Hands up who watched the ice skating during the Winter Olympics? C’mon, admit it! I know there’s more of you than that.

What’s not to love about ice dancing? It’s just so very … sparkly. I like the sparkly and I’ve long dreamed of being an ice dancer. But then throughout my life I’ve variously dreamed of being a cabin steward (too short to reach the overhead lockers), a vet (allergic to lots of animals) and a trapeze artist (I cried when they tried to get me on the flying fox at school camp) so it’s safe to say when it comes to realistic expectations I fail.

If you’re a fan of the sparkly, or want to relive your ice dancing dreams then Swan Lake on Ice, performed by The Imperial Ice Stars could be just the thing for you.

Featuring 26 World, European and National Championship skaters who between them hold more than 250 competition medals, The Imperial Ice Stars will be performing Swan Lake on Ice at The Aotea Centre’s ASB Theatre from 21 to 25 July as part of a two year world tour. Tickets will be available from 9am Monday 15 March from The Edge.

Aucklanders are well served when it comes to markets, both in variety and geographical spread. Much to my embarrassment, despite having lived in Auckland for 13 years I’ve visited very few of them. My challenge to myself this year is to remedy that.

One market I have visited (more than once even), purely by virtue of it being close to home, is the Avondale Market. Held at Avondale Racecourse, Avondale Market has been running since the early 1970’s, and averages 15,000 to 20,000 visitors most Sundays.

All the things you’d expect to find at a market are there, from second-hand clothes to handmade arts and crafts, bric-a-brac to natural remedies, small clothing labels to cheap imported tickety-tack.

Avondale Market’s strength, however, lies in its fresh produce. The sheer number of stalls selling fruit and vegetables is almost overwhelming, and the multicultural nature of Avondale Market is evident in the produce on offer – next to the potatoes and carrots you’ll find gorgeous Asian greens, fresh coconuts, taro and plenty more, including a few things you may not be able to identify. Once you’ve seen the quality, prices and range of produce on offer you’ll wonder why you ever bought your fruit and veg from the supermarket.

During the hotter months it pays to do your shopping at the market as early as possible in the day – once the temperature rises and the humidity sets in being jammed amongst those crowds can start to feel a little like being in a sauna with the temperature turned up and all the exits blocked.

Avondale Markets run from 6am to midday every Sunday at the Avondale Racecourse. Carparking is available at the racecourse for $3.00, watch your step as you walk through the carpark, sometimes the horses have ‘been’ there before you.

We like roller derby an awful lot down here in Wellington, and even though they beat us, we like the Auckland team the Pirate City Rollers an awful lot too. So we think you should support their efforts to get to their first Australian tournament, especially since it sounds like it’s going to be an awful lot of fun:

Do you like classic cars and rockin’ guitars?
Candy floss and cupcakes?
Vintage clothes?
…Beer?
Then look no further than Pirate City Rollers’ first big fundraiser for 2010 – the Jukebox Jamboree!

Jukebox Jamboree is like the school gala you always wanted, but forget the white elephant sales and awkward Monkees cover bands of old, Jukebox Jamboree is going to be loud, fast, fun and fancy… and it’s all on your back doorstep.

The dear hearts at Mt Albert Primary School have (foolishly?) loaned Pirate City Rollers a fabulous space for the day, so come along, relive the days when you were three feet tall, and get a hot rod ride, candy floss, some new vintage digs and an ice cold beer while you’re at it.

The girls have a wealth of talent at their fingertips, so stick around into the evening for boisterous bands, burlesque beauties, and of course – brews.

This fundraiser is all in aid of getting the Pirates to their first-ever Australasian tournament. So if you promise to come along and support your local derby league, they’ll promise to get to Australia and do this country proud. Come one, come all!

So on Saturday March 20, get your ass along to Mt Albert Primary School from 4pm-10pm and have a great time for us. Thank you!

We missed it last Sunday, but the Wet Hot Bitches are back on March 7, and you should be there!

Back by popular demand – the hottest all-girl syncronised-wading water-ballet troupe this summer, the Wet Hot Bitches presents
Wet Hot Beauties!

Pretty ladies all in a row!
A fantastical aquacade!
A memorial to the King Of Pop!
A hand in glove mix of syncronised swimming and water boogie – don’t miss the underwater hit of the summer!

Two performances – Sunday 28 February at 5:00pm,
and Sunday 7 March at 3:00pm

At: The historic Parnell Baths, Judges Bay Road, Parnell.

WHBs performing for your koha at these glamorous outdoor heated salt-water pools. Entry to the Baths is $5.70 for swimmers (and please join us pre & post-performance for splashy fun) and $1 for spectators.

Deeply silly, delightful and glorious, the 40s era water musical aquacade is back, MJ styles!
Hilarious!
Hot!
Wet!
Wet Hot Beauties!

Waitakere City’s Corban Estate Arts Centre, home to approximately 20 artists, is holding an open weekend from 27 to 28 March. From 10am to 4pm both days the artists will be opening their studios to the public, with many offering their art for sale.

Other events will also be on offer during the weekend, including heritage tours of the estate; live music, dance and theatre performances; art workshops and demonstrations of Pacific weaving. Local caterer Claire Inwood will be providing lunches, snacks and beverages at the Corban Kitchen Cafe, and fresh coffee will be available from the Flow coffee cart.

More information is available on the CEAC site, the Corban Estate Arts Centre is located at 426 Great North Road, Henderson.