What's On

The Checks return to their old stomping ground this week.

INDIE ROCK
The original "shorecore" band return to their old stomping ground for a one-off show. The Checks, fresh from dropping their latest album Alice By The Moon, return to The Masonic on Devonport's waterfront this Friday night. They promise to hit fans with a sweaty and raucous experience, spicing up their Alice set with hits from previous album Hunting Whales.

The Checks with 2am Orchestra - Masonic Tavern, Devonport, August 14

ROCK
If you are after a dose of good old fashioned rock'n'roll with a modern twist, join three bands in their search for "Lost Rock" this Saturday at the Dog's Bollix. Rata and Sons features soulful frontman Maia Rata backed by a band including Elemeno P's Scotty Pearson on drums. Support comes from raw rock'n'rollers The Defendants and Royal Falcon.

Lost Rock 2 - The Dog's Bollix, August 15HIGHLIGHTS

CLUBS/DJ
There are a couple of ports of call for Auckland-based Minuit fans this weekend. They celebrate the release of their new album, Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com, this Friday night at Toto's Montecristo Room with DJ support from Alex The Kid and Clarke Gayford. If you are not up for a big night, see them unplugged at Real Groovy on Saturday.

Minuit Album Release Show - Toto's Montecristo Room, August 14; Real Groovy, Queen St, August 15

JAZZ
Several bands come together for a good cause this Saturday in New Lynn. Funkin' For Freedom is an Amnesty International Awareness show, which takes place on the last day of Amnesty's Freedom Week. Enjoy groovy jazz from Black Sand Diva, the Beach Boys-channelling band The Magnets and more.

Funkin' For Freedom: Amnesty International Awareness Show - New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Ave, New Lynn, August 15, 7.30pm

ROCK
Warming up for their support slot on the Proclaimers/B-52s gig later in the year, Dave McArtney and The Pink Flamingos rock a show at Auckland's Bacco Room tomorrow night. It's full circle for the band who used to play at the very same venue in the early 1980s when it was known as the Foundary. They disbanded in 1982 and this is a rare chance to see them in action again.

Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - The Bacco Room, Toto's, August 14

CLASSICAL
If it is indeed possible to get a calloused chin, Pinchas Zukerman no doubt has that affliction. He has been at the top of the violin game for four decades now, playing all over the world, and now visits New Zealand for four concerts in Auckland and six dates around the country. Zukerman is joined by the NZSO in performing the works of Elgar, Brahms and Beethoven, all conducted by James Judd.

NZSO: The Zukerman Experience - Auckland Town Hall, 303 Queen St, 6.30pm, August 13

FESTIVAL
Lovers and practitioners of good design in all its forms will gather at the Aotea Centre this weekend. The Semi Permanent conference showcases the best in graphic design, film, art, illustration, web design, photography, visual effects, animation, graffiti, motion graphics, stop motion and more. Guests speakers include illustrator James Jean, graphic designers Bibliotheque and Pentagram, and digital artists AllofUs.

Semi Permanent - Aotea Centre, August 14/15

HIP-HOP
Critically acclaimed Christchurch rapper Jay Roacher makes his way up to the big smoke to shoot the breeze with fellow rapper and poet Tourettes (pictured) this weekend. Expect zero cliches, a multitude of street-smart insights, and fresh hip-hop beats. You catch a hint of the duo's self-deprecating sense of humour in their promotional tagline: "Two depressing losers doing raps."

Tourettes and Jay Roacher - DOC, 352 K Road, August 15