Breaking news: the weather is still hot and dry and events are still coming thick and fast – business as usual in the Bay.

Looking out the window at the brown expanse that once used to be the proud lawn of the Watusi Country Club I can't say I'd be sorry if we had a few days of refreshing rain. As to the events... bring ‘em on! I'll try and cover a few of the upcoming happenings this week and, as usual, can I offer apologies to those that I inadvertently forget.

And I will forget something because it's an insanely busy time. Things on the list this week are as diverse as a film festival, an album launch, a touring show of women guitarists, and the Classic Hits Winery Tour. Variety, spice, life, etc.
So, yes, this is going to be another 'What's On” column, no wild flights of fancy, no baffling diversions into ephemera, just the facts guv.

First up, and it's a quickie as the show is tonight (Friday, March 1), the aforementioned Winery Tour is down at the Wharapei Domain. And, just like last year, it should be a doozy. Gates open at 5.00pm; New Zealand's Got Talent winner Clara Van Wel starts at 5.30pm; The Adults (Jon Toogood from Shihad, Julia Dean and others) start at 6.00pm; Anika Moa, Boh Runga and Hollie Smith are on at 7.10pm; and Fat Freddy's Drop hit the stage at 8.30pm. I think we can all agree that it's a very fine line-up of music. And you can bring your own picnic and bottled water. Sounds good to me. Actually that wasn't the first event from the list since the French Film Festival at the Rialto started last night (28 February). It runs through till next Sunday (March 10) and includes no fewer than fifteen films as well as a collection of animated shorts. One could be all grumpy and point out that what's on display is the somewhat lighter side of French cinema (despite making some of the best thrillers in the world, none are represented here) but there's still a lot to enjoy, from a film about Renoir to the latest from legendary 90-year-old experimental maestro Alain Resnais, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. Check out the Rialto website or pick up a programme from the cinema for more details.
OK. On to the album launch.
It's the B-Side Band who are on the launch pad and they'll be sending their new offering into the world next Thursday (March 7) down on the Strand at the newly-renovated and extremely popular Phoenix Bar and Restaurant.

The B-Side Band have been together now since 2006, a trio comprising Paul Parkhouse on harps and sax, Simon Elton on guitar and Carl Winter on drums. Paul and Simon split the singing. The band play a mix of rockabilly, blues and country and have previously released an EP and two albums mostly focusing on their original songs rather than the obscure ‘50s and ‘60s 'b-sides” that they took their name from.

The new release is a six-track CDEP, the first since they added a fourth member to the line-up, not – as you might assume – a bass player, but guitarist Mike Kirk, often seen with Kokomo or the dozen other outfits he contributes to. The band will be playing at the Phoenix from 9.00pm, songs from the CD (which they'll give away a couple of copies of) and more. This is part of the Phoenix's regular first-Thursday-of-each-month Blues Brews and BBQs evenings which have featured B-Side, Swamp Thing and others.

And, back to this weekend, if you want a shot of blues, the Brewers Bar is hosting the Girls With Guitars New Zealand Tour 2013. This certainly wins the 'Truth in Advertising” award. Samantha Fish and Joanne Shaw Taylor play guitars and Daniel Schnebelen plays bass. And they are really, really good. Fish's debut album Runaway won the Best New Artist Debut Award at the 2012 Memphis Blues Awards. Schnebelen (also from Kansas) was nominated for the bass award.

The list of people she's played with – from Koko Taylor to Kenny Wayne Shepherd is astonishing. Taylor is English, living in Texas. She recently played guitar for Annie Lennox at the Queen's diamond jubilee concert. Pretty high cotton. Check them out on-line - this will be an incredible night. Saturday March 2. It starts at 8.00pm.