royalty, praised by poets, and enjoyed by gardeners and the world.

city's stunning parks and reserves.   The 2009 programme from January to March featured more than 40 concerts showcasing Auckland's creativity and talent, fostering the local music scene and bringing Aucklanders together.   The 2010 series programme will be available soon.

park settings. This is an opportunity to both discover new music and relish in the proven talents of Steve Abel, the New Zealand Opera and Forbidden Joe.   Exciting additions to this year's line-up include members of the New Zealand Youth Choir and the Waitakere Brass Band. If dancing is your cup of tea, check out the ever popular Tea Dances, complete with dance floor for couples dancing.

platforms New Zealand's hottest up and coming fashion designers.  The markets trade on Fridays 9am – 6pm, Saturdays 10am – 5pm.   To find the City Designers Market, head to: Freyberg Square, off High Street.

food producers sell their wares directly to consumers. Vendors may only sell what they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves from within a defined local area. The City Farmers’ Market operates in the centre of Auckland’s Britomart precinct and brings a bounty of regional produce to town for Aucklanders every week. Fresh, seasonal, quality fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, olives and olive oils, condiments, coffee, artisan breads and much more — direct from local growers, farmers and makers. The market operates all year long on Saturdays between 8.30am & 12.30pm on a site behind the Britomart Trainstation, on Gore Street.

12 weekly jazz concerts set in the historic Auckland Domain Band Rotunda.   Enjoy breezy Sunday afternoons with Miho Wada, the Lewis McCallum Band and Tony Parker's New Orleans Joy Makers. Support acts are an exciting new feature of Jazz at the Rotunda, with beautiful originals by Coach kicking off the series, and David Ferrington of Edinburgh giving Jazz at the Rotunda an international dose of blues.

across four Auckland parks - Tahaki Reserve, Glover Park, Grey Lynn Park and Owairaka Park.   Collapsing Cities will launch the series with their dynamic sound of artfully droll pop, followed by reggae up shots Sonz of Zion and soncially rich The Broken Heartbreakers. 'The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls', 'Goodbye Pork Pie' and 'Rain of the Children' are just some of the great kiwi films on offer. Bring your blanket, some nibbles and enjoy the cinema.

discover how our region’s love-affair with sailing began. Between 1-31 March, Auckland region residents can visit the museum’s galleries, including Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake, for just $5, with free admission for accompanying children aged 14 years or under.   Aucklanders only need to bring proof of address to take advantage of the offer, which does not include Voyager Live heritage vessel experiences.  Full details on the Voyager website.

Trophy match race regatta on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour during the Auckland Festival of Sailing.The teams, from seven nations from around the globe, will sail America's Cup yachts on inshore courses from 9 to 21 March.   The Auckland event is one of five regattas in the newly-created Louis Vuitton Trophy series being raced around the world this year. It was the success of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, sailed in Auckland last year, which inspired the worldwide series.

Fairfax, daughter of the shedragon of London society Lady Bracknell, and cousin of his friend Algernon. For his part, Algernon is very keen on Jack’s pretty young ward, Cecily. But marriage is out of the question until the mystery of Jack’s parentage is solved. Just how did he come to be found in a handbag? And in a cloakroom at Victoria Station? And, of course, Lady Bracknell has no intention of giving her consent until she has established Jack’s creditworthiness!   One-hundred-odd years on from its spectacular debut, Oscar Wilde’s “trivial comedy for serious people” is as fresh and scintillating and subversive as ever.

surfing, birds flying, performance, an eco-friendly home and over 20 works newly commissioned to fit the theme…and that’s just a taste of New Zealand’s leading international contemporary art exhibition the 4th Auckland Triennial, Last Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.   This year, after 3 years in the making, you will be the first in the world to see works that have been especially created for the Triennial, as well as a range of contemporary art from around the world. Presented by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T?maki with Auckland Triennial Partner AUT University and in association with exhibition partners Artspace, St Paul St and The George Fraser Gallery.

released third album Hot Mess (available now through Warner) as headliners in their own right. Their most celebrated record to date, Hot Mess sees Cobra Starship in fine form. Debuting at #4 on the US Billboard chart – their highest chart peak to date – confirms to the world that Cobra Starship have well and truly landed. With a history of igniting audiences and outshining their contemporaries, there’s no doubt tickets to see Cobra Starship’s first headline tour of Australia and New Zealand will be in high demand.

March 2010. Converge, formed in the winter of 1990 and self described as "hardcore kids with leftover Slayer riffs", an uncompromised artistic vision and an array of influences ranging from The Cure and Black Sabbath to Black Flag, (notably being described as the former of this generation). Such ingredients have led the band to be credited with giving rise to an entire genre whilst retaining an individuality in their sound that is completely their own. The band have earned a die hard cult following world wide. This will be a monumental tour for the strong Kiwi fanbase that has waited years to see Converge; and with the chosen venues being notorious for sellout crowds, this tour promises to deliver unforgettable experiences.

