The sound of blues will fill the hills around Omokoroa as the annual Marchwood Blues Picnic hosts a fabulous line-up of local and international blues musicians.

Rain, hail or shine, Peter Archer and Carol Murphy are opening up their Omokoroa orchard to allow for the for eight hours of first class entertainment in a lovely setting.

Starting the show at 2pm will be Warren Grant and Mike Kirk with a set of nice acoustic blues, followed by the Dave Maybee Band from Raglan.

Blues sounds will continue with Sarita Murdoch Band from Hamilton, Jan Preston and her Boogie Woogie piano from Australia and Tauranga's Chris Gunn and his band Gunnshy.

The Flaming Mudcats from Auckland and Blues Buffet from Wanganui are the final bands to rock the show playing music into the night.

As always, punters are welcome to bring their own picnic hamper and refreshments.

For those who wish to grab something at the festival, there will be gourmet food and wine available at the venue.

Saturday 8 February

Alcoholics Anonymous

Women's meeting at Mt Maunganui Primary School, Orkney Rd 10-11am. Children welcome.

Basketball

3x3 National Basketball Tour will be at The Strand on Saturday, 8 Feb. Register a team or go and check it out. http://www.basketball.org.nz/competitions/3x3/

Bay Association of Sea Kayakers

Great Barrier for two weeks. Bevan 576 8885

Beach Front Festival

Featuring markets, live music, fun bikes, waterslide & yummy food. At Papamoa Beach Top 10 Holiday Resort, 535 Papamoa Beach Rd 9am - 3pm. Go into the draw to win a stay in a luxury villa. Free admission with gold coin donation to Papamoa Surf Club. All welcome.

Genealogy Informal Group

Have you made any new family discoveries? Meet at 659 Grenada St, Papamoa 1.30pm. Visitors welcome. Sheila 575 5997

Lions Clearance Booksale

Feb 15 – one day only. Bethlehem Town Centre, Bethlehem Rd – beside Smiths City 8am – 4pm. Eftpos & cash.

Maketu Rotary Kaimoana Festival

Feb 15 at Maketu Sports Ground, Maketu Rd 12-6pm. Feature band: Tom Sharplin & the Cadillacs from 3.30pm. Tickets from local Paper Plus Stores & Maketu Landing or online at eventfinda.

Tauranga Farmers Market

Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Te Puke A&P Show

From 9am. Featuring trade sites covering many different categories, plus numerous food sites. Shearing, competitive horse classes, harness & miniature horses, beef & sheep, highland dancing & more. Entry costs: Adults $10, children (under 13 yrs) $2 & under 5's free. www.ras.org.nz or Kim 021 133 0709

The Art of Mindfulness

Afternoon meditation course Feb 15 at Mount Senior Citizens Hall, 345 Maunganui Rd 12.45-4pm. Your mind will become clear & less distracted. Cost $36, includes afternoon tea. Bookings essential. www.meditateintauranga.org or 09 846 5829

The Sociables

30's/40' age group of males & females that meet once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & events. Email your enquiries to: [email protected]

Village Radio

Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1920's - 80's weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. Specialty programmes. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

Wine Appreciation Night

Feb 15 at Althorp Retirement Village, 9 Grantstone Drive, Pyes Pa, Tauranga 5-7pm. R18. An evening of wine & fun with Gordon Russell, Winemaker of Esk Valley Estate in Hawkes Bay & NZ Winemaker of the Year 2007. Pre sales only. No door sales. $20pp. 543 2912. A charity night to help Althorp Patients Trust support Dementia Patients.