This Week

Whether you prefer Che Fu to Chopin, or comedy to Chekhov, you can keep track of what's on in Auckland right here. This listing is updated weekly so check each Friday for a fresh entertainment guide.

Daily music, comedy, performing arts and events

 Friday

 Saturday

 Sunday

 Monday

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 Thursday

Upcoming events

Venue details

Dining out? Read our restaurant reviews

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Friday

ROCK/POP .

Stylus, Wash, Bolbox Rex, Redline - Control Room, Queen St.

Slight Return - basement, Area, 203 K Rd, 9pm.

8 Foot Sativa, - Real Groovy, Queen St, 5pm.

8 Foot Sativa, Subtract, Kill Me Quickly - Kings Arms, France St, 8.30pm.

Calexico - Indigo, Wellington.

Mime, Fourth Member, Epitome - Crook, cnr Reeves Rd, Ti Rakau Dr, Pakuranga, 8pm.

Ubitquitous, Exeter, Stardrunk, Ward 10, Lacerda, Velez - Poenamo, Northcote Rd, Takapuna.

Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin Deep Purple review, Brewers, Mt Maunganui, 8pm.

Cat! Cat! Cat!, Shallows, DJ Shopping Trolley - Ambassador, 1218 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier, 9pm.

Planet - Cock & Bull, 29 Town Centre Dr, Botany.

Hush - Cock & Bull, 3 Robert St, Ellerslie.

Contagious - Rose & Crown, Customs St.

Slam - Mad Dogs & Englishmen, 380 Manukau Rd, Epsom, 8.30pm.

Mad Fish - Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Westfield St Lukes, 9pm.

Out of the Blue - Doc Beggs, 6 Lodge St, Pukekohe.

Catch 22, DJ Lizard - London Shed, 505 Pakuranga Rd.

Chill Factor - O'Hagan's, 497 Pakuranga Rd, Highland Park.

No Illusions - Pukekohe RSA, 17 Edinburgh St, Pukekohe, 7.30pm .

.

DANCE/DJ .

Mark Burgess, George, Paul Radley - Ink Bar, 268 K Rd.

DJ Reminisce, DJ Mike - Surgery, Hobson St, 10pm.

Dick Johnson, Tim Phinn, Soane, Jolyon, Jarrod Phillips, Emma Green, Karn Hall, Rob Steele, Nic Moon, Philippa, Andy Hayes, Uncle Phil - Centro, Wyndham St.

Dan Clarke, Cesar - lounge, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, 9pm.

Booty, Pari, Junio, Killamanararo, Dino - main room, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, 10pm.

Loki, Timmy Schumacher V Baitercell, Gwan Girl, Jason Howson, Tobi - basement, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, 10pm.

Snitch, Tim Richards, Phatstack, Beesting - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St.

Fast Crew, Logikal, b2b, DJ DVS, Phatmospheric, Orphan - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St.

Orphan, Matin - Bass Bar, Victoria St.

Bevan Keys, Roger Perry, Manuel Bundy, Cuffy, Leon D, Automatic, Jason Lonsdale - Wyndham Bowling Club, 18 Wyndham St.

Reece Jensen - Honey, 5 O'Connell St.

DJ Ross Jamison, Marty Hunt - Honey, 5 O'Connell St.

VJ - Thirsty Whale, 540 Mt Albert Rd, 9pm.

JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS .

Georgia, Ronnie Taylor Band - Jazz Bar, Rutland St.

Vintage Jazz Band - Nixon Centre, Sale St, Howick, 7.30pm.

Go Blow - London Bar, cnr Wellesley and Queen Sts.

James Ray - Dairy Flat Hall, Postmans Rd, Dairy Flat, Albany, 8pm.

Soul Sax Plus - Cooks Landing, 19 Captain Cook Rd, Cooks Beach.

Denis Hepi, Max Purdie - main street, St Heliers, 11am.

Rufus Rehu, Peta Siu'lepa - Alhambra, 283 Ponsonby Rd.

Boogiemen - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 10pm.

Razor - Slip Inn, 83 Birkenhead Ave, Birkenhead, 9pm.

Denny Behrens - Spencer on Byron, Takapuna, 7pm.

COMEDY .

Comedy Showcase - Andrew Clay, Dai Henwood, Classic, Queen St, 8pm.

Eliminator - (sold out), Covert, 84 K Rd.

Improv Bandits - Covert Theatre, 10pm .

.

CLASSICAL .

Not a Silent Night - Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell Rd, 7.30pm.

Paganini Pizza - Michael and Sabine Ellard Chamber Music Group, Rose Garden Community Centre Theatre, School Rd, Belmont, 8pm.

