What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Comedy shows, garden sculptures and more

On today at Studio230 on Ponsonby Rd is The Wild Table by Wildcraft, a New Zealand bread range that favours traditional techniques to batch-bake its loaves. Inviting Aucklanders to slow down and experience some seriously good flavour sensations, it’s offering five free immersive tasting worlds to explore – from a wildflower meadow and berry patch to a vegetable garden, the seaside and a bakery. Guests can follow their appetite through unexpected pairings created by chef Tushar Grover, of Rhu, from whipped ricotta and garden vegetables to seafood-inspired creations and indulgent butters. You’ll also get to take home Wildcraft loaves and Tushar’s recipe cards. Four free tasting sessions are available that can be booked via Eventfinda.

For those keen to don their finery on a Saturday night, the Art Deco Society Ball is this evening at Villa Dalmacija, hosted by the Art Deco Society of Auckland. An evening of elegance inspired by the glamour of the great ocean liners of the Art Deco era, the society invites guests to join them at the Captain’s table as they celebrate the romance of a golden era, where every voyage promised adventure, sophistication and unforgettable destinations. Dress as though you’ve just stepped from the gangway after an elegant voyage, or make a grand entrance in magnificent First Class eveningwear worthy of the ballroom. Tickets are still available, so grab your friends, don some sequins and make a night of it!

Legendary British pianist, composer and writer Sir Stephen Hough, named by The Economist as one of the world’s 20 living polymaths, performs with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tonight at Auckland’s Town Hall. At the heart of the concert is Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a set of 14 variations built around an unheard theme. Long the subject of intense scrutiny and enduring affection, the work combines compositional ingenuity with a powerful emotional pulse. The programme also features the world premiere of New Zealand composer Ross Harris’ Concerto for Orchestra, which brings his artistry and bold vision to a work that puts the full orchestra centre stage. The NZSO Foundation is presenting a masterclass for aspiring musicians with Sir Stephen in Auckland tomorrow.

Organised by Kidney Kids NZ and happening this Thursday, The Tinsel Trail is a new festive day out in the Waikato, celebrating the season of giving while raising funds to support tamariki and their whānau living with kidney disease. The trail takes guests through seven beautifully decorated locations across Tamahere, Hamilton and Matangi – including six private homes and a special stop at The Sunday Society. Each location has its own Christmas styling and festive flair, offering guests the chance to explore beautiful spaces while enjoying a relaxed day out with friends. Tickets are $40 per person (plus booking fee) and include access to all seven locations, a goodie bag, nibbles and refreshments at various stops, and opportunities to enter exclusive raffles.

It’s the final two days to experience Art in the Park at Eden Park, an event that transforms New Zealand’s national stadium into a contemporary art experience unlike any other. The popular event brings together more than 140 artists and more than 3000 original artworks, offering visitors the chance to meet artists, discover the stories behind their work and purchase original pieces directly from some of Aotearoa’s most exciting creative voices. Positioned as “New Zealand’s best art at its most iconic venue”, Art in the Park celebrates the breadth and diversity of New Zealand’s artistic community, and is designed to welcome everyone from first-time buyers to experienced collectors.

Mount Eden Village’s popular Craft Market returns today from 9.30am to 3pm at the Mount Eden Methodist Church Hall, with free entry and a plethora of amazing creations to celebrate, experience and purchase. Unlike standard community markets, the event is strictly 100% handmade by the crafters themselves, showcasing premium, locally produced Auckland ceramics, textiles, jewellery and art. It’s a highly curated, vibrant local fixture that connects conscious shoppers directly with the makers in the heart of the village, and entry is free.

Sculpture in the Gardens returns to Auckland Botanic Gardens for its 10th exhibition today, bringing together a spectacular collection of works by artists from across the country, free for visitors to enjoy. In a celebratory full-circle moment, many of the 15 artists behind the first Sculpture in the Gardens have come together to form The Growth Industry Group. The collaboration, which includes sculptors Richard Mathieson, David McCracken, Bill Hayes and Marté Szirmay, presents The Welcoming Wave, comprising multiple colourful sculptural works on striking black plinths. A second group work, by The Indigenous Clay Artists’ Collective, sees four artists create Wai Ora – a visual, aural and functional sculptural artwork in the Threatened Native Gardens’ middle and lower ponds. There will also be an indoor exhibition featuring hundreds of smaller sculptural works at a range of price points for visitors to enjoy or purchase.

Tonight, at Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Theatre is the audaciously named Best Comedy Show on Earth, hosted by Ben Hurley and featuring a raft of our finest funny people. Promising a whole heap of end-of-year comedy carry-on, Hurley, with Hayley Sproull, Angella Dravid, Justine Smith, Guy Williams and James Mustapic, will be bringing the laughs in a show that does what it says on the tin – offers up the best comedy, with some of the country’s best comedians, for one last dose of the sillies before the year hits its expiry date. And while you’re having a great night out, you’ll also be supporting an excellent cause. The event is a fundraiser for the New Zealand Comedy Trust, helping it champion comedians and grow the Aotearoa comedy industry year-round.

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.

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