New Zealand tour will feature a spectacular new arena production and full band, and follows her high-octane performance with The Pussycat Dolls in Auckland earlier this year. 2009 has been hailed the Year of Gaga as the enigmatic superstar breaks records and tops charts around the globe. Her debut album The Fame reached the top ten in over 20 countries worldwide, with New Zealand being amongst the first to embrace the divinely intriguing Lady Gaga who has clocked up double platinum sales and four top ten singles on the official New Zealand chart.

come together to celebrate their rich cultures through food, dance, music and arts.   On the day, you can experience the resonating sounds of the beating of tapa, see the flickering of the pandanus strips woven into a mat, smell the mouth-watering scents of the succulent crackling pig and fresh tropical taste watermelon and pineapple with ice cream. And that's just the beginning.   Pasifika Festival brings together our diverse Pacific nations, celebrating their unity, and at the same time, their diversity. Each Pacific nation is unique in terms of their history, language, culture and traditions, and festival day gives you a taste of each nation in its own "village", with traditional and contemporary performing arts, music and crafts.   The villages also feature the best of Pacific cuisine, such as raw fish, pineapple pies, fresh coconuts and much more to enjoy!

composer and bandleader - brings his many musical talents to The Civic with his exceptional touring band.

Green Card Tour to New Zealand featuring all-new material, video screens and DJ's.

rock groups The Dead Weather are heading to our shores for the first time ever in March 2010. Birthed from a collision of some of the greatest musicians in the genre, The Dead Weather includes Alison Mosshart of The Kills on lead vocals, Jack White, originally of The White Stripes on drums, White’s Raconteur bandmate Jack Lawrence on bass and former Raconteur Dean Fertita, also of Queens of the Stone Age, on guitar. This is a show not to be missed!

thought-provoking, the TOWER Season of From Here to There, provides a trio of works from New Zealand and overseas.   A Song In The Dark, is the much-anticipated new work by one of New Zealand’s emerging choreographic talents, Andrew Simmons. Set to music by Philip Glass and embracing themes of missed opportunities, love and beauty in the ordinary; Simmons injects a new sense of style and energy to classical ballet.

activist and more. With a penchant for the complicated, Amanda Palmer's debut solo outing Who Killed Amanda Palmer (out now through Roadrunner) snowballed from a small idea into a project that's nothing short of brilliant.   Who Killed Amanda Palmer sees our fearless heroine weaving together the many threads of her personality, her interests, her extensive artistic family, her astute, witty world observations and the stark openness of her feelings into a dynamic record that pushes emotional limits while staying true to its genius creator. From Amanda Palmer, we would expect nothing less.

be booted out all of her own accord. Mummy is a beautifully spoken monster, drunkenly indulging her own decline. And Daddy? In absentia, but rushing home from Hong Kong to fix things as only his money can.   And now it’s time for this fractured family to face a reality they have avoided for far too long. In a real mother of a play, Generation Y bites back at the Baby Boomers.

fantastic reception they received last tour, Old Crow Medicine Show return to New Zealand. The band first toured New Zealand early in 2009 and left audiences in awe of the musical tour de force that is Old Crow Medicine Show. It’s fast & furious — so bluegrass and folk lovers, hipsters and country fans, be prepared to get down in a whole new way once these five boys from Nashville take to the stage.

Meola has also been recognized over the past 30 years as a prolific composer and respected artist with over 20 recordings as a leader.   Voted “ worlds best guitarist’ several times by Guitar Player Magazine

is one of America’s finest singer-songwriters, leading a remarkable 20-year career spanning 13 albums and over four million records sold. Finely wrought and full of wit, wisdom and Texas-sized storytelling, the veteran songwriter's catalogue is rife with characters and concepts that loom large on the American landscape. Fans can expect to hear classics, favourites and a selection of new songs taken from his forthcoming album release Natural Forces.

a certified rap legend. Now with the release of the sequel, this long standing member of the Wu Tang Clan brings the raw side of hip hop to the NZ masses — with support from Mareko and DJ Sir Vere.   When Raekwon speaks, everyone listens. The current void in hip-hop is filled with this rap veteran’s crafty verbal gymnastics and artistic form of storytelling. The Chef still possesses the recipe to cook up a lyrical meal, a jambalaya of words with the main ingredient being superior skills. Animated and intense, Raekwon’s stealth delivery is filled with emotion, skilled cadence and an array of diverse stories, hooks, and topics.

crew of a month of sailing during the BMW Sailing Cup and BMW Auckland Regatta.The BMW Sailing Cup features divisional winners in the BMW Auckland Regatta (26-28 February).     The BMW Auckland Regatta is organized in partnership with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, with divisions including classic yachts, multihull and sports boats attracting top-class, amateur sailors from around the country.

and vocalist Marketa Irglova, are travelling to New Zealand for a highly-anticipated Australasian March/April 2010 tour following their mesmerising Australian performances in early 2009, including multiple sold out Sydney Opera House concerts for the Sydney Festival in January. Glen and Marketa both starred in Once, which was of course the independent 2007 Irish film, a low-budget romantic musical portraying struggling artists, which slowly won the hearts of audiences worldwide.

dub, hauntingly soulful melodies and choice samples to Vector Arena this March.    Founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grant Marshall (Daddy G) will be joined on tour by vocalists Horace Andy, Deborah Miller, Martina Topley-Bird, and band members Damon Reece (drums), Angelo Bruschini (guitar), John Baggott (keyboards), Winston Blissett (bass) and Julien Brown (drums).    Tickets go on sale Friday, February 5 with pre-sales starting from Friday, January 22.

