Jon Auer is coming to town
The guy Matthew Sweet always wished he could be. Possibly. He’s in town for one show only. (Remember Matthew Sweet?)
From the press-release:
Jon Auer is co-founder of one of the most critically-acclaimed power-pop bands, The Posies, and has also spent a good deal of time in the legendary Big Star with the granddaddy of all ’em power-popsters, Alex Chilton. He also finds time to be the self-confessed number one solo sadcore artist in the world.
With his exceptional songwriting, eminently-hummable melodies, and unique musical vision, he takes listeners to sonic and emotional territories far beyond the expected parameters of the pop genre.
John Auer brings his signature guitar-work and angelic voice to MVP for one very special, intimate night.
Saturday the 3rd of March
MVP, Dixon Street
Doors open at 8pm.
$20 presales from Slow Boat records ($15 with an Active Card).
Thanks to Stephen for the heads up (and for making me look like I know a bit about music…)
Putting the Kunst into Country
If you’ve had enough of pretending to be Latin American, The Mighty Mighty now give you an opportunity to pretend to be from a very different part of the world with ten days of The Berlin Bonanza.
Much of this appears to involve a highly traditional Teutonic leisure activity: mass games of ping-pong with a country music accompaniment.
If that doesn’t appeal (and why on earth wouldn’t it?) there’s a bewildering array of other acts and activities on offer. Vodka ice slides! Beer and sausage! Polish/German chansonettes! Krautrock! More photos here and here, excited gossip here, and the urban semiotics of cowboy capitalism here.
More web events = more stalking
So, remember how much fun we all had at The Great Blend? Or how much of a crush you have on Martha? How about you combind those two things into one event and come to Webstock Mini on Tuesday night? There are, after all, few venues nicer than the Paramount, and if it’s good enough for the Queen of the Bloggers to pay her own administration fee rather than trying to do the paperwork for the Wellingtonista to cover the $75 cost (it’s amazing how quickly the thoughts of an open bar will get her to pony up), it should be good enough for you too.
Those were the days…
From the newly relaunched NZ History website comes this wee gem from Today in History (actually, next week’s Monday, but I couldn’t wait to post it)…
Two Wellington lawyers, W.V. Brewer and H. Ross, drew pistols over a legal difference in Wellington. Brewer fired into the air but ‘received Mr. Ross’ ball in the groin’. He died several days later.
Ouch.
Costume Cave 2 sale
Right now, as we speak, the Costume Cave 2 is selling old theatre, TV and film clothes for you to prance around in.
Looking for that Hawaiian attire for a certain Friday party or maybe for that 1977 look then I’m sure they can help you out.
Here at Wellingonista Towers the boys are already accessorising and the girls are eagerly awaiting the catwalk parade later on. If you see any of us buying Xena frocks, over sized and outlandish hats or SciFi silver knee-high boots, give us a smile and ask us for a twirl!
Where: Costume Cave 2
Where: Level 1, 233 Willis Street
When: now until Sunday 18th, 10am – 2pm
Fair season
The next five weeks are going to be tres busy for the discerning shopper. There are fairs galore. Here is a quick run down:
15th February – Craftwerk is on at the Southern Cross. An almost all new line-up of stalls will keep it fresh and interesting, and it is on from 5-9pm with bands.
17th February – Petone Fair. Jackson St will be chock full of everything from sausage sizzles, bouncy castles and ethnic food, to fab jewellery, clothes and gifts. Starts 10am. I recommend parking along the Esplanade and walking a couple of blocks to the fair.
17th February – The Big Bang is on at the NewDowse. This signals a month of exciting activities. A highlight will be The Real Hot Bitches performing a danceathon at 4pm.
3rd March – The second of the Martinborough Fairs is on. This is a repeat performance of the fair in February, with all the same fabulous food and stalls. It is a great opportunity to scope out some wineries while you’re over the hill. Martinborough Square.
10th March – Gay and Lesbian Fair, Newtown School. An array of stalls and activities. 9am-4pm
17th March – Whoop! Craft2.0 is going to be on at the NewDowse in Lower Hutt. This fabulous fair is the culmination of a month of activities at the NewDowse to celebrate its renovations. There will be the finest craft from around the country and hot bands. More information on this exciting event will be updated every 2 minutes (heh).
Bus Angst #32
Two words: bloody buses.
Actually, here’s a few more. This particular Wellingtonista had to wait forty minutes last evening for even one bus to turn up on his route. Of course, when one did, it was packed to the gunnels, so it sailed by the stop, as did the next, and the next. Finally, one only moderately packed bus did find space to fit me on board, so I did eventually get home, but what irks me is that in the forty minutes spent waiting at the bus-stop, I saw three Kilbirnie buses go by (the second two weren’t even that full), and two Houghton Bay buses. I mean, if they’re going to cancel buses, couldn’t they be a little more even-handed about it all?
Bus routes affected by the cancellations are listed here. I find it hard to believe that there are no #1, #4 and #32 cancellations after 4:30 today. As a precaution, I plan to back-walk a few stops to the Beehive end of Lambton Quay, to ensure, at least, that I can get onto a bus that will take me home, should one deem to actually turn up.
Didja feel that one?
Well, did you?
More info once every other man and his dog stops hammering the GeoNet website.
Update. Well, there ya go: a 4.8 shake, focal point 50km deep, 30km west of Porirua, out in Cook Strait. A decent rattle.
(And if you did feel it, report your experience here. Do your bit for science.)
We ask: Boy and dog?
The Wellingtonista want to know what is currently shooting in Wellington that would require a large truck towing a boy on a bicycle with a dog perched happily behind him to film down Lambton Quay.
Someone out there must have the answer. And also: how did they get the dog to hold on?
The Circuits of Happyness
At Happy tomorrow night you can hear three of New Zealand’s rising stars of minimalist electronic music:
- Sam Hamilton
- Angeline Chirnside aka Jane Austen
- Nigel Wright
These artists are described in the media release as “wonderful and amazing; think the magnificent beauty of Rosy Parlane, Minit, and Rachel Shearer’s Lovely Midget project. Hell, think of the internationally reknowned Fennesz, Tim Hecker or Keith Fullerton Whitman, if you like.”