KEY POINTS:
BLUES
The inaugural Masonic Blues Festival takes place this weekend at the Masonic Tavern, Devonport. It opens on Friday night with hot and sweaty blues from the Darcy Perry Blues Band featuring pianist Simen Taylor and ace harmonica player Craig Bracken. The festival continues on Saturday with
the Handsome Giant Blues Show from 2pm featuring Shayn "Hurricane" Wills, Bullfrog Rata and friends, before the legendary American bluesman Chris Cain plays Saturday evening. The Rodger Fox Big Band rounds out the festival Sunday from 2pm.
Masonic Blues Festival - Masonic Tavern, Devonport, Fri-Sun, tickets at iTicket
MUSICAL
Freddie Mercury is back from the dead in a massive new musical production on at Auckland's Civic from this Friday. We Will Rock You, the musical by Queen and Ben Elton, stars our own princess of pop Annie Crummer as lead character Killer Queen. Crummer has toured Australia and Japan with the production, and joins Rock Star INXS finalist Miguel Ayesa in the two main roles. Organisers stress this is not a Queen tribute, describing it instead as rock theatre featuring 24 Queen hits. For more information, check out www.wewillrockyou.com
We Will Rock You - The Civic, from Friday, tickets from $60 at Ticketek
ROCK
An iconic New Zealand band plays a major concert at Auckland's Vector Arena on Sunday. Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and new recruit Matt Sherrod have recently toured America and Britain, and finally bring Crowded House home for kiwi fans. Classics such as Don't Dream It's Over, Something So Strong, Better Be Home Soon and Weather With You will be supplemented by material from their new album Time On Earth. The prestigious support slot goes to Auckland five-piece Pluto.
Crowded House and Pluto - Vector Arena, Sunday, tickets $90 at Ticketmaster
FAMILY
Give your kids a bit of a freak-out at Essex Reserve Park in Mt Eden this Saturday afternoon. Halloween Mayhem and Malarkey is an interactive Halloween event for the whole family complete with music from DJ Fraidy Cat, and a show featuring seven witches and wizards played by local acting talents. Sample the food of Emmy Lou Black Lips (if you dare), have your fortune told by Freakella the Fortune Witch, or make your own bat puppet.
Halloween Mayhem and Malarkey - Essex Reserve Park, Mt Eden, 12.30pm-2pm, Saturday, suitable for kids aged 4-10, free
PUNK SHOW
It's hardcore and it's heavy at the Logan Campbell Centre this Sunday. Taste Of Chaos is a popular concert tour founded by Kevin Lyman of Warped Tour fame. The headlining international bands this year include the Used in their first ever New Zealand show, punk rockers Rise Against, plus Aiden, Escape the Fate, the Bled and more. With plenty of stalls, games, signings, prizes and promotions on site it's more than just a concert.
Taste Of Chaos - Logan Campbell Centre, Epsom, Sunday, tickets $69.50 at TicketDirect
SHOW
If you prefer two wheels to four, The City of Cycles motorshow is waiting for you to ride along this weekend. The TelstraClear Pacific Stadium plays host to motor scooters, classics, race bikes, old school choppers, customs, drag bikes and tricycles. Other attractions include a tattoo competition, live rock bands, airbrushing shows and horse power demonstrations.
The City of Cycles motorshow - TelstraClear Pacific Stadium, Manukau, Fri-Sun, open 4pm-midnight Friday, Saturday 9am-midnight and Sunday 9am-6pm, tickets at TicketDirect
SPORT
A local Auckland roller derby league invites spectators to attend this weekend's battle. In essence it's scantily-clad women in fishnets and various other costumes circling a track while getting a little violent; think American pro wrestling on roller skates. The organisers describe it as "fishnets, short skirts, roller skates and angst". On Saturday night at Skateland in Panmure game two of the season sees veterans Dead Wreckoning taking on derby virgins Mascara Massacre, to the sounds of rock band Labretta Suede and the Motel Six.
Roller Derby - Skateland, 66 Mountain Rd, Panmure, doors open 6pm, $10
CLASSICAL
An event with the tagline "Ponsonby meets Te Tai Tokerau" immediately provokes intrigue. National choral kapahaka champions Hatea collaborate in concert with the Heaven Bent Gospel Choir with special performances by poet Kevin Ireland at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre this Saturday. The concert, Te Wairua o Waitangi, will be a mixture of waiata, gospel and African music. Find out what happens when Auckland's inner city gospel choir and Northland's award-winning kapahaka group unit.
Te Wairua o Waitangi - Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass Rd, 8pm, Saturday, tickets $20 available on the door
