KEY POINTS:
BALLET
The metrosexual male revolution is now a distant memory, so how does a man prove his femininity? By wearing a tutu. New York's acclaimed male comedy ballet, Les Ballets Grandivas: Men in Tutus, covers much of the North Island in the coming days. Some of the world's top ballet dancers will perform - with tongue firmly in cheek.
Les Ballets Grandivas: Men in Tutus - Royal Opera Theatre, Wanganui, tonight; TSB Showplace, New Plymouth, Fri; ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Sat; www.menintutus.com.au, tickets from $69.90 at Ticketek
SHOW
To some they are a fragrant and temorary addition to the home's decor, or a way out of the dog box. To others, flowers are an art form. The Ellerslie International Flower Show will be full of the latter type from today until Sunday. One such talent is Michael Mansvelt of Taranaki, who designed this year's outdoor exhibition garden and describes his design as "martini modernism". Billed as the catwalk of the gardening world, this five-day show is not to be missed.
Ellerslie International Flower Show - Botanical Gardens, Manurewa, to Sunday, ellerslieflowershow.co.nz for more info, tickets at Ticketek
HIP-HOP
It's been a good couple of weeks for reunions - from Supergroove to Garageland, and now Dam Native. Eleven years before Scribe was telling New Zealand hip-hop to stand up, the duo of Danny Haimona and Bennet Pomana well and truly stood up. Now, 10 years since their last gig, they're back with a new album, Aotearoa ... Nobody Does It Better, and a gig this Friday. The two will perform with a full band, turning the duo into a seven-piece. Support comes from long time purveyors of hip-hop music, Manuel Bundy and Nat Rose.
Dam Native - Kings Arms, Newton, Friday, tickets $20 at Real Groovy
CLASSICAL
Those who like their classical music firmly in the Baroque era are spoilt for choice this month. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Splendour of the Baroque Series is happening throughout November at the Auckland Town Hall. Tonight the focus is French Baroque with music from artists like Lully, Charpentier and Couperin. In the coming weeks there will be a German edition, as well as a chamber music session this Monday.
The Muse Of Versailles: The French Baroque - Auckland Town Hall, 8pm, tickets from $40 at Ticketek
POP FESTIVAL
A new talent getting rave reviews for her recent album caps off her short national tour this Sunday night at Auckland's Shanghai Lil's. The Waikato Times found themselves "blissfully daydreaming", while Real Groove magazine compared her to Hollie Smith saying she has "a beautiful voice and a love of R&B and jazz". Find out what all the fuss is about by checking out kiwi singer-songwriter LA Mitchell in person this Sunday, or hunt down a copy of her album, Debut.
LA Mitchell - Shanghai Lil's, Freemans Bay, Sunday, $10
FESTIVAL
The Grey Lynn Park Festival is back and, weather permitting, will be as big as ever. More than 100 stalls with everything from jewellery to records make this a potential starter for easing into the Christmas shopping. Music is always a big part of the festival and this year is no exception. The legendary Tigi Ness (Che Fu's dad) performs with Unity Pacific, while other artists include the Managers, AK Samba, the Hot Grits, the Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra and more across three stages.
Grey Lynn Park Festival with Tigi Ness & Unity Pacific, the Managers and more - Grey Lynn Park, 9.30am-6pm
COMEDY
Over the past 20 years ConArtists (formerly Theatresports Auckland) has helped nurture many local comedic talents. This weekend they celebrate two decades of life in the funny lane by roping in none other than TV's Colin Mochrie. You'll know him from his role in improvisational sketch show Whose Line is it Anyway? He's the bald one, not the tall one or the plump one. Colin represents Canada as the maple leaf takes on the silver fern in a battle of comedic proportions.
Theatresports Live: 20 Years of Improv with Colin Mochrie - Bruce Mason Theatre, Takapuna, Friday and Saturday, tickets $55 at Ticketmaster
ROCK
In a remarkable feat, the organisers of the 2007 Wild Things Spectacular present the original line-ups of eight bands prominent in the 1960s' R&B underground. Actssuch as the Pleazers, the Breakaways, the Underdogs and Ray Columbus will be recreating the vibe of long forgotten clubs like the Galaxie in Auckland, The Stage Door in Christchurch, and The Thumpin' Tum in Melbourne. Get in quick as the Monte Cristo Room's capacity for this gig is just 300.
2007 Wild Things Spectacular - Monte Cristo Rooms, Nelson St, Saturday, 7.30pm, tickets $65 at Ticketek
