http://www.hotcity.co.nz Heart of the City news all on hotcity.co.nz en-uk Heart of the City Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Some of the worlds elite yatchsmen and women will ascend into Auckland this coming March 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Auckland International Boat Show 2010 will fill the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland with a 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Art Sunday coincides with the opening of The 4th Auckland Triennial and with all the Precinct businesses open 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Easter Holiday\'s are just around the corner and  we have  put  together a list 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The smash hit Broadway musical Avenue Q is finally coming to Auckland. Since beating Wicked 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 13 May 2010 08:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 About 125 million years ago the first flowers unfurled and a new bloom of colour 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 For more than 16 years, we have proudly been providing free Kiwi music in our 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Culture Garden presents a wide range of niche musical genres in Auckland\'s most intimate 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The City Designers Market located in the Ellen Melville Pioneer Womens Hall in Freyberg Square 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 8:30am - 12:30pm A farmers’ market is a food market where local growers, farmers and artisan 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Jazz at the Rotunda is Auckland\'s longest running jazz festival. This year the series boasts 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Movies in Parks is back again in 2010 with an impressive 12 midweek kiwi films 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 To celebrate Auckland’s Festival of Sailing, Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum is inviting Aucklanders to 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Aucklanders will be able to get a sneak preview of Pasifika at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE, when it is transformed into a Pacific arts studio.    There will be a host of local and international artists rehearsing their performances and preparing theirs crafts for Auckland’s highly anticipated and much loved   Pasifika Festival.   www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Eight of the world\'s best sailing teams will battle it out in the Louis Vuitton 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Under his suave exterior, Jack Worthing is all fluster and panic. He’s besotted with Gwendolen 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 A ‘Singing Cloud’ made up of 4000 microphones, love letters staged as political protests, sailing, 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 In March Cobra Starship will return to Auckland\'s BIG little city in support of their recently 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Groove Guide, with Anchor & Shogun presents Converge New Zealand Tour, Auckland and Wellington 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Lady Gaga returns to New Zealand in March 2010 for a much-demanded headline tour. The 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Pasifika Festivals\' "festival day" is when Pacific communities from Auckland, New Zealand and overseas 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! www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Harry Connick, Jr, one of the today’s most versatile and accomplished entertainers - pianist, singer, composer and bandleader - brings his many musical talents to The Civic with his exceptional touring band. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The eagerly awaited return of the global comedy \'rock-star\'. Russell Peters brings his hilarious The Green Card Tour to New Zealand featuring all-new material, video screens and DJ\'s. www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Frontier Touring Company are pleased to announce that one of this year’s most acclaimed 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! www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Tower Season of From Here To There   Elegant and 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 A one-woman machine, The Dresden Dolls\' Amanda Palmer is a rock musician, artist, writer, political 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Henry has dropped out of school to look after Mummy Dearest. Mia is about to 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 On the back of their current DVD release Live at the Orange Peel and the 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 A bona fide guitar hero, perennial poll-winner and virtuoso of the highest order, Al Di 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 www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Lyle Lovett takes to the road for his first-ever Australasian tour. The four-time Grammy winner 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Since his debut solo LP went platinum, Raekwon The Chef has solidified his place as 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71   The 2010 BMW Sailing Cup World Final is the culmination for one talented New Zealand 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Swell Season, the Oscar-winning duo of Frames front man Glen Hansard and Czech pianist 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Massive Attack, the UK’s ‘trip-hop’ pioneers, bring their haunting and hypnotic fusion of hazy beats, 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 The Wiggles are thrilled to announce they will be bringing their NEW live show to 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! www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 To celebrate Earth Hour 2010, from 7:30pm Saturday March 27, Heart of the 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.  www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Palindrome Productions in association with STAMP at THE EDGE presents Double Shot: \'C\' A unique opportunity 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 There’s no other New Orleans musician operating today who is as great as Dr John, 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:30:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Neil Finn has crafted some of the most memorable lyrics and melodies in music starting 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Living Room is a curated public art event that brings an exciting programme of live 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 This once-in-a-lifetime event brings together two of the most beloved singer/songwriters for a rare concert 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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 Kelly Clarkson, the world’s first ‘American Idol,’ now a certified pop sensation, is bringing her \'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. www.hotcity.co.nz Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/71 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/218 