KEY POINTS:
DJ/DANCE
Norman Jay MBE made such a contribution to society through music that he was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Since the early days of playing British warehouse parties, he has hosted iconic radio shows on Kiss FM and BBC Radio 1, and his Good Times Sound System is arguably the highlight of London's Notting Hill Carnival each year. And in exciting news, he will be jockeying the discs tonight at Sale St.
Good Times Sound System with Norman Jay MBE - Sale St, 9pm
DISCUSSION
The Atrium at the Auckland Museum is the setting for a new monthly event that marries music and chat. Tonight, Waitangi Day eve, former Listener editor and host of TV's Talk Talk, Finlay MacDonald, leads a panel discussion on New Zealand's progressive identity before the music kicks in. Jazz-influenced rock band Little Bushman, DJ Submariner and Moana Maniapoto all perform throughout the night.
LATE with Finlay MacDonald, - Auckland Museum, February 5, 6:30pm
DJ/DANCE
The heavy sound of the latest dubstep tunes to be pressed to vinyl will reverberate through downtown nightclub Seba this coming Wednesday. One of the genre's superstars, Rusko, drops by for his only New Zealand show. Of late, he has played gigs throughout the world and remixed everyone from Adele to A-Trak. An essential event for the local dubstep massive.
Rusko - Seba, Fort St, February 11
FESTIVAL
The startlingly brilliant visual display that is the Auckland Lantern Festival returns to light up Albert Park this weekend. The event celebrates the end of two weeks of Chinese Lunar New Year festivities and it's free to the public. Musical acts, some flown in from China, will entertain each night and a multitude of food stalls will keep stomachs full. Check www.photographyfestival.co.nz for a Lantern Festival photo competition.
Auckland Lantern Festival - Albert Park, February 6-8
JAZZ
If you're wandering around the leafy Auckland Domain any given Sunday over the next few weeks, don't be surprised if you catch a whiff of jazz on the breeze. Drake Jazz at The Rotunda is hosting a series of Auckland's finest live jazz musicians, who will be performing in the band rotunda. Enjoy the Caroline Moon group from 2pm this week, and the Peter Barwick Quartet next week.
Jazz at the Rotunda - Auckland Domain, Sundays, 2pm
REGGAE/DUB
Let's not forget it's also Bob Marley's birthday tomorrow, and what better way to celebrate than bobbing along to live reggae in the sun? The Waitangi Day Out West concert in Henderson Park fuses Raglan's Cornerstone Roots with the Rootswest Collective and the DJ incarnation of Wellington's Rhombus. Jah!
Waitangi Day Out West - Henderson Park, Wilsher Cres, February 6, noon
FESTIVAL
Most Aucklanders need no excuse to jump on the ferry and make a day trip to Waiheke Island, so when an event like the Waiheke Wine Festival rolls around, it becomes the place to be. Ten of the island's vineyards are taking part, and while you sip the finest vino they have to offer, enjoy a well-matched musical line-up, including Nathan Haines, Miriam Clancy and House Of Shem.
Waiheke Wine Festival - Isola Estates, 78 Onetangi Rd, Waiheke Island, 11am
DJ/DANCE
With most people enjoying Friday off, there are plenty of great Thursday night events to take advantage of. One standout is the return of soul-funk-disco-house exponents Crazy P (formerly Crazy Penis). This band sold out a great show at Pontoon last year and returns with a new album in their back pocket and a full live band.
Crazy P feat Dick Johnson and North Shore Pony Club - Opium Bar, Aotea Square, 291-297 Queen St, February 5, 8pm
