This Week's Events in detail

The Wai Art Awards Exhibition will be held in the Wesley Wing at Aratoi Art & History Museum from 10am to 4.30pm daily. $3000 first prize was awarded on Friday 13th August and $1000 People's Choice Award will be awarded on 26th September. For more information contact Anna-Marie Kkingsley on (06) 379 9177 or email: info@waiart.org.nz www.waiart.org.nz

What's On: Main Gallery: From The Living Room - on until 10 October 2010 A public peek at art from private collections in the Wairarapa James Bragge's Wairarapa 1876 - 1878 Photographic Exhibition on until 10 October Historic photographs of the Wairarapa from the Aratoi Collection Entrance Gallery: Sibylle Eimermacher "Told with a borrowed split tongue" - a selection of works with paint and objects by German artist Sibylle. On until 24th September WaiArt Awards in the Wesley Wing: on until 26th September Windows Gallery: Mirek Smiek - 60 Years, 60 Pots runs from September 4th to October 24th. Holiday Programme - Animation and Mixed Media starts 28th September. Wairarapa History Gallery: Wairarapa Whakaputa Mohio - Settling the Land, Aratoi's permanent exhibition focussing on the rich 800 year history of the Wairararapa. For more information phone (06) 370 0001 or visit: www.aratoi.org.nz

The Japanese group Chor-Farmer will be on its 17th trip to New Zealand and will perform alongside Miss Masako Yuyama on piano, also with the Featherston Gentlemen Singers at the ANZAC Hall in Featherston at 7pm. Tickets $15pp. Group bookings of 10 - get one ticket free. Includes light supper after concert. Tickets available from the Martinborough i-SITE, Carterton Information Centre, Martinborough Library and Aratoi Museum in Masterton For more information phone Ken Burgiss on 06 308 8345

The 2010 version of the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa is ready to rock the rural roads of the region. Using the same roads as previous years, with only a couple of minor changes, the event will take in 250km of competitive stages taking place over 10th - 12th September. For entry forms, maps or for information go to: www.rallywairarapa.co.nz or contact Tracey Stringer, event secretary on 06 377 2099 (ah) or email: tracey@wairarapacarclub.org.nz or phone Jody on 04 916 2204

The Big Wai Art Sale with 350 works on offer will be held over three days, which includes Daffodil Day, at the Carterton Exhibition Centre in Holloway Street, Carterton from 10am to 4pm daily. For more information or for entry forms, contact Anna-Marie Kingsley on (06) 379 9177 or e mail: annakingsley@ihug.co.nz www.waiart.org.nz

On Friday will be Lenny T party night, Saturday night the great Stefan Brown will entertain and on Sunday to celebrate Daffodil Day music will start with Stefan Brown at 10am, then on to Barry Saunders of Warratahs fame from 12 midday until 2pm and finishing off with Mike Rangihika who will bump it up to party mode from 2pm onwards. Location: Lounge, Wine & Tapas Bar, High Street in Carterton. For more information phone (06) 379 6065 or e mail: pwatkinson@xtra.co.nz www.loungewineandtapas.co.nz

Vector Wellington Orchestra presents Feng Ning, violinist - "an extraordinary powerhouse of a performer with an unforgettably dazzling technique" to perform at the Masterton Town Hall in Chapel Street from 7.30pm. Marc Taddei - Conductor, music by Barber, Stravinsky and Elgar. Tickets range from $22 seniors, $28 for an adult, $10 per child and student and can be purchased through Ticketek - phone 0800 842 538, local outlet - Vinyl Heaven, 5 Jackson Street, Masterton. Service fees may apply. www.wellingtonorchestra.co.nz

Wairarapa's Farmers' Market is held every Saturday at the historic Solway Showgrounds in Fleet Street from 9am to 12.45pm. Fresh from Wairarapa paddocks to Wairarapa plates with locally produced vegetables, herbs, cheese, free range eggs, flowers, plants, artisan products, olive oil, cider, organic meat and beer, freshly prepared local foods, organic coffees and more. For more information contact John Hart on 021 043 7899 or e mail: waifarmersmarket@gmail.com or visit: http://wairarapa.wikispot.org/Farmers_Market

With the return of the good weather, there is no better time to enjoy a relaxing spring break in the Wairarapa. This year’s month long Wairarapa Spring Festival features diverse activities that will appeal to the whole family as well as a fantastic school holiday programme. In addition dozens of businesses and organisations will be offering events and discount vouchers for attractions. Check out the full events calendar on Destination Wairarapa's homepage: www.wairarapanz.com

On Saturday 11th of September from 11am to 1pm, bring a bag of weeds and swap for a native plant. Location: Department of Conservation office, 220 South Road, Masterton What you will need: Bring your weeds & a plastic bag to take home your native plant. Cost: Free Free BBQ on site Organised by: Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council. Contact details: Biodiversity Ranger, Sandra Burles - phone (06) 3770700 or email: sburles@doc.govt.nz www.doc.govt.nz

One of the world's finest organists, Carlo Curley has made it his mission to make organ music appealing and fun for a wide audience. He combines some of the finest organ playing in the world with a commitment to making his concerts great fun for the audience as well, and is a fine and very funny raconteur. We expect Carlo to use the extraordinary possibilities of the Rodgers Trillium organ in St Matthew's to full advantage. This concert is the last in the Music at St Matthew's 2010 series. Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/297fbdy