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All tomorrow's parties

For years now, Auckland’s 1:12 records have quietly and consistently been pressing and releasing local bands on vinyl. From dreamboat Roy Irwin’s S.O.D.A to the traveling party that is Magic Factory, the Auckland-based label have been pumping out beautiful handmade albums since 2011.

This Friday, they’re having a shindig down at Whammy Bar featuring seemingly every band in Auckland. Some of the standouts are Hallelujah, Picassos, Echo Oh’s, Cindy, Magic Factory, Dick Move and the mighty Tooms. 

Whammy Bar,  8.30pm, December 20th

If you’re more of a thespian type, you could head down to everyone's favourite theatre, The Basement, for their end of year party this Friday. It’ll be the closing night of A Frickin Dangerous Space-mas, Boycrush will be playing, and there will be an abundance of drunk actors. They also have sparkling water on tap now. What more could you ask for! 

Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, 8:30pm, December 20th 

Ihumātao photo by Don Rowe 

Karaoke carols at Ihumātao 

If you’re looking to avoid the endless stream of drunken Christmas parties, you should consider heading out to Ihumātao for their karaoke carols event this Saturday night. Since Fletchers have halted development of the land, Ihumatao has fallen out of the media spotlight. But people are still out there protecting the whenua in all sorts of conditions. The organisers ask if you're able that you, bring some snacks to share and a gold coin koha to support SOUL.

Kaitiaki Village 30 Ihumātao Quarry Road, 7pm-8:30pm, December 21st

Stories from South Auckland

With so much depressing news over the last week it was nice to see something hopeful pop up. 

A group of South Auckland high school kids have published a book pushing back at the negative stereotypes of their neighbourhood. Entitled Where I Live, the book is filled with stories and photos that highlight what the rangatahi love about their community. It’s also a chance for people to see what South Auckland is like beyond the sensationalist headlines. Author, high school teacher and longtime South Auckland resident, David Riley, worked with the students to help them write and publish the book. He told National Radio that it was important for people to tell their stories because "the media has a go-to story of what South Auckland is and what our young people are. If you keep on telling someone they're this for so long, they'll actually believe it."

Kai, whanau and church, are themes that feature heavily in the book. But the young authors also hope to not only change people’s minds about South Auckland, but also inspire other young people to tell their stories. The book can be purchased here.