KEY POINTS:
Exhibition
It's a show celebrating the relaunch of the iconic Puma Clyde shoe, made famous by 1970's basketballer Walt "Clyde" Frazier. Aside from the obvious display of shoes, there will be photos, memorabilia, and a look at the musical figures who have sported the shoe in the past. It's Auckland's chance to catch an exhibition which has visited 23 countries around the world including Brazil, Singapore, Italy and the United States.
* Clyde Exhibition - The Loft, Chancery, Courthouse Lane, today and Friday, 10am-6pm daily
Punk
Anti-Nowhere League formed 26 years ago in England and visit Auckland this Saturday. The original line-up of Animal on vocals, Magoo on guitar, Bones on drums and Baggy Elvy on bass gives us some clues to the raucous nature of this band. There have been a few break-ups, reunions, and line-up changes, but the essence of the band is still there, and they've pulled it together for a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand. Support on the night includes the Suicide Dogs, Missing Teeth and City Newton Bombers.
* Anti-Nowhere League - Kings Arms, Saturday, 8.30pm, tickets $42 from Real Groovy
Comedy
It's time for Manukau to crack up. Some of New Zealand's leading comedians bring the laughter to the TelstraClear Events Centre for the inaugural Southside Comedy show. C4 larrikin Dai Henwood is joined by experienced comedian Te Radar. Also on the bill are Jan Maree, Mike Loder and Simon McKinney. Expect two hours of the best stand up comedy money can buy. Book for a group of 10 or more and they hand over a slab of beer.
* Southside Comedy - TelstraClear Events Centre, Manukau, Friday, 8pm, tickets $24.50 from Ticketdirect
Show
The kids can celebrate the festive season early this year with a trip to the magical land of Oz with Santa Claus, Shiney the rapping Tinman, Shakey the Scarecrow, Scarey the Lion and Dorothy. The Wizard of Oz Christmas Show is in Auckland for a show each in Manukau and Glen Eden on Saturday before heading on a nationwide tour. Children are encouraged to dress up, and to bring along a toy for the Starship Foundation Toy Appeal.
* The Wizard of Oz Christmas Show - 10am, TelstraClear Events Centre, Manukau; 3pm, Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden, Saturday, tickets $12 at TicketDirect and Ticketek
Festival
Inner city Auckland has a chance to unite this weekend with the arrival of the annual Grey Lynn Park Festival. For over 20 years people have been wandering down to the park, browsing stalls, listening to music, and enjoying the sunshine. Be ready for a big crowd, and groove to the likes of One Million Dollars and the Hot Grits. This year you'll find everything from blacksmiths to belly dancing, and even a housetruckers village. Organisers ask you to remember sunscreen, take public transport, and bring cash as there's no Eftpos.
* Grey Lynn Park Festival, Saturday, 9am-6pm, free
Hip-hop
MC Lyrics Born plays Auckland's Galatos on Friday. The rhymer - real name Tom Shimura - comes to us from the hip-hop heaven that is San Francisco's Bay Area, also the home turf for artists like DJ Shadow, Blackalicious and Lateef the Truthspeaker. Rather than just rap with a DJ, in this show he is joined by a live band, which will no doubt bring to life the funk-ridden tunes he is known for. Support for this one is from DJs Dunc tha Funk and D-Form.
* Lyrics Born - Galatos, Friday, tickets $36 from Ticketek
Garage sale
The Granddaddy of all garage sales happens this weekend at the ASB Showgrounds. Aside from the thousands of items collected from Auckland homes, celebrity donations include Mayor Dick Hubbard's motorbike, the designer jacket which Judy Bailey wore on her last night on TV One News, and celebrity builder Cocksy's original Meccano model construction kit. All funds go to Preventing Violence in the Home.
* Get Organised Auckland Garage Sale - ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Saturday and Sunday
Birthday
Two of Auckland's largest ladies celebrate their birthday together this weekend. Elephants Burma and Kashin will be painted up in traditional Thai style and visitors will be able to get up close at the Auckland Zoo on Saturday. Elephant team leader Andrew Coers is excited about the party, which he hopes will bring attention to a certain issue. At the beginning of the 20th century there were about 200,000 elephants in the wild, but now there are less than 50,000, due to destruction of their habitat, and poaching.
* Elephants' Birthday - Auckland Zoo, 11am-2pm, Saturday
Classical
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in 1791, but his music certainly lives on. The prolific artist was responsible for more than 600 compositions in his lifetime. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra begins a series of Mozart tribute concerts tonight at the Auckland Town Hall. Special performers include Italian conducting maestro Piero Bellugi, and one of New Zealand's leading young pianists Henry Wong Doe.
* Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra: The Splendour of Mozart, Concert 1 - Auckland Town Hall, tonight, 8pm, tickets from $16 at Ticketek
