Spark Arena: Following the Christchurch terror attacks on Friday, March 15, the country's artists and musicians were quick to respond with tributes that became an important way for expressing our collective sadness and shock. Now some of New Zealand's biggest recording stars are on stage this weekend for
the first of two You Are Us/Aroha Nui concerts set up to raise money for the Our People, Our City fund. Saturday evening's Auckland concert is sold out but there still tickets available for the Christchurch gig on Wednesday. Artists Anika Moa, Bene, Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Hollie Smith, Marlon Williams, Shapeshifter, Six60, Stan Walker and Teeks will perform at the two shows, which will both be hosted by Mike King, while Grammy award-winning pop star Lorde makes a special appearance at the AMI Stadium gig along with The Exponents, Shihad, Don McGlashan and The Adults.
You Are Us/Aroha Nui, Auckland's Spark Arena, Saturday and Christchurch's AMI Stadium, Wednesday, April 17.
Eden Park: No, not to watch a rugby game but to take a tour through one of the most extraordinary exhibitions we're likely to see this year. Mandela My Life: The Official Exhibition brings visitors up close and personal with the late South African president Nelson Mandela through 200 original artefacts, documents, personal items and artworks from The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nelson Mandela's private collection. It's the most comprehensive collection ever to be shown outside of South Africa and is likely to prompt a fair few reflections on the nature of freedom, human rights and social justice.
Mandela My Life: The Official Exhibition, Eden Park until August 4.
Freida Margolis: It might be one of the smallest – but most colour and characterful - bars in Grey Lynn but Freida Margolis always makes room for thoughtfully curated entertainment and this Saturday evening is no exception. Milan Borich (Pluto), Ben King (Goldenhorse) and Jonathan Burgess pay homage to Roy Orbison, Nick Cave, Tom Waites and Percy Sledge. Calling themselves Spooners, they promise "world-class catchy, indie rock" as well as some left-field covers.
Spooners, Freida Margolis, Saturday.
TAPAC: The Wonderfish Collective is joined by a 14-piece string orchestra on stage to re-imagine their original songs. The second of two special orchestral gigs, the night is split into two halves - the first being an intimate showcase of the band's music and the second being a fully-realised orchestral affair with performers from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the Devonport Chamber Orchestra. Ryan Youens, who wrote the string arrangements for Wonderfish's songs, has worked with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and h on string arrangements for musicians such as Rhian Sheehan, Neil Finn and Sol3 Mio.
The Wonderfish Collective with Orchestra, The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC), Saturday at 8pm.