.

THEATRE .

The Untold Tales of Maui - Humourbeasts, SiLo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 366 0339.

A Kiwiana Christmas - Harlequin Junior Theatre, Harlequin Theatre, 563 Pakuranga Rd, Howick (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 534 7017.

Beautiful Losers - SiLo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, 8.30pm (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 300 3700.

The Bach - Rimu Glade Studio, 4 Rimu Rd, Oratia, 8pm (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 814 8744.

My Fair Lady - Centrestage, 60 Centreway Rd, Orewa (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 426 7214.

There's No Christmas Like No Christmas - Birkenhead Little Theatre, Recreation Dr (and tomorrow, Sunday). Ph (09) 444 2796 .

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OTHER .

A Christmas Chat: Philip Patston talks to Georgina Beyer, Denise L'Estrange Corbet and Mahinarangi Tocker - Maidment Studio Theatre, Alfred St, 7pm (and tomorrow).



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Saturday

ROCK/POP .

Calexico, Phoenix Foundation, Hollowgrinders - Kings Arms, France St, 8.30pm.

8 Foot Sativa, Subtract - Poenamo, Northcote Rd, Takapuna.

Physical Graffiti, Mightyscoop - Led Zeppelin Deep Purple review, Wade Hotel, Silverdale, 8pm.

Planet - Cock & Bull, 29 Town Centre Dr, Botany.

Kick - Cock & Bull, 3 Robert St, Ellerslie.

Contagious - Rose & Crown, Customs St.

Mad Fish - Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Westfield St Lukes, 9pm.

Chill Factor - O'Hagan's, 497 Pakuranga Rd, Highland Park.

Catch 22, DJ Ice - London Shed, 505 Pakuranga Rd.

Chet O'Connell - Auckland Irish Society, 29 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.

.

DANCE/DJ .

Mikey Havoc, Timmy Schumacher, OB1, Snitch, Angela Fisken, B Rock, Rohan, Naish - Wyndham Bowling Club, 18 Wyndham St.

Mant, Phully, Phillipa - Ink Bar, 268 K Rd.

DJ Ron, DJ Joe - Surgery, Hobson St, 10pm.

DJ Funfox - Opus, 43 Ponsonby Rd, 9pm.

Cesar, Sam E, Isaac Aesili, Kelly Kahukiwa - lounge, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, 9pm.

Thomas Sahs, Benwah, Andy Vann - club, Centro, Wyndham St.

Surgarlicks sound System - Sam E, Ghost Tones, Maya, Isaac Aesili, Nat Rose, G-Muva, lounge, Centro, Wyndham St.

Presha, Nick D, Phantom, Elemental - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St.

Jessica Joy, Jason Howson, Camille - Fu, 166 Queen St.

DJ Matta - Moth, 5 O'Connell St.

Sean Penn, DJCXL - Bass Bar, Victoria St.

VJ - Thirsty Whale, 540 Mt Albert Rd, 9pm.

DJ Craig - Doc Beggs, 6 Lodge St, Pukekohe .

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JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS .

Les Croquants - Auckland Town Hall, 8.30pm.

Kevin, Nathan and Joel Haines, Kevin Field, Ron Samson - London Bar, cnr Wellesley and Queen Sts.

Swing Easy Trio - Bricklane, 5 Clark St, New Lynn, 8pm.

Craig, Tara - Slip Inn, 83 Birkenhead Ave, 9pm.

Lounge Associates - Occidental, Vulcan Lane, 10pm.

Vintage Jazz Band - Northcote Shopping Centre, 11am.

Natasha Urale-Baker - Jazz Bar, Rutland St.

Mike Nisbet Trio - main street, St Heliers, 11am.

Shayn Wils - Opus, 43 Ponsonby Rd, 7.30pm.

Kingpinz - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 10pm.

Denis Hepi, Max Purdie - Alhambra, 283 Ponsonby Rd, 8.30pm.

Denny Behrens - Spencer on Byron, Takapuna, 7pm.

Cats 'n' Jammers - Phoenix Italia, 31 Creek Rd, Drury, noon .

.

COMEDY .

Comedy Showcase - Andrew Clay, Dai Henwood, Classic, Queen St, 8pm.

Instant Broadway - Covert Theatre, 84 K Rd, 10pm .

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VARIETY .

You Just Can't Have Enough Christmas - Queen City Big Band, PumpHouse, Manurere Ave, 7.30pm FAMILY .

Christmas in the Park - Auckland Domain, 7.45pm-10.15pm.

Waiheke Santa Parade - Oneroa Village, Waiheke Island, 4pm.

