We return to the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things currently making him happy. This week it's gigs – specifically this week's gigs. Next week there's another album to review, but so much diverse music is happening in the next seven days that the Winston Happiness Meter just exploded.

203: Blues on Saturday! There is a helluva lot happening on Saturday. Should your tastes be inclined towards the bluesier end of music, then there's none bluesier than Mike Garner. He has a busy weekend, starting around 7pm at The Barrel Room on Saturday (October 13) where he's playing ragtime, groovy old Delta slide guitar things and much more, alongside Rotorua percussionist and beard stylist Warren Houston. No charge.

204: Metal on Saturday! If you fancy a bath in all things that are Metallica, head to the Mount's Totara Street venue on Saturday (October 13), where My Damned Kind are presenting the Gods of Rock Metallica tribute show.

I'm not sure what I can add except that these boys are apparently ‘quickly regaining their title as the best Metallica tribute show in NZ'. Whom they lost it to is unclear. Doors open at 6.30pm, and tickets are $25 from: www.eventfinda.co.nz

205: Pop on Saturday! The Shirleybyrds are about to launch their second album. I wrote about it last week – check the SunLive website. To recap: the launch is at Vinyl Destination on Saturday (still October 13) and will feature the four-piece band plus Tim (The Colourfield) Julian and Bruce (Brilleaux) Rolands. Masterful singer/guitarist Grant (Swamp Thing) Haua will play support. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets priced $20 from: www.eventfinda.co.nz

206: Easy listening on Sunday! Want to chill with some relaxing music on Sunday? There's a lot to choose from. You can find live music – duos usually – downtown along The Strand at The Phoenix and The Cornerstone, and in Bureta at Jack Dusty's Ale House.

There's no charge, and they all start around 3pm.

207: More Blues on Sunday! I told you Mike Garner has a busy weekend. He's back on Sunday – ‘same vein, different arm' as old Ritchie Pickett used to say – performing for the Entertainers Club at the Citz Club on Cameron Road. This time Mike will have his band, along with virtuoso Wellington harp player Neil Billington, and a rockin' time will no doubt be had by all. Doors at 5pm and tickets are $15 from the Citz Club or on the door.

208: Good Vibes on Wednesday! Once a month, the Mount Social Club presents the Buena Ondo Social Club. In Chile, Argentina and Mexico, ‘Buena Ondo' is slang for ‘Good Vibes', and that's what's promised by hosts Camila Lenhart and Santiago - a terrific Latina musical duo who also introduce special guests each time. Kick-off is around 9pm and there's no charge.

209: The World on Thursday! Next Thursday (October 18) there's something special happening at The Barrel Room. After a series of very classy shows (The Lonely Heartstring Band, Lloyd Spiegel et al) the next eclectic act to play there will be renowned acoustic chamber-folk trio The String Contingent, who last came here a couple of years back for a fantastic concert at the art gallery.

The trio have toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Scandinavia, developing a unique world music sound by approaching and incorporating music from a wide range of genres. What emerges is a musical journey through a landscape of folk, classical, jazz and bluegrass styles.

The Contingent comprises two Australians - Chris Stone (violin) and Holly Downes (double bass) - along with Scotsman Graham McLeod (guitar), all brilliant players. Last year they released their fifth album, Iterations, recorded in the beautiful acoustic setting of the Windsong Pavillion at Four Winds in Bermagui, NSW.

Of course I realise that ‘new acoustic chamber-folk' is possibly not a genre many people are rushing to discover. I would suggest you check out these guys on YouTube or via their easily Google-able website.

Have a listen. This will certainly be an unusual and eye-opening evening.

Things happen at 8pm, and tickets are $30 from: www.eventfinda.co.nz