There're always a few weeks when you can hold out against it, grab those last fine days and pretend it isn't really autumn – despite the leaves on the lawn and a subtle chill every time you leave direct sunlight.

Wakakura will be playing at the Katikati Folk Club on May 8.

So fall has fallen and winter is just around the corner. Let's look on the bright side.
For one thing, the invading air force of flies that has been assaulting the Watusi Country Club all summer seems to have abandoned its mission and returned to base.
Seriously, I don't think I can remember a summer with more flies. And I've checked this with other people and they agree: the flies were everywhere, it wasn't just that I didn't bury the bodies properly...

Superfly

The most annoying thing about the flies this year is that either they have developed superhuman – sorry, superfly – resistance to fly spray or the manufacturers of fly-killing cans have heavily diluted their product.

It's the opposite of sunscreen protection. When I was growing up some good 8+ cream would do the trick. Now it's 50+ and more.

That's what I need in my fly spray. It used to kill ‘em straight away and protect surfaces for 30 days. Now the flies treat it like some sort of aperitif. I think I saw one of them gargling contemptuously with it the other day.

But cold weather does the trick where years of carefully refined chemical killer fails.
Another good thing about winter is the gigs. Everyone talks about the fun of big outdoor summer shows and there is indeed great pleasure to be gained from enjoying music on a grassy knoll in the balmy sun.

But not all bands were made for the great outdoors. Many are best seen in a more intimate setting. The Remarkables concert at the Historic Village last Sunday was a perfect example – they are a band you want to see up close and personal and the small hall was ideal.

And there's stuff like that going on all the time. In many styles. One thing that continues to surprise me about Tauranga is quite how diverse the opportunities are to spend one's entertainment dollar.

With that in mind, here are some bits ‘n' bobs occurring this weekend, all of which I suspect will be well worthwhile, assuming it's the sort of thing you're into.

Let's start tonight, May 8. If you're of a folky bent you'll find Wakakura playing at the Katikati Folk Club. They're a duo comprising Ed Taylor and Allana Goldsmith of the band Akoustic Express who play a mix of jazz, pop and folk. Well-known Auckland trumpeter Mike Booth will be joining them. It's at the Katikati Bowling Club from 7.30pm, cost is $20.

Blues arvo

Tomorrow, May 9, you can catch some blues in the afternoon with Mike Garner playing at Brew on The Strand from 4pm-7pm accompanied by percussionist Warren Houston. That's free, but you'll have to pay $30 the same evening to hear sometime Fly My Pretties singer Mel Parsons at the Mauao Performing Arts Centre.

This is the most well-publicised show I've come across in a long time – in the last week I've received emails about it from Eventfinder, the Acoustic Music Club, the Arts Festival, The Folk Club as well as several friends.

There's jazz

Let me just say: She'll be very good, her songs are very good, and her band will be very good. There's plenty of her country-folk-rock music on line so go Googling and have a listen. She's promoting her new Drylands album and support act is Christof, a Dutch folk musician who is a rising star of the UK scene. Things happen at 8pm.

Then on Sunday, May 10, there's jazz at the Entertainers Club. They gather upstairs at the Citz Club at 5pm and this month are hosting guitarist Trevor Braunias and his trio as well as singer Marion Arts (Bonjour Swing). If you've never seen them then you're in for a treat, if you have – you already know how good they are. Entry is $10.
There we are. Lots of stuff. Of course, you could just blow it all off and go up to Auckland for Motley Crue. Hell yeah!