Entertainment picks: Anika's off - on the road again

Music

Anika Moa, the self-confessed "hori" who refuses to pander to the whims of the music industry, starts touring her second album, Stolen Hill, this weekend. She plays with the Plastic Tiki Band at the Herald Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The album stays in touch with her roots and it seems the tour does too, as it makes its way around the country, visiting everywhere from Paihia to Akaroa and Oamaru.

Also on Friday in the I'm-not-sure-how-I'll-dance-to-that vein, is Breaks Co-Op at the St James. Founding member Zane Lowe can't make it (too busy being famous in England, sorry), but fellow members Hamish Clark and Andy Lovegrove have recruited Rodney Fisher from goodshirt, Rio Hemopo from TrinityRoots, and Tom Atkinson from SJD to fill in, plus guests Phoenix Foundation.

Those feeling out of pocket can head to the Edge in Aotea Square for the Aotearoa Hip-Hop Summit Friday and Saturday - it's all local and free. This may have something to do with having a rather large corporate sponsor on board so expect your hip-hop experience to come with a bit of advertising bling.

Friday night is the all-ages gig featuring the Breakin Wreckwordz crew, Nesian Mystik, Fast Crew, the Downlow, 4 Corners, Chong Nee, Tourettes, Ladi 6 and more. And on Saturday, see Che Fu, Frontline, 4 Corners, Chong Nee, Tourettes, Ladi 6 and more. Only catch is that you have to pick up your tickets for the gigs from the Ticketek Aotea Centre Box Office before Friday as there is limited space.

There's plenty going on in the square itself too - DJ, graffiti and breakdancing (ahem, breaking) battles, stalls to spend your dough and workshops to turn you into Kanye West. Check out www.boostmobile.com and www.disruptiv.com.

If it's inner strength you're seeking, you're better off at Ben Lee's gig at the Kings Arms on Thursday. The Aussie singer-songwriter's new album Awake is the New Sleep is designed to give you warm fuzzies, sometimes in strange places - he wrote Apple Candy about the homoeroticism of a love triangle.

Apparently it's not uncommon for fans to turn up to his gig with flowers, but given Lee's open-minded lyrics, we're sure black trenchcoats and Doc Martens are okay too. Just don't go requesting any Powderfinger songs.

Film

You know you've been reading too many gossip mags when a film festival about architecture inspires thoughts of Brad Pitt (who is busy designing a restaurant and penthouse when he's not infuriating his ex-wife). The Academy Cinema will present a collection of films with an architectural theme from October 6-12.

Two to watch out for are Taringa 4068: Our Place and Time, which is only 26 minutes, and Chain a feature film by Jem Cohen, better known for his work with bands such as REM and Fugazi. Also on the menu: Japanese architecture, the building of the Sydney Opera House and the making of the Getty Centre. See www.jasmax.com for a programme.

Social

Paris Hilton didn't get famous by accident. She used to turn up to big Hollywood events even if she wasn't invited and loiter near the paparazzi in her best frock. To follow in her footsteps you can either release an objectionable video of yourself on the net or rock up to the red carpet at the New Zealand Music Awards on Wednesday (6pm, Aotea Square).

Even better, you could be one of the lucky ones whisked inside for the ceremony. Those who aren't - well, you can just stand there and feel awesome.

Continuing in this vein, this week the NZ Music Industry Commission is offering a series of seminars at the Auckland Art Gallery to help budding musos get a leg-up overseas, because let's face it, that ad where they fly to LA, play some rock'n'roll on top of the Capitol Records building and come home with a record contract just isn't going to happen.

Learn how to make contacts, where to go and how to market yourself. The seminars are free but to guarantee a place, RSVP to wof@nzmusic.org.nz. A full programme is at www.nzmusic.org.nz

TV

It ain't great timing for TVNZ but the Nine Network in Australia has just pulled the plug on new outback drama, The Alice (Wednesday, TV One, 8.30pm). Still, it was the most watched telemovie when it screened in Aussie and we like to think it's because it stars a Kiwi (All Saints' Erik Thomson).

The story follows a group of people who converge on Alice Springs for a solar eclipse, although it takes a while before we learn why. Expect stunning scenery, weird characters and a dash of mysticism.

Those with Sky can tune into Jim Rose Twisted Tour (Wednesday, Sky 1, 9.30pm), an on-the-road insight into the circus act featuring stroppy Mexican transvestite wrestlers, panty weight belt contests and the Idiot Brothers. Long live the freaks.

Finally, just as you thought New Zealand had run out of idol-style reality shows, Prime introduces New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers (Thursday, 7.30pm). Alison Mau hosts a countdown of New Zealand's most influential figures, as judged by a panel of historians and familiar faces (including Tainui Stephens, Melanie Nolan, Stacey Daniels and Raybon Kan) and voted for by the public.