What's On

Sharon O'Neill will be performing at Give it a Girl. Photo / Dean Purcell

ROCK/POP
Of the two titans of black pop in the 1980s, who was better - Prince or the late lamented Michael Jackson? You want to take that argument on to the dancefloor? Because tomorrow night you can with "Prince Vs Michael Jackson" as turntabled by DJs Bevan Keys (playing tracks by his Purpleness) and Thane Kirby (taking care of team Jackson) along with North Shore Pony Club, General Lee and others.

Prince Vs Michael Jackson -The Studio, 340 K Rd, 9pm, iticketexpress.co.nz

ROCK/POP
It's a collaborative effort at the Powerstation this Saturday, as some of our most exciting young musical talents team up to "have a baby" - their words! The prodigiously talented multi-instrumentalist Liam Finn leads the way with his regular on-stage partner EJ Barnes, then there's James Milne's alter ego Lawrence Arabia, and sandy-haired success story Connan Mockasin topping it off.

Liam Finn & Eliza Jane, Lawrence Arabia, Connan Mockasin - Powerstation, 8pm, Auckland

ROCK/POP
She's thrown a few guitars, a Wurlitzer, and some clothes in the boot and now Miriam Clancy hits the road for what she's billed as a "Lo Fi" tour of NZ. The singer/songwriter is used to touring, with the past couple of years busy with gigs. Now she has a new album, Magnetic, and a fresh single, When I Do, to perform around the country.

Miriam Clancy Lo Fi NZ Tour - Toto Montecristo Room, September 3; Charlie Farley's, Waiheke, September 4; More dates at myspace.com/miriamclancy

FUNK/HIP HOP
AUT takes over Vector Arena today for Maori Expo '09, a day celebrating Maori achievement in politics, sports, education, and the arts. Then when night falls it's all about the music. Groove The Night stars local bands Tahuna Breaks, hip-hop legend Che Fu, the roots reggae of Cornerstone Roots, House of Shem and Three Houses Down, and DJ Poroufessor on the decks.

AUT Maori Expo'09/Groove The Night - Vector Arena, 34 Mahuhu Cres, August 27, 9am

FESTIVAL
For the Coromandel Peninsula township of Whitianga, it's all about shellfish this weekend. Specifically, the humble scallop. The annual Whitianga Scallop Festival kicked off this week and runs over the weekend with entertainment on the stage and the plate. There's so much going on - from workshops, to comedy to the famous "Shuck Off" - it's hard to resist.

Whitianga Scallop Festival - Whitianga Marine Reserve, August 29, 10am

MUSIC
Some might think the sound of the accordion is well ... quaint, but it takes a true feat of co-ordination to master the instrument. This week Takapuna plays host to the best players in the world for the Coupe Mondiale 62nd World Accordion Championships, which runs until Saturday.

Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships - Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, day and evening sessions. Info: www.coupemondiale.org

POP
A collection of New Zealand music's leading ladies join forces for a season at SkyCity Theatre starting next Wednesday. Legendary singer/songwriters Sharon O'Neill and Shona Laing team up with former When the Cat's Away singers Margaret Urlich, Annie Crummer and Debbie Harwood. Fur Patrol's Julia Deans and new talent Lisa Crawley will also join in for some musical fun in the Give It A Girl event.

Give it a Girl - SkyCity Theatre, September 2-5, 8pm

BLUES
If you are always looking for an excuse to head over to picturesque Waiheke Island, another sweet one arises this weekend. The Waiheke Blues Festival takes place at multiple venues, including Goldwater Estate, Rangihoua Estate and The Woolshed. Enjoy the blues-influenced sounds of the likes of Riverhead Slide, Caitlin Smith, Los Diablos, The Gary Harvey Band and Billy TK Senior throughout the day and night.

Waiheke Blues Festival - Various venues, Waiheke, August 29