What's On This Week

Auckland singer songwriter Gin Wigmore and Band The Cardinals. Photo / Supplied

Rock/Pop

What a combination. Fresh from an Australian tour, two of music's biggest names are joined by one of our own exciting talents for what will be a memorable gig at Mount Smart. Pearl Jam would be reason enough to head along, but throw in Ben Harper and Liam Finn and it's a guaranteed good time tomorrow night.

* Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Liam Finn - Mt Smart Stadium, November 27

Comedy

Rhys Darby is everywhere - from feature films, to the radio waves, to big budget commercials, to TV shows in Rwanda. Add Pukekohe to the list this weekend because he's bringing his stand-up show to the local Town Hall. He's been making Kiwis laugh all month with a national tour, and he has a season at SkyCity Theatre coming up in early December, too.

* It's Rhys Darby Night! - Pukekohe Town Hall, Saturday, November 28, 8pm

Rock/Pop

Bressa Creeting Cake are Joel Bressa, Geoff Creeting and Edmund Cake, and they're on a national tour. Auckland fans of this Flying Nun band will be gearing up for the King's Arms show tomorrow. They are supported nationwide by Haunted Love, Pie Warmer and - in Auckland only - The Nudie Suits.

* Bressa Creeting Cake, Haunted Love, Pie Warmer - King's Arms, November 27

Rock/Pop

One of the breakthrough Kiwi artists of this year teams up with The Cardinals (Ryan Adams' band) for a show at Auckland's Powerstation this weekend. Gin Wigmore is a household name here now, thanks to several hit radio singles and her cameo on Smashproof's Brother. This will be the first chance for many to see her playing with her new buddies The Cardinals.

* Gin Wigmore with The Cardinals - Powerstation, Auckland, November 28

Pop/Classical

Five-star Auckland hotel Rendezvous hosts some of our finest vocal talents this Sunday evening. Fresh from his rousing Sir Howard Morrison tribute at the New Zealand Music Awards, John Rowles headlines, with pop-classical songstress Yulia and weatherman-turned-singer Brendan Horan also on the bill.

* A Christmas Romance with Brendan Horan, Yulia & John Rowles - Rendezvous Hotel, Mayoral Drive, November 29, 6.30pm

Family

After setting up in Victoria Park last year, the giant Telecom Christmas Tree heads uptown to a new spot in Ponsonby's Western Park. The 27m-high structure is open day and night, with special light shows from 7-11pm each evening. Bring in an old mobile phone for recycling, and all funds raised from the process will go to Starship.

* Telecom Christmas Tree - Western Park, Ponsonby, 8.30pm

Theatre

In amongst the usual Christmas theatre offerings, The Basement Theatre presents an irreverent Christmas show, starring an array of the biggest names in local acting. Christ Almighty! is an original series of monologues performed by 40 different actors, including Keisha Castle-Hughes, Michael Hurst, Robbie Magasiva and more.

* Christ Almighty! - The Basement, December 2-19

Full Moon

If you are handy to Mt Eden's Tahaki Reserve and feel like trying something a little different next Wednesday, the Full Moon Drumming and Fire event will literally light up the picturesque reserve. As darkness falls there will be fire poi, fire staff, fire fans and a host of LED toys lighting up, as well as roaming drummers keeping the beat and even offering lessons.

* Full Moon Drumming and Fire - Tahaki Reserve, Mt Eden, December 2