Auckland Town Hall: What a difference a day makes. On Friday night, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra pays homage to the world's largest celebration of science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels and all things "pop culture" in a special Comic Con-themed concert featuring music from TV, film and video games — think Star Trek, Game of Thrones, Spider-Man and … Sonic the Hedgehog. Then, on Saturday night, conductor Hamish McKeich takes up the baton again when the NZSO accompanies the five finalists in New Zealand's most prestigious classical singing competition, the Lexus Song Quest. With $90,000 in prizes up for grabs, it really is a life-changing opportunity.
NZSO, Auckland Town Hall, Comic Con, Friday; Lexus Song Quest, Saturday
Q Theatre: The Changeling has been doing the rounds of Auckland theatres and now it comes to Q Theatre where, hidden in the bowels of the building, is an intimate underground theatre just perfect for upping the ante and taking audiences into claustrophobic worlds. In The Changeling, that world is one of obsessive sexuality and tragedy when Beatrice hires a hitman to murder her fiancé, only to become trapped in a "vortex of lust and deceit". It's a Jacobean tragedy directed by Michael Hurst which means while it's around 400 years old, it'll still be as relevant as ever.
The Changeling, Vault at Q Theatre, until Saturday
Basement Theatre
: McLeod's Daughters gets a hilarious improv remix in the astonishingly funny Mackenzie's Daughters, back at the Basement after a sell-out Auckland Fringe season. The show, which won Best Ensemble (Comedy) in Fringe, features a rotating cast of some of Auckland's funniest performers including Alice Snedden, Kura Forrester, Brynley Stent, Melanie Bracewell and Alice Canton. The completely improvised show parodies soap operas, farm living and heartbreak over a completely ridiculous but totally amazing hour. Don't miss it.
Mackenzie's Daughters, Basement Theatre, until Saturday
Wine Cellar: Auckland Zinefest is finishes off for the year this weekend, with a closing party offering both creatives and fans the chance to say goodbye with a night of poetry and dancing. The festival, which celebrates the art forms of DIY zines and small press publications, will award best of the fest prizes to zinemakers and there'll be live poetry readings and spoken word from Auckland poetry artists. To boogie the night away, Maxwell Young, Randa and Dirty Pixels will perform live sets. Get amongst it.
Auckland Zinefest, Wine Cellar, Friday
Powerstation
: Toronto R&B duo Majid Jordan were launched into stardom after producing and co-writing Drake's Hold On, We're Going Home but the college pals have carved out their own niche with their slick, contemporary jams and vocalist Majid Al Maskati's soulful tones. Celebrating the release of their sophomore album The Space Between, released late last year, the duo is touring Australia and New Zealand, arriving in Auckland for one show. It's the Toronto outfit's first visit to New Zealand and they're sure to get a warm welcome from their Kiwi fans.
Majid Jordon, Powerstation, Sunday