Overview
While it's almost time to huddle together around a pine tree with family and sharpen the pen nibs for a fresh set of resolutions, Auckland still has a few more treats lined up this month before wrapping up 2015 - including a Christmas musical satire, a dose of Fryish delight, the Auckland Fair, some pampering options and some high quality musical offerings.
Jesus Christ Part II - The Basement's Christmas Show
Paying a little homage to the man who gifted the Western world a yearly annual holiday, director Oliver Driver has rallied some of New Zealand's highest ranking actors and comedians - Antonia Prebble, Amanda Billing, Rose Matafeo, Jacquie Brown, Nic Sampson, Guy Montgomery and Michael Hurst - for a Christmas musical fusing together Survivor, X Factor, Lord of the Flies and the bible.
When: Friday, November 27 - Saturday, December 19
Where: Basement Theatre
How much: $35-50
Stephen Fry
The slightly balmy, British comedian(/Blackadder actor/author/TV presenter for QI/activist/film director/screenwriter/poet/journalist/voice of the Harry Potter audiobooks/serial Twitterer) is invading New Zealand with his charming idiosyncratic style of comedy. His show in Auckland is promised to be a night of "Fryish delight."
When: Saturday, December 5
Where: Ellen Melville Hall, CBD
How much: $30
Overnight Cruise
Another brilliant thing to do this month is getting a little bit away from the city on an overnight cruise where you can go for a kayak, snorkel, explore a beach and also get acquainted with the bar or sun deck. Whatever floats your boat, really.
When: Anytime
Where: Hobson West Marina
How much: $299 per person
Ageold Festival
Ageold Festival isn't actually that old. It started last year. Although its still a relative infant on the festival scene it seems to be curating all the right musical folk to maybe (hopefully) live up to its name.
Its organisers sum it up in the following way: “The philosophy behind Ageold is a simple one – to subvert the tenuous marriage between music and alcohol cultures, and provide a safe environment for audiences of all ages to enjoy the absolute best in alternative music this country has to offer. NO DRINK, NO DRUGS, NO DICKS.”
The full lineup features: Liam Finn, Miss June, New Gum Sarn, Salad Boys, Rackets, Opposite Sex, Astro Children, Soda Boyz, Courtney Hate, Joe Says No, Yukon Era and Wellington Poetry Club.
When: Saturday, December 5
Where: Ellen Melville Hall, CBD
How much: $30
Auckland Fair
Okay, so you've put off getting mum her Christmas present until way too late (again), and another repeat of Body Shop body butter or Ecoya scented candles just isn't on the cards. Five years of the stuff has been enough. Luckily, Auckland Fair is here to tend to your needs and give you some inspiration and gifts that have that much needed "sentimental" factor that always score brownie points from mums (and friends alike).
When: Sunday, December 6
Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf
How much: $5 entry
The Empress Package
After wearing out your heels and wallets shopping for stocking fillers, saunter over to East Day Spa to get a relaxing 60-minute foot massage (or a facial or massage if you like). The dimly-lit Indonesian spa practices some kind of voodoo magic in relaxation. You'll walk out feeling pretty much as relaxed as you'd feel after sleeping for days on some plush Egyptian cotton sheets. Follow that up with a meal at Masu (included in the package) and you're set for another round of gift hunting.
When: Whenever you feel like it.
Where: East Day Spa & Masu at SkyCity
How much: $195
Father John Misty
Escaping his devout past, J.Tillman's moniker (Father John Misty) is now the only remnant of his strict, religious upbringing. In an interview with the Guardian, the ex-Fleet Foxes drummer explained how he coined his spiritual name. "I got into a van with enough mushrooms to choke a horse and drove down the coast with nowhere to go,” he says. Emerging from a heavygoing depression and looking for enlightenment, he found himself “sitting naked in a tree, hallucinating and scratching my head like an ape. And I confronted the great cosmic joke. I’d wanted to be perceived as this spiritual person, but the reality was me running about with my pants around by my knees.”
His latest album I Love You, Honeybear are a collection of semi-melancholic folk songs which are "about love but not without bullshitting myself or anyone else."
When: Thursday, December 3
Where: St James Theatre
How much: $75
Oddisee
Raised on a diet of African American, Sudanese and hip hop music, the Washington-based rapper Oddisee has been slowly gathering praise and momentum in the music industry for his particular flavour of music created by his braided influences. His Odd Spring mixtape was listed on the Washington Post's Best Local Hip-Hop mixtapes of 2010, while his 2011 release of Rock Creek Park was ranked as a Mixtape of the Week by Stereogum.
When: Friday, December 4
Where: Neck of the Woods
How much: $15
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
The relatively unknown band of humans brought together by frontman Ruban Nielson is filling the walls of the St James with psychedelic pop reverberations come December 12. The latest album, II, from the APRA Silver Scroll-winning Portland-based band who've also peaked at #98 on the US Billboard chart, dissects Nielson's recent polyamorous relationship. Rolling Stone praised the album's lead single Multi-Love for "coloring outside the lines for a vibrant vision of connection."
When: Saturday, December 12
Where: St James Theatre
How much: $40
Ratatat
Walking the thin line between alternative rebellion and appeasing, satisfying melodies, Ratatat's musical works have pricked the ears of alternative followers as well as a large bycatch of mainstream listeners. As one of our other writers put it, "It’s music for a boyfriend trying not to offend his girlfriend’s parents at dinner, while still staying true to his long-haired psychedelic roots."
When: Thursday, December 10
Where: Studio
How much: $50
Clay Pigeon Shooting
For those in need of some bonding activity ideas with the lads/ladies or looking for an interesting Christmas work shindig, a bit of clay pigeon shooting with some Beretta double barrel shotguns is magnificently enjoyable. The 500-year-old gun manufacturer Beretta have recently set up shop on Bracu's Simunovich Olive Estate, offering eat-and-shoot packages for all types of budgets and groups.
For those who can't quite handle the recoil of a shotgun, air rifles are on hand too. Oh, and you can also throw knives at a wall (also fun) and practice your archery skills.
When: Anytime
Where: Simonovich Olive Estate, 49 Main Road, Bombay
How much: $59 per person and upwards (four person minimum)