Everything to do and Watch this Summer
ASB Classic
It’s time to dust off your tennis whites, the ASB Classic is back for another year. Taking place in January, New Zealand’s premier tennis tournament is back in Auckland this summer to delight tennis fans, old and new. The 2020 tournament will bring a host of world class players, including Daniil Medvedev, and Bianca Andreescu, as well as the woman widely considered to be the greatest player of all time, Serena Williams.
ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland, 6-18 January 2020.
Splore
The 2020 lineup of New Zealand’s weirdest festival is looking to delight both long-time attendees and those new to the world of Splore. Being held again at Tapapakanga Regional Park, Splore is a three day celebration of music and arts, welcoming anybody and everybody to join the party. Featuring The Illustrious Blacks, Troy Kingi, Tiki, as well as the fabled Saturday night dress up party, Splore 2020 is a must-do on the Summer event lineup.
Tapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland, 21-23 February 2020.
Alice in Wonderland
After a hit run in Australia and the US, the stage adaptation of Lewis Carrol’s classic, Alice in Wonderland is coming to New Zealand. Flipping the typical roles, with a male Queen of Hearts and a female Mad Hatter, the cast features only eight actors and puppeteers bringing 20 characters to life. Featuring stunning costumes and magical puppetry, audiences can expect to be brought down the rabbit hole with this colourful stage show.
Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland, 8-11 January 2020; Opera House, Wellington, 15 January 2020.
Los Espookys
The Spanish language comedy (with English subtitles) follows a group of friends as they provide spooky experiences for their clients. Set in a Latin American country, four friends live in a world where the strange and sinister is part of the everyday and band together to make a business out of their love for it. This quirky comedy has received rave reviews overseas so is looking to be a hit when it comes to our shores.
Showing on NEON from 8 December
Little Women
Considered one of the world’s most beloved novels, Little Women is having a big screen makeover. Starring Emma Watson, Meryl Streep and Saoirse Ronan, the latest adaptation follows the novel’s author as she reflects on her fictional character, Jo March, and gender roles within society. While the story remains a classic, it seems this new take on the narrative will give it a fresh spin.
In cinemas 2 January 2020
All The Garden’s A Stage
Auckland’s Botanic Gardens will be taken over this January with a dynamic theatre adventure telling stories of the environment, endangered plants, as well as the perspectives of the cast of young performers around their vision for the future.
In A Curious Garden is a colourful and creative performance that will take place throughout the garden and sculptures and will be performed by members of the community organisation, Mixit. Mixit supports former refugee and migrant youth by helping them develop personal and life skills to make a successful transition as new New Zealanders through the use of the arts and creativity.
In A Curious Garden plays 18 & 19 January 2020, 11am and 3pm at Auckand Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.