Newtown Festival has just helped the fundraising album Songs for Christchurch

 It’s the inaugural Newtown Cardboard Box Sliding Championship – all proceeds go to Compassion Nepal.

A community event for community’s sake!

When? 1pm, Saturday March 23rd, 2013

Where? Hills at McAlister Park (Near 389 Adelaide Road), Newtown

Who? Any resourceful daring individuals who love a good cause (all ages welcome, Children 12 and under must be supervised)

Find out more about this event, including the all important conditions of entry.

A community event for community’s sake!

When? 1pm, Saturday March 23rd, 2013

Where? Hills at McAlister Park (Near 389 Adelaide Road), Newtown

Who? Any resourceful daring individuals who love a good cause (all ages welcome, Children 12 and under must be supervised)

BYO Picnic for those who just want to observe the carnage.

Conditions of Entry

•  Individual, Twin and Team (4ppl) categories
•  Cardboard boxes can be souped up, but the only materials you can use are cardboard and connecting materials (e.g tape and glue) -
• Protective gear and costumes optional but encouraged
• Gold coin entry, all proceeds go to Compassion Nepal

How to to take part

Just come along and register on the day!

Gold coin entry, all proceeds go to Compassion Nepal.

Prizes

The glory of winning (and contributing to a good cause by having fun)!

Sponsorship prizes … if someone wants to sponsor this event?

All procceds to to Compassion Nepal.  See www.compassionnepal.com or http://www.facebook.com/compassionnepal for more!

It’s picnic time! This annual event keeps getting better and better.

This Saturday at Carrara Park, Regent St, Newtown.

From 1pm…

A sunny day and great music is quite possibly all you really need?

Here’s the lineup:

• 1 pm: The Wend
• 2 pm: Serendipity
• 2:30 pm: Elizabeth Wise
• 3:30 pm: Megan Wheeler
• 4 pm: Nigel Patterson
• 5 pm: Serendipity
•  5:30 pm: The Bandits

Check out the full details.

Get on down for a bargain.

Check out our official map.

Plus it’s not too late to sign up for a sale at your place – contact newtownfestival@gmail.com

Plus the programme tells you when the acts are scheduled to perform.

Go Newtown!

There are over 60 performers appearing across multiple stages.

Plus the Batucada Parade!

Check out the full programme – and get ready to celebrate New Zealand’s largest free annual outdoor performance event!

Join us as we, following in the footsteps of  Akbar nubian the great
Disco Alchemist and mystic –  attempt to  turn base music into Solid
Gold.  Witness the juju on the 3rd of march at the Newtown Festival
from midday in front of the Sally Army Shop Rintoull St.

My music is like a boat for my words to travel to your soul, and it changes every time, because in the same way I move from port to port, so do my tastes in styles or language in which to deliver the message. My concerns are about experimenting, collaborating and tapping into whatever sounds I come across, putting words on them, like a child that sends out a paper boat on a stream.

Jennifer Zea’s journey starts in Paraguana, falcon, Venezuela, on a peninsula surrounded by the Caribbean Ocean. This hot land, bathed by the bright sun all year round is a place of contrasts with a strong folkloric root and legacy of its own, home to independence heroes, revolutionaries, revolts and troubadours – all strong influences at the core of this cantante and songwriter.

Preferring music to participating in piñata busting, Zea grew up listening to Salsa by artists such as la Fania, Ruben Blades and Oscar D’leon and local troubadour Ali Primera; a social activist who sang of social injustice in Venezuela in the 70’s. Turned to Disco via her brother: acts such as Dianna Ross, sister Sledge and Rick James defined her early love for Soul and R&B, which was later made a permanent stamp for her after living in Detroit and witnessing the birth of MTV as a young teenager. Not stopping there, Jennifer has layered even more references from her travels to Brazil and France in her adulthood, reviving Bossa Nova and becoming versed in the Chanson française.

Such a rich background makes her unique mix of styles someone to watch out for. Bossa nova, Cuban rhythms, Caribbean Boogaloo and Soul are just the start of what this new Latin female singer is capable of. Captivating audiences with her deep, soulful and mesmerizing voice, she is a cantante with the rare ability to improvise, as well as inhabiting the songs she performs delivering with strong energy where her voice, her dance and intention become a ritual, a healing tool and a reflection of her culture. Jennifer Zea considers herself an artist of concepts; with a degree in Architecture, a passion for psychology and for all that is mystic, ancient and sacred. She intertwines many “worlds” at many levels in order to share with others, the underground and the familiar.

