Thursday, October 18, 2012
ENTERTAINMENT - KEEN to contribute to the merry, organised chaos that is a Gisborne Labour Weekend tradition, a local venue owner has organised a festival featuring some of the most renowned rhythm and blues acts in the country.
But Lynmarie Edwards is not hosting the festival at her city-centre Breez’n Bar. Instead, she has commandeered the beachside Outdoor Theatre for the Saturday evening event.
“There has already been lots of bands playing at the bar but this was a starting point for larger events for the future,” said band co-ordinator Pele Paenga.
With East Coast singer Chad Chambers acting as MC, the Breez’n Presents event will be headlined by Auckland-based ensemble Ardijah, fronted by the silky-voiced Betty-Anne Monga who has over the years led the band to score hits like Give Me Your Number, Time Makes A Wine and Watchin’ U.
The line-up is completed by a mixture of ensemble and solo acts, including Three Houses Down, Tomorrow People, Annah Mac, Jurn.E, K/Line, DJ Wikid Fx and Te Whanau Uprising.
“There is a lot of entertainment on this weekend and we were keen to offer a different kind of music, mainly Aotearoa rhythm and blues, reggae and pop,” Paenga said. “We were determined to promote local artists alongside those national acts and we’re happy that this line-up achieves that.”
■ Breez’n Presents will be on at the Gisborne Outdoor Theatre on Saturday. Gates open 4.30pm.