Overview
Three-day weekends can be tricky. On one hand, there's time to drink, party and sleep in to your heart's content. By day three however, you may find yourself itching to find something to do, somewhere to go, a reason to get out and about. So if you're keen to try something a bit different this weekend, we've put together a list of some things you might not know are going on in the capital as HRH celebrates her ninety-first.
ARMAGEDDON EXPO
Get your geek on. Armageddon in the high tide mark of NZ Comic Con; a weekend-long extravaganza where you can nerd out over the things you're too scared to bring up at the pub. Some of this year's guests include Mark 'Romo Lampkin' Sheppard from Battlestar Galactica, up-and-coming hottie Jeremy Jordan from Super Girl and Ray Chase, the voice actor behind Final Fantasy XV. Prepare to battle throngs of fans to get the autographs you want and then witness international cosplayers showing the rest of us how it's done. Dust off the old Dr. Who outfit and head on down.
June 3-5 // Westpac Stadium // $25
Sabine Bernert
ZEALANDIA BY NIGHT TOURS
If you've never done it, now's the time. Wellington's best eco-sanctuary is organising night tours of the sights and sounds of the native forest and its bound to be a little bit magical. Tours are from 4.30pm to 7pm, so you can slip it in before something fancier but don't underestimate the joy of seeing nature really doing its thing. Take your BFF, your kids or your nana and leave with a smile on your face and a desperate need to re-watch David Attenborough's Planet Earth. Bring a warm jacket and a childlike sense of wonder.
June 1-5 // Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary // $40-85
BOWIE v PRINCE
If you're poor, love the '80s and feel like dancing your ass off, do we have the place for you. Wellington soul legends Superbad are battling Bowie against Prince this Saturday at Rouge & Vagabond and the outcome is bound to be somewhat funky. So put on your red shoes and that raspberry beret. Dance the blues like it's 1999 and raise your glass to the young Americans. We may not be able to bring the legends back but we can certainly celebrate them through the power of dance. Prepare to get sweaty.
June 3 // Rouge & Vagabond // $5
SHELIA'S INDIAN COOKING CLASS
Want how to make delicious things and also eat delicious things? Shelia's Indian Cooking Classes start this Saturday in Brooklyn. Learn how to make Indian food, proper like. Dishes include spicy stuffed roti, malia kofta and gulab jamun and that's just the first session. Classes are two hours and finish with a dinner banquet. Go get learning, you'll thank yourself. Everyone you live with thank you too.
June 3 // Brooklyn Community Centre // $55
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN FILM FESTIVAL
If the weather takes a turn, take refuge at The Embassy for some seriously excellent documentaries. This year's picks include Eero Saarinen, about the Finnish-American genius who conceived the St Louis Arch; Dressmaker, which focuses on Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, and Where Architects Live, in which eight leading architects (including the late, great Zaha Hadid) take us through their work spaces and their homes. It's a good chance to peer into a world that is not often seen on screen and will make you look with wide eyes at the urban jungle around you.
May 18-June 4 // Embassy Theatre // From $16
NZ ART SHOW
The NZ Art show is an absolute institution and sits high on many people's list as the pinnacle of the artistic calendar. There are literally thousands of artworks to check out, roll your eyes at or fall in love with. Artworks are generally priced around the $650 mark, which is pretty damn affordable in the New Zealand art world. Even if you don't buy anything, the NZ Art Show is a pretty great afternoon out. There's great food and boutique beer and of course, excellent people watching. Get amongst.
June 2-5 // TSB Bank Arena // $10