Zea has performed alongside many greats over the past years such as Nicolas Folmer (France) and Djalma Correa (Brazil) The work with big bands is one of her fortes as she remembers extensive touring with Venezuelan ska ensemble Desorden Publico as a highlight.

“Moving to New Zealand was a wish fulfilled,” claims the artist, after viewing the magical Karekare beach in the film “The piano” at an art cinema screening, back in Venezuela in 1994. Once again, pushing the boundaries of rhythm and musical expression, she continues to explore and collaborate with artists from different walks of life. Inspired to integrate the kiwi sound, recent projects have seen Jennifer involved with local acts The Shogun Orchestra, Mike Fabulous as Lord Echo, Latinaotearoa with Bobby Brazuka and Isaac Aesili to name a few.

Her latest collaboration with New Zealand’s best jazz artists has resulted in The “all stars” Antipodean Collective consisting of Kim Patterson, Kevin Field, Miguel Fuentes, Jonathan Crayford and including internationally renowned musician, Nathan Haines who produced her awaited debut album “The Latin soul” due for release in May 2012.

Bring it along and our volunteer mechanics will help fix it up.  Saturday 9 March, 10am – 2pm.

Plus, Carrara Park jazz picnic …

The Band is made up of 25 members and has performed on numerous tours both locally and overseas. Their repertoire is a mixture of Salvation Army hymns and well known secular music.

The Band loves to engage the crowd when performing and in recent years all ages have had a chance to conduct the Band. This is great fun for both the novice conductor and the crowd watching.

The best time to catch the Band is late morning to mid-afternoon on Fair Day.

Founding member of Gold Coast Latin Duo ” Jose and Iguado” and band “Gitano” – Dr Sanchez worked for 5 years with these bands developing a feel for spontaneous, improvised latin guitar, as a result Dr Sanchez has worked the spectrum of live guitar performances as a soloist and with other musicians for large corporate functions such as the Gold Coast Indy and the Americas Cup.

One of the few full time professional performers of Spanish and South American music in New Zealand, Dr Sanchez has developed his improvisational skill in instrumental guitar into an exciting occupation – averaging around 260 performances a year. Dr Sanchez plays a mixture of traditional Mediterranean and South American songs, from artists such as Paco de Lucia, Armik, Ottmar Liebert and Santana..right thru to original tracks that lean more toward progressive beats fused with nylon string guitar..all improvised and dynamic.

Dr Sanchez embraces the sounds of Latin Guitar in both the traditional and new flamenco manner and works on many side projects with musicians from different genres, including DJs and producers of House and Dubstep – namely the newly formed crossover trio of Switch Sanchez Nacoa…an amazing blend of Live Sax, Latin Guitar and DJ.

Dr Sanchez is currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand and plays many weekly residencies. Dr Sanchez also tours extensively during Summer around NZ playing festivals. Having lost all regular venues in the aftermath of The 2011 Christchurch Earthquakes, Dr Sanchez is now working in a new revitalized Christchurch playing up to 10 shows a week in container bars and pop up restaurants as people adjust to their new city.

Plus, we are still taking bookings for Fair Day Sunday 3rd March 2013.

To make a booking, go to our Stall bookings page.

Saturday 23rd March, 12noon to 1.30pm (rain day Sunday 24th March).  All welcome!

Newtown Community & Cultural Centre

Cnr Rintoul & Colombo Sts, Newtown

We (at the Newtown Community Centre) are officially opening our amazing new community garden on March 23rd, and would love our friends and neighbours to help celebrate!

Join us for some live music and a sausage sizzle, and take a stroll around our new grounds.

A team of legendary locals have been working hard over the past 6 months (rain or shine!) to pull it together, so we hope you can join us to give them the kudos they deserve!

This event will coincide with Neighbours Day Aotearoa,  and we’ll be sending out special invites to the residents of Colombo and Rintoul Sts – so this is also a great chance for our neighbours to get to know each other (and you) a little better.

See you then!

Sunday 10th March, 2pm and 7.30pm

Newtown Community Centre

CNR Rintoul and Colombo St, NewtownTickets $10 waged / $5 unwaged

This year, we’re excited to have The Film Archive involved in the Newtown Festival for the first time!

