What's On: Rotorua May 17-May 21

Thursday May 17: The Men's Shed. Meets at Te Amorangi Museum on Robinson Ave, Holden's Bay. Get together to create or repair woodwork and metalwork items, talk, share and develop skills. It's free. From 10am to 4pm. The museum is also open for visitors. For information call Bruce on (07) 345 9525 or Allan on (07) 345 6884.

Friday May 18: Around the World and Buck Again. A beautiful piece of theatre for the kids featuring Buck - a champion trials dog returning home from a successful world tour when he gets stuck in quarantine with British bulldog Horatio, French poodle Fifi and the mysterious Dolores Del Mar from Mexico. Two shows - at 10am and 11.30am in the Rotorua Convention Centre. Tickets from the venue.

Friday May 18: Leon Wharekura - CD launch. Accomplished singer and entertainer Leon Wharekura will launch his new album ChameLEON at Seismic Gastrobar from 7pm. From soul to jazz, pop to rock, R'n'B to ballads Leon is one of New Zealand's most exciting artists and winner of the 2009 Maori Music Awards - Best Male Solo Artist. Entry is free.

Friday May 18: Live music at Seismic Gastrobar with the smooth, sultry and superb vocals of Rewa Ututaonga. From 7pm, entry is free.

Saturday May 19: The Rotorua North Rotary Club Charity Flea Market. Open every Saturday next to the playground in Kuirau Park from 7am - 1pm. A huge range of produce, food, goods and entertainment, with proceeds going back to the Rotorua community.

Saturday May 19: The Friends of the Rotorua Library book sale. From 9am - 1pm in the Old Tea Kiosk in Kuirau Park. Thousands of books at bargain prices with all proceeds going to the Rotorua District Library.

Sunday May 20: Te Amorangi Museum - Rotorua's Heritage Village. See stationary and steam engines, visit the historic village and cottage, check out the forestry and logging display, vintage farm machinery and working blacksmith, the Maori display and their are miniature train rides too. Open Thursdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm on Robinson Ave in Holden's Bay. For information call Allan on (07) 345 6884.

Sunday May 20: Geyserland Country Music Club. Come along and enjoy the country music talent Rotorua has on offer. Guest artist this month is Neil Abrahams. Raffles and afternoon tea available. $4 door charge for non members. At the RSA from 1pm to 4.30pm.

Sunday May 20: Help Rotorua's Dress For Success celebrate a year in business at their inaugural Powerwalk. The family fun walk and picnic is being held at Hamurana Springs with registration from 10am. Share a picnic after taking a walk up to the springs. Entry $5 with pre-registrations at Understatement Lingerie and Dress For Success. Sunday May 20: The 7th Annual Heart Stopper Challenge. At the Aquatic Centre from 11am to 1pm. Special guest Frankie Stevens. Teams of four to six people take the plunge into icy cold water to raise awareness of children with heart conditions. Register at www.heartstopper.org.nz or contact Debbie Scothern on (07) 346 3328.

Monday May 21: Chamber Music New Zealand presents pianist Jian Liu. Jian has recently been appointed to the New Zealand School of Music as Assistant Professor of Piano. His artistry has taken him around the world to concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall and the Rose Theatre. Featuring Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, Mozart, and Schubert. At the Rotorua Convention Centre from 7.30pm. $30 on the door.

Monday May 21 - Friday May 25: Top Art 2012. An annual touring exhibition featuring some of New Zealand's top secondary school visual art portfolios. From 9am - 5am each day at the Rotorua Museum. Free with entry to museum.