What's On This Week

The Hootchy Kootchy Girls perform at Toto's on May 22. Photo / Babiche Martens

HIP-HOP

A pioneer of the Latin American hip-hop scene plays in New Zealand for the first time next week at the Powerstation. Marcelo D2 will perform with his five-piece band next Wednesday. Expect him to join the dots between traditional Latin sounds like samba and the freshest ghetto hip-hop. Supporting them on the night will be local songstress Ladi 6.

Marcelo D2 - Powerstation, May 27

ROCK

If you haven't caught the dynamic, slightly eccentric, take on Eastern European gypsy music that is Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band, you'll have the chance to do so this weekend. The band are famed for shows full of energy. They play the Kings Arms this Saturday to celebrate the release of their new album before jetting off to Europe.

Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band: Polkapocalypse album launch - Kings Arms, Auckland Central, May 23

PASIFIKA

As our charts show, the New Zealand public have an appetite for music with a Pacific flavour, and this music is celebrated this weekend. The Pacific Music Awards are at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre this Saturday, with nominees including Ladi 6 and Nesian Mystik. Both are in the running for Best Pacific Album, alongside Angela Afeaki.

Pacific Music Awards - TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Auckland South, May 23

CHARITY

This Saturday it's probably best to take the lift if you're heading up the Sky Tower - unless you want to foot it with more than 300 firemen in full uniform. The firefighters, from here and abroad, will be racing up the tower's 1103 steps to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. The Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade raised the most money last year and are back to defend their title.

Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge - SkyCity, Auckland Central, May 23

DANCE/DJ

On their latest album, Rhombus displayed a fondness for all sorts of genres, from dub and reggae to more upbeat funk and house. Now we can experience those sounds live. Rhombus are doing a New Zealand tour, with the upper North Island the recipient of good times over the next two weeks.

Rhombus in Dub NZ Tour - The Basement, New Plymouth, May 22; Uno Bar, Palmerston North, May 23; YOT Club, Raglan, May 29; Salut Bar, Whangarei, May 30; Sawmill Cafe, Leigh, May 31

OPERA

Opera fans have been eagerly anticipating next weeks' production of The Italian Girl in Algiers. Billed as a "clash of cultures, a battle of the sexes", this show will be full of passion. New Zealand-born, London-based mezzo-soprano Wendy Dawn Thompson returns to sing as Isabella, and Auckland Theatre Company's artistic director Colin McColl is in the director's chair.

Italian Girl in Algiers - ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, May 26, 28, 30, June 2, 4, 6

DANCE

A little bit raunchy, a little bit risque, a lot of fun - burlesque shows around Auckland have been selling out like crazy. One of the more popular on the circuit is the Hootchy Kootchy Girls who perform at Toto's tomorrow night. With dinner and show packages available, this looks like a sexy way to spice up your Friday night.

Hootchy Kootchy Girls Burlesque - Totos, May 22

ROCK

Musician Don McGlashan is having a really good year, so much so that he's called his latest album Marvellous Year. The Silver Scroll-winning songwriter is on tour with his Seven Sisters band. They play Clevedon tomorrow night before heading to the Leigh Sawmill Cafe for a Saturday night show.

Don McGlashan and the Seven Sisters - Clevedon Community Hall, Papakura-Clevedon Rd, Clevedon, May 22; Leigh Sawmill Cafe, May 23