What's On This Week

Cirque Du Soleil show Dralion. Photo / Supplied

SOUL

The Opensouls are back with a follow-up to their more hip hop-influenced first album. Their new record, Standing In The Rain, gazes back in time at the golden age of Motown with soul diva vocalist Tyra Hammond starring on most of the tunes. You may have heard the groovy first single Hold You Close or seen the music video. See them in action at their Auckland album release show this Friday.

Opensouls - Toto/Montecristo Room, 53 Nelson St, Jul 10, 8pm

FAMILY

Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Daphne, Velma and that other guy hit the stage for an NZ tour this month, finishing up at Auckland's Aotea Centre. They are on a mission to solve the mystery of a supernatural spectre wreaking havoc. It's almost worth the admission price to hear: "I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling kids."

Scooby-Doo in Stagefright - Founders Theatre, Hamilton, July 15, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Central, July 17/18

CIRCUS

The next Cirque Du Soleil has arrived: Dralion. The title? A mixture of Dragon (representing the East) and a Lion (representing the West) is a hint of the Oriental influence in this incarnation of the famous circus show. Drawing inspiration from Chinese circus culture, this show will have all the usual breathtaking Cirque Du Soleil elements.

Cirque du Soleil: Dralion - Alexandra Park Raceway, Auckland Central, July 10 to August 23

POP

With the release of his remix LP Flux, Tiki Taane is heading out on the road for a series of gigs that have him showing the two sides to his own musical character. He'll be alternating acoustic solo sets and MC-ing with a DJ on more than 20 dates starting tonight in Kaitaia, before heading back to the big smoke on Saturday and on to points further south.

Tiki Taane - Kaitaia Community Centre, tonight, Tikipunga Tavern, Whangarei, Fri July 10, Fu Bar & Zen, Auckland, Sat July 11

COMEDY

If you've missed Rhys Darby in his movies, on his live DVD, on that old TV show with those two other guys, on his new TV show examining Kiwi pop culture or on the advertising campaign for a new cellphone whatsit, you can always go see him in the flesh. He's got a new live show that he's taking to Britain soon and he's testing it out in the familiar surrounds of The Classic.

Rhys Darby: Work in Progress - The Classic, 321 Queen St, July 10-11

DANCE/DJ

There's a sweet collaboration between two of the country's premier drum and bass acts this Friday at Coherent on Auckland's K Rd. State Of Mind are fresh back from a European tour promoting their new album, Faster Than Light, while Wellington producer Trei comes up to the big smoke to play tunes from his new album, Innuendo. One of our hottest new MCing talents, Billy Fluid, grabs the microphone for the night, too.

Trei & State Of Mind - Coherent, July 17, 262 K Rd, 11pm

FAMILY

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum ... Brace yourself for the backseat singalong these holidays as children are introduced to Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story Treasure Island. It is the tale of "bloodthirsty" Captain Flint and his crew of pirates, who buried their haul of treasure on a remote island. And the young Jim Hawkins, who sets about finding it.

Treasure Island, Tapac, July 9 to 19, 10.30am and 2pm, tickets $12, phone (09) 845 0295

ROCK/POP

Tama Waipara presents his alter ego Sir Plus and The Requirements at a Matariki concert in Manukau. Waipara describes Sir Plus as "fusing musical icons such as Prince Tui Teka, Kid Creole and Burt Bacharach with a touch of funk and groove". Waipara is a great talent and if you are curious about his new direction, or enjoyed his sell-out Auckland Festival shows, be sure to head along to this.

Sir Plus and The Requirements - TelstraClear Pacific Stadium, Manukau, July 15/16