Things are busy in the Bay - there barely seems enough time to recover from one event before the next is upon us.

Fortunately, so far, all the outdoor bashes have been blessed with good weather and have been, from what I've seen, great successes. Summerfest a couple of weekends back went off in fine style and last weekend's Marchwood Blues Picnic was a blast.

And, once again, this weekend is host to a pile of musical happenings all over the place.

The Summer Vineyard Tour is at Mills Reef today – Friday that is, assuming you rushed straight to your letterbox and opened The Weekend Sun as soon as you poured that first Martini of the evening – with Opshop, Missy Higgins, and Che Fu and Aaradhna all playing. They're promising solo sets (all the hits!) as well as a combined 'soul” set. The field next to the winery is a great place for a concert as crowds who were at the Stars Under the Stars concert over Auckland Anniversary Weekend can attest. At that show, however, it was look-a-likes performing (or should that be sound-a-likes?): this time it'll be the real thing. The concert runs from 4.00 till 10.00pm and tickets cost $75.

And, talking of Mills Reef, there's a singer there the following Sunday (February 23) whose been doing very well overseas. Sarah Frances Johnson debuted in showbiz as an eleven-year-old on Shortland Street but has spent the last couple of years singing at various hi-falutin' bars and hotels in Las Vegas.

I've seen a profile of her in Next magazine (no I don't have a regular subscription) and know that the standard to get gigs over there is astonishingly high so, although I've never actually heard her, I assume Sarah is a fantastic singer. She is certainly – and I say this in a totally non-sexist and certainly not drooling manner – absolutely gorgeous. I don't think there's any special ticket charge but you'll need to book a table and have lunch. She starts at 12.30pm.
But, back to this weekend...

If you're thinking of going for a drive on Saturday (February 16) you could head in two directions and find music festivals.
For those already missing Marchwood there's another shot of blues (aptly calling itself Summertime Blues) at the Hamilton Rose Gardens. Kicking off at 11.00am this features Jason Herbert, Pauline and A Few Good Men, Al Dawson and the Wildkatz, The Darcy Perry Blues Band, The Blue Jaffas, and a fun ensemble calling themselves The Rabbit Foot Old Time Blues Show. The latter is a combination of Rotorua bluesman Mike Garner and Hot Club Sandwich frontman Andrew London.

This is a free event and, like Marchwood, you're invited to bring a bottle of wine and a picnic. And, should you be horticulturally inclined, I understand that the roses are very nice...

(By the way, if anyone wants to see more pictures of the day at Marchwood, 'official” photographer Colin Lunt has a pile to share should you drop him a line at [email protected].)
Conversely, if you take the coast road and head south you'll run into the Maketu Kaimoana Festival, which runs from midday till 6.00pm. There, amongst the seafood, you'll find six acts from the Bay of Plenty: Captain Who! From Paengaroa, Kawerau's Harley Kruz, Raymond Solomon from Little Waihi, Sunrise Rockers from Rotorua, and Tauranga's own Kougar Sisters and B-Side Band. Tickets are $15, which seems very reasonable. I haven't been to one of these Maketu fests but I imagine the seafood on offer will also be mouth-watering.

Talking about the B-Side Band, they are just about to release a new CD-EP, an original six song set, their first since guitarist Mike Kirk became a regular member of the band. A copy just winged its way to the Watusi Country Club and is, as far as I'm aware, the first local release of 2013. I'll bring you a review shortly.

And, just before I sign off for the week, also on Saturday, Andy Craw, long-time stalwart of the local music scene, is getting married. The cats, my special lady friend and I would all like to take the opportunity to say congrats to Andy and Veronica. Live long and prosper.