A summer packed full of great events

From City Scene, published on 13 January, 2008

Happy birthday Auckland: The 2008 Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta on Monday, 28 January, marks the 168th year of this maritime event - and our city's birthday.

There are plenty of great ways to enjoy your city thanks to a summer packed full of fantastic Auckland City Council-supported events.

You can get moving with the AkActive Summer Parks Programme, with activities ranging from yoga and aerobics to hip-hop and salsa dancing.

There's also exciting ocean racing action to enjoy on 28 January when the Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta sets sail. The programme includes various events leading up to the regatta's start at 11am. You can enjoy the racing action from several vantage points, including Tamaki Drive, Orakei Wharf, Bastion Point and North Head.

And don't miss out on the entertainment in our CBD from 31 January to 6 February when performers entertain during the Auckland International Buskers Festival.

There's also a great offering of Kiwi musical talent this summer, with more than 40 free concerts featuring in the council's Music in Parks series and a string of top acts supporting conservation causes at Auckland Zoo's Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic series.

If you want to escape the summer heat, unleash your creative potential at Artstation, the council's community arts facility, which is offering a summer school for adults, and holiday workshops for children and teenagers between the ages of five and 17 years. Other artistic creations are on show throughout the summer at the New Gallery's Making Worlds and Likeness and Character exhibitions.

The Central City Library's Real Gold exhibition, on until 29 February, is also well worth a look. While you're at the library, make the most of the Hot Summer, Cool Books programme for kids and the amazing range of reading, music, DVDs and free internet access available.