What I’d do

Claire Cowan

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Nothing delights me more than a morning

op shopping for “do up” projects. Glen Innes has some great stores, including the mighty Dove Shop that regularly has $1 clothing specials. Ellerslie, Panmure, Birkenhead are also op shop havens. When I'm feeling lazy and don't want to travel, Kingsland and Dominion Rd. Hopefully I'll bring a full bag of craft supplies, some retro yellow Tupperware, an old wooden something to sand down and restore and a few vintage dresses to upcycle. 2Blackbird

Tonight is Open Air Orchestra with

Ensemble at Bell Park, so I'll be packing about a gazillion things into my bag and checking lists. Then I'll be loading up my car with Astronaut costumes, glowing LED chairs and all of my synthesizer gear. The afternoon we'll be sound checking and rehearsing with the band, the choir and the amazing soloists. Then we can relax to the dulcet tones of Howick Brass Band playing Colonel Bogey as they drift through the crowd — always brings back memories from Anzac Day when I was a kid. We lived right next to a war memorial and I used to wake up to the band marching past my bedroom window.

Claire Cowan is a creative director of Open Air Orchestra and performs in Blackbird Ensemble, a 20-piece orchestra with Tami Neilson, Julia Deans, Bailey Wiley, Alae, Jessie Cassin and more. Open Air Orchestra, tonight, 6pm-9pm. Free.

Bell Park (Lloyd Elsmore Park), Bells Rd, Pakuranga. musicinparks.co.nz

3then

Tomorrow I’ll allow myself a little sleep in,

I’ll fry up some kumara hash browns, chuck a poached egg and spinach on top and if I'm feeling fancy, maybe make a smoothie as well. (Blueberries, yoghurt, banana, peanut butter, dark choc.)

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After brunch, I'd put a load of astronaut costumes in the washing machine and head along to see the last performance of Far Side of the Moon. Robert Le Page is a theatrical genius and whenever I see his shows I am totally amazed. What a great way to end Auckland’s Arts Festival. Then it's home for a bit of Queer Eye on Netflix and eating chocolate in bed, ’cos I've earned it.

Far Side of the Moon, aaf.co.nz