This weekend we want to go to...

The play Hir stars Rima Te Wiata as we've never seen her before.

Herald Theatre: A play labelled a critique of "troglodyte fascist heteronormative" culture by its own writer is bound to make us sit up and take notice, so we're intrigued by Hir. It's Silo Theatre's latest offering, it stars Kiwi acting icon Rima Te Wiata and it promises intelligent comedy as it takes an axe to the kitchen sink — and the patriarchy — in a love letter to progressiveness.
Hir, Herald Theatre (in the Aotea Centre), until Saturday, August 25

The NZ Symphony Orchestra joins forces with The Phoenix Foundation, pictured with conductor Hamish McKeich.

Auckland Town Hall: Formed in Wellington in the late '90s, The Phoenix Foundation celebrates its 20th year by joining forces with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Drawing from its catalogue, The Phoenix Foundation and NZSO perform unique arrangements of audience favourites and deep album cuts. The band has contributed to several movie sound-tracks, including Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and this will be a rare opportunity to hear their soundtrack work performed live.
The NZSO and The Phoenix Foundation — Celebrate, Auckland Town Hall, Friday

The incomparable Tami Neilson performs in town this Saturday and if you've heard her killer album Sassafrass, you'll know it's a show not to be missed. If you haven't, you should. It's an upbeat, colourful and richly textured release with a tonne of sass (hence the name) and zero apologies. I have to imagine the show will be the same — besides, seeing Tami live and hearing that insanely huge voice fill a room to bursting point is something else.
Tami Neilson, Auckland Town Hall, Saturday

Kiwi/Canadian singer/songwriter Tami Neilson performs in Auckland this weekend. Photo / Ashley Church

The movies: Thanks to the NZ International Film Festival, we have the chance to see an award-winning offering from Belgium that won two major awards at Cannes. Girl is a coming-of-age story about a teen called Lara, who has just moved to a new city, is training at a prestigious dance school and is transitioning gender. Although her father is supportive, Lara still has to figure out the leap from childhood as well as wrestling with her body and identity. Girl was one of the most talked about films at Cannes, winning the Camera d'Or for first-time director Lukas Dhont, and its lead, 16-year-old Victor Polster won best actor.
Girl, NZ International Film Festival, The Civic, Friday; Westgate Cinema, Saturday

Anthology Lounge: Kiwi producer IllBaz and rappers Raiza Biza and Melodownz have taken their latest project, High Beams, on tour and they're in town this weekend. Auckland is their last stop on a three-date tour, the first since launching the project. If you're still unfamiliar, check out their hits Live Stream (featuring soul star Teeks) and Red Wine (featuring High Hoops) — and also Sky High, which features much-loved Kiwi legend Che Fu.
High Beams, Anthology Lounge, Saturday