Dressing of the House - festive decoration of historic house Alberton, 100 Mt Albert Rd, Mt Albert, 1pm.

Cambridge Christmas Parade - Victoria St, Cambridge, 1.30pm.

Kid's Christmas on K Rd - K Rd, 10am-4pm .

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THEATRE .

Psalty's Christmas Calamity - Crossroads Methodist Church, Broadway, Papakura, 7.30pm (and tomorrow). Ph (09) 298 4695 .

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HIGHER LEARNING .

Curator's Insight - curator Robert Leonard explains Pressing Flesh: Skin, Touch, Intimacy, New Gallery, Auckland Art Gallery, 3pm .

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FAIRS & FESTIVALS .

Blockhouse Bay Christmas Market and Street Party - Blockhouse Bay mainstreet, 9am-12.30pm.

Craft and Garden Show - Auckland Cathedral, Parnell Rd, 10am-3pm.

Dutch Market - Holland House, 123 Rockfield Rd, Penrose, 10am-1pm.

Arts and Craft Market - Corban Estate Arts Centre, 426 Great North Rd, Henderson, 10am-2pm.

Trash & Treasure Market - Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence St, Devonport, 10am-3pm.



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Sunday

ROCK/POP .

Undressed - Shady Brain Farm, Easy Tiger, Newphew, Kings Arms, France St, 2pm.

Mightyscoop, Fast Crew - Kings Arms, France St, 7.30pm.

Chet O'Connell, Malcolm McCallum - Degree, Viaduct Harbour, 3pm.

.

DANCE/DJ .

Uncle Phil, Nick T - Centro, Wyndham St.

Elemental, DVS - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St .

.

JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS .

James Ray - Mad Dogs & Englishmen, 380 Manukau Rd, Epsom, 6pm.

Caitlin Smith, Vanessa McGowan, Phillipa Ewen - Opus, 43 Ponsonby Rd, 5pm.

John Wilcox Trio - Horse &Trap, 3 Enfield St, Mt Eden, 2pm.

John Wilcox, Lindsay Meech - Bricklane, 5 Clark St, New Lynn, 6pm.

Maria O'Flaherty, Peter Common - Addiction, 129 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, 2.30pm.

Lounge Associates; Raylee Bradfield - Iguacu, 269 Parnell Rd, 12.30pm; 6.30pm.

Soul Sax Plus - Titirangi Market, Titirangi Memorial Hall, Titirangi Rd, noon.

Side Effects - Alhambra, 283 Ponsonby Rd, 7pm.

Peta & a Weta - Scalini's, 429 Tamaki Dr, St Heliers, noon.

Ritchie Pickett Experience - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 10pm.

Extra Dimension Duo - Paper Moon Cafe, 176 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, 6pm.

Chris Melville, Alan Brown - De Fontein, 77 Tamaki Dr, Mission Bay, 4.30pm.

Loungerie - Occidental - Vulcan Lane, 4.30pm.

Brendon Ham Acoustic Duo - Old Albany Pub, Main Rd, Albany, 1.30pm.

Kiwi Express - Eden-Roskill RSA, 1A Dunbar Rd, Balmoral, 3pm.

Denis Hepi Quartet - New Brew, Rosedale Rd, Albany.

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Cats 'n' Jammers - Phoenix Italia, 31 Creek Rd, Drury, noon.

Neil Watson, Candy, Frank Conway - Platform 2, 462 New North Rd, Kingsland, 2pm.

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CLASSICAL .

Not a Silent Night - Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell Rd, 4pm, 7.30pm.

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POETRY .

Sam Hunt - Grand Hotel, Helensville, 3pm .

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COMEDY .

Ultimate Improv Comedy Show - Covert Theatre, 84 K Rd, 7pm.

.

Comedy Showcase - Andrew Clay, Dai Henwood, Classic, Queen St, 8pm .

DANCE .

Middle Eastern Magic Dance - Rose Garden Community Theatre, School Rd, Belmont, 7pm .

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FILM .

NZ Digital Film Festival - Classic, Queen St, 8pm.

High Achiever's Concert - Royal School of Music, PumpHouse, Manurere Ave, 2pm.

Concert in the Amphitheatre - Beachhaven Carollers, PumpHouse, Manurere Ave, 6pm .

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FAMILY .

Carols by Candlelight - St Heliers Primary School, St Heliers Rd, 7pm-9.30pm.

Horse and Carriage Rides - Motat, Western Springs.

A Victorian Christmas - Highwic, 40 Gillies Ave, Epsom, 11am-3pm.

Children's Workshop - artist Ronnie van Hout thinks he's a monkey. Kids 5-12, become your favourite animal, New Gallery, Auckland Art Gallery, 2pm. To book ph (09) 307 4540.

