Looking to get up to some mischief this month? With winter setting in, May's the perfect time to get out and about and we've found plenty to keep you occupied...

1-31 May
New Zealand Music Month 2009: NZ Music Month gives venues, radio, TV and print media around the country – not to mention the most important folks of all, your favourite musicians – the chance to serve up a daily diet of musical goodness. There’ll be hundreds of great gigs happening all over the place and plenty of local music being beamed across the airwaves. Visit nzmusicmonth.co.nz for more information.


1-24 May
2009 NZ International Comedy Festival: It’s that time of year again! Comedians from all over the world and our own backyard will again congregate in Auckland and Wellington to take part in the 17th annual NZ International Comedy Festival from the 1st of May.

NZ audiences can look forward to seeing some of the biggest international names in comedy including the Emmy-award winning Wayne Brady, Dylan Moran, Scotland’s Danny Bhoy, Ireland’s Ed Byrne, UK’s Steve Coogan and ‘Chopper’. Visit the comedyfestival.co.nz for dates and bookings.

2 May 1975
Happy birthday David Beckham!

5-9 May Wellington
12- 16 May Auckland
Maeve Higgins 'Kitten Brides': In her first trip to New Zealand, Maeve’s hitting Auckland and Wellington with her own special brand of hilariousness. In keeping with her low key style, ‘Kitten Brides’ sees Maeve talking about a range of subjects in a non low-key way. The sort of things likely to come up include the feelings you get being on your own in new places, the sound of forced rhubarb, and taxidermy in Victorian times. See Ticketek for venue details and times of the Auckland show and in Wellington, bats.co.nz

12-15 May
De La Soul: 20th Anniversary Tour: The trio from Long Island formed De La Soul in the 80s, quickly etching themselves into the psyche of global hip hop culture with their seminal debut, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) and the dance floor addiction ‘The Magic Number’.

Since the group’s last tour to NZ in 2006 the group have won a Grammy for their collaboration with the Gorillaz on the single "Feel Good Inc". This is a chance to see one of the most influential hip hop groups in history perform as they re-create the classics from the ground up with support from DJ Marek. Tickets and venue info available from Ticketek.

13 May: Happy 23rd Robert Pattinson!

13-17 May
Auckland Writers and Readers Festival 2009: The Auckland Writers & Readers Festival is New Zealand's largest literary festival. Over 100 writers, appearing in over 50 events, during 4 Days of innovative programming!

The festival will feature a number of international guests including: Debra Adelaide (Australia); Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria/US); Monica Ali (Bangladesh/UK); M.T. Anderson (US); Stefan Aust (Germany); Tash Aw (Malaysia/UK); Marcus Chown (UK); Richard Dawkins (UK); Martin Edmond (NZ/Australia); George Friedman (US); Kirsty Gunn (NZ/UK); Mohammed Hanif (Pakistan); Hendrick Hertzberg (US); Richard Holloway (Scotland); David Malouf (Australia); Iggy McGovern (Ireland); Mal Peet (UK); Sonya Renee (US); Rhonda Sherman (US); James Surowiecki (US); Judith Thurman (US); Christos Tsiolkas (Australia). Visit www.writersfestival.co.nz for full programme details and writers biographies.



14 May
Plunket’s birthday: This year Plunket is celebrating 102 years of providing support services to families/whanau for the development, health and wellbeing of children under five.

You can show your appreciation for this New Zealand icon and help celebrate their big day by taking part in Cup Day. A day to get people together over a well deserved cuppa, have some fun and help give children the best start in life by raising some money for Plunket. Visit plunket.org.nz for more information or donate your cuppa to Plunket by texting CUPPA to 2449. Texts cost $3.

14-16 May
Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen: Entirely improvised musical in the style of Jane Austen. Incredibly silly and loads of fun for all, including Austen enthusiasts of course. There is much romping, cross stitching and being quite bright for a girl. Charming suitors, meddlesome mothers, tight breeches and surprisingly well educated girls will all paint a vivid picture in song, dance and passionate hand holding. Catch it at The Drake, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

16 May 1986
Happy birthday Megan Fox!

Pussycat Dolls live at Vector Arena!

17 May
Premier Wedding Expo and Bridal Show - Nelson: One of New Zealand's most popular wedding expos, the Nelson Premier Wedding Expo is an event not to be missed! Meet leading exhibitors from New Zealand and overseas showcasing the industry’s latest products and services.

It’s the perfect day out for anybody who is planning a wedding and will keep you up to date with the newest fashion, trends and venues. Visit bridalshows.co.nz for tickets and info.


21 May-1 June Auckland

28 May-7 June Wellington

4-7 June Christchurch
Out Takes 2009: A Reel Queer Film Festival: A gay and lesbian film festival that runs in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland every year and this year is kicking off Auckland on May 22. Check out the opening night film screening at SkyCity Cinema Queen Street and the after party at Opium bar. The festival screens the best queer films from around the world, check out the full festival programme and ticketing and opening night details at outtakes.org.nz


May 19 - 24
Stomp: The British theatrical dance sensation Stomp returns to New Zealand with their revamped show - fresher, faster and funnier than ever before! With unstoppable energy and toe-tapping exuberance, Stomp takes the clutter and junk of everyday life – everything including the kitchen sink – and transforms it into a pulsating, witty, utterly irresistible theatrical event. To date Stomp has performed to audiences totalling 14 million people across 43 countries. Tickets available from The EDGE.

22-23 May
Hootchy Kootchy Girls Burlesque Show: Auckland's own Hootchy Kootchy Girls Burlesque will be performing their sassy but classy Hollywood-style burlesque show with a Mambo Italian theme. Come and see the new show, performed in the beautiful Montecristo Room (Toto's). An option of pre-show dinner package is available. For tickets and info see nzburlesque.co.nz.

28th May, 1968
Happy birthday Kylie Minogue!

Julie Gray