ALDOC is the new project of flutist Alan Doherty, who stepped into the spotlight as a soloist for The Lord of the Rings soundtracks. He’s back here touring with his band, including at this weekend’s Coastella on the Kapiti Coast. The Irishman discusses getting inspiration on the road, why he continues to come back to NZ and how hobbits and orcs changed his life.

Don’t fall in love – that’s the warning the Modern Maori Quartet sings, but it may be too late for the legions of fans that’ll be flocking to their Summer Pops tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra which opens tomorrow in Napier. Francis Kora, Matariki Whatarau, Maaka Pohatu and James Tito give a live performance on Upbeat and tells us about how the Quartet has transformed their lives and why we shouldn’t fall in love with them.

Jubilation is defined as a feeling of great happiness and triumph. And singing is known to be good for the soul. So when a group of extraordinary people get together to sing uplifting music it’s only natural to call themselves Jubilation. Callie Blood talks about the a cappella choir’s makeup and why they love to perform gospel, soul, blues and country.

Australian Cabaret performer Tomas Ford brings his musical spy thriller The Chase! to New Zealand. The story follows the crooner turned assassin on an epic globe-trotting journey, with original songs and lots of laughs. Is he the hunted, or the hunter? Who knows, but audiences from Edinburgh to Perth have loved him.

Theatre, music, visual arts and film are at the core of the Putahi Festival which encourages emerging Maori and Pacific artists to explore indigenous stories. The Wellington festival opens on Wednesday. Curator/co-producer Moana Ete, and musician Mara TK explain the importance of telling their stories through different mediums.

For 72 years the Wellington Film Society has brought alive the magic of film for legions of fans. But with the introduction of streaming services like Netflix, are societies like this still needed? Wellington Film Society president Chris Hormann discusses the health of film societies today and what to expect on the big screen this year.

Miss Jean Batten is a solo show about New Zealand’s legendary Aviatrix. It’s produced by Flaxworks Theatre Company, written by Phil Ormsby and performed by Alex Ellis. Jean Batten’s 1936 flight from England to New Zealand in a single engine plane made of wood and fabric was extraordinary but when she landed safely in Auckland the Mayor told her off for making people worry about her. Actor Alex Ellis and director Phil Ormsby say despite her achievements Jean Batten’s story has largely been forgotten and the play sets out to change that.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Maori show band Modern Māori Quartet are teaming up for a Summer Pops tour of twelve centres. The orchestra and the band will perform new arrangements in English and Te Reo of the tunes everyone knows. Original pieces will also feature, including works from seven New Zealand composers, amongst them Chris Gendall; while dramaturg  Matu Ngaropo has created a dramatic framework for the music.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2017 season began last week with its first production of the work of Ronald Petit. The double bill Carmen and L'Arlésienne has been recreated for the New Zealand company by Luigi Bonino, who was an assistant to Roland Petit. Jennifer Shennan reviews the Christchurch opening night.

Getting young people excited about Shakespeare is one of the main goals of the Auckland Shakespeare Company, who opened their production of The Merry Wives of Windsor on Saturday.