What's On This Week

The Anzac Day Dawn Service is expected to attract 20,000-plus people to the cenotaph at Auckland Museum. Photo / Greg Bowker

THEATRE

As many of us feel the financial pinch of redundancies and pay cuts, a topical new play holds a mirror up to twenty-somethings spending beyond their means. The Needies, by Auckland playwright Thomas Sainsbury, charts the "downfall of three flatmates and their insatiable appetites for everything consumerist". It features actors Isla Adamson, Roberto Nascimento and Blake Fraser.

The Needies - The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Apr 22-25

DJ/DANCE

In Australia's vibrant dance music scene it's a big achievement to be voted number one DJ by the website inthemix.com.au, but Sydney's DJ Ajax managed it two years in a row. His DJ team, the Bang Gang, tour the world flying the flag for Aussie music, and Ajax owns his own nightclub and runs a record label, Sweat It Out. If you like indie electronica, gangster hip-hop acapellas and surprises, Cassette Number Nine is the place on Saturday.

Ajax - Cassette Number Nine, Vulcan Lane, Apr 25

ELECTRO

It's the return of Australian dance trio Sneaky Sound System on their Poptronica tour of New Zealand. With their accessible and fun take on dance music, this once-underground electronic act is now a staple in the Top 40 pop charts. Sneaky Sound System are Sydney trio Miss Connie (Connie Mitchell), Black Angus (Angus McDonald), and MC Double D (Daimon Downey).

Sneaky Sound System - Powerstation, Apr 25

ANZAC DAY

The Anzac Day Dawn Service, which is expected to attract 20,000-plus people to the cenotaph at Auckland Museum this Saturday, also begins a busy day of commemoration at the institution that was first built as a war memorial. The museum will open at 6.45am and visitors can sign the digital Book of Remembrance until 5pm, while the day's programme includes guided tours, war-model displays, and talks by historians.

For more info go to www.aucklandmuseum.com

COMEDY

As Auckland braces itself for the Comedy Festival starting next week, warm up with a new weekly comedy night featuring a high calibre line-up of Kiwi comedians. C4's Dai Henwood is joined by Brendhan Lovegrove and veteran comedian Mike King in the back bar at Sale St, known as the Velvet Room, a rather plush spot for fans of chic kitsch.

Comedy Lounge - Velvet Room, Sale St, Apr 29

HIP-HOP/ROCK

The second Red Bull Soundclash is at the Powerstation on Friday night and pits indie rockers the Mint Chicks against King Kapisi. Who will triumph on the night? The lo-fi troublegum pop of the Mint Chicks? Or the aggressive Pacifika hip-hop of King Kaps? Refereed by DJ Manuel Bundy.

Red Bull Soundclash: The Mint Chicks v King Kapisi - Powerstation, 33-35 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Tce, Apr 24, 8pm

MUSIC THEATRE

New Zealand-born performer Hayden Tee presents a one-off show at the Wintergarden this Sunday. Generation WhY? sees him fresh from a season of My Fair Lady and he uses his skills here to reinterpret the music that has influenced Generation Y. Accompanied by visuals, Tee reworks song by Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Crowded House and Dave Dobbyn.

Generation WhY? - The Wintergarden, Civic, Apr 26, 7.30pm

ROCK

Auckland's Lewis Eady Music School is all about giving young Auckland bands a chance to shine this weekend. They're taking 10 talented young rock bands (members aged between 10 and 17) to play at Snowplanet this Saturday afternoon for Rock On A Mission. Entry is by a small food donation for the Auckland City Mission, or a donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Rock On A Mission - Snowplanet, Apr 25, 3pm