What's On

Roni Size

DJ

Tripping the light fantastic will not be hard to do this weekend in Auckland. Turntablist Mix Master Mike, a man who has worked closely with the Beastie Boys, Q-Bert and more performs at Fu Bar on Friday. It's a big weekend for Fu, with world-famous drum'n'bass DJ/producer Roni Size playing the next night with Dynamite MC. Also on Saturday, New York's Princess Superstar headlines the Unity party at the St James.

* Mix Master Mike - Fu Bar, Friday, $35; Roni Size - Fu Bar, Saturday, $45, tickets from Beat Merchants or Real Groovy; Unity - St James, Saturday, $30 from TicketDirect

Blues

American blues legend Charlie Musselwhite returns to New Zealand and performs with special New Zealand guests including Midge Marsden and Bullfrog Rata at SkyCity Theatre this Sunday. Musselwhite has performed and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Tom Waits, Ben Harper and more over the years. With six Grammy nominations to his name and decades of experience in the music business, you know this will be a great gig.

* Charlie Musselwhite - SkyCity Theatre, Sunday, 8pm tickets $64 from Ticketek

Choir

If your only experience with barbershop music is that Simpsons episode when Homer joins a quartet, then it could be time to broaden your horizons. Barbershop music will be celebrated at the 2006 NZ Barbershop Convention at SkyCity Theatre from Friday to Sunday. The City of Sails Chorus, pictured, will compete with groups from the other main centres. On Sunday at 10.30am, there will be a Big Sing by all competitors (over 400) at the base of the Sky Tower.

* 2006 NZ Barbershop Convention -SkyCity Theatre, Friday-Sunday

Charity event

Graham Brazier performs in Takapuna next week along with singer-songwriter Sarah Brownfor the Canteen Charity Dinner and New Season Fashion Preview. Jackie Clarke will MC the event, and labels showing include Barkers and Annah Stretton. A three-course dinner is provided. All proceeds from the evening go to Canteen, an organisation which supports young people living with cancer.

* Canteen Charity Dinner and New Season Fashion Preview - Spencer on Byron Hotel Ballroom, Takapuna, Wednesday, 6pm, tickets ph (09) 271 1618

Hip-hop

We all know Aotearoa hip-hop is well and truly over ground now days but you don't hear so much about Asian hip-hop. That's about to change with the inaugural Blocks Asia: NZ hip-hop gig at 4:20 on K Rd this Friday night. Yes people, this is the sound of the Asian hip-hop underground featuring DJs Katana, 70111 & Atsushi. Blocks is a free gig so get on down.

* Blocks - Asia: NZ hip-hop, 4:20, K Rd, Auckland, Friday, 8pm, free

Rock

Shayne Carter and his band Dimmer are back on the road after a two-year absence from the stage, with a national tour beginning this week in Auckland. The majestic Hopetoun Alpha in Beresford Square is the venue for gigs tonight and tomorrow. The line-up of the band has changed with Carter now joined by drummer Dino Karlis, guitarist James Duncan, and bassist Kelly Steven, all of whom contributed to Dimmer's recently released album There My Dear.

* Dimmer - Thursday and Friday, Hopetoun Alpha, Beresford Square, tickets $35 at Ticketek, Real Groovy, and Auckland Little Brother outlets

Show

Tao The Martial Art Of Noise is what happens when drumming meets martial arts. The impressive stage show lands in Auckland for one performance on Saturday. This company of drummers from Japan has performed to more than 5 million people around the world, and returns to New Zealand to recreate the magic that made them one of the most popular acts at the Auckland Festival in 2005. Twelve drummers wield Wadaiko Drums, which have a circumference of up to 1.7m and weigh about 400kg.

* Tao: The Martial Art Of Noise - Aotea Centre, Auckland, Saturday, tickets from $65 at Ticketek

Fashion

Fashion week winds up on Saturday with an open day for the public and the Official Wrap Party. Air New Zealand Fashion Week 4 U is a day-long chance for the public to soak up the atmosphere, see live fashion shows, and check out some live music. The Mint Chicks, the Electric Confectionaires, the Tutts and Motocade are all performing through the day, then head to the after-party at 4:20 and Rising Sun on K Rd where some of Auckland's top DJs perform.

* ANZFW 4 U - Saturday, tickets from $25 at Ticketek; Wrap Party, $25 at Ticketek - 4:20 and Rising Sun, K Rd, Saturday

DJ

Toegether with his bandmates, New Order bass player Peter Hook helped define a musical generation with their pioneering work in the early 80s. Hook arrives in Auckland for a special DJ set tonight at Coherent on K Rd. Expect a musical mash of indie, dance and more from a man with an extensive array of vinyl in his record box. In support are Disaster Radio and the eclectic local DJ duo known as the North Shore Pony Club.

* DJ Peter Hook with North Shore Pony Club, Disaster Radio - Coherent, K Rd, tonight, tickets free with a bCard from Real Groovy or $25 very limited pre-sales