Here’s a worthy spot of family entertainment, courtesy of the Corban Estate Arts Centre (right) in West Auckland. What with the Going West Festival we’ll soon be getting a reputation as Auckland's kulcha kapital out here. Can’t be having that … the very thought of it makes me want to jump in the Valiant and pop out for a dozen Lion Red.

Anyway. The Poets Picnic is on Sunday the 13th February from 12 to 3.30pm at CEAC, 426 Great North Road, Henderson. It’s free. The idea is to bring a picnic and listen, whilst you munch, to poetry written and performed by some of Auckland’s most talented poets. These include:

Alistair Paterson (editor of Poetry New Zealand), Riemke Ensing, Barbara Hawthorn, John Yelash, Nicola Pudney, Keith Newman, Marianne Simpkins, Brian Suete, Jenny Clay, Maree Scarlett, June Raw, Jocelyn Aydon, Frank Pervan, Lisa Guenther and Arthur Amon.

But there’s more. An open mic opportunity for kids and adults alike, a Valentine’s day poetry competition (subject: What do you love about the Waitakere area?), a global rhyme section with poets from China and India, an outdoor café, and numerous childrens’ entertainments including ‘Fred’s Frond’ performed by the Purple ParaSouls (sic) and the Devonport Druid. Choice.

Any enquiries to our friend and neighbour, Diane Blomfield, tel 09-838 4455, or email diane@ceac.org.nz.

I must also take the opportunity to do a plug for another upcoming CEAC initiative, together with yet more Westy talent, the Way Out West Fest. This utterly fabulous free series of events will be held over the 4th and 5th of March, again at the Corban Arts Estate.

Gleem is the night-time event featuring ‘light theme sculpture, installation and performance art. Picnic in a park as dusk settles in an outdoor gallery of magic and intrigue’ says the flyer. Also appearing will be the Stalker Theatre Company, Pitch Black (whoa), the James Wallace Arts Trust Award, and an outdoor cinema. Plus plenty of food and good West Auckland wine. This will be seriously good.

By day, on the Saturday, there are performances from The Midnights, Sola Rosa, D Dub, Unity Pacific, Manuel Bundy, and Tha Feelstyle, plus bouncy castles, petting zoo and a market place with ethnic foods, arts and crafts and yes… a wine bar.

I am so there. Ah, the West. Why would you want to live anywhere else? Smug sigh.