The PumpHouse: We don't want to get premature about this, but 'tis the season — or at least it's fast approaching — for choirs and lots of choral singing. But don't expect Christmas carols from the Jubilation Choir; it's a gospel supergroup that includes household names (R&B legend Rick Bryant, entertainer Jackie Clarke and actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand) alongside professional musicians, teachers and even a yacht-maker. They sing soul, blues and country-infused gospel from the songbooks of Nina Simone, Tom Waits, Curtis Mayfield and Blind Willie Jackson that ranges from the 1800s to the present day. Catch the choir this weekend.
Jubilation Choir, The PumpHouse, Sunday from 6pm
The local bookstore: Contrary to rumours, books have not died nor have bookshops which have fought a fierce fightback against online platforms and e-readers. This Saturday, some 60 bookstores all over the country celebrate NZ Bookshop Day by throwing open their doors and continuing to write new stories.
National Bookstore Day, Saturday
Shihad 30th Anniversary Tour
Thirty years? Has it really been 30 years since four skinny little punks from Wellington started rocking? Time flies, apparently, but Shihad are still going hard, and they'll be proving that fact at their Town Hall show on Friday. Aside from their big anniversary, they have another reason to celebrate: the release of The General Electric on vinyl for the first time. So expect to hear plenty of classic cuts from that, hopefully with Jon Toogood standing shirtless on top of a speaker stack. Kora and Villainy are playing in support for what will be a loud night out.
Shihad 30th Anniversary Tour, Saturday, Auckland Town Hall
Beer & Bacon Festival
As far as combos go they really don't get much better than beer and bacon. So if beer and/or bacon is your bag then get yourself down to the Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen's second annual Beer & Bacon Festival on Saturday for all the bacon you can handle and a responsible amount of beer to wash it all down with. The bacon starts sizzling at midday and craft brewers Tuatara, Black Dog and Lagunitas will all have special bacon infused brews to sup on. The more competitive can put their stomachs to the test in the bacon eating competition in the hopes of waddling away with a trophy and $500 voucher. Mood music for the day will be served up by Beat Council Unplugged.
Beer & Bacon Festival, Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen
Princess Chelsea, The Loneliest Girl Tour