New Zealand in 2010! Join Sam, Jeff, Anthony and Murray and their world-famous Wiggly friends for the happiest show in town, on stage around NZ in March 2010. Everyone loves a circus, and this Wiggly show has acrobats, gymnasts and dancers! Every second brings a new delight. On stage with The Wiggles will be Dorothy The Dinosaur, Henry The Octopus, Wags The Dog, Captain Feathersword and of course, The Wiggly Dancers. Be quick! Get your Wiggly tickets now. They’ll sell like hot poppin’ popcorn!

City along with Britomart, Auckland City Council, MORE FM and WWF will host a free event at Takutai Lawn in Britomart.   The free event will have live entertainment and will be a gathering point in Auckland City to view the Sky Tower lighting display. So bring a picnic, your picnic rug, candles, friends and family and watch Auckland City plunge into darkness. 

to get artists and audiences working together. STAMP takes an original production that is in development, gives the company two opportunities to show their work in front of a live audience – with time between each showing to refine the work. Hip hop meets opera, meets a love story that will leave you breathless.

Zealand shows, Ben 10 Live and Yo Gabba Gabba! direct from the Cartoon Network and Nickleodeon!

thinking about the future of our economy. LATE 02 brings together three of the country’s leading economic thinkers, Tim Hazeldine, Brian Gaynor and Susan St John, and asks them to dissect our financial history, then mark out their vision for a prosperous economic future. The night’s entertainment includes New Zealand songstress Jan Hellriegel, and The Bellbirds, a band featuring the talents of Don McGlashan and SJD’s Sean Donnelly.

Easter Weekend special nite:life. See the Ellerslie Events Centre transformed into a themed, multi-zoned special event on the festival calendar for 2010.   Starting at the twilight hour of 8pm and running until sunrise, with both indoor and outdoor party zones, kick off the last weekend of daylight savings in style at Nite:Life- The Experience”.

match.

a band member requiring surgery on his hand. Classed as an ambient, experimental band, Jakob are completely instrumental.

pure and simple. Best of all, the man has a real fire in his belly again, proven by the new Dr John and the Lower 911’s album City That Care Forgot, which deals with various aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans outrage. Facts speak for themselves and this remarkable album won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2009.   Dr. John’s very colourful musical career began in the 1950s when he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City. A notorious gun incident forced Dr. John to give up the guitar and concentrate on organ and piano. Further trouble at home sent him west in the 1960s, where he continued to be in demand as a session musician, playing on records by Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin to name a few. A legend was born with his breakthrough 1968 album Gris-gris, which established his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm and blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots.

with those first bars of One Step Ahead and I Got You and is one of the most gifted songwriters to perform on the world stage in the last 25 years.   Together with fellow musicians; Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and Matt Sherrod, Finn as front man and creative force behind the band Crowded House has provided us with a rich tapestry of songs from the band including; Don’t Dream its Over, Something So Strong, Fall At Your Feet, Weather With You (with Tim Finn), Four Seasons in One Day, Distant Sun, Locked Out, She Called Up not to mention five Crowded House albums of exceptional depth and colour.

performance art, film and video works created by international and local artists to the streets of Auckland's city centre.   Living Room 2010 is curated by Pontus Kyander, a curator and art critic with roots in Scandinavia. Pontus has also most recently been responsible for the public art programming for Auckland City Council. The theme for Living Room 2010 is "A Week of Goodness" - using ideas of giving and kindness as a departure point for a flight of associations, bearing constantly in mind that every gift comes with a string attached.

experience, performing in a one off show at Vector Arena. The two-hour show will feature a breadth of material including songs they performed during their 1970 debut show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, which helped propel them both to the world stage. The idea for the ‘Troubadour Reunion’ tour came together in 2007 after King and Taylor performed at the famed Los Angeles venue for the first time since 1970 to celebrate the Troubadour’s 50th Anniversary. The shows sold-out immediately and garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

'ALL I EVER WANTED TOUR' to New Zealand. Clarkson latest studio album, All I Ever Wanted has been dominating airwaves since it’s March 2009 release, and in April 2010 she will be hitting our shores with her infectious, high-energy live show. Tickets go on sale Thursday 12 November. Don’t miss your chance to see US pop sensation Kelly Clarkson live in April 2010. Your life would suck without this show.