AUCKLAND PRIDE FESTIVAL
On Wednesday Auckland Pride Festival will be heralded in with a 6am opening karakia in Aotea Square. The theme of the 2021 festival is “Karanga Atu, Karanga Mai,” aiming to create space for a malleable call for action, community, protest, celebration, whanau, understanding, and more. In many ways, it’s our responsibility to make this the biggest and best Pride festival ever in honour of all the LGBTQ+ people in the many cities in the world who aren’t able to celebrate like this right now. There’s a full month of festivities including some of the staples from previous festivals like the Pride Gala, Samesame but Different Writers’ Festival, Ending HIV Big Gay Out, the Pride March and Pride Party. Check the website for the full schedule of events and plan your celebration circuit and wardrobe accordingly. February 3-28. Various dates and locations in Tāmaki Makaurau.
See aucklandpride.org.nz for more information.
One of our favourite Music in Parks events of the year is Kahuna Nui at Ōtara Pools. Cool off in the water while taking in the likes of Lomez Brown, Poetik, DJ Grantis (from Base FM) as well as the Stand Up Stand Out Showcase. If Opera is more your speed, then head over to Glover Park in St Heliers for an afternoon of classical opera courtesy of the NZ Opera Company. Or, if you’ve got little ones to entertain, tomorrow is Kids Music in Parks hosted by Suzy Cato, accompanied by Dooverberry Dave. There really is something for everyone this weekend and all the concerts are completely free.
Kahuna Nui: today, 1pm-5pm. Ōtara Pools, Newbury St, Ōtara.
Opera in the Park: today, 1pm-5pm. Glover Park, 32 Glover Rd, St Heliers.
Kids Music in Parks: tomorrow, 1pm-4pm. Keith Park, Roys Rd, Manurewa.
If you’ve got any sense or sensibility you’ll use all your powers of persuasion to rally your friends to get tickets to Promise and Promiscuity. An unlikely collaboration between Jane Austen (deceased) and Penny Ashton (very much living), this musical comedy has had audiences in stitches both here and in Australia. Forget your pride and prejudices, this one-woman show is a guaranteed good time. Tickets to the opening night fundraiser will raise money for Help Auckland, an organisation providing support for sexual abuse survivors. February 24-27, 6.45pm. Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland CBD. Tickets $28-$35 from qtheatre.co.nz