What's On This Week

Ukulele legend Sione Aleki. Photo / Russell Smith

Rock/Pop

Renowned as a musician, cartoonist and reviewer, Chris Knox suffered a stroke earlier in the year and this Friday his musical friends will gather to help him out. Stroke - Songs For Chris Knox sees Dimmer, Don McGlashan, David Kilgour, The Bellbirds and The Pyjama Party, featuring Neil Finn, all performing to raise funds to help Knox's recovery.

* Stroke - Songs For Chris Knox - King's Arms, Newton, Friday Nov 20, 8.30pm

Ukulele

Put up your ukes! This Sunday Mt Smart Stadium will be full of thousands of ukulele lovers who are gathering for workshops, performances and more as part of the BNZ Ukulele Festival. Special features this year include the 1300-strong children's orchestra known as the Kiwileles, Tongan legend Sione Aleki, and our own Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

* NZ Ukulele Festival - Mt Smart Stadium, November 21


Rock/Pop

So popular is Dave Dobbyn here in his homeland that he's playing not one, but three dates at The Powerstation over the next week. Tonight and tomorrow night's shows are already sold out, but you have one more chance to catch him next Friday. Expect classics like Slice Of Heaven mixed with fresh material from his most recent album Anotherland.

* Dave Dobbyn - Powerstation, 8pm Nov 19,20 sold out. Extra show Nov 27

Rock/Pop

Well-loved singer-songwriter Anika Moa heads out on a heartland New Zealand tour this week, performing everywhere from Kaitaia to Featherston. The Aroha 2009 tour sees her playing some great small-town venues, and those with tickets to tomorrow night's sold-out Bethells Beach gig will no doubt be in for a treat.

* Anika Moa - The Centre at Kerikeri, November 19; Bethells Beach Cottages, November 20; Sawmill Cafe, Leigh, November 21

Festival

The flowering of the pohutukawa signals the start of summer, and many of our beaches would not have the same picturesque quality without it. The people of the Coromandel get so excited by it they hold the Pohutakawa Festival each year. From this Saturday enjoy art exhibitions, a garden tour, kids' concert, the opening night party, a sculpture symposium, jazz and blues plus more.

* Pohutukawa Festival - Various venues, Coromandel, November 20-December 6

Country

With 50 years in show business, about 70 albums to his credit, and Country Music Hall Of Fame membership on his CV, Glen Campbell needs little introduction. He is in New Zealand this week playing three North Island dates. He plays Auckland's Civic this Saturday with feature vocalist Debby (his daughter) and full band.

* Glen Campbell - The Civic, Cnr Queen St & Wellesley St, November 20, 7pm

Clubs/DJ

The popularity of drum and bass (DnB) in New Zealand was solidified last week when Shapeshifter's new album shot to the No 1 spot on iTunes in half a day, and you can catch a couple of "shifters" on the turntables and microphones this weekend at Zen. DJ Sambora and MC P Diggs are supporting fellow DnB heavy-hitters State Of Mind on Saturday.

* State Of Mind - Zen, 17 Albert St, November 20

Expo

It's all about the ladies this weekend at the ASB Showgrounds. The Girls Day Out (which actually runs over three days) starts tomorrow. Billed as a showcase of everything from "fashion to fitness, leisure to luxury and beauty to building", there's something for everyone keen to leave the hubby at home and get the jump on Christmas shopping.

* Girls Day Out 2009 - ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West, Epsom, November 20-22