What's On

Grooveman Spot and the sound of young Japan. Photo / Supplied.

KIDS
A school holiday theatre highlight is Snake and Lizard, the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Joy Cowley's award-winning story at Takapuna's Pumphouse. Tim Raby stars as the exuberant Lizard and Denise Snoad as the laid-back Snake in a show which also features songs and puppetry. Children are invited to come dressed as Snake or Lizard.
* Snake and Lizard, Pumphouse, from Saturday Sep 26. Bookings (09) 489-8360 or www.pumphouse.co.nz

KIDS
Performances, workshops and mural art are all part of the annual Storyfest - the last major event of the Going West Books and Writers Festival. The free storytelling event takes place at Kelston Community Centre on Saturday and provides continuous entertainment and activities from 10am to 4pm. The event has been running for 14 years and hosts up to 3,000 children and their families.
* Storyfest - Kelston Community Centre, Sep 26, 10am-4pm DANCE

DANCE
The Turnaround with DJs Cian, Manuel Bundy and Submariner has to be one of Auckland's longest-running monthly club nights, and they continue to bring something fresh each month. This edition sees two talented DJs/producers flown from Japan, Grooveman Spot and Kenji Sakajiri, plus our own nu-soul stars Electric Wire Hustle waving the Kiwi flag.
* Grooveman Spot, Kenji Sakajiri, Electric Wire Hustle - The Bacco Room, 53 Nelson St, Sep 26, 9pm

DANCE
If you are sauntering out of a theatre show or classical music recital in the Aotea Square this Saturday, don't be alarmed by the crowds of young ravers queuing up to get loose inside the Auckland Town Hall.
Global Dance Fest pulls in a couple of internationals and a swag of local house and electro DJs for a big old shindig. Mobin Master will be one to watch as he headlines the event, and is known for bursts of live keytar during his set.
* Global Dance Fest - Auckland Town Hall, Sep 26

POP
With Split Enz' theatrical bent, Tim Finn didn't get to play many Auckland pubs in his early days. But he's making up for it with the release show for his double album retrospective, Anthology, at a refurbished Parnell rock venue tomorrow afternoon. The show is a freebie but limited in numbers, so it may pay to queue early. And the gig is being recorded for a live EP which will soon be available with iTunes versions of the album.
* Tim Finn and band, Windsor Castle, Fri Sept 25, 4.30pm

ROCK
Auckland singer-songwriter Miriam Clancy impressed many, including TimeOut reviewers, with her great 2006 country-flavoured debut Lucky One. Now after a national solo acoustic tour she's back in town to launch her follow-up album, Magnetic, with a show at Auckland's Monte Cristo Room tonight featuring the Supergroove horn section - a hint the record ventures out of her rootsy-acoustic comfort zone.
* Miriam Clancy, Monte Cristo Room, 8pm, tonight

ROCK
If those Back of the Y crazies have seemed a little quiet since their last series, they're back to make some noise. Chris Stapp and Matt Heath's band Deja Voodoo is launching new album The Shape of Grunge to Come with a free show at the Kings Arms this afternoon which doubles as the pair's bFM Thursday Drive show. They're on the wireless from 4pm, with the bands starting at 7pm. The album is out Monday with an October national tour.
* Deja Voodoo with support from The Defendants, Kings Arms, tonight, doors 4pm, free

POP
Initially introduced to us through his work with Auckland hip-hop group The Fast Crew, singer-songwriter Dane Rumble has gone solo, with great success so far. Rumble released Always Be Here earlier this year and it charted well and the video has had over 90,000 views on YouTube. His follow-up single proves he's no one-hit wonder, with Don't Know What To Do climbing the NZ Top 40 too. He plays live on the Shore this Saturday with Artisan Guns.
* Dane Rumble - The Backyard, 31 Northcote Rd, Northcote, 8pm