During a year in which we’ve spent way too much time becoming familiar with our couch and four walls, we’re celebrating some of the best activities that are happening in our great nation this weekend – get out there and enjoy!
HIT THE CINEMAS
When I was 14 I terrified the living daylights out of myself by watching The Craft (which I rented on video at the local Video Ezy) at a sleepover. But once the nightmares finally subsided I decided that actually, I’d really quite like to become a witch, especially if it meant I could be like Neve Campbell who was the It Girl back then – so I promptly started wearing too much eyeliner and those strange velvet choker necklaces that were having a moment.
Back then, the film starred ‘new girl at school’ Robin Tunney who fell in with a group of outcast girls: a truly terrifying Fairuza Balk, Neve and Rachel True.
Well, now a whole new generation of girls are about to have some sleepless nights – and be introduced to what looks like a much more promising array of beauty trends – with a new instalment to the cult classic: The Craft: Legacy
This one is a standalone film, rather than a reboot, but features plenty of nods to the original, and just like the 1996 version it follows an eclectic foursome of teenage girls as they uncover their newfound powers to create a coven – which of course, is not without its complications… It stars Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone and Zoey Luna – plus you’ll recognise Michelle Monaghan and David Duchovny play the parents.
WINE AND DINE
THE place to be this weekend has got to be the Hawke’s Bay, where the ninth edition of Summer F.A.W.C. (Food And Wine Classic) is happening. Over 10 delicious days, more than 60 events are taking place, with so many different experiences on offer (ranging many different price ranges!).
Look, let’s be honest – most of them have sold out now, so congratulations if you’ve got tickets, but otherwise, head to the site now to see if you can pick up a last minute spot – or whet your appetite for the next F.A.W.C event. Otherwise, support the Hawke’s Bay wine industry this weekend and pick up a bottle from your favourite winery (there’s heaps to choose from: Mills Reef, Church Road, Te Mata, Wither Hills and dozens more).
WINE & DINE… AT HOME!
It’s been a looooong week, during a hard year and this weekend the idea of not going far, sounds pretty good to me.
I think I have two options: move from the couch to the back yard while there’s a sunny patch – or, go wild and head over to a friend’s house (where it’s still acceptable to be wearing track pants) to toast the fact we’ve made it to the end of the week!
To make it feel summery and special, I’ll pour a little something special. This week I tried Fever-Tree’s new soda range – they taste great on their own (I think due to the fact they have lower sugar than your typical sodas).
If you have a quality spirit, you want to pour it with a quality mixer – which is exactly what these are. Mix the Lime and Yuzu Soda with vodka, ice and a wedge of lime, or the Italian Blood Orange with Camapri or Aperol (again with plenty of ice and a slice of blood orange. Cheers!
GET SCARED
If this week somehow hasn’t been terrifying enough for you, get yourself along to the final night of Dark Carnival at Rainbow’s End. From 6 till 11pm you can experience the thrill of your favourite rides after dark – as well as spooky limited time attractions – Magic Manor and 7D Dark Ride Theatre, Spectra.
In Magic Manor, feel your way through the corridors of an abandoned mansion, haunted by deranged clowns, ringmasters and fortune tellers of Carnivals past. Eeeeeek.
In Spectra, enter the biggest 7D theatre in the southern hemisphere where you’ll find yourself trapped in a decrepit amusement park where you’ll get tossed, pulled and stalked within a sinister nightmare.
Both rides are R14 in case you’re planning on taking some brave youngsters along. Adults are $49.99, children $44.99.
TAKE SOME ME TIME
Feeling like you need a little pick-me-up this weekend? My god, we are with you.
I’ve got my eye on a limited edition, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, indulgence at Spring Spa. They’ve teamed up with Killnchy Gold Dairy Free Ice Cream to create a bespoke experience, all based on oat-milk – the primary ingredient in the new ice cream range.
This little experience combines a gorgeous foot-treatment (a silk oat milk cleanse, a scrub of vanilla, coconut and refined oat chips, then q relaxing food massage using nourishing coconut vanilla whip) while you tuck into some ice cream (I’d probably go for the Salted Caramel and Cashew flavour).
$60 – available only this Friday & Saturday (November 6 & 7)
BABY, YOU’RE A FIREWORK
If you prefer to leave the professionals to it, when it comes to Guy Fawkes – for a start, thank you. Thank you for not keeping us all awake at 2am when you decide it’d be a fab time to let your roman candles fly (on that note, all our pets also thank you).
But, if you do want to see a professional display of fireworks, there’s a couple this weekend, plus some big displays later this month:
Taupo Starlight Cinema Fireworks & Laser Extravaganza: Gates open at 5.30pm Friday 6 November at Owen Delany Park.
Western Springs Speedway 2020 Grand Opening & Fireworks: Gates open at 4pm on Saturday 7 November.
Motukarara Fireworks Evening 2020: Waihora Park, Christchurch, Saturday 7 November, 5.30pm – 10pm, $20 per car.
Waikaraka Family Speedway Fireworks Spectacular: Saturday 21 November, gates open at 5pm.
Orewa Surf Sounds Concert & Fireworks 2020: Saturday 28 November 2020 from 5.30pm to 9.30pm at Orewa Beach. Free entry