Tawharanui Natural History Walk - Tawharanui Regional Park, signed from Warkworth, 10am-12.30pm. Ph (09) 366 2000 .

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FAIRS & FESTIVALS .

Collectors' Market - Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane.

Trash 'n' Treasure Market - Cambridge Lions, Victoria St, Cambridge, 8am-12.30pm.

Original Clevedon Market - Community Hall, Main Rd, 10am-3pm.

St Heliers Bay Christmas Craft Show - Tamaki Ex-Services Association Hall, cnr Turua St and Polygon Rd, 10am-3pm.

Devonport Handcraft Market - Devonport Community House, Clarence St, Devonport .

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HIGHER LEARNING .

A Collector's Insight - vintage clothes collector Jo Hawke discusses the history behind some of her gems, Auckland Art Gallery, 1pm.



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Monday

JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS.

Rodger Fox Big Band - Kings Arms, France St.

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Terry Free - Bunker, Mt Victoria, Devonport, 8pm.

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CLASSICAL.

Nigel Kennedy - Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington.

Handel: Messiah - Auckland Choral Society, Auckland Town Hall, 7.30pm.

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OTHER.

Christmas Xtravaganza/Expo - Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church, 429 Queen St, 10.30am-3pm; 7pm-9pm.

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EXHIBITIONS.

Muka Youth Print Exhibition - for viewing by 5-18 year-olds only, New Gallery, Auckland Art Gallery, 10am-5pm.

The Design of Frank Carpay - Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Pompallier Te Hokinga Mai - The Journey Home, of the remains of Bishop Pompallier, Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Island Life - Robin White in Kiribati and NZ, Auckland Art Gallery, to Feb 8.

Chic Colonials: Ataahua - Auckland Art Gallery, to May 2.

The Lamp in My Studio - Colin McCahon, Auckland Art Gallery, to Mar 28.


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Tuesday


ROCK/POP.

Live, Evermore - St James.

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DANCE/DJ.

Silverbeat, Orphan - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St.

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JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS.

Grant Chilcott, Grant Winterburn - Cuba, 421 Parnell Rd, 9pm.

.

CLASSICAL.

Nigel Kennedy - Aotea Centre, 7.30pm.

Handel: Messiah - Auckland Choral Society, Auckland Town Hall, 7.30pm.

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THEATRE.

Beautiful Losers - SiLo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, 8.30pm. Ph (09) 300 3700.

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OTHER.

Christmas Xtravaganza/Expo - Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church, 429 Queen St, 10.30am-3pm; 7pm-9pm.

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EXHIBITIONS.

Paintings by Julian Dashper, Gordon Walters, Milan Mrkusich, John Reynolds, Billy Apple, Gretchen Albrecht- Sue Crockford Gallery, 2 Queen St, to Dec 23.

New Work - by Alicia Courtney, G2/FhE Galleries, 2 Kitchener St, to Jan 30.

Myth and Culture - by Alexis Hunter, Corban Estate Arts Centre, to Feb 8.

Reduction and Relief - minimalism/texture in contemporary NZ painting, group exhibition, Ferner Gallery, 10 Lorne St, to Dec 22.

New Work - by Ken Knight, Jonathan Grant Galleries, 280 Parnell Rd, to Dec 18.

A Theater of the Indigent - by Andrew McLeod, Ivan Anthony, 312 K Rd, to Dec 20.

New Work - James Ross, Bath Street Gallery, 43 Bath St, Parnell, to Dec 20.

The Design of Frank Carpay - Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Pompallier Te Hokinga Mai - The Journey Home, of the remains of Bishop Pompallier, Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Island Life - Robin White in Kiribati and NZ, Auckland Art Gallery, to Feb 8.


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Wednesday

ROCK/POP.

City Newton Bombers, Mixture, Mistletones - Kings Arms, France St, 9pm.

Dave Alley - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 9.30pm.

Chet O'Connell - Degree, Viaduct Harbour.

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DANCE/DJ.

JRP - Ink Bar, 268 K Rd.

Page 3, DJCXL, Pari - Fu Bar, 166 Queen st.

Dtox, Dino - Bass Bar, Victoria St.

.

JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS.

Brendon Ham, Back II Basix - New City, Sky City, 9.30pm.

.

COMEDY.

Big Wednesday - Jeremey Elwood, Classic, Queen St.

Femprov - Covert Theatre, 84 K Rd.

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THEATRE.

Beautiful Losers - SiLo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, 8.30pm. Ph (09) 300 3700.

