{The Metro Weekend}

Event Watch
Celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year with the Shaolin Monks at Sky City tonight and tomorrow night. On Friday, the Classic Comedy Club, on Queen St, has a new late-night game show, and there's the Grand Prix Cycle Race in Takapuna. The Ruby Suns have an album release party at the Kings Arms on Friday; Hollie Smith plays at the Zoo on Saturday to help save Sumatran tigers; and the 95bFm Summer Series kicks off on Sunday in Albert Park. Don't forget the Big Gay Out at Coyle Park in Pt Chev and the recovery party at Kiss Bar on Sunday.
For more events around the city, check out What's On.

Get off the couch
We discover more beaches where you won't bump into everyone and their dog; and check out some of these great walks just outside the city centre.


Eat & Drink
Metro samples the Mussel Madness fritters at Takapuna's weekend market; and Peter Gordon's Dine gets a visit from editor Bevan Rapson.


Short bites
News and rumours from the hospitality scene. Read about the latest ventures, who's doing what, and send us your inside knowledge. Click here for more.

The Jan/Feb bumper issue of Metro magazine shows how parts of Auckland might disappear beneath the waves amid the effects of climate change, catches up with some of the Tampa refugees six years on, and meets the man who's taken on the previously ill-fated Fisherman's Wharf.