In conjunction with the Newtown Community Centre and the Wellington Timebank, the Film Archive will showcase a special collection of film clips that celebrate life in Newtown since the turn of the 20th century.  This show is curated by Jane Paul from The Film Archive, and contains 20 short clips sourced from private home movies, documentaries and television, that illustrate key events and personalities associated with Newtown over the years.

The film will feature some nationally significant clips, including the earliest surviving New Zealand footage, which depicts soldiers parading on horseback at Newtown Park before heading to the Boer War in 1900; and special footage of the Newtown clashes between police and protesters during the Springbok Tour of 1981.  Several local Newtown personalities, including Sir Paul Reeves and Donald McDonald, will be featured.

This special screening will be held in the beautiful historic theatre at the Newtown Community Centre, and the silent footage will be accompanied by local pianists Victoria Thompson and Shan Jordan.

Sweet treats and fair trade coffee for sale thanks to the generous support from French Cancan and Peoples Coffee.

www.facebook.com/frenchcancan

www.peoplescoffee.co.nz

Press Contact: James Coyle, 0225466972, newtownfestival@gmail.com

New Zealand’s largest free street festival – Newtown Festival Fair Day is looking to be an absolute cracker in 2013.

The mega event, which closes the roads in central Newtown, includes over 350 stalls and 9 stages of music and performance. Sunday March 3rd  from 10am- 6pm is promising to once again bring over 70,000 people onto the streets of Newtown to revel in the rich cultural environment.

“The quality and quantity of music and performance on Fair Day is getting stronger each year,” says Programme Manager James Coyle, “and as always, there is something very unique about closing the roads of a suburb and hosting a huge celebration of the arts, craft, and food while taking in the entertainment!”

Also on the first weekend of March in Wellington is the Homegrown Festival on the Saturday, so its an excellent weekend to visit the city for music, with over a 100 fantastic acts playing outdoors in the city, “although the Newtown Festival is free of course!” quips Coyle.

In 2012 James travelled overseas and visited some of the biggest festivals in Europe, “the highlight was the Notting Hill Carnival. It had an amazing street party spirit, which reminded me a lot of what is great about the Newtown Festival.”  That festival has been going for 60 years compared to the Newtown Festival’s youthful 19 years. “The Wellington City Council has consistently supported the Newtown Festival, and we look forward to many more to come.”

The 2013 music line up is an exciting mix of genres and styles, a lot of fresh names in the industry and brand new original music,  mostly from the talented people who live within Newtown’s boundaries. There is also a special emphasis on bringing artists from over the Tasman, down from Auckland, and especially up from Christchurch. “Christchurch artists have had it tough for the last few years, last year we had Delaney Davidson and Amiria Grenell, this year we continue that tradition and are hosting House of Mountain and Dr Sanchez.”

Award winning band Beastwars will play last on the Wilson St Stage, this stage rocks on into the evening. The more mainstream ‘Mainstreet’ stage is headlined by New Zealand’s Got Talent finalist Mihirangi, and lovable locals Newtown Rocksteady. Both acts will be preparing for their performance at WOMAD two weeks later in New Plymouth.

Headlining the Newtown Sound Stage (Newtown Ave) in 2013 is Brokaflowasaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, who recently had the biggest crowd ever recorded at the Wellington City Council run ASB Gardens Magic at the Botanic Gardens.

 The lineup

2013 Newtown Festival Artists: Beastwars, Mihirangi, Bec Sandridge (Aus), Newtown Rocksteady, Brokaflowasaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, Dictophone Blues (AK), Latinaotearoa (AK), L40, Miles Calder and the Rumours, Mara and the Bushkas, Upper Hutt Posse, Battleska Galactica, Louis Baker, Estere, Rio Hemopo, Dr Sanchez, The Troubles, Urban Tramper, Sharkness, Kara Gordon, Agitator, Bad Blocks,  Jennifer Zea, Wellington City Shake ‘em on Downers, Art Official, Klezma Rebs, Mara TK, Jhan Lindsay, House of Mountain (chch), Digg, Mr Sterile Assembly, Bella Cajon, Sendam Orchestra and many many more….

