KEY POINTS:
Dance
The Royal New Zealand Ballet's new production of Cinderella plays in Hamilton tonight and tomorrow before moving to Auckland's Aotea Centre next week. According to artistic director Gary Harris: "Choreographer Christopher Hampson and designer Tracy Grant Lord have blown audiences away with their sumptuous take on this classic tale." And it's true, the set looks amazing, and a sell- out Wellington season proves this is one polished production.
* The Royal New Zealand Ballet's Cinderella - Founder's Theatre, Hamilton, tonight and Friday; Aotea Centre, Auckland Oct 10-14, adult tickets from $35 at Ticketek
Charity
About this time last year, 2000 people decided it would be a good idea to take a wander around the Auckland Domain, all in the name of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dove Pink Star Walk happens again this Saturday with all proceeds going toward research for prevention and a cure of the illness with which about 2500 women are diagnosed with in New Zealand each year. It's a five-kilometre walk and entry is open to people of all ages, but do leave the dog at home.
* Dove Pink Star Walk - Starts at 8pm, registrations are available from 3pm, or through mydove.co.nz
Rock
Fingers have bled, beer has been spilt, and for eight Battle of the Bands entrants, it all comes down to Saturday night's national final at the Kings Arms. And the finalists are: Liquid Colours, Lapser, Soulsion, Mutangent, Eqwanox, Faster She Said, Suede Arcade, and Porch. Aside from the top eight, there will be special performances from last year's winner Sonic Altar and all-round rockers Slipping Tongue.
* World Battle of the Bands National Final - Kings Arms Tavern, Saturday, tickets $20 at Ticketek or on the door
Comedy
Lynda and Jools Topp present their first live tour in over a year, playing many of their classics, as well as introducing new songs and material. Anyone who watched the Topp Twins' most recent TV series will know the Bowling Ladies who will no doubt make an appearance in the show. Also involved is 12-year-old country music sensation Cameron Luxton, who will demonstrate the skills that made him the Junior Overall Winner at the 2006 Gold Guitars. This Recovery Tour is a special one, with Jools celebrating success in her recent battle with breast cancer.
* The Topp Twins - SkyCity Theatre, Auckland, tonight, sold out, see listings for more dates
Festival
In the finest tradition of Richard Simmons' Sweatin' it to the Oldies, Auckland's older demographic are in for a workout this weekend. AUT's Never2Old programme caters for those 60 plus, and this Saturday they throw their first festival. Brian Jones teaches some Latin moves, while other events include a Polynesian dance and drum group performance, tai chi and belly dance classes, and Nordic walking.
* Never2old Festival - AUT University North Shore Campus Sports Stadium, access from Akoranga Drive, Oct 6, 10am-4pm. Tickets $10 presale or $15 on the door. See www.never2old.net.nz
Rock
If you missed them earlier in the year, Fur Patrol, lead by front woman Julia Deans, are back in full effect and on tour with Auckland garage rockers The Have. Fur Patrol will be testing out new songs from their - as yet untitled - third album, due early next year. It will be interesting for fans to observe the direction of the band, with a new producer on board here, Tony Cohen of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds fame. And of course you can always rely on Wanganui quartet the Have to get things rocking nicely.
* Fur Patrol and the Have - Kings Arms, Newton, Wednesday, tickets $15 on the door
Exhibition
The Auckland Museum will be looking good in the coming weeks with the entrants for the Best Design Awards exhibited there from Friday. More than 250 entries ranging from pot plant innovation to brilliant beer branding to an eco-coffin are on show, with the winners announced this Friday night at the Aotea Centre ceremony. The Designer's Institute of New Zealand is behind the awards, which cover the disciplines of graphics, interior and product design.
* Dulux Best Design Awards Exhibition 2007 - Auckland War Memorial Museum, Friday to Oct 20
Tango
There's a classical twist to the traditional tango being performed by national champions John Flower and Felicity Rogers tonight at the Aotea Centre. The Invitation to Dance concert sees the pair team up with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to perform works by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla in music written for, or inspired by, dance. Also on the programme are pieces by composers Ravel and Weber and the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. Expect a lively and energetic display.
* Invitation To Dance - Aotea Centre, tonight, 8pm, adult tickets from $30 at Ticketek
Rock
A savvy bunch of Aucklanders will already have tickets for this Friday's special Die!Die!Die! gig at Space in Newmarket. The three-piece band has done plenty of international touring in recent times, and they are poised to strike on a national tour with material from their brand new album, Promises, Promises. All the touring has turned them into a finely tuned machine, and with Shayne Carter trying his hand at producing, Promises, Promises promises to be one of the more exciting Kiwi releases of late.
* See some of the new songs live tomorrow night.Die!Die!Die! with guests the Shithawks - Friday, Space, Newmarket
