What I’d do
1 If you don't see me at City Works Depot on Saturday morning, call together a search team because something's up. I think Best Ugly Bagels takes a good 75 per cent of my salary, I am so obsessed. If you haven't tried the T. A. B or the Mean Joe Green — you don't know what you're missing.
City Works Depot, corner Wellesley St and Nelson St, Auckland. bestugly. co. nz
2 Following that, I will be heading straight to Ponsonby Rd to help set up the Rainbow Auckland Grandstand in preparation for the 2017 Auckland Pride Parade. The Grandstand, based in Western Park, will be the best place to watch the parade, with food vendors plus all the amenities you need for an entertaining and comfortable experience.
Auckland Pride Parade, today, Ponsonby Rd, 7.30pm. aucklandpridefestival. org. nz/ events/ auckland- pride- parade
3 After the parade, I will be heading to Galatos St for PROUD2017, the biggest LGBT+ party of the year and the official closing celebration of Auckland Pride Festival. I am particularly intrigued to see DJ duo SEXSHOOTERS play their high- energy, sexually- charged and uplifting set for obvious reasons ( they're hot as f***).
I’m also looking forward to reuniting with Courtney Act, the immaculate star of RuPaul’s
Drag Race: Season 6. I haven't caught up with her since I was in Los Angeles in May, so I'm very happy that she'll be there.
PROUD2017, Studio + Galatos St, Auckland. aucklandpridefestival. org. nz/ events/ proud- party
4 Let's be honest, after nursing my inevitable throbbing head, my partner and I will be waking at the respectable time of 1pm and crawling to Atomic Cafe – which is, thankfully just around the corner in Kingsland — for their luscious mochas. I plan on grabbing the squad together and checking out Summer at the Zoo before its final day on Tuesday. I have such fond memories of Auckland Zoo growing up. It's one of my happy places and is sure to top off my weekend.
Atomic Cafe, 420c NewNorth Rd, Kingsland. aucklandzoo. co. nz Zakk d’Larte is on the Auckland Pride Festival Board