The Court Theatre in Christchurch has just announced its 2017 lineup, including Hudson and Halls Live!, In the Next Room: or the vibrator play – about the cure to hysteria, Steel Magnolias and musical Chicago. The Court’s artistic director Ross Gumbley explains how the audience will be laughing, crying and singing along this year.

It was all about the divas last night at American-Canadian singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright's Auckland Arts Festival performance. His debut opera Prima Donna opened the show, telling the story of a fictional diva in 1970s Paris, and was followed up by a recreation of Judy Garland's 1961 comeback concert at Carnegie Hall. Shaun Wilson was in the crowd.

The story of loss is told through dance in Awa, a multi-disciplinary arts piece opening on Saturday at the Auckland Arts Festival. It’s a personal story for artistic director and choreographer Moss Patterson, who lost his dad when he was 20. Awa weaves together the stories of New Zealand’s sacred rivers and China’s famous Yellow River, told through contemporary dance and music, kapa haka and Tai Chi. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and an 80-strong choir play a supporting role alongside Atamira Dance Company.

Levi Patel’s intimate compositions are set for release on his new album Affinity. He explains how he injects so much emotion into them, and what he hopes the audience will get out of listening.

Deciding what you want to do and how to do it can be a difficult task. What steps should we put in place? What about goal setting? Business mentor Kate Taylor coaches us on reaching our potential both in life and career with her book Killing It: A girl’s guide to KICKING ASS in her career and life.

More than 100 saxophone players will march from either end of Cuba Street, meeting in the middle to battle it out as part of the CubaDupa festival in Wellington this weekend.

Grammy award winning mezzo soprano Michelle DeYoung makes her debut with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra this week with Elgar's Sea Pictures. The song cycle is part of Music Director Edo de Waart's Elgar & Strauss concerts in Wellington and Auckland. The pair have worked together previously with de Waart describing his leading lady as "one of the world's best mezzo-soprano singers".

Wellington's legendary all female group The Beat Girls is celebrating 21 years with a new show All Grown Up. Founded by Andrea Sanders, the group has been called "as iconic as the Wellington Bucket Fountain" by the Dominion Post. Andrea describes the history and continued success of her girl band.

Women are funny. Full stop. That’s what Hens’ Teeth is all about. It began 30 years ago, when female comedians were considered to be as scarce as hens’ teeth. Women, from all walks of life, and generations have been taking to the stage in Wellington to tell their funny stories, including original cast members Pinky Agnew and Dame Kate Harcourt.

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir with Madeleine Pierard and Auckland Chamber Orchestra presented Passio featuring works of six composers including Jack Body and Dame Gilliam Whitehead. The Auckland Arts Festival audience was encouraged to wander around the hall during the concert to absorb the resonance of both musicians and singers. Reviewer Peter Hoar was there.