Full details at  www.newtownfestival.org.nz/performers/

Vital Sounds was formed in early 2003 after spending time with the Roots Foundation who I served my deejaying apprenticeship with. Vital Sounds has featured a range of selectors and MCs including Topknot, Ras Stone, Danny Lemon and The Mighty Asterix just to name a few.

We have played alongside and supported such legends as Burning Spear and Toots and The Maytals (JA), dub poet ‘LKJ’ Linton Kwesi Johnson, Soul Jazz Sound System and Dennis Bovell (UK), Dry & Heavy (Japan), plus local Kiwi groups, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds and Trinity Roots as well as having been involved with the Whopper Chopper series, Cuba St Carnival and Raglan’s Sound Spash.

I also work as a photographer and spend too much money on records and sound systems!  I travel as much as I can, including taking a trip to Jamaica in 1999 to photograph vinyl pressing plants, a series that was bought by Te Papa

How/when did you get into reggae?

The first Jamaican song I ever heard was ‘My Boy Lollipop’ by Millie Small on an old rock’n’roll tape, although at the time I never knew she was Jamaican! I listened to a lot of Bob Marley as a kid, and then got into two-tone ska through the punk scene. But once I learnt they were mainly covering old JA hits from the 60′s I started buying the original songs and never looked back

You’ve just built New Zealand’s first custom-built reggae/dub sound system.  Can you tell us a bit about it’s sound specifications?

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi follows in the tradition of Jamaican and UK sounds. The new system utilises the classic 18″ scoop bin (or folded horn) for bass.  Ninety-nine percent of all UK sound systems use this design as it is the best sounding sub for bass culture, not just reggae but D’n’B and Dubstep too. They move a hell of a lot of air, and create a very special environment! The scoops are Roger Mogale (UK) designs, built here in the Hutt, and are loaded with Italian built 18-Sound drivers. Four 15″ EV drivers handle the mids with a couple of 2″ compression horns for the highs.

It’s a 5000 watt system, which is modest by UK standards, but when used properly with a right gear it’s heavyweight. I haven’t heard anything in NZ to compete with the bass pressure of these four subs!

Other gear includes DBX driverack 260 and EQ’s, Crown and Yorkville amps plus the usual two turntables & microphones (I still only play vinyl). Also a bunch of EFX, Roland space echo, digital delays, phaser, Korg sampler.

Special thanks to Andy Craig, Western Audio for all his support.

What motivated you to build the system?

Basically I was sick of small underpowered club PA’s which are usually built for rock music. I felt a need to create a sound system that presented this music in its true form, with all the focus on the quality of the sound and the enjoyment of the night.

I’m not that big on reggae live bands, for me it’s always been about the sound system culture, the true ghetto vibe has always been the downtown dances.

Who/what inspires you musically?

Loads of music, not just Jamaican music. I’ve always collected a lot of black music, blues, disco, jazz, funk, hip-hop etc but JA music makes up about eighty percent of my collection. There’s an honesty about it and I’ve always been drawn to the drum which is at the centre of all black music.

The big hitters for me are Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd (the foundation) and King Tubby’s partnership with Bunny Lee (the golden age of roots music).

Sound system wise I follow the UK scene, especially Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti and Iration Steppas.

But of course I’m a white Kiwi male so I also dig Led Zep and Santana!

Ed Z’s synthesised fingers and some of his beats met with the vocal stylings and guitar riffs of Nikita (they call her the Spooky).

Then came the upgrade to a larger home-studio – with windows.

“Agitator” – was born.

Their first recording “demo” was a favourite on many end of year 2012 hard rock lists and with the line up solidified into a quartet the live shows have established a reputation for wild carnage and roaring mayhem similar to what would happen if vikings travelled in space and played instruments.

VTV members are also known to be experts on Double Brown, Baking, Home Maintenance, Botanicals, Spravaging,  Auras and Galaxy Vibes.

Sharkness is the muchly-elecrtonica solo work of Robin Hinkley of Good Laika and Bleakhouse, produced by Age Pryor and engineered by Dr Lee Prebble and this record is a fun and interesting collection of quirky pop songs interpolated with introspective ballads (This Is War, Unstcuk) which serve to add contrast and perhaps even reprise.

