Terry Urbahn has spent a lot of time in bars and hotels – just the kind of guy we love here at the Wellingtonista.

He has an exhibition of selected works from 1994-2008 on show at the Film Archive mediagallery until 9 April, with the opening taking place tomorrow – Saturday 14 March at 5pm. This is a bit of a departure for the gallery. A weekend opening!

Come along and start your Saturday night right with a tipple and some great art – photography, video work, diorama and sculpture – by one of Wellington’s favourites. Everyone is welcome to celebrate this launch. 

All of the work was made during Urbahn’s time living in Capital City (he currently lives in Sydney) but it’s the first time it’s been shown here…

including the spectacular work The Sacred Hart (pictured) which is on display by special arrangement with Auckland Festival.

[Image courtesy of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth]

I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw this today, down by the Cenotaph:

Could it be true?

Can’t quite read it?  No worries, there’s a zoomed-in version after the jump…

Pumice and Grouper are playing at Happy on Saturday night, with local support from seht (yesh, moi). It’s gonna be a great show. 

Grouper (Liz Harris from the U.S.A.) has put out (at least) 4 incredible, beautiful albums* in the last few years, and apparently her live shows leave the records in the dust.

more after the jump…

This very happy looking young man is New Zealander Ron Tonkins (pictured with Margaret Chapman) who travelled to Hollywood in 1946 and worked as a publicity photographer.

Interesting thing is, during his time in Hollywood he shot reels and reels of Super 8 film footage like any usual tourist. Completely Bizarre thing is, he had unlimited access to the stars of the day and the major Hollywood lots (including Hopalong Cassidy). All without a security guard in sight.

Come and watch this "backstage" look at Hollywood, shot by a plucky Kiwi and narrated with his own recollections, "Here’s Marlene Dietrich and she’s asking me, ‘What’s New Zealand like Ron?’ ??!?!

I kid you not, this rare record of Kiwi ingenuity must be seen to be believed.

Screening Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March, 7pm. FREE ADMISSSION at the Film Archive. 

Let’s have a little competition – the NZ Retirement Commissioner, Diana Crossan, says she’s wanted a change of name for the Commission for several years, but no-one has coined a suitable name.

Waiting for God, and The Golden Years were suggested at Select Committee, but rejected (Un. Be. Lievable.)

We’ll think of a prize as we go along, maybe a bag of Kapiti Macadamia nuts, I’m sure we can lay our hands on one of those.

So have at it in the comments, we’re looking for the best suggested new name for the Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night Commission, the winning label will be forwarded to Ms Crossan.

Judges decisions are final & not to be questioned.

Never mind, on Wednesday 11 March at 7:30pm the Film Archive is hosting six Gyuto Monks who will perform live chanting before a fundraiser screening of Murder in the Snow. On their way to Womad this weekend the monks will conduct a Q&A session afterwards.

Have you seen Craig Osborne Wallace? He’s been missing since March 1. 

He was last seen at Chaffer’s Marina area on Sunday 1 March, dressed in a red jacket and blue and green horizontally striped polo shirt.

Anyone with any information should contact Wellington Police CIB on 0800 TIPOFF (0800 847 633) or the Wellington Central Police Station on 04 381 2000

There’s more details on Stuff.

Photographer John Lake, who we last saw at Toi Poneke with The Rise and Fall of Western Civilisation: Part One, is back at the Toi Poneke Gallery with a new exhibition, this time looking at the Wellington Central candidates in the 2008 general election and their many supporters.

The exhibition consists of portraits of all of last year’s candidates for Wellington Central. These portraits – stripped of all possible connotations by using the same white background and lighting – will line the gallery walls. Photos documenting other parts of the campaign – such as party supporters flanked in party flags, volunteers at work, union rallies and political debates in big halls or even sitting rooms – will also complement the portrait display.

Well blow me down, the VBC is turning two! Bravo! 

Not entirely sure how they’ve pulled it off but the radio station continues to go from strength to strength (best listened to streaming at www.vbc.org.nz  And they’re throwing a whopper party to coincide with VUW Orientation 2009. 

See you at the Front Room TONIGHT (at 5 Hania St off Kent Tce) for the Dead C, So So Modern, Rory Storm & The Invaders

All for a mere $15. Tickets on the door. 

CONGRATULATIONS guys! 

TVNZ has commissioned Wayne Youle to orchestrate an art work for an upcoming episode of New Artland (hosted by Chris Knox). Wayne’s idea for the work follows on from his recent focus on New Zealand identity and the concept of turangawaewae, which while specifically related to Maori is a universal idea. We all as New Zealanders have a place or places that we link to physically and spiritually.

more after the jump…