KEY POINTS:
POP
Whoever is in charge of booking music for the Leigh Sawmill Cafe needs a high five and a pat on the back. Over the last few years the venue has hosted everyone from Fat Freddys Drop to Billy Bragg. This weekend the place will be crowded, excuse the pun, with perennial Kiwi favourites Crowded House playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. This is a prime opportunity to see the legendary band in relatively intimate surrounds. No doubt you'll hear the classics as well as new material from their 2007 album Time On Earth.
* Crowded House Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 142 Pakiri Road, Leigh, Feb 22/23/24
DANCE/DJ
You know you're in for an interesting time when you head to a party billed as Auckland's infamous polysexual dance extravaganza. The 2008 Hero Party is this Saturday at the beautiful Civic Theatre. No less than six Australian house, electro house and trance DJs are coming over to provide the soundtrack to what will be a fabulous and flamboyant night out. Promoter M2 is known for impressive event production so all the bells and whistles will be employed, including a sophisticated laser light show.
* The Hero Party Civic Theatre, Feb 23, Ticketek
CLASSICAL
The voice of our most famous opera singer will be echoing through the trees of the Auckland Domain this Saturday evening. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa heads a bill of classical music from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, a massed choir and several talented instrumentalists. There is also a laser light show and a fireworks display choreographed to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Take along a few gold coins and look for the collectors for this year's recipient charity, Kidz First.
* Skycity Starlight Symphony - Auckland Domain, 7.30-10pm, Feb 23 (Rain date Feb 24)
ROCK/POP
A band who have proved a radio favourite here over the last decade returns to New Zealand. The funky pop rock of Incubus will emanate from Epsom's Logan Campbell Centre tonight. Heartthrob frontman Brandon Boyd will lead the band through hits like Pardon Me and Drive, as they celebrate the release of their new DVD Look Alive. You can expect them to be in fine form having just completed the rollicking South American leg of their world tour.
* Incubus Logan Campbell Centre, Epsom, Feb 21, Ticketek and Real Groovy
FESTIVAL
This Saturday we celebrate beer. The second annual New Zealand Beer Festival gathers about 70 different brews under the same roof for an afternoon and evening of tasting and discussing the merits of each beer in a sophisticated, calm and educated manner. I feel a "yeah right" coming on. If you do drink enough to feel like a dance, do it to the sounds of Pluto, SJD, The Tutts and DJs North Shore Pony Club, Grant Marshall and Sam Hill.
* The NZ Beer Festival, Ellerslie Racecourse, Feb 23, from noon
MARDI GRAS
Waihi attempts to prove that you don't have to be in Sydney to throw a decent Mardi Gras. Although it does coincide with the Hero Festival, this particular Mardi Gras isn't of the polysexual type - but let's not rule anything out. The Waihi Beach Mardi Gras will be held in the village from 4-9pm and it, perhaps rather cockily, bills itself as the biggest street party in NZ. It will be fun though, with musical entertainment from the Recliner Rockers, the Lookie Loos, Zero and the Batucada Sound Machine plus food stalls galore.
* Waihi Beach Mardi Gras Waihi Beach, Feb 23, 4-9pm, waihibeachinfo.co.nz
DUB/REGGAE
They pick and choose their gigs carefully, so when a Fat Freddy's Drop show comes along, it's a special occasion. This Saturday the bros play the Bush Party at Music Mountain Matakana, just north of Auckland. Demand for tickets was so high that a second show was announced for Sunday afternoon. Word is the band is halfway through recording their sophomore album, so we can expect them to test some of the new songs at these gigs.
* Fat Freddy's Drop, Music Mountain Matakana, Feb 23/24
DANCE/DJ
The great thing about a festival like Splore is that we often end up being treated to side shows by the many of the international artists. We've had Auckland gigs with J Star, Freddie Kruger and now, in collaboration with three local movers and shakers, DJ Benji B. Benji became the youngest ever BBC radio producer when the now world-famous show he developed with Giles Peterson moved from Kiss FM. That alone gives a clue to his excellent taste. He plays along with Cian, Manuel Bundy and The Submariner at The Turnaround on Friday night.
* The Turnaround with Benji B, Toto, Monte Cristo Room, Nelson St, Feb 22
