This weekend we want to go to...

New Zealander Simon Watts on stage in Stomp, guaranteed to get your feet moving and your ears ringing.

The Civic: Expect to be amazed, said the Sunday Telegraph, and if you've never seen Stomp before then you most certainly will be. Eight performers use non-traditional instruments — everything from supermarket trolleys to Zippo lighters, plastic bags to garbage can lids, and even the kitchen sink — to hammer out explosively feel-good rhythms. This celebration of the universal language of rhythm is loud, it's primal and it's mind-blowingly energetic. It also goes to show the power of what a small show, made on a shoe-string budget, can become given that Stomp started 26 years ago at the Edinburgh Arts Festival and has grown into an international behemoth with up to five productions running at any one time.
Stomp, The Civic, until Sunday

Sydney-based artist Jonny Niesche in his studio; this weekend, he'll be at Auckland Art Fair.

The Cloud: This could be an expensive weekend for those of us who have stopped worrying about what to wear — and spending money on clothes — and swapped to buying contemporary art instead. The Auckland Art Fair is the country's premier international showcase for contemporary art, showcasing the most interesting pieces from around the Pacific rim. Some 42 respected galleries from NZ, Australia, parts of Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the west coasts of North and South America will be there featuring exciting artists who draw on stories and experiences unique to this side of the world. Then there's Piki Mai: Up Here ^^ which includes a small number of young galleries, artist-run space or recent graduate exhibitions.
Auckland Art Fair, The Cloud, until Sunday

Q Theatre: For the next 10 days, Q switches its focus from presenting live theatre, dance and comedy to film when the 13th Doc Edge International Film Festival moves in. The selection is stunning — 74 films covering current issues from Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and, yes, our own neck of the woods — and some 30 international film-makers and guests for a selection of free public talks. As if this wasn't enough, Story Edge World Exhibition also features virtual reality, augmented reality and digital interactive websites from some of the flicks playing here. We're particularly excited about Believer, the documentary about Dan Reynolds — a normal Mormon kid who became a star with Imagine Dragons — and openly gay former Mormon Tyler Glenn, lead singer of Neon Trees, who took on the church to speak up for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Doc Edge International Film Festival, Q Theatre, until Monday, June 4

Fazerdaze, one of the break-out stars once seen at Fancy New Band. Photo/Mark Perkins.

Whammy Bar: Three years ago, a brand new alt-rock band, fronted by a shy singer just finding her feet as a performer, played to a small crowd in the Kings Arms' sports bar for 95bFM's Fancy New Band. Two years later that same band sold out the entire Kings Arms; this year, they played Coachella festival in the US. Fazerdaze's rise to the top of New Zealand's indie scene was a beautiful thing to behold and their steps can be traced back to one of the best showcases of local new music on offer: Fancy New Band. You might not have heard of any of them but next year you will. It's the best kind of party; nine bands for the price of absolutely nothing.
Fancy New Band, Whammy, Backroom and Wine Cellar, Saturday night

Allpress Studio: Still a vinyl fiend? You're not alone. If you're always down for digging through crates and crates of records, The Other Crate Record Fair is an absolute playground. Taking place at the low-key gallery of Allpress Studio, the sellers for the day include Stinky Jim (95bFM), Scott Towers (Fat Freddy's Drop), Julian Dyne (Wonderful Noise / BBE) and more. There'll be live DJ sets, and because you'll need to keep your energy levels up for all that rifling, a whole lot of Allpress coffee.
The Other Crate Record Fair, Allpress Studio, Saturday 9am-1pm