We continue the occasional series, wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. This time it's events during the next week. We all need a reason to leave the house:

here are some of Winston's..

106) Saturday, February 1 - Les DeMerle is coming to MauaoPAC! That's the Mauao Performing Arts Centre at the Mount (Totara St); and a guy called Les, not the French plural of 'Le”. He's an American jazz-fusion drummer, and a spectacular one, having played with Frank Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Sammy Davis Jr, Harry James, Lou Rawls, Mel Tormé and a host of others. He's coming with his USA band and 2pm is the time for his ‘Drum Clinic Spectacular'.

I am very much not a drummer. Can't coordinate the feet and hands. But even I will check out this guy because it is such a rare thing to have someone of his level in New Zealand, let alone Tauranga. For drummers and other musicians it should be a no-brainer. It costs $15.


American jazz-fusion drummer Les DeMerle.

107) Wednesday, February 5 - All sorts of people are arriving at Major Toms! Four singer-songwriters out of Auckland are on a road trip. Yasamin Al-Tiay, Edward Waaka, Mario Demiraj, and Geoff Ong are spending a week around the upper North Island and playing at the Mount's Major Toms at 8pm. It's a free gig. Their music covers the spectrum from Mario's edgy pop-rock and Yasamin's folksy ukulele ballads to Ed's smoky roots music and Geoff's summery R&B.

Tauranga's own Nine Mile Stone guitarist/singer, Derek Toner, will be opening the night with some new music from his upcoming debut solo album The importance of YAR, due out in March.

108) Thursday, February 6 – More people arrive at Major Toms! It may only be a small bar but they pump their bands through. For Waitangi Day entertainment, Major Toms is featuring the Psychedelic Cosmic Cowboys. They are a band comprising two Californians, one resident Kiwi Californian and three Kiwis from the Bay. As a fan of Gram Parsons and other country rock pioneers, I like the sound of them. They have a Facebook page and there are clips on YouTube.

The PCC describe their music as eclectic American country bluegrass meets the Rolling Stones with some ‘60s vibes added. Most of it is original, with a few modified covers. There's a $10 cover charge and things kick off at about 8pm.

109) Saturday, February 8 – The blues come to town, part 1! Yep, it's time again for the Marchwood Blues Picnic; the secret little festival that tries so hard to hide its line-up. Which is a shame, because it's really, really good. Running from 2pm till probably 1pm (both the posters and website appear wrong), they have blues rockers Blues Buffet from Wanganui, Auckland's Flaming Mudcats, Sydney's Queen of boogie woogie piano, Jan Preston, the Dave Maybee Band (out of Raglan, who will be fantastic!), Hamilton's Sarita Murdoch Band, locals Chris Gunn and Gunnshy, and a festival opener from Warren Grant and Mike Kirk. Fantastic! Find more online at www.bluespicnic.com

It's a lovely spot, on an avocado orchard in Whakamarama. There's food and booze available (or bring your own). Tickets are $50, or $60 on the day. Under 15s are free. There's parking. You can camp. And it's never too busy. Go to Marchwood this year – in case the promoters get their act together and it becomes busy!

110) Saturday, February 8 – The blues come to town, part 2! Brew, the craft beer pub on The Strand, hosts bluesmen Australian Nick Charles and (recently relocated to Papamoa) Mike Garner. It's free and they kick off at 4pm. Nick will be playing music from his latest album Into The Blues, which has won many awards in Australia including Album of the Year, two for Song of the Year, one for Solo Artist of the Year; and a first place in the Instrumental category for The Australian Song Contest. In case I need to mention – he's really good! So is Mike.

If you want to find out more, or hear some of his music, check out Nick at www.charlesmusic.com