Our guide of where to go, what to see and a couple of other things to spend the weekend catching up on.
Photo: Drake Photo: Drake
Drake and 2 Chainz: Consider it a long weekend. After surprise-releasing his new mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Drake plays his one-off show at Vector Arena this Monday with support from 2 Chainz. If you’re still weighing up whether to go or not, be quick, there’s still some allocated seats left, from $99, but they may not last long.
Ciara: The first show of her New Zealand tour went down in Christchurch last night and her second is set for this evening in Porirua, with support from ReQuest Dance Crew, Bella Kalolo, Donell Lewis and The Company NZ. Tickets are still available if you’re the last-minute type. The lack of a show in Auckland has also been recently corrected, with promoters announcing that she’ll knock out a few more concerts in Oz before heading back to play The Studio on March 3.
Auckland Pride Parade: Considered as one of the biggest celebrations of the local LGBTIQ community, Auckland’s Pride Parade takes place this Saturday, running the length of Ponsonby Road, from K Road to Three Lamps. It kicks off at 7.30pm and we’ve been told that you can expect more floats than ever.
Perfume Genius: Seattle’s Mike Hadres – aka Perfume Genius – is bringing his four-piece band with him to New Zealand this weekend, in support of his breakthrough album Too Bright, which has been heaped with critical praise. He performs shows in Auckland on Friday and Wellington on Saturday and tickets are available from Under The Radar, Real Groovy (Auckland) or Slowboat and RPM (Wellington).
Freddie Gibbs: Gary, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs last played in New Zealand back in September 2013 and he’s back again for two shows this weekend in Auckland and Wellington. Find tickets over at Dash.
Wellington Theatre: As our contributor Sherilee Kahui points out, there’s plenty happening in the Wellington theatre scene this weekend including Summer Star Trek, Timon of Athens, and Under The Same Moon, a play which is part of the 2015 Chinese New Year celebrations. Read her writeup and find out more about the shows here.
Splore: With a lineup that includes Deltron 3030, Roy Ayers, Lunice and Tinashe, Splore takes place this coming Friday-Saturday-Sunday at Tapapakanga Regional Park, about 70kms out of Auckland. Tickets are on sale for $255+bf for the full three days or two-day passes, valid from midday Saturday, are also available for $190+bf.
Did we miss something? Leave your suggestions in the comments or email us with your events here.