Looking for something to do this weekend? We pick out Auckland's best events and take a sneak peek at what's on next week. 

MAIN EVENT

Home Brew Speakeasy Album Launch - starts Saturday
Very few people can throw a party like the Home Brew boys. And this is perfectly illustrated by the fact their new album will be christened by a 48-hour launch party. Homebrew will perform and so will a heap of other people, including Hollie Smith, @Peace and Street Chant from 10am on Saturday right through to Monday morning.

The album is rad, the guys are cheeky as and there is a mechanical bull ride.  This is, without doubt, going to be the music party of the year.  Bring a packed lunch!

Home Brew Speakeasy Album Launch, May 5-7 at Shooters Salon, Kingsland. Tickets $30 from Under the Radar.

FREE STUFF

Kids Arts Festival 2012: You are the Future - Saturday
This one-day annual event invites kids to explore the future and share their ideas through the arts. There will be free workshops from robot building to African drumming, cultural performances and exhibitions. Plus the surroundings are perfect for an early-winter picnic.

Kids Arts Festival 2012: You are the Future, May 5 from 10am at Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson. Entry is free.

FAMILY FUN

Midsummer Night's Dream - started Thursday
"The course of true love never did run smooth." In this favourite from Shakespeare there is love, a magical forest, fairy kings and queens and an ass.  It's a delightful comedy and the Auckland Theatre Company is set to deliver it perfectly with a stellar cast featuring Raymond Hawthorne, Brooke Williams and Stuart Devenie.

Midsummer Night's Dream at Maidment Theatre until May 26.  Tickets from $39 from the venue.

DATE NIGHT

Heston Blumenthal Live - Saturday
If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then this show is going to win some serious brownie points. UK super chef Blumenthal is the guy behind snail porridge, hot and iced tea and those Christmas puddings with a whole orange inside them.  

He has mastered the art of cooking and the science of food, and he is here to tell us all about it.

Heston Blumenthal Live at the Aotea Centre, May 5.  Tickets from $95 from The Edge.

STAYING IN/GOING OUT

Not sure if you've noticed, but it's freezing at the moment. So why not stay home and watch the one and only Ricky Martin sizzle on screen in his guest appearance on Glee?

If you are a K Rd morning regular, you might have seen the slightly depressing sign in the window of Mister Morning - as of today, they are no longer opening early enough to feed our collective coffee habits. The team are instead opening their doors a little later in the day and switching to booze and food instead of caffeine and food. Stink, but good at the same time.

Glee is on TV3, Friday at 7.30pm. Mister Morning, 374 K Rd.

BEST OF THE REST

Friday
Fairtrade Breakfast in the City at Britomart Country Club
Dirty Records 10th Birthday at The Studio
Dickens Women at Bruce Mason Centre

Saturday
The Warratahs 25th Anniversary Tour at Masonic Tavern, Devonport
dDub Send it on Back Tour at 4:20, Newton
Southside Comedy at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau

Sunday
Le Comique at Sky City Theatre
Degas to Dalí: Mark Stocker on British Modernism at Auckland Art Gallery
Bride & Groom Show at Ellerslie Event Centre

Monday
Guided Walks at Wynyard Quarter
Cooking master class with Hayden McMillan at Sachies Kitchen, Parnell

Tuesday
The Whiskey Live 2012: Don McGlashan at The Whiskey, Ponsonby
Pink Floyd Double Feature at Stardome Observatory & Planetarium

Wednesday
New Zealand String Quartet - Beethoven: Revolution at Auckland Town Hall
Gastrocomique at SkyCity Convention Centre

Thursday
Auckland Readers and Writers Festival at various venues
Kaiser Chiefs at the Powerstation
Blue Circle Gala Dinner for Diabetes Auckland at the Pullman Hotel

- © Fairfax NZ News