The final month of winter is bringing a spate of exciting cultural offerings to the fore, dishing out everything from rousing theatrical performances to musical extravaganzas. But be warned, the demand is high — so we suggest you lock in these 14 events while you still have time.
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We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You
Hot off the heels of Queen’s spellbinding Bohemian Rhapsody biopic is the smash-hit musical ‘We Will Rock You,’ bringing an ample dose of florid, comedic performance to Auckland. Featuring 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, the singalong spectacle will encourage you to belt your worth to the likes of ‘We Are The Champions,’ ‘Radio Ga Ga,’ and ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’
20th August – 7th September, Bruce Mason Centre
Tom Walker
Tom Walker
Tom Walker’s fame trajectory has been anything but slow-burning. After rising to stardom last year with the release of his single Leave The Light On, the Scottish singer-songwriter has gone on to release his first album What A Time To Be Alive, win Best Breakthrough Artist at the 2019 BRIT Awards, deliver a sell out tour in the UK and now, for the first time, headline his own show in New Zealand. If that doesn’t say enough about Walker’s indescribable musical talent, then we don’t know what will.
20th August, The Powerstation
RNZB Bold Moves
RNZB Bold Moves
RNZB Bold Moves
The first ballet George Balanchine created in America, the iconic Serenade marked a milestone in the history of dance. Now, 85 years later, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is bringing the profound art to our theatres. The stirring, sweeping piece sees the 26 dancers transported by Tchaikovsky’s Serenade For Strings, moving through time and space in elegant, moving patterns.
23rd August – 25th August, ASB Theatre
Karyn Taylor exhibition
Karyn Taylor exhibition
Acclaimed installation artist Karyn Taylor will be showcasing her bright and colourful, two-dimensional and three-dimensional works at the Sanderson Gallery. Known for her ability to play with geometries – whether set in cast acrylic or using a composition of rods and projections balanced on the floor — each of Taylor’s pieces makes us think differently about matter and light. Set to be an interesting exhibition, to say the least.
For more information, click here.
On until 18th August
Booksmart
Booksmart
In this directorial debut by actress Olivia Wilde, two high-school academic overachievers — Molly and Amy — come to the realisation on the eve of their high school graduation that they have spent far too much time working and not enough time playing. Following the duo, as they throw caution to the wind and join the party circuit, Booksmart is a fast-paced and funny debut that brings a new spin on the classic coming of age comedy.
In cinemas now
Disney On Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends
Disney On Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends
Whether it’s Finding Nemo’s Dory skating across the stage or Woody from Toy Story — everybody’s favourite childhood heroes come to life in this unforgettable interactive event. Just as brilliant for adults as it is little tykes, Disney on Ice is undeniably the best way to get the whole family out of the house this winter.
For more information and tickets, click here.
2nd – 4th August, Spark Arena
The Blind Date Project
The Blind Date Project
Unlike anything you will have witnessed before, The Blind Date Project is a unique theatrical experience that is as wildly unpredictable as it is entertaining. Actress Natalie Medlock, in the role of Anna, will endure a different date each night, one devoid of scripts and rehearsals with the only direction delivered via live text message — who knows what could happen.
For more information and tickets, click here.
29th August – 21st September, Q Theatre
McCahon100 Open Home
McCahon100 Open Home
Designed to celebrate the legacy of prominent Kiwi artist Colin McCahon and mark the beginning of his centenary, the McCahon House Museum has put together an intriguing open home of sorts. For one weekend only, guests are invited to come and view a sublime selection of original McCahon paintings, all of which were created while he was at the house, and partake in bus tours: which will include guided walking tours in French Bay, where visitors
can walk the same landscape McCahon walked and painted.
For more information, click here.
17th – 18th August, McCahon House Museum
Kura Shoulda Woulda
Kura Shoulda Woulda
She was the side-splitting funnywoman who sold out two seasons in the 2019 New Zealand International Comedy Festival, now Kura Forrester is back doing what she does best — tickling the funnybones of Aucklanders. For one night only Shoulda will be delivering her award-winning show, Kura Shoulda Woulda — a lighthearted storytelling of love, loss, and family based on the comediennes’ life experiences so far. For tickets, click here.
Saturday 31st August, Q Theatre
DJ Day’s rooftop event at Saint Alice
DJ Day’s rooftop event at Saint Alice
An event brainchild of production company Friends & Whānau and Rudi’s Beer will see revered Californian DJ, DJ Day (real name Damien Beebe) liven up beloved rooftop hotspot Siant Alice. Set to deliver electrifying sounds from 10pm until late, the event will see the DJ supported by the likes of DJ PG (from Brazil) and New Zealand’s very own Manuel Bundy and Bobby Brazuka (among others).
For more information to the event and tickets, click here.
2nd August
NZSO Beethoven Festival: Heroic
NZSO Beethoven Festival: Heroic
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director Edo De Waart — a man who can be described as one of the foremost authorities of Beethoven’s music —brings three of Beethoven’s most renowned symphonies to the stage in Heroic — a production set to deliver a majestic evening for orchestra fanatics and first-timers alike.
For more information and tickets, click here.
16th August, Auckland Town Hall
Late Night
Late Night
Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson collide in this funny, feel-good movie. When late-night talk show host Katherine Newbury (Thompson) suspects that she may soon be losing her long-running show, she hires a female staff writer to smooth over diversity concerns. What follows is a series of unexpectedly funny consequences as the women navigate their cultural and generational differences.
In cinemas August 8th
Sons of Zion
Sons of Zion
Having found resounding success both at home and abroad with their reggae-rock fusion sound, home-grown band Sonz of Zion are now returning to where it all started. The six-piece group will be bringing their infectious sound and captivating stage presence to The Powerstation mid-August, in an enthralling performance that is set to be one to remember.
For tickets, click here.
10th August
Funny Bones
Funny Bones
Funny Bones, Ostro’s latest iteration of its widely received Dinner & A Show series, will see a plethora of New Zealand’s funniest personalities take to the mic, while guests are invited to tuck into a delicious warming roast at the hands of Executive Chef Josh Emett and Head Chef Josh Shields. On one Sunday every month until October, this is the perfect way to round off the weekend.
For more information and tickets, click here.
On now
