KEY POINTS:
Family
Do animals celebrate Christmas? Apparently, yes they do. The public can join the hippos, lions, monkeys and seals on Sunday evening from 5pm for Christmas At The Zoo. There will be plenty for the kids to enjoy including face painting, a bouncy castle, and roaming Kiwi Christmas characters. Not forgetting one very special visitor, initials S.C.
* Christmas At The Zoo - Sunday, 5pm-9pm, tickets from $9 at Ticketek
Burlesque
Burlesque differs from straight stripping in that there is usually a plot line, some witty banter, and overall more of a theatrical performance. There will be semi-nudity at the The Hootchy Kootchy Girls' 3rd Burlesque show tonight at Sponge Bar in Ponsonby, but that's not the main attraction. Ideal for couples looking for some titillation, or people with an open mind and a sense of humour.
* The Hootchy Kootchy Girls' 3rd Burlesque show, featuring MC Tony Bambini and DJ Marty - Sponge Bar, Ponsonby, tonight
Rock/pop
Kiwi favourites Goldenhorse have a show on Friday at the Dog's Bollix in Newton. Word is the band are busy writing new material for their upcoming third album, and are set to test the new songs at this gig and at several other shows throughout the summer. They have also released recordings of three songs the band performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and two new tunes. Tourist join them for this Friday's show at the Bollix.
* Goldenhorse and Tourist - Dog's Bollix, Newton, Friday
Theatre
As December 25 approaches rapidly, it must be time for some Christmas theatre. The Santa Claus Show at The PumpHouse in Takapuna opens on Friday and runs until December 23. The story follows Kelly as she writes a huge Christmas list, gets flown to the North Pole by Santa, and eventually learns the true meaning of Christmas. Children who attend are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Christmas character.
* The Santa Claus Show 2006 - PumpHouse Theatre, Killarney Park, Takapuna, see www.pumphouse.co.nz for ticket info
Reggae
Some of New Zealand's best reggae-related talent gathers to celebrate the festive season on Saturday at Galatos. The bands set to have you skanking along with them on the night are the Midnights, the Kingites, House Of Shem, and Dub Asylum, plus the supporting turntable tactics of DJ Dubhead. Auckland reggae fans unite!
* Christmas Reggae Party - Galatos, 17 Galatos St, Newton, Saturday, 9pm
Rock/DJ
Radio station bFM pulls together four venues in downtown Auckland on Saturday to serve up a feast of live music. Some of the artists performing are: dub-reggae-rockers Kora, eclectic DJ duo North Shore Pony Club, indie pop foursome the Sneaks, funk crew the Hot Grits, as well as the Mint Chicks, the Tutts, Solaa and more. From 9pm you can cruise the different venues, all within walking distance. Best of all, it's free.
* bStreet - Northern Steamship Co, Aveia, Schooner Tavern and the Rose & Crown, Saturday from 9pm, free
DJ
There are a couple of events of interest for those with a predisposition to the dancefloor this weekend. On Saturday afternoon DJs Greg Churchill, Angela Fisken, Scotty Lewis and Zayn Kemp entertain beach-goers at Mission Bay from noon until 6pm. And Saturday night the well-known Our House party utilises the St James for a typically large affair. International DJ talent includes Deep Swing from the United States and Supafly from Britain.
* George FM Beach Party - Mission Bay, Saturday, noon-6pm
* Our House - St James, Queen St, Saturday, tickets $29.90 from TicketDirect
Theatre
* The fast food generation is catered for this week, with return of the annual Drive-thru Theatre at the Greenlane Christian Centre from today to December 19. It's a free live theatre experience which tells the nativity story, the twist being that people remain in their cars throughout. This is the fifth year it has been running, and organisers say they expect an audience of 10,000 people - most of them children. All donations go towards Habitat for Humanity.
* Drive-thru Theatre - Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Rd Greenlane, today to Dec 19, 7.30pm-10pm
Markets
Christmas shopping need not be a headache - why not peruse one of the many markets that take place all over Auckland at the weekend? The popular markets in Aotea Square run from 10am-6pm every Friday and Saturday, offering all manner of gifts, from clothing to sculpture. For those on the North Shore, the Takapuna Sunday Market offers similar opportunities for discovering unique stocking stuffers. Check our listings for markets in your area. Aotea Markets - Friday/Saturday, 10am-6pm; Takapuna Sunday Market - central car park in Lake Rd , 6am-noon every Sunday
