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Three for FreePosted January 2009
Taisha, Suzanne Lynch, Tina Cross & Jackie Clarke are The Lady Killers on-stage 6:30pm Waitangi Day - and free!
A fantastic line-up of free concerts has been arranged by the Waitangi National Trust to entertain locals and visitors attracted by the Waitangi long weekend this year. The nation’s birthplace will more than ever be the focus for families from Wednesday evening 4 February. With Waitangi Day falling on a Friday, we’ve made extra effort to reflect the diversity of those who are drawn to the celebrations at our special place. The Waitangi Festival will begin with the first of three, free evening concerts - Ray Woolf and Rodger Fox are The Fox and The Woolf at 6:30pm on the Hobson's Beach stage. Ray drew an ovation when he performed solo last year at the Treaty Grounds, and with leading big band leader Rodger Fox, the nostagia and swing sparks will fly! Picnics are encouraged - alcohol and drugs are forbidden, so that once again we can all enjoy a happy and peaceful family evening.
Thursday will sparkle with impromptu music performances around the Treaty Grounds, plus cultural groups of many ethnicities, performance artists, sports and family games. They are a prelude to the 6:30pm free beach concert by soul sister Whirimako Black. With six albums of soul-shrouded jazz and blues to her credit, Whirimako blends traditional Maori instruments (taonga puoro) and Te Reo Maori with original compositions and jazz standards. Then the highly energised, 7-piece reggae band "1814" take the stage. What a night that will be!
Friday is Waitangi Day, and after all the ceremony, spectacle and spirit, once the last echoes of the Navy's impressive Beat Retreat have drifted out to sea, the Hobson's Beach stage will shake from 6:30pm to the sultry harmonies of Suzanne Lynch, Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and Taisha - the Lady Killers! From the American Songbook to the great stage musicals to Split Enz material, rock and pop, these women of song know how to rock, and how to roll. Music from colonial times, a Scottish piper, ancient instruments, hiphop, international folk music and kapa haka will add to the spectrum of cultural performances over the Waitangi long weekend, rolling into Saturday. The kapa haka group and band of the Royal New Zealand Navy will also bring their maritime muscle to the Treaty Grounds during Thursday and Friday.
We are looking forward to hosting the nation’s most significant birthday and family event. It will be bigger and better than ever - with your help and cooperation. Don't forget to use the park-n-ride shuttle service!
Note: entry to the Hobson’s Beach concerts is free but a gold coin donation is suggested. A strict policy will be enforced that all concerts are alcohol and drug free.
Need to know more? Email the editor - Michael Hooper |
