Okay, I admit it. I'm still getting over the excitement...

All sorts of cultural treasures emerged at the end of last week to enrich millions of lives.

Or, more likely, they appeared and few people noticed.

Fair enough too.

One person's treasure is another person's trash.

Now the world is mulling over Orson Welles' final film, The Other Side of The Wind (breathtaking, overwhelming), the entirety of Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks sessions (breathtaking, overwhelming) and, on Netflix, the complete final season of House Of Cards (flat and weird).

And, as is so often the case these days, things move along so fast that we'll have to leave those massive labours ‘til another time despite having spent most of my week digging through them, because there's a full slate of musical events in the Bay to consider.

This weekend

Let's start with this weekend. Once again it occurs to me that the diversity and quality on display really emphasises how much Tauranga has changed and grown over the past few years.

On Saturday (November 10), Stan Walker is singing at Papamoa Beach Tavern. Everyone loves Stan, and the good news is there are still a few tickets left (well, as I write this there are). All the 'Under-18” tickets have gone, but there are still general admission tickets for $50 or special VIP Meet and Greet tickets for $150. Check availability via Eventfinda.

If that's a little light for you musically, then head down the road to The Mount's Totara Street venue on the same night, where Taranaki's legendary Sticky Filth will be purveying their fist-pumping hardcore variety of extremely heavy rock.

How much heavier can it get you may ask? None heavier is the answer. Sweat it out from 8pm with support from The MurderChord and locals Grown Downz. Tickets are $25 via Eventfinda.

The following night (November 11), we have a legend alert! Dionne Warwick is performing at Baypark's ASB Arena.

Descriptions seem superfluous, but let me just mention Walk on By, Anyone Who Had a Heart,
Say a Little Prayer, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, Reach Out For Me and... well, I could go on but you get the point.

There is still an array of tickets available via Eventfinda, from $85 to $160, with special Meet and Greet tickets priced at a whopping $495.

...and more

Someone you might not have heard of is on his way to the Historic Village's Jam Factory next Wednesday (November 14). Luke Fox, from South West Australia, has only been on stage for 18 months, but the fire-fighter turned musician has done a lot in that time in Australia, winning TripleJ's 2017 Groovin' The Moo competition, supporting a bunch of well-known acts and releasing his debut EP, Sugarloaf.

You can find his first – and very pleasant – single, Reasons, online and tickets are $10 from Under The Radar or on the door.

Things kick at 7pm, with support by Dylan Israel from local band Summer Thieves - an immensely gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist who perhaps just needs a stronger direction, given current offerings spanning reggae, hip-hop, rock, pop and most genres in between.

And, with no attention paid to any semblance of journalistic practice, I've left the most exciting news ‘til last...

Lettuce Inn

The Bay's grooviest one-day festival is back! Live Music At The Lettuce Inn, Katikati's celebration of alternative music, is announcing its line-up for their sixth bash. It'll be on January 26 at the regular orchard location on Sedgemoor Lane.

More is being revealed daily, and so far the musical line-up includes Bangers and Smash, Birdhouse, Bree Rose, DJ Kitten Witch, Dam Dans (Wellington), Julian Temple Band (Dunedin) and The Something Quartet.

Meanwhile, visual art - always one of the unique festival pleasures - will be provided by Deano Shirriffs, Katja Pott, Jess Covell and Chris Miller, as well as Katikati College art students. There will also be live painting by Dune Terrace.

Details can be found on the Live Music at the Lettuce Inn #6 Facebook page