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OTHER.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - charity screening, Sky City Theatre, Hobson St, 5.30pm for 6.30pm, $100. Ph (09) 307 4957.

Christmas Xtravaganza/Expo - Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church, 429 Queen St, 10.30am-3pm; 7pm-9pm.

Liberating Your Child's Shining Potential - workshop with Brandon Bays, Totem, 104 Customs St. Ph (09) 373 3792.

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EXHIBITIONS.

Paintings by Julian Dashper, Gordon Walters, Milan Mrkusich, John Reynolds, Billy Apple, Gretchen Albrecht- Sue Crockford Gallery, 2 Queen St, to Dec 23.

New Work - by Alicia Courtney, G2/FhE Galleries, 2 Kitchener St, to Jan 30.

Myth and Culture - by Alexis Hunter, Corban Estate Arts Centre, to Feb 8.

Reduction and Relief - minimalism/texture in contemporary NZ painting, group exhibition, Ferner Gallery, 10 Lorne St, to Dec 22.

New Work - by Ken Knight, Jonathan Grant Galleries, 280 Parnell Rd, to Dec 18.

A Theater of the Indigent - by Andrew McLeod, Ivan Anthony, 312 K Rd, to Dec 20.

New Work - James Ross, Bath Street Gallery, 43 Bath St, Parnell, to Dec 20.

The Design of Frank Carpay - Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Pompallier Te Hokinga Mai - The Journey Home, of the remains of Bishop Pompallier, Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Island Life - Robin White in Kiribati and NZ, Auckland Art Gallery, to Feb 8.


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Thursday

ROCK/POP.

Lloyd Cole - (sold out), Aotea Centre, 8.30pm.

Feelers, Elemeno P, Steriogram - Altitude, Hamilton.

Sleeper's Union, Conray, Die! Die! Die!, Tokey Tones - Kings Arms, France St, 8.30pm.

Blindspott, Mareko, Deceptikonz - London Shed, 505 Pakuranga Rd.

Contagious - Rose & Crown, Customs St, 9pm.

Planet - Cock & Bull, 29 Town Centre Dr, Botany.

Kick - Cock & Bull, 3 Robert St, Ellerslie.

.

DANCE/DJ.

Karn Hall - Ink Bar, 268 K Rd.

Dino, DJCXL - Bass Bar, Victoria St.

Simon Flower, Jamie Newman - Fu Bar, 166 Queen St.

Snitch V Demus, Randomplay - Korova, 429 New North Rd, Kingsland.

.

JAZZ/BLUES/ROOTS.

Greg Tell, Velma - Cuba, 421 Parnell Rd, 9pm.

Tinderbox - Jazz Bar, Rutland St.

Rockin' Lockins - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 9.30pm.

John McGough - Springs Garden Restaurant, Great North Rd, Western Springs.

Rockin' Lockins - Java Jive, Pompallier Tce, 9.30pm.

Brendon Ham, Back II Basix - New City, Sky City, 9pm.

.

COMEDY.

A Bard's Tale - Classic, 84 K Rd.

.

THEATRE.

Beautiful Losers - SiLo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, 8.30pm. Ph (09) 300 3700.

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OTHER.

Christmas Xtravaganza/Expo - Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church, 429 Queen st, 10.30am-3pm; 7pm-9pm.

Carols in the Bay - in front of the library, 572 Blockhouse Bay Rd, 7pm-8pm.

The Sky Tonight - planetarium show and possible telescope viewing, Stardome Observatory, One Tree Hill Domain, 7pm.

.

EXHIBITIONS.

Paintings by Julian Dashper, Gordon Walters, Milan Mrkusich, John Reynolds, Billy Apple, Gretchen Albrecht- Sue Crockford Gallery, 2 Queen St, to Dec 23.

New Work - by Alicia Courtney, G2/FhE Galleries, 2 Kitchener St, to Jan 30.

Myth and Culture - by Alexis Hunter, Corban Estate Arts Centre, to Feb 8.

Reduction and Relief - minimalism/texture in contemporary NZ painting, group exhibition, Ferner Gallery, 10 Lorne St, to Dec 22.

New Work - by Ken Knight, Jonathan Grant Galleries, 280 Parnell Rd, to Dec 18.

A Theater of the Indigent - by Andrew McLeod, Ivan Anthony, 312 K Rd, to Dec 20.

New Work - James Ross, Bath Street Gallery, 43 Bath St, Parnell, to Dec 20.

The Design of Frank Carpay - Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Pompallier Te Hokinga Mai - The Journey Home, of the remains of Bishop Pompallier, Auckland Museum, to Jan 18.

Island Life - Robin White in Kiribati and NZ, Auckland Art Gallery, to Feb 8.