A bright spot of colour in February's grey weather has been the Auckland Pride Festival and while its official final weekend is fast approaching, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the festivities.
Here are five great events you can still get to before this year's festival comes to an end.
Pride in the Square
February 24 - 25, Aotea Square
A big, sparkly jewel in the Auckland Pride tiara, Pride in the Square is a new event full of free entertainment suitable for the whole family. Community groups, DJs, drag artists and musicians from across the motu will kick off the party on Friday with activities continuing right through to late Saturday night. A particular highlight will be the Elder Queers Give Advice drop-in lounge, which is hosted by Kiwi queer icon Hugo Grrl and features older members of the rainbow community available to chat, give advice or share an anecdote.
Show Ponies
February 25, Basement Theatre
Coming to Auckland in conjunction with the Samesame But Different Literary Festival, Show Ponies recasts poets as pop stars who take the stage complete with outrageous costumes, bright lights, beats and backup dancers. The show has proven popular at the NZ Young Writers Festival and Brisbane Writers Festival, where it won acclaim as an "electrifying poetic extravaganza". The Auckland Pride edition will feature nine of New Zealand's best queer poets including current New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse and Gloria of Greymouth (aka 'the pink church' founder) Sam Duckor-Jones.
Naked & Dangerous
February 22 - 25, Q Theatre
Definitely one just for the adults, this show is a mix of dance, burlesque and circus that claims to bring "your internet browsing history out of the dark and into the light". Billed as a risqué cabaret comedy, this body-positive production is a great opportunity to see Dancing with the Stars NZ judge James Luck (aka Electra Shock) in action alongside his artistic collaborator Rebekkah Schoonbeek. The show aims to reflect the spectrum of different orientations and attractions while exploring themes of lust, desire and sexual taboo.
Drag Storytimes
February 25, Te Atatū Community Hub
Auckland Drag Queen Medulla Oblongata will bring piles of bubbles and colour to story hour. Taking place as part of Pride Fest Out West, there will be dancing, songs, stories and activities suitable for the whole whānau. Dressing up is highly encouraged - and if you can't make it this weekend, there will be another opportunity to take part on March 1 in Avondale.
Big Gay Out
March 12, Coyle Park, Point Chevalier
This is the one we've all been waiting for after it was postponed by a month because of the Auckland flooding. The Big Gay Out is New Zealand's largest, longest running queer event where everyone is welcome to celebrate their authentic selves. Four stages will pump out entertainment for the day alongside funky market stalls and food vendors to fuel the big, family-friendly picnic. Be sure to bring your sun-hat! If you're worried about how to get there, you can book a spot on one of three special bus services, running to the event every 20 minutes from K Road, Britomart or the Henderson Bus Exchange. It's a good idea to register in advance.