Tracks like Right Now and the more rollicking Danger are summer barbeque soundtracks in the waiting (with not a hint of shit reggae to be smelt!). While tracks like Little Fish, Big Teeth and the aforementioned Peter Pandemic are quirky pop gems – just left enough off centre to be interesting while remaining accessible – which, when I think about it is a good summation of the whole record. Highly recommended if you want to play something most other barbecues aren’t this summer, probably. – review by Andrew Tidball

In 2007 Rio was a participant in The Red Bull Music Academy in Toronto, which led him to collaborating and recording with Steve Spacek, Mark Pritchard, Theo Parish, Wajeed and the renowned Afro-Beat Drummer Tony Allen. On returning home Rio was invited to take part in ‘A Class of it’s Own’ Red Bull Sessions and Collaborations recorded in Cape Town again working with artists and producers from around the globe.

Bitten by the beat Rio continued to write, entering the Lyall Bay studio of The Drop where he crafted his lush three track 12inch EP produced by Fat Freddys Drop Master – Mu. This limited vinyl release has since sold out.

Rio’s live performances in 2009 kicked off with support slots both here and in Australia for DJ Vadim and Fat Freddy’s Drop. 2010 saw Rio invited to open the main stage at Parihaka Festival returning to Wellington’s Summer Series Garden Magic before commencing the Winery Tour.

Rio has since been dividing his time between live performances and working on his long awaited debut album due for release early next year.

Rio’s infectious and hypnotic live performances were undertaken as a 2 piece with Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke accompanying Rio on guitar, banjo and backing vocals. This saw the duo once again being invited to Australia in 2010 to play support nationally for The Fisherkings.

The live show expands to include both special guests on both keys and percussion.

It was founded by keys player Ben Campbell and front-man Moses Robbins following a year long project of creative exploration, recording, jamming and art. Bass player Kurt Preston was the natural selection as he had been involved in each step of the musical development and singer/songwriter Jed Parsons was recruited shortly after it was discovered he played drums.

The band began by playing tour support around the South Island following the quakes that destroyed most of Christchurch’s live venues. This saw the group play more than 50 shows in under a year and develop a strong live set.

House of Mountain are yet to release any official content aside from anecdotal skits and photos online and some limited edition merchandise at shows.

Formed in 2001, the group mutated through many versions of the line-up till they settle on the number two. The changes were intentional, and during this time they  released 4 albums, a book, and toured in Australia, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. They have been classified as punk, math rock, experimental, noise rock, alt rock and outsider punk, and think the latter is as close as it gets.

They have a distinctive, South Pacific sound based on unusual and urgent time signatures, repetitive heavy rhythms, and angular lyrics. Songs are typically epic, with complex arrangements, and often recount the personal stories behind current or historical events.

mr sterile Assembly are known for their mercurial nature, and have produced some diverse recordings and events. Most notably, for their recent album, Transit, mr sterile commissioned or was gifted an art work for each song and are currently touring the exhibition in NZ. They recently supported CRASS front man, Steve Ignorant and his band but you could just as easily find them playing a fund raiser on the back of a flatbed truck for a local small town fair.

Over their 10 years, sterile have continuously re-invented themselves with shifting line-ups and collaborations. The current two-piece line-up is reportedly the most assertive and explosive to date.

Funkommunity trumpet player and talented solo producer Isaac Aesili, who descends from the small South American country of Guyana, provides a local grounding and familiar rhythm through his vast experience as an in-demand New Zealand musician.  He’s toured with Trinity Roots, Shapeshifter and Recloose, contributing an authenticity to this outfit most others could only dream of.

Together they create a unique and truly legitimate Latin act with a local flavour, both bending and blending the traditional music of their homelands with the modern sounds of here and now.  Jennifer’s sultry singing layers Bobby’s beat selections beautifully, with Isaac providing the icing with live accompanying percussion.  Spanish renditions of local hits by House of Shem and Ladi 6 sure to prove popular amongst the punters. Likewise, Latin versions of classic soulful hip hop such as erykah Badu and the Pharcyde will strike a chord with kiwi listeners.

With vast experience performing in front of local and international audiences, LatinAotearoa are ready to take the step to the next level in the approaching summer. However with the musical pedigree, multi-cultural exposure, impressive artist interaction and sheer talent that these artists possess, this trio is sure to shuffle feet and swing hips in whichever slice of our lucky little heaven they end up.

A scampish folk troubadour dreaming of high seas and low trees with the Rumours quick on his heels. Melding wiry country jangle with frail folk balladeering, Miles Calder and the Rumours win your heart and woo your dancing shoes.

