Arts Diary: under the covers

Courtney Act

Fresh off her win on Celebrity Big Brother, Australian Drag Queen superstar Courtney Act (a pun on the phrase caught in the act) brings her one woman show “Under The Covers” to the Q theatre this Friday and Saturday night. Courtney, also known as Shane Jenek, first rose to fame in 2003 when she was the first ever queer person to compete in Australian Idol, placing 13th. Since then she has released albums, started a wig company and appeared in many music videos. Runner up on the 6th season of american reality tv show RuPaul’s Drag Race. In 2014 Courtney and two other queens from the show were announced as ad girls for American Apparel working directly with the campaign to support ethical manufacturing. Courtney says she is an avid vegan and identifies as gender fluid, polyamorous and pansexual. As for what to expect from the show, Courtney often speaks up about the difficulties within the gay community, especially the difference between being trans and a gay drag queen:

“That’s why it’s called the LGBTQIA because there are so many factions and trans, the T in LGBT doesn’t have anything to do with the L or the B or the G - they’re about who you’re attracted to and the T is about who you are, your gender, not your sexuality.”

It’s not all serious though, there’s everything from Dolly Parton to Harry Styles and it’s a show that will leave you pillow fighting and pillow biting.

Working Management & Theta Project present

Courtney Act: Under The Covers

April 6th & 7th, 7.30pm

Tickets are still available and cost $45 for general admission and $75 for VIP.

Sponsored by Ending HIV

Manifesto

24 Feb - 10 June

Auckland Art Gallery

$12.50 - $28

Aussie superstar Cate Blanchett has set up shop in Auckland and we are so happy it’s happened. For another two months German filmmaker and artist Julian Rosefedlt’s 13-screen film installation will call the Auckland Art Gallery home, with Blanchett bringing to life thirteen different personas that ultimately question the role of artists in today’s society. Sounds deep and we’re all for it.

Presented by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland Arts Festival.

Rated M (offensive language and drug references)

Better Food Fair

7th - 8th April

10am - 7pm Saturday

10am - 5pm Sunday

ASB Showgrounds

$8 Adult Tickets Online 29th March - 7th April.

$10 Adult Door Sales upon arrival.

Kids U16 free.

The Better Food Fair is part of Auckland’s Go Green Expo and includes quite possibly the biggest range we’ve ever seen of organic, paleo, vegan, gluten free and raw goodies that your Instagram story could ever desire. Combined with live music, workshops and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, it’ll be a great chance to finally try kombucha and find out how many bliss balls you can fit in your mouth.

Frida Kahlo - Exclusive Photo Exhibition

17th February - 29th April

Besos Latinos Restaurant 39 Elliot Stables

FREE

Okay, be honest. How many times have you dressed up as Frida Kahlo for Halloween but never actually known what she’s about or who she is? Well, have we got the event for you! The Mexican Embassy has created this exhibition, featuring portraits of both Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two of Mexico’s most famous 20th Century artists. And it’s in Elliot Stables, so you’ll be getting dinner and a show!

First Time

3 - 14th April

6:30pm

Basement Theatre Studio

$12.50 - $25

Coming off the back of repeat seasons down in Wellington, First Time is hitting Auckland’s Basement Theatre with an absolutely stellar all female (can we get an amen?) cast. Tackling issues we all know too well; first times dealing with mental health, sexual assault, LGBT relationships, and socio-economic struggle, this talented team of ladies are putting on a must-see.

Directed by Stephanie Fink.

PG15 Recommended.

Jess B’s Block Party

6th April

8pm onwards

Galatos

FREE!

To celebrate the release of her debut EP ‘Bloom’, Jess B has pulled together, who she calls (and we agree), “some of the most talented women in the city” to bring you guys this FREE party TONIGHT. There’ll be live art, barber cuts, snacks, 10+ female acts and merchandise galore.

Presented by Spark, Spotify and Vice.

5 year ‘LICK’ anniversary

Saturday 7th April

Neck of The Woods

$10 before 11pm, $15 after 11pm

FREE DONUTS & FREE COOKIES! Now I’ve got your attention. Lick is celebrating it’s 5th year of running the biggest and best lesbian events across Australia and New Zealand. To celebrate they have a donut wall, hip hop jams and RnB goodness. Head on down to Karrangahpe road

LEGO masterpieces on display at Auckland Museum

Friday 30 Mar - Sunday 13 May

Auckland Museum - Special Exhibitions Hall

$13.50 - $67.50

Under three - FREE

Calling all LEGO lovers - explore the ‘Wonders of the World’ created entirely out of LEGO blocks! Come and check LEGO replicas of the Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Empire State Building, Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Arc de Triomphe - sure to blow your mind!

Snort

Every Friday

10pm - late

The Basement Theatre

$12 - $15

If you do anything this weekend, make it this. Every Friday, some of New Zealand’s best comedians put on this fast-paced improv show. Those parody Paula Bennet videos? The guy who does those is one of those ‘best comedians’ we just referred to. So yes, make sure you’re there. And then go again next week too.

THOR: Ragnarok, Silo Park

6th April

4:30pm - 11:30pm (movie starts at 8pm)

FREE

Silo Park

Silo Park is refusing to accept summer is on its way out and until the end of April will still be Auckland’s favourite outdoor cinema spot. Head down tonight to enjoy music, food trucks, beverages and the Kiwi directed Marvel superhero movie - Thor: Ragnarok. Taika Waititi brings you an action packed movie full of adventures and laughs for your Friday night.

Rated M.

Movie night at Brothers Beer

8pm onwards

City Works Depot

FREE! (Beer not included BUT there’s a $20 beer + pizza combo)

First of all, who even knew these were an every week Sunday treat?! This week, Brothers Beer is bringing us Tron, the 1982 Sci-Fi action film about a computer hacker who gets abducted into the digital world and is forced to participate in gladiatorial games. There’s robots, Jeff Bridges, Rotten Tomatoes gave it 70% on the tomatometer and $20 for a pizza and beer? Sold.

‘Your heart looks like a vagina’ - Tourettes, Basement Theatre.

10th of April - 14th of April

8pm - 9pm

$20 for early bird & $25 for adults

The Basement Theatre

You’re invited to Dominic “Tourettes” Hoey one man show, “Your Heart Looks Like A Vagina” and he’s going to spin some serious yarns. Combining poetry, comedy and theatre Dominic will tell the journey he’s been on. Including his rare form of arthritis, being bedridden and when he went to Iceland for a writers retreat. If you don’t know who the acclaimed New Zealand poet and published novelist is start with his book “Iceland” or his well known poem criticising former prime minister John Key.