The tournament is expected to bring an estimated 60,000 - 66,000 international visitors to NZ. Including 2,000 media and 2,500 international corporate VIP's The largest numbers will come from England, South Africa and Australia Visitors are likely to come with friends or family and are predicted to be reasonably well - off with higher than average incomes Many visitors are expected to be in New Zealand before or after the Tournament for an extended holiday The majority will arrive and/or depart through Auckland; and approximately 70% of visitors will arrive only for the last two weeks of the tournament. It is predicted that 50% of the final game attendees will be international, 17% from out of Auckland and 33% from Auckland     www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/218 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/203 Heart of Auckland City and CBD business leaders are working together to encourage Auckland businesses and residents to turn off their lights for one hour, to celebrate Auckland City being the official New Zealand host of Earth Hour 2010. At 8.30pm on Saturday March 27th 2010, Auckland City along with cities and towns in New Zealand and across the world will turn off their lights for one hour. The purpose, to send a powerful global message that together we can take action on climate change. Heart of Auckland City, CEO Alex Swney says that by participating in Earth Hour 2010, Auckland City businesses and residents can show their support for this global cause by taking action en masse and reducing the carbon emissions of our city. "New Zealand will be the first country in the world to turn off their lights for Earth Hour 2010. With all eyes on Auckland City, we have the opportunity to set the benchmark for participation worldwide" says Swney. To celebrate Earth Hour, from 7:30pm Saturday March 27th, Heart of the 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 and watch Auckland plunge into darkness. www.hotcity.co.nz Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/203 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/216 We have recently updated our $50 Heart of the City vouchers. The new designs are bright colourful and come in 3 colours. So retailers if you receive one of these vouchers please accept them and post them back to us here at Heart of the City and we will reimburse you as soon as possible. And to celebrate we have one $50 voucher to giveaway. To enter go to the Traffic Cams page on the Heart of the City website and tell us where one of the three cameras are located. Email your answer along with your name to info@hotcity.co.nz by 4pm on Friday 19th March 2010 and you will go into draw to win one of our new Heart of the City vouchers. Winners will be drawn at 4.30pm and notified by email. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/216 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/217 A free introductory seminar on sustainability will be held on the 11th March between 4pm-6.30pm in the Auckland Town Hall. The seminar is being run by the EcoBiz programme and will teach you how by taking action, you can reduce costs, improve your competitiveness, and enhance your reputation as a responsible business that is in tune with the times. To RSVP for this seminar email s.yates@ecobiz.org.nz or contact Sunshine on 09 360 5190. The seminar series will run till November and early bird rates are avaliable for those who sign up early. For more information on this seminar and how to RSVP for the seminar series download the brochure here... www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/217 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/213 Some of the worlds elite yatchsmen and women will ascend into Auckland this coming March 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. The sailing events include: The Omega Auckland Match Race Regatta, from March 3-6, will feature some of the biggest names in international match racing. Entry is by invitation, and will include a number of high profile sailors with a long history in the sport of sailing such as John Bertrand and Dennis Conner, as well as the current to level international match racers. The Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland Regatta, March 9-21, follows on from the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series sailed in Auckland last February. The action will take place over 14 days. The BMW World Sailing Cup 2010 Final, March 21-25. A leading international keel boat event for amateur sailors. New Zealand won the right to host the event by winning the 2009 world cup. Auckland Festival of Sailing will also coincide with the Auckland International Boat Show(11-14 March 2010), providing an excellent platform for Auckland to showcase its innovative marine sector to the sailing world. www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/213 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/214 Find out about the latest events in Auckland City. Places to shop, dine, drink and stay. The best events, attractions, live music, stores, markets, festivals, hotels and more! To find out more click here... www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/214 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/215 Located at the heart of Auckland's waterfront, Queens Wharf has been secured as the prime festival venue for RWC 2011. The immediate focus is preparing the wharf for Rugby World Cup celebrations; the long-term benefit will be opening up the wharf to Aucklanders and visitors, with new public spaces and a passenger terminal for the flourishing cruise ship industry.The wharf will be "party central" for the event, and used as:The main fan zone site, capable of hosting up to 20,000 peopleThe focus for a mass public celebration around the Opening Ceremony and opening match on 9 September 2011 www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/215 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/211 Rugby Travel & Hospitality (NZ) Ltd, the official hospitality programme managers for the RWC 2011, is now offering hospitality packages. There are a range of hospitality packages tailored to suit the varying requirements of both corporate and individuals. Make sure you only purchase Rugby World Cup 2011 Hospitality Packagesfrom the two Official Corporate Hospitality Agents. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/211 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/212 Licensing in Motion (NZ), the master licensee holder for Rugby World Cup 2011, has announced more opportunities to become an official sub-Licensee of the tournament. For more information on how your company can get involved click here. The closing date forregistration is Friday, 30 April 2010. www.hotcity.co.nz Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/212 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/210 Auckland is on track to deliver a spectacular RWC 2011 experience, some of the various upgrades around the city include: Eden Park The redevelopment of Eden Park is on budget and on time for completion in October 2010. The redevelopment will increase Eden Park's seating capacity to 60,000. Marine Events Centre The construction of a Marine Events Centre built on the Halsey Street extension wharf, at the Viaduct Harbour. The centre will be ready for use by August 2011. Queen's Wharf The redevelopment for Queen's Wharf as 'Party Central' - for more click here     The redevelopment of Aotea Square will restore the square to its former status as the city's leading public open space and will be able to host crowds of up to 20,000 people. The development is due to finish in October 2010.   