The stage is on the corner of Constable and Riddiford Streets and features ten great acts, including Sam Manzanza and his Afro Beat Band,(pictured right)  Womansong Choir, and Bella Cajon.

Check out the full lineup now.

Womansong will be holding a workshop on Saturday 2nd March for any women interested in singing with them on stage at Newtown Festival.  Easy, fun songs will be taught by ear. For more information see our website: www.womansong.co.nz

Sam has performed his infectious brand of authentic African music to audiences all over the globe.

He is the man who popularised traditional and modern African music in N.Z.  A versatile instrumentalist, composer and singer, he plays blues harp, guitar and percussion. He composes most of the songs his band performs, and sings in French, Lingala and English.

His knowledge of traditional rhythms is honed by years spent with the national ballet of Zaire under Ray Lema.  He has enlivened and enchanted many ceremonial occasions in N.Z from the Auckland commonweath Drum Festival in 1990 to various events in Government house, The Beehive in Wellington and elsewhere.

During his years in N.Z Sam has toured widely trough out the country, solo and with his band.  His Fast-Paced blend of African music, Ska, Hot, Spicy and Afrobeat is taken from Tribal beat with a lyrical mix languages to make the temperature rising is always a hit with audience.

AFRO BEAT BAND and Afro beat Maestro ll make you happy and get up and dance with the music for the soul. You’ll not need to go to gym next day.  They are an experience not to be missed.  The sounds you’ll hear to day are just part of his wide-ranging talent.

Bella Cajon draw on an eclectic range of musical flavours to take their listeners on a musical journey. Instrumentals sit alongside Spanish sing alongs and political raps – but whatever the song, the beat is strong.

Recently returned from their tour of the Top of the South, and soon to take a break while some members move to Spain, this may be your last chance to catch the mighty Bella Cajon for some time to come.

The Youth Circus train weekly at The Circus Hub, the home of circus in Wellington.

Out There has skills that will astound  as ordinary kids do extra ordinary things, with energy, laughter and music…watch a handstand teeter on a stack of chairs and a hula hoop fly , bodies contort and fall in a  30 minute action packed celebration of youth and possibilities.

Lake (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboard), Phil Jones (bass, Bvs, keyboard/computer), Andy Hoy (drums/samples)

We have entitled our music: ‘Future folk’.

Future – because we are in a state of becoming and our music is an aural representation of unrealised dreams.

Folk – because we write simple songs for everyone to play and sing along to.

We’re currently experimenting  with ElectricUTOPIA

Manifesto-in-progress: ElectricUTOPIA is an aural representation of unrealised dreams. It’s the soundtrack to the future we forgot – Urbantramper still holds a hope for that future. Utopia, used positively, gives shape to our idealistic musings. It is the northern star that we strive for but cannot, and will not, ever reach. It is this unattainable quality which gives utopia its value a conceptual tool.

Urbantramper is a member of the Home Alone Music collective.

Don’t miss this highly skilled entertainment spectacular!

The band were revered after their 2009 debut release ‘On The Down And In’ which produced four Top Ten Alt Airplay singles and then released the fuzzier 60s influenced Beneath The Crystal Palace, which received critical acclaim and yielded one of 2012′s favourite alt radio songs ‘Cliche’.

Fearful of singing publicly eight months ago, bets were placed amongst family members in attempt to coax twenty-one year old singer songwriter Bec Sandridge out of her shell (or rather small, sea-town bathroom in Stanwell Park, Australia).

Such bets truly paid off mid 2011. Moving from guitarist in folk-pop band Mad Polly (Melissa Creagan), sharing the stage with such international artists including HUSKY, PASSENGER (UK), Stu Larsen (AU), Emily And The Woods (UK), Matthew Barber (CAN), Skipping Girl Vinegar (AU), Custom Kings, Andy Bull, Owl Eyes, Yellow Fever (TEXAS) and Adalita (Magic Dirt), at world class venues and festivals including Ronnie Scotts (UK), Apollo (Scotland), Proud Camden (UK), The Regal Room (UK), Sydney Blues & Roots Fest ’11, Newtown Festival (AU), Ox Art Factory (AU), Bec Sandridge is truly making a name for herself, enticing a solid fan-base with hypnotic folk-pop sounds. 
Her debut EP ‘What was Left’ was launched online via iTunes reaching #57 on the Australian Singer-songwriter Charts, #8 Triple J Unearthed Indie Charts, whilst being featured in YENmag’s online edition of ‘upcoming musicians for 2011′.

