KEY POINTS:
Children
This Saturday the Britomart Pavilion is the host of New Zealand's Second Marimba Festival. What's a marimba you may ask? It's an oversized xylophone originally from Africa, which three kids can play on at once. As well as marimbas, the kids will be playing xylophones, metallophones, recorders, flutes and glockenspiels. Over 20 schools from around Auckland are involved, meaning there'll be about 180 children performing in the concerts, which are open to the public.
Marimba Festival - Britomart Pavilion, Downtown, Saturday, two sessions: 11am-noon, and 2pm-3pm, gold coin entry
Concert
Kiwi icon John Rowles is back from Australia, and performing this Friday and Saturday at SkyCity Theatre. From Kawerau to Las Vegas, to Hawaii, Rowles has has a hugely successful singing career. We all know him for songs like Cheryl Moana Marie and the British number one If I Only Had Time (which was once sampled by London electronica act Lemon Jelly). Watch out for the brand new single I Know I'm Bad, But I'm Good For You.
John Rowles - SkyCity Theatre, Friday and Saturday, tickets $60 from Ticketek
Art
More than 140 works will be on display at Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve for the next 10 days. The picturesque outdoor site plays host to the NZ Sculpture OnShore exhibition. One highlight is Virginia King's trio of sculptures created for the medal-winning New Zealand garden at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. Other artists involved include Gretchen Albrecht, Paul Dibble, and Fatu Feuu. Proceeds go to the Women's Refuge. See nzsculptureonshore.co.nz.
NZ Sculpture OnShore - Friday to Nov 12, Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, Vauxhall Rd, Devonport, open 10am-6pm daily
Show
The Visionary Living Show shares the ASB Showgrounds this weekend with the inaugural Health and Fitness Expo. There will be more than 150 exhibitors showcasing everything from fitness and training equipment, outdoor adventure and sporting goods, through to meditation and eco-friendly products. Celebrity guests include multisport legend Steve Gurney, All White Noah Hickey, and Mr NZ Supry Sos. The Candy Lane Dancers perform daily. Health and Fitness Expo and the Visionary Living Show - ASB Showgrounds, Friday to Sunday, 10am-5pm daily, $15 ticket gets you into both shows
Film
Forget running, the only marathon in town this weekend is the V 24 Hour Movie Marathon at Avondale's Hollywood Cinema. The basic idea is that you must attempt to watch films continuously for 24 hours beginning Friday, 5.30pm. Organisers promise a huge range of movies this year including "a flesh-munching masterpiece, a 70s musical freak-out, a 80s science-fiction classic", and more. Check moviemarathon.co.nz for more details. 24 Hour Movie Marathon - Hollywood Cinema, 20 St Georges Rd, Avondale, Friday-Saturday, from 5.30pm, tickets $40
Theatre
A potentially hilarious one-man show plays over three nights this weekend at the PumpHouse Theatre. Millen Baird wrote and now performs Wedding Speeches, which has received glowing reviews around the country. Baird plays bride, groom and more in this play which is set at a lively wedding reception. Expect comedy, colourful language, and drunkenness - all the usual wedding behaviours.
Wedding Speeches - PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna, Manuere Ave, Takapuna, today to Saturday, 8pm, tickets $24 from tix.co.nz
Comedy
Improv theatre takes over the SkyCity Theatre on Tuesday, all for the benefit of the SPCA. The Conartists perform a show loosely revolving around the theme Desperate Housepets. This two-hour interactive show heavily involves the audience who "set up" the artists by calling out suggestions, and attempt to put the actors in tricky situations. Think the TV Show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and you're on the right track. A great reason to get out for a laugh on a Tuesday, and all proceeds go to the Auckland SPCA.
Desperate Housepets - SkyCity Theatre, Tuesday, 7.30pm, tickets $25 from Ticketek
Choir
The Jubilation Choir returns this weekend with a concert at the Auckland Town Hall. You may have seen them recently performing Bathe In The River, the winning Silver Scroll Song this year. The 30-piece gospel choir, features prominent actors and musicians including Rick Bryant, Jackie Clark, Jean McAllister, Fiona Samuel, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Amanda Billing. They perform a capella, and cover songs by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Ben Harper, Van Morrison and Tom Waits.
Jubilation Choir - Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Saturday, 8pm, tickets $22 from Ticketek
Rock
After a hugely successful year, Kiwi band Evermore kick off a national tour this Tuesday in their home town of Feilding, where a sell-out has seen a second show added. The boys are joined on tour by Aucklanders Pluto, who are fresh from winning Best Song at the New Zealand Music Awards for Long White Cross. The tour sees the bands head as far south as Christchurch, and as far north as Auckland, where they play two shows on November 10.
Evermore and Pluto - Civic Centre, Feilding, Tuesday; Municipal Theatre, Napier, Wednesday. See listings for full tour dates