The redevelopment of Auckland International Airport     Auckland Regional Transport Authority is enhancing the stations serving Eden Park (Kingsland and Morningside) www.hotcity.co.nz Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/210 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/207 In the months leading up the Rugby World Cup 2011, Heart of the City will be sending updates on how the competition will affect the Auckland region and more specifically your business. To receive these updates, sign up to the Heart of the City e-letter here... www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/207 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/208 In 2011 Auckland will be put in the spotlight internationally. Many of the key Rugby World Cup games will held in the Auckland region - and this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your business. With an estimated 60,000 overseas visitors visiting New Zealand to attend the tournament, Heart of the City is encouraging all businesses to attend all of the Getting Ready Workshops to better understand the opportunities provided by RWC 2011. As maintaining a quality visitor experience is crucial to how Auckland is viewed internationally. The number of visitors in Auckland and the extensive media coverage will be unprecedented for our region. Because this scale is something new to us all, the Visitor Ready Programme has been set up to help you be as prepared as possible. To register for these workshops click here The following Getting Ready Workshops are happening in Auckland CBD at The Langham Auckland, 83 Symonds Street. Tuesday 16 March 9am - 12pm RWC 2011 overview 1pm - 3.30pm Visitor market Tuesday 23 March 9am - 12pm Official Travel & Hospitality Programmes and commercial restrictions 1pm - 3.30pm Media opportunities and communications Tuesday 30 March 9am - 12pm Sustainability and accessibility 1pm - 3.30pm How can New Zealand's unique culture add value to your business? www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/208 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/209 Designed to give Auckland businesses both information and networking opportunities, the six month seminar series has been developed by AucklandPlus in association with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. In less than 18 months a projected 60,000 athletes, media and sports fans will be descending on Auckland for the opening ceremony at Auckland's Eden Park. "Our objective is to give Auckland businesses the tools to place themselves in the best position to take advantage of the increased opportunities that RWC 2011 will bring" says AucklandPlus Group Manager Clyde Rogers. Successful Auckland businesspeople and subject experts will each present on topics ranging from commercial rights restrictions to business sustainability. The first seminar, an overview of RWC opportunities for local businesses will be presented by Chair of AucklandPlus and Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Michael Barnett and ex All Black and successful businessman David Kirk MBE. The Speaker Series will run between March and September and Heart of the City will update you when more information is available on the dates of the speaker series. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/209 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/206 The tournament will consist of 48 matches which will be played over a 6 week period. 9 of these matches will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, including the opening match, both semi-finals and the final on 23 October 2011. Eden Park in Auckland will host the opening match played on Friday September 9, 2011 when New Zealand will play Tonga. 20 countries will be participating in the tournament. 12 of these teams automatically qualified from RWC 2007 in France. The remaining 8 teams will come through the RWC 2011 qualifier programme which began in April 2008. The 12 automatic qualifiers are South Africa, England, France, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Tonga, Wales and Ireland. Held every four years, RWC is the third biggest sporting event in the world - from a viewership perspective. The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the 7th tournament. An estimated $267 million in direct income to the Auckland region and will be a catalyst for major infrastructure improvements providing long-term benefits for the Auckland community e.g. new facilities upgraded public transport, upgraded CBD and waterfront. And finally an estimated 4 billion people will watch the tournament worldwide. www.hotcity.co.nz Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/206 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/195 Work under way for the Aotea Square redevelopment and the Civic car park upgrade is now at its peak. Here are a few access changes to note if you are planning a trip to this part of the city.   - The Mayoral Drive entrance to the car park has now reopened. - The Bledisloe stairwell is expected to reopen by 1 February. - The Town Hall stairwell and lifts from the car park are temporarily closed. - Access directly from Queen Street into the square is now closed. Please use SkyCity Metro (a temporary ramp is located at Starbucks Coffee for mobility access) to get from Queen Street to the Aotea Centre, Bledisloe House or the Civic car park. - Free mobility parking bays are available at the Civic Administration Building off Greys Avenue and in the open car park behind Bledisloe House off Mayoral Drive. View more detailed access map including mobility options. www.hotcity.co.nz Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/195 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/192 Music in Parks is back in 2010 and is shaping up to be better than ever! For 17 years, Auckland City Council has proudly been providing Music in Parks, a series of free music and film events in our city's stunning parks and reserves. The 2010 programme runs from January to March and features over 40 concerts showcasing the best musical talent that Auckland has to offer. Music in Parks is made up of four different series, each with its own unique flavour. Summer Sounds features multiple billings of award winning artists offering everything from rock to roots. The Culture Garden presents inspiring niche musical forms that promise to inspire. Jazz at the Rotunda stages some of Auckland's finest jazz musicians at the rotunda in Auckland Domain and Movies in Parks screens a host of classic kiwi flicks with pre-movie performances by some of Auckland's hottest up and coming bands. For more information including a detailed schedule of events visit www.musicinparks.co.nz www.hotcity.co.nz Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/192