We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy.

60) WOMAD acts announced. The first three big WOMAD acts have been revealed and they are stunners. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, South African trumpeting legend Hugh Masekela and, er, a duo I've never heard of, Abigail Washburn and Kai Welch. The latter apparently plays Appalachian folk/pop, mixing old-time Americana and traditional Chinese folk music. Wow.

In between the time I write this and the time you read it a whole slew of acts will have been revealed. Find out more via www.womad.co.nz

And there's a chance for Kiwi bands to get themselves on the bill: bands can nominate themselves by submitting an audio track or video via the website. WOMAD uploads the info, and anyone and everyone who wants to vote does. And the winner gets to play at WOMAD on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

61) Upper Hutt Posse are back. A pioneer in New Zealand rap – it released its first rap song in 1988. The political standard-bearers hit Brewer's Bar next weekend (November 10) as part of their "Declaration Of Resistance Album Tour 2012". The album has been nominated for a Tui Award and the band's funk/reggae/rap combination has a unique Kiwi perspective that has revolutionised the local scene slowly over the years.

This weekend Brewer's Bar sees a different shade of album release tour as Auckland heavy metalers These Four Walls play songs from their new Living To Write The End CD on Saturday (November 3). The band – which looks a little like a young Shihad in its latest video - have made impressive progress over its three years together, supporting international acts such as Disturbed, Nickelback, Karnivool and The Butterfly Effect, and touring Australia. This is their second album.

Also this weekend – in case you missed it last week – Brilleaux and Kokomo get together for a show at the Omokoroa Boat Club on Sunday afternoon (November 4) to launch Brilleaux's new all-acoustic album. Music starts at 2pm.

62) Asparagus is back. Yes, those juicy green spears of overgrown grass are in shops again. Just as well, since I don't think anyone is silly enough to bother growing it at home, although some people have reservations about the vegetable for the somewhat indelicate reason that it makes their pee smell.

Here's something you might not know: 20 per cent of the population say asparagus doesn't make their pee smell. However, if you've checked and decided ‘okay, I'm one of that lucky 20 per cent', think again. Another 20 per cent of the population can't smell the odour associated with asparagus. But not the same 20 per cent. Some are both, some are one or the other, some are neither. So, if you think your pee doesn't smell after eating asparagus you may be right. Or you may be wrong. You'd have to find someone who can definitely smell asparagus and ask them to check. Which could be a somewhat tricky request...

63) Marion Arts is back. Well, she never really went away, but the ever-prolific artist has a new album out, and has again broken new ground for the Bay by producing Tauranga's first ukulele CD. Entitled My Ukulele And I, it features Marion and her ukes in settings ranging from classical instrumental to classic blues. More on this next week.

Meanwhile, her son and fellow member of gypsy jazz ensemble Bonjour Swing, Oscar Laven, is doing great things down in Wellington where, amongst other projects, he has his own swinging outfit, The Wellington City Shake'em On Downers. You can see them playing two tunes – 'The Wellingtonian” and 'Shake 'Em On Down” - at www.youtube.com/watch?v=bafetbPwPTk. If you don't know Oscar, he's the smartly-dressed cat playing clarinet, tenor sax and, on the second song, singing(!).

64) Political satire is back. Of course, it never went away either but I wasn't going to ruin the run of 'backs”. The US election has inspired a host of very funny satire, from the fake ads for treatments for 'Romnesia” to many an inspired song, Ry Cooder's 'Mutt Romney Blues” on his new album being amongst the best. Check out the 'Romney Rap” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDcSM9hUdfE.