The Planner

AUCKLAND FRIED CHICKEN FESTIVAL

It turns out Kiwis love fried chicken. The Auckland Fried Chicken Festival has become a regular sell-out event and now they’re at it again with all the crispy deep fried poultry goodness you can imagine. There’s Mexico NZ, Lowbrow and Tiger Burger, plus street food from Nomnom, Temaki Truck NZ, Bun Hun, Manila Eats, Brotisserie & Five Boroughs, plus live music and cooking demonstrations, and did we mention fried chicken? Door sales are limited so get there early or jump online now for tickets.

Today, four sessions: noon-2pm, 2pm4pm, 5pm-7pm, 7pm-9pm. Shed 10, Quay St, Auckland.

Presale tickets $10 from eventfinda.co.nz, limited door sales at $15. SING OFF

Take your singing voice out of the shower and down to the Wintergarden on Friday for Battle Chorus. Jason Te Mete and Rutene Spooner will lead the audience in a choral face-off with a Kiwi classic. Make a night of it with a pre-drink at Stark’s happy hour or get tickets to a Civic Night Tour to scope out the venue and check out the acoustics beforehand. Technically, there can only be one winning choir but in reality group singing is always a winner — a proven mood elevator and a charming way to herald the weekend.

August 14: Stark’s Cafe and Bar happy hour 4pm-7pm. The Civic Night Tour, 6pm-7pm. Tickets $50 from aucklandlive.co.nz Battle Chorus 7.30-8.30pm,

The Wintergarden, Civic Theatre, Auckland City. Tickets $25 from aucklandlive.co.nz SUNDAY STAND-UP

When the dread of the working week sets in, Garnet Station has the remedy: an open mic comedy night. It’s a new weekly event hosted by Brendhan Lovegrove with a wide range of Tamaki Makaurau’s comedy talent. Tomorrow, 7.30pm: Ladies Night, with guest host Sarah Hughes and 10 female comedians on stage. Tiny Theatre, Garnet Station, 85 Garnet Rd, Westmere. Tickets $10 from eventfinda.co.nz