Happy Saturday Sunners! With plenty of things taking place today, it's time to rise and shine, sunshine.

The MetService predicts showers will become more frequent as the day rolls on, so if you want to make the most of the fine spells then head over to Mount Maunganui for World Hoop Day, or stay under cover and enjoy some free fantastic music with the Auckland Youth Orchestra in Katikati.

World Hoop Day is being celebrated at Mount Drury in Mount Maunganui today, from 11am-2pm. Photo: Cayla-Fay Saunders

So if you didn't know, today is World Hoop Day and over at Mount Drury they're celebrating the auspicious occasion with a free event taking place from 11am-2pm.

Event organiser Grace Raven says the event is for all ages, skill levels and abilities – so if you've never hula hooped in your life then no worries.

'I will be there teaching open-endedly along with Mechelle Driver. We'll have upbeat music playing, plus performances by Mechelle and I, and maybe a few other dancers,” says Grace.

And on-top of that, hoopers will be throwing, twirling, thrusting, and twisting their hula hoops for a good cause too, with all proceeds from a koha (donation) jar eventually to be donated to Clowns Without Borders.

While in Katikati this evening, the 81 musicians who make up the Auckland Youth Orchestra will be presenting a free concert at St Paul's Presbyterian Church, from 7.30pm.

The programme for the upcoming concerts includes Ravel's ‘Bolero', music from Tchaikovsky's ‘The Nutcracker' and Chen Yi's ‘The Golden Flute' which will feature flautist extraordinaire and 2015 AYO Soloist Competition winner Eva Ding.

'Be mesmerised by the insistent rhythm of Ravel's ‘Bolero' – one long, gradual crescendo culminating in brief, tumultuous chaos,” says AYO manager Jospeh Chen.

'Experience the colourful textures in the ‘Golden Flute' by Chen Yi, performed by Eva. Be captivated by the illustrious, rich, and vibrant themes of Tchaikovsky's popular ‘Nutcracker', including ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' and ‘Waltz of the Flowers'.”

These are only two of many great events taking place today, for details of more see below.

WHAT'S ON – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1:

Annual Book Sale

Books wanted for Tauranga Harbour Lions November book sale. Drop off points are Living Quarters, Bethlehem Town Centre; Payless Plastics, 414 Cameron Rd; Liquor King, 140 Otumoetai Rd, Brookfield. No magazines or encyclopaedia's please. 576 7105

Auckland Youth Orchestra

At St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Katikati 7.30pm. Free concert, donations welcome.

Bay Network Singles Club

Weekly social activities for those 55-70+. Dining, barbecues, games, concerts, outings. Jean 576 9988

Black & White Keys

Rehearse & perform your pieces with other supportive & encouraging Tauranga pianists (Adults & High School age). First Sat in each month. Chris 021 820 911

BOP Caravan Club

Rallies are held throughout the year for motorhomes & caravans. If interested in joining like minded people, Neal 576 9031

Come Dance the Night Away

Sequence & old time dancing, Greerton Hall 7.30-10.30pm. Great music & supper. Entry $7. Run by Tauranga Social Dance. Garry 543 0051

Gate Pa Car Boot Sale

Car boot market next to Tauranga Girls' College, 934 Cameron Road. First Saturday of every month. To book your $10 car space, Wiki 578 3321. A community initiative of Chirp.www.chirp.org.nz

Kempton Park Retirement Village

Spring Fair Oct 15 at 40 Te Paeroa Rd, Bethlehem 10am - 2pm. Devonshire teas, sausage sizzle, stalls, raffles. Parking in Carmichael Rd.

Meet the Crystal's Workshop

With Elaine Sollitt Oct 1 at Hair Linez, Old Railway Station, Jellicoe St, Te Puke 1-3pm. Want to learn more about crystals? Bring questions, pen & paper & crystals. Workshop fee $15. Elaine 573 5361

Messianic Meetings

Every Sat at Hillier Centre, 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui 10am. Seek to unite together in our walk to put truth into action on a daily basis. All ages welcome. 544 7424 or 0210 226 3515

Nana Joans Op Shop

First Sat of month at 7 Oak Lane, off Waihi Rd 9am – 12pm.

Narcotics Anonymous

Open meeting every Sat 7.30- 8.30pm & every Sunday 7-8pm at Hanmer Clinic (behind Super Liquor) 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton. Every Fri at Hillier Centre, 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui 7.30-8.30pm. If using drugs is causing you problems, maybe we can help. 0800 NA TODAY

Papamoa Community Park

Join in the fun - growing soil, food & community. Fun for all ages, dawn till dusk. Gardening bees 2nd & 4th Sat 9am - 3pm. Between 51 & 53 Hartford Ave, Papamoa. Chris 021 0241 5454 or therockpapamoa@gmail.com

Papamoa Cruises

Slow bike riders, mobility scooters. Cruise Papamoa East. Load scooters & bikes at Evans Road Church, 30 Evans Rd 9.30-11.30am. Or meet at Papamoa Beach Rd & Papamoa Beach Blvd by the Pap House 10am. Iain 572 2987 or txt 027 572 2987

Petanque @ Blake Park

Every Saturday - coaching & competitive play 1pm. Equip available, all levels welcome. Linda 544 2818

Sunshine Dance Group

Final tea dance for 2016. Enjoy an evening of sequence dancing Oct 29 at Baptist Church Hall, 13th Ave 5-9pm. Theme: Spring Colours. Admission $5pp. BYO food, plates, knife, fork, spoon. Drinks to be non alcoholic. Tea/coffee supplied. Good music & programme.

Taoist Tai Chi

6 week introductory course starts Oct 15, at 15 Koromiko St, Judea 8.30-10am. Give it a try, start to experience the benefits. John 576 9836

Te Puke Craft Market

First Sat of month at Pioneer Lounge, Te Puke Memorial Hall 9am – 12pm. Homemade gifts, educational products, herbs, plants, natural products, homemade fudge, books & more.

The Artery Acrylic Painting Classes

Two days Nov 19 & 20 10am - 3pm. Go to: Book Classes page at www.theincubator.co.nz

The Artery Silversmithing Classes

Two days Nov 26 & 27 9am - 12pm. Go to: Book Classes page at www.theincubator.co.nz

The Sociables

A 30's/40's age group of males & females that meet up once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & events. 022 0120 376

Whisp - Grand Opening

Crystals, natural skin care & more. At Shop 12, Piccadilly Arcade, Grey St, Tauranga 9.30am - 5pm. Visit Facebook.com/whispshop

Contact Julie to place a listing here: julie@thesun.co.nz