Wednesday, 10 March 2010
A NEW outdoor music event in Whakatane promises great family entertainment, a fabulous riverside venue and top local talent this weekend.
The Chocolate Sunday Chill-out Concert is the brainchild of well-known Whakatane entertainer Tait Kora.
An old hand at stage performance, Kora wanted to create an event to showcase upcoming Eastern Bay talent.
“I wanted to give up-and-coming musicians a shot,” he said.
The non-profit outdoor concert is presenting six acts between 4.30pm and 7.30pm on Sunday - DJ Jake, Jamie Fitzgerald, Ailese Adlam, Lauren Arnold and Tea Tree - the majority of which performed at the Whakatane Street Fiesta a few weeks ago.
Kora will round off the bill, performing with both his seven-piece and three-piece bands and at one point, with his grandson.
All performers are singer/songwriters who will perform their own original music.
“It will be a chill out, kick back, jazzy, acoustic afternoon,” Kora said.
Families are invited to bring along a picnic to enjoy at the Riverbank Amphitheatre near the Whakatane Rose Gardens.
Another reason for this concert was to make use of the under-utilised venue.
“It is not used enough - it is such a waste,” he said.
Featuring tiered seating on the grass hill and overlooking the Whakatane River the amphitheatre is the perfect spot for an outdoor concert.
“The whole idea is that families being a picnic and enjoy some music against a beautiful backdrop,” Kora said. There will also be prizes for the best hat.
Although the concert is technically free of charge, people are welcome to give a gold coin koha to cover the costs.
Kora is hoping to make this an annual event - to show off the wealth of musical talent in the Eastern Bay and provide the community with a great outdoor concert.