KEY POINTS:
COMEDY
He may be off the telly - his popular sustainable living series wrapped on Sunday night - but he's not completely Off the Radar. Te Radar's heading to the Classic for the Classic Comedy Christmas Showcase. Billy T Award nominee Simon McKinney also gets in on
the action, as does Jamie Bowen, who was recently nominated for six awards at the upcoming 2008 NZ Comedy Guild Awards.
Classic Comedy Christmas Showcase, Classic Comedy & Bar, 321 Queen St, November 27, 8pm
ROCK/POP
With a string of hits in the early 1990s including New Zealand number ones George, Cruise Control, and Gaskrankenstation, the Headless Chickens had a run of success until their split about 10 years ago. Just like Supergroove and Weta of late, they're back, and performing at the Powerstation tomorrow night. The Chickens won over the Australians too, touring there 10 times - this reunion also sees them play Sydney's Homebake Festival next week.
Headless Chickens - Powerstation, Auckland, November 28
DANCE/DJ
A DJ /producer duo from Italy known for their distinctive "fidget house" style play Auckland tonight. Frenetic beats fused with a hip-hop attitude make the Crookers an attractive prospect for New Zealand clubbers - the gig sold out its 800 tickets at the initial venue, before being upgraded to the larger Studio on K Rd. They have remixed everyone from Moby to the Chemical Brothers of late, and are hot property.
Crookers with Dick Johnson, Daniel Farley, Defcon1 - Studio, K Rd, Auckland, Nov 27
CLASSIC/OPERA
There's nothing quite like a choir in full voice, especially in the ornate surrounds of the All Saints Church in Ponsonby; the venue for a performance by the Heaven Bent Gospel Choir this Saturday. The choir will perform Shine and Freedom is Calling - written by composer Stephen Matthews - and will be accompanied by the composer on piano and a trio comprising some of Auckland's top musicians.
Heaven Bent Gospel Choir - All Saints Church, Ponsonby, Nov 29, 7.30pm
FACIAL HAIR
A large proportion of the female population will be rejoicing this Monday as their partners are forced to shave, with the month now known to many as Movember coming to a close. We've seen everything from slugs to Sellecks on the upper lips of Kiwi men to raise awareness of prostate cancer. Movember Gala Parte 2008 is tomorrow night at Eden park and you can head along to compare your mo with the others on display.
Movember Gala Parte 2008 - Eden Park, November 28, from 6pm
ROCK/POP
Some of the hottest indie rockers in town join forces for a gig at the Ellen Melville Hall this Saturday. Dance rockers So So Modern will impress with their mental live show, so-hot-right-now Naked And Famous will have fans fawning over them, and the Shocking Pinks led by Nick Harte will show what got them signed by New York label DFA. To top it all off this is an all ages show, so get in there kids!
Shocking Pinks, So So Modern, Naked and Famous and more - Ellen Melville Hall, Auckland CBD, November 29
ROCK/POP
American rocker John Mellencamp returns to New Zealand for the first time in fifteen years next week, playing Auckland's Vector Arena next Wednesday. Young Kiwi sensation Gin Wigmore and American singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow are also on the bill. The sentiment in Crow's big hit All I Wanna Do ("All I wanna do, is have some fun...") will be shared by all.
John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow - Vector Arena, 34 Mahuhu Crescent, Auckland CBD, December 3, 7:30pm
HIP-HOP
One of contemporary hip-hop's pioneering forces hits New Zealand for two shows next week. Kanye West plays with support from underground legend Nas and Kiwi rhyme-slinger Scribe. It will be intriguing to see how West's new songs such as Love Lockdown translate into live performance, and of course the moment the classic Golddigger drops, the place will go mad.
Kanye West, Nas, Scribe - Vector Arena, Dec 1; TSB Bank Arena, Wellington, Dec 2
