Carnival Launches in Tauranga
22.12.09
[press release]
Tauranga is launching a cultural music party called Carnival that acknowledges the popularity of South American culture in the Bay and celebrates our own home-grown culture.
Carnival is being held on Saturday 6th March 2010 and is the closing party of the new nine-day Kiwi Festival (www.kiwifestival.co.nz ) which organisers believe will become an iconic annual celebration, thanks to the strong support of Zespri, the founding sponsor of the festival.
Carnival is a celebration of global culture, performance and music and is big in every sense of the word. Festival favourites Kora, Batucada Sound Machine, Tahuna Breaks, Kantuta and local Bay favourites Tauranga Samba and Regan make up the perfect blend of Kiwi and South American inspired music.
Kiwi Festival Director Jamie Joseph says there are a lot of South Americans now living in the Bay of Plenty and they bring with them their unrivalled passion for music .
"Not only will we have some of the hottest bands in New Zealand, but there will be live street art, rovers, stilt walkers, Capoeira and samba performances too.
"It's going to be non-stop entertainment with Tauranga Samba performing Brazilian street style percussion in between the bands and complementing showcases of Capoeira - a form of martial arts and dance practised globally that incorporates attack and defence movements with music and song, while developing the mastery of body and mind," says Joseph.
Festival goers are being encouraged to dress up in outlandish Carnival costumes with awesome prizes being given to the best dressed.
Joseph is expecting thousands to catch the festival fever. "The power of music will bring together a mass of like-minded people who all share that common zest for life. It's party time!" she says.
Those wanting to make a long weekend of it will also get the opportunity to attend a Capoeira workshop on the Thursday leading into the Carnival. Other weekend options include a coastal steam train tour with the Bay of Plenty Steamer and some extreme adventure deals from Springloaded Fun Park.
Set in the park grounds of Wharepai Domain on Cameron Road, central Tauranga, this will be an epic day in the sun with the gates opening at 3pm sharp.
Weekend travel options will be launched soon!
Limited availability EARLY BIRD tickets are NOW ON SALE!
Visit www.kiwifestival.co.nz for the full scoop.
KIWI FESTIVAL
Kiwi Festival is a brand new nine day festival taking place 26 February to 6 March 2010 and will celebrating the region's wonderful natural attributes and the talents and interests of the people of the Bay of Plenty. Music, arts and culture, sport and endless fun. Check it out at www.kiwifestival.co.nz and be part of the experience!
ABOUT THE BANDS
Kora
A band that needs no introduction, it's been years since Kora returned to Tauranga and it's about time. The Whakatane boys know how to twist the party off the hook with their energetic and unique mash up of reggae, rock, dub and vocal harmonies.
Batucada Sound Machine
BSM have developed a solid reputation for delivering blistering live performances, fine musicianship and collective impulsiveness - the soulful vocals and super-tight horn section layer the Latin infused rythms and wall-of-sound percussion, creating an intensity that has left crowds throught NZ, Australia and the UK screaming for more.
Tahuna Breaks
Since their beginnings in January 2005, Tahuna Breaks have always been a band built upon a simple philosophy - the love of music. With an open mind and an adventurous spirit, unafraid to mix genres and musical stylings - their 'anything goes' and sometimes unconventional approach is governed only by two criteria: passion and energy. The lifeblood of this band is live performance and it is from countless live gigs and tours that they have crafted their own brand of roots, reggae, funk, soul and good old fashioned rock and roll.
Regan
A Tauranga resident, Regan carved a name for himself in the industry as the lead guitarist of Cornerstone Roots between the years 2004 to 2008. He has recently launched the much anticipated debut solo album Wiser, co-produced by London Based producer Mike Nielson who has also worked with the likes of U2, Bjork and Jamiroqui. The official Kiwi Festival music ambassador, make no mistake, he is 100% NZ soul, roots and reggae.
Kantuta
Kantuta 'the Latin sensation' is inspired by the musical influences of the groups varied cultural backgrounds. Kantuta perform a unique style of modern Latino Music and rhythms including Salsa, Merengue, Modern Latin Dance Tunes and Classic Latin Favourites. One of NZ's top Latin bands, they have achieved both Gold and Platinum records and performed internationally around the world.
