Dionne Christian
Naked Samoans, robots and Ed Sheeran among treats, writes
It’s 20 years since comedy troupe The Naked Samoans got together and 12 since they last performed together on stage. If preview clips are anything to go by, they’ve lost none of their magic and we can’t wait to see them together again in a new show which, because they’ve taken it so seriously, has involved working out with personal trainers and learning how to pull rabbits out of hats. Maybe. In any event, join them as they follow the white rabbit into a world of mystery and mayhem and you’re guaranteed to leave laughing and marvelling at how clever their comedy is. Auckland Arts Festival — The Naked Samoans Do Magic, The Civic; tonight until Sunday involved in the sequel to his 2013 original, which follows human-driven robots fighting gigantic beasts called “kaiju”. But Variety described the sequel as a “cartoony robot-monster spectacle” while the Guardian praised John Boyega’s charm. Sounds like the definition of a popcorn flick. Pacific Rim 2: Uprising in cinemas now Ed Sheeran’s hit Divide tour lands in Auckland this weekend. He’ll play three shows at Mt Smart Stadium as part of a huge six-show stadium tour of New Zealand. This marks the biggest tour to hit Australasia, so it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss. Sheeran will play a collection of hits from his latest release as well as some old favourites — and he’s been known to throw in a few covers, too. He’s also bringing an impressive set made up of huge video screens which are a real spectacle to behold. This tour’s played to rave reviews overseas, so if you’re lucky enough to be heading along, enjoy! Ed Sheeran, Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday, Sunday and Monday Auckland’s nightlife remains wounded from the loss of the Kings Arms last month — and it’s about to be dealt another huge blow. This weekend marks the closing party of beloved Ponsonby haunt Golden Dawn, home to many a perfect gig during the past eight years. To join the celebrations (or find people to cry with), head to the bar from midday to say your goodbyes. From 8pm, there’ll be a $10 door charge. As ever, there’s a rotation of excellent DJs, as the afternoon turns into a night of dancing. The bar recommends showing up early — known for its intimacy, it’s likely be bursting at the seams with punters saying their goodbyes. Golden Dawn, Saturday Canadian DJ collective A Tribe Called Red produces a mix of modern hip- hop, traditional pow-wow drums and vocals, and edgy electronica and champions First Nations rights. They headline a triple bill which also features local dub legend, front man of Salmonella Dub and recordbreaking solo artist Tiki Taane and Ria Hall, who has a new album out after collaborations with Fly My Pretties, Tiki Taane and Electric Wire Hustle. AAF — A Tribe Called Red/Tiki Taane/Ria Hall, Festival Playground, Saturday