Winter events worth getting out in Style for this July

Ponsonby News readers are spoilt when it comes to the diversity of great events to choose from this winter.

Of course, it is sometimes more challenging to get out and about during the colder, wetter months but with the incredible fashion options on offer from local designers and recycle boutiques there are just more reasons to get out and have fun. Check out the options from stylist Sarah Murphy.

This month we are delighted to be able to giveaway two tickets to an Evening with Arundhati Roy on Wednesday 17 July, presented by the Auckland Writers Festival at the Victory Convention Centre at Freeman’s Bay. Just go to our Instagram @ponsonbynewsnz  #ArundhatiRoyGiveaway for more details. Winners will be drawn on Saturday 12 July.

Family fun
For Ponsonby News readers there’s a range of family friendly events right on your doorstep that will see you right through the school holidays till the end of winter. Auckland Live is again bringing an ice-skating rink to the inner city. Until 28 July everyone can enjoy themed skating nights, lessons and beautiful lighting as Aotea Square comes alive with the magical thrill of spinning around on thin blades of steel across frozen-hard water.

Celebrating Matariki continues at Auckland Zoo on Saturday 6 and 13 July. The domes of Auckland Zoo will sparkle with a Matariki-inspired, interactive digital installation. Visitors will be captivated by traditional storytelling and a mini night market featuring sustainably produced merchandise, kai and beverages to keep everyone well nourished.

The Matariki Glow Show features 50 glow-in-the-dark puppets telling a story about the Matariki stars as they prepare for Te Tau Hou, the M-aori New Year and the journey of the smallest star, Waipuna-a-Rangi. A perfect live theatre-style event for pre-school and primary age children with shows all over Auckland during July. Local dates include 3 July at the Dorothy Winstone Theatre, 8 July TAPAC, Western Springs and, further afield, on 15 July at the amazing Whoa Studios in Henderson.

In the spirit of fun for all, Skycity has announced its Go Free at Skycity July offer which includes a range of activities and special offers for the whole family. The stand out must be the free entry for kids to immerse themselves in the icy wonderland of the Skycity Snow Globe. Complete with lions and fir trees, kids can visit the winter queen and get their picture taken on the magical throne.

The Garden Party has MakeKit Day at their store at 131 Ponsonby Road on 13 July between 11am and 2pm. A perfect creative outlet for the school holidays with the creator of MakeKit’s, local, Lisa Evans. Lisa will demonstrate and help kids make bath bombs and pompoms.

Dining, local markets and art
Booker Prize-winning author, Arundhati Roy will be in Auckland for one night on 17 July. In a 2017 Guardian interview Arundhati Roy explained, “I am a teller of stories. For me, that’s the only way I can make sense of the world, with all the dance that it involves.” At 7pm at the Victory Convention Centre in Freemans Bay, the audience will get a chance to hear first hand how Roy makes sense of the world and an insight into the dance that is creating literary fiction. Hosted by the Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi O T-amaki tickets can be purchased via Eventfinda.

Te Manu Atua art installation at the George Courts building on Karangahape Road celebrates the Te Tau Hou (The Maori New Year) with an interactive installation of kites. The community is invited to write down messages to loved ones as part of this interactive installation.

Don’t miss out on the Matariki Pop-Art Salon featuring Daniel Tippett and Tracey Tawhiao selling art and working on site on 71 Ponsonby Road from 1 -7 July.

All through winter the Grey Lynn Farmers Market will bring locals fresh seasonal vegetables, organic artisan breads, honey, home made salsa and more. The Ponsonby Social Club market day, which launched to the sounds of Nathan Haines in June, will again bring an eclectic mix of vintage, vinyl, collectables and recycled designer heaven to Ponsonby Road on 17 August.

Bread and Butter Cafe is collaborating with Behemoth Brewing and A Lady Butcher. On Friday 26 July as part of the Eat Drink Love Ponsonby Sapphire Series, you can learn to make your own organic, ethical, sourdough pizza bases and top them with A Lady Butcher charcuterie – all while you taste Behemoth craft beers.

Sake Samurai is a one-night only experience at The Sugar Club on 16 July featuring a five-course menu created by Josh Barlow and hosted by Australia’s only female Sake Samurai, Yukino Ochiai. The entire meal will be matched with sake from Deja Vu Sake Co.

Throughout July and August, Eat Drink Love includes a range of local restaurants and bars producing innovative dishes and memorable experiences. Augustus is offering both a special three-course menu for $55 during July, as well as a Bottomless Fest Italiana Lunch on Saturday 29 June.

These are just some of the incredible winter events and experiences right on the doorstep for Ponsonby News readers in July.

Wearing it warm with stylist Sarah Murphy

So far this winter, temperatures have been warm, regularly hitting highs of around 15 degrees (the average summer temperature in Scotland). This makes layering the way to go to stay cosy from dawn till dusk, whilst still being able to peel back a layer or two throughout the day.

I love the feeling of a fine knit under a long voluminous coat. When buying coats or jackets, I always make sure I can fit a layer underneath. Remember to keep your options open and look for trans-seasonal pieces whenever possible. High, chic 70s style boots underneath a dress is a look I’m coveting. You can always slip on 100+ denier opaques and no one would know, a good way to stop the cool breeze from being so cutting!

Don’t be afraid of colour. Camels and pastels are a stunning use of colour. I love that we are seeing more and more colour emerge in winter ranges from our designers. Maggie Marilyn is a great example of this, as is Knuefermann.

Winter style is a family affair and it’s easy to wrap our kids up in warm, breathable fabrics that keep out the cold and hold on to the style. Seed will have any young girl for boy feeling toastie warm and full of personality.

I feel like it’s fun and easy to dress the whole family for a night of inner city ice skating or going out to local markets. The Huffer Super Down is the mother of all jackets; it’s the puffer for mum and dad to keep out the cold but keep up the looks. “The great thing about the New Zealand-designed Huffer puffer is it’s the only fully waterproof down puffer jacket around,” says Sarah.

Other puffers available in the Ponsonby hood include Moochi’s take on the puffer with the Puffer Cape, Zambesi has the Slalom puffer and of course there is a range of traditional insulated down jackets at MacPac on Ponsonby Road.

Heading out in winter may not seem inviting but it’s time to embrace the rich sophistication of winter style.