One of the reasons I write this column is to let people know what's going on.

That statement may, to some, seem a bit bleedin' obvious. But it's true. Here at the Watusi Spiritual Retreat we are dedicated to the open dissemination of information and have a committed network of ‘True Believers' striving tirelessly to bring you the good oil.
Actually, the Spiritual Retreat became slightly less spiritual last weekend. On Saturday, to be exact, when the country embraced the old Kiwi tradition of Halloween. We had, being the spiritual yet retreating folk that we are, bought a bag of sweeties for any enthusiastic trick or treaters, though thought better of posting a sign saying 'Attention little boys and girls – come and get some lollies here.” It was hardly worth it as no one knocked at the door all night.
Next morning, however, it was hard to miss the fact that some helpful young souls – obviously confused by the concept of 'trick or treat” - had pelted the side of the manor with eggs. Punks. It made me miss the days of Castle Watusi when the guard chickens and mine field would have sorted them out quick smart. Perhaps it's time to move back to the country.
The advantage of living close to town, however, is the ease that you can get to and from events. Taxis to the country are expensive and sober drivers hard to come by; the True Believers Network may be committed but they are rarely sober.
And it's events that I was going to focus on this week, at the risk of the rest of the column seeming like some sort of shopping list. Let's take things in order.
This weekend promises some fine homegrown jazz at the Tauranga Jazz Club. They will be getting together at the Greerton RSA (formerly Fahey's) on Sunday, November 8, when the Woody Woodhouse Connection will launch their new CD, Pruning Thyme. Also playing on Sunday will be the Tauranga Girls' College Band, led by Murray Mason. Things kick off at 6.00pm.
More jazz is on offer out in Katikati at the Folk Club next Thursday, November 12, in the form of Wellington swing cats Hot Club Sandwich. Many people will know the Hot Club boys from the various jazz and arts festival they have played here in Tauranga. The band – ever busy boys – have just finished a short tour with Sydney-based boogie woogie queen Jan Preston and have been putting the final touches on a new album.
If you haven't seen them you are in for a real treat – think Hot Club gypsy swing with a little blues and rockabilly thrown in and a series of slick witty songs about the perils of middle class life in New Zealand. The gig is at 7.30pm at the Katikati Bowling Club.
A little down the track (in both time and distance) you might like to make plans for a day out in Whangamata. The Whangamata Jazz and Blues Festival runs for three days, from Friday, November 20, to the Sunday, with music in the main street, various pubs and bars and a main ticketed event at the Whangamata sports grounds. Bands include Tauranga's Brilleaux, The Queen City Big Band, Good Oil, Rachel Hope, Mike Booth Trio, Riverhead Slide, Jazz Inspired, Nadja and Miles Ahead, another Tauranga band, featuring Miles Tremlett on sax and the guitar of Trevor Braunias.
The following week you don't even have to leave town to go to the Tauranga Moana Seafood Festival. This runs down at Dive Crescent from 5.30 to 10.30pm on November 28 and this year has a considerably booted-up music programme, featuring the likes of dDub, the Patea Maori Club, and local acts 3's Company, Regan Perry and Triple J.
And if seafood ain't your bag then wait another week and there's the Tauranga Boutique Food and Wine Festival at the Domain on Sunday, December 6. This is always a splendid event and this year returns to accompanying the generous imbibing with a raft of varied Tauranga music – Rockhouse Party, 5 O'clock Shadow, Kokomo, Woody Woodhouse Connection and John Michaelz will all be playing.
There we go. Lots on. And there's more. But that'll have to wait for another time.