They come armed with a ferocious debut that a five star NZ Herald review gushed was “a mongrel mix of Kyuss, Neurosis, and the mighty Godflesh, Beastwars bring together pummeling intensity, beautiful brutality, and sonic paranoia to create a sound all of their own”.

18 months after the New Zealand release of the album EMI picked it up for distribution in America and the band has enjoyed a growing legion of international fans. They recently completed their 2nd album which will be released in April.

Mihirangi has recently found fame reaching the finals of New Zealand’s Got Talent.

Mihirangi has had an expansive journey, having toured for 7 years, 5 times around the globe and performing at more than 50 international festivals. She is a dynamic musician as much of her live acts are in freestyle form, as in, made up on the spot. She has captured her favourite songs from these experiences in the studio and now, Mihirangi is about to release nd these on her much-anticipated 2 album – ‘Some body Shake The Tree’.

The new site can be found at www.newtown.org.nz

Check it out for all the latest information about Newtown: community issues, activities and meetings.

And if you’d like to join, membership is just a gold coin.

All stages and performances are going ahead – check the Fair Day Programme.

See you all soon!

Want some timeout from the fun of the fair day?

Come and visit us at Newtown Community Creche, 46 Constable Street (behind the Community Centre Hall – opposite Mediterranean Food Warehouse).

Bring your preschoolers for a look at our awesome facilities while you have a rest and a complimentary tea or coffee with crèche parents.

This is a great opportunity to check out this fantastic environment with your kids and to have a reprieve from the hustle and bustle. At Newtown Community Creche we know how much fun the street fair day can be with pre-schoolers and how challenging!

Newtown Community Creche offers awesome opportunities for learning and play for mobile babies up to school age kids. We’re proud to have five fantastic qualified teachers and a wonderful supportive network of parents.

Creche hours are 8:30am to 2:30pm Mon – Fri and we offer 20 hours ECE.

Newtown Community Creche
46 Constable Street
Ph (04) 389 3372
Newtown.creche@xtra.co.nz

We believe radio should be about the local community, not overseas owned and beamed in from Auckland. That’s why we’re proud to be broadcasting from the Newtown Fair and Carrara park Jazz picnic once again and support community events on-air and in other ways. We’ll be playing a mix of our 4000 hand selected tunes to perfectly set the Cafe style mood in Green street. Come up and say Hi, make a request, maybe say a word on-air or even win a ticket to WOMAD!

Groove 107.7FM is your soundtrack for living. Listen live at our news page below or tune in to 107.7FM or via the free ‘Tunein radio’ app on your mobile device.
“Jazz junkies are raving about a local radio station called Groove FM. They’re listening in the morning before work, during office hours and in the evening to wind down. Capital Times decided to find out more about Groove 107.7FM and why more people are tuning in.” – Capital Times.

“Groove is the best thing to happen to Wellington airwaves since the invention of FM. Sure, you can be a follower with the mainstream stations. Or you can be an individual with Groove 107.7 FM.” – Jack Yan, Publisher, Lucire and former Mayoral candidate.

The Emmett St precinct is the food area and there will be a street cafe style with tables and chairs set up near the stage..

10.00am  Jhan Lindsay

11.00am  Bec Sandridge (Aus)

11.45am   Estére

12.30pm  Louis Baker

1.15pm     Kara Gordon

2.00pm    Agitator

3.00pm    Jennifer Zea (AK)

4.00pm    Dr Sanchez

Skaman is a favourite around the Wellington clubs and cafes supporting some of NZeds top reggae bands, he has also been selecting his original classic Ska beats on RadioActive 88.6fm for over six years.

10.30am     Mr Sterile Assembly

11.30am     Digg

12.30pm     House of Mountain (chch)

1.30pm       The Troubles

2.30pm       Rio Hemopo

3.30pm       Sharkness

4.30pm       Urban Tramper

5.30pm       Dictophone Blues (AK)

6.30pm       Von Thundersvolt

7.30pm       Beastwars

Proudly sponsored by Wellington City Council

10.00am     Klezma Rebs

11.00am     Wellington City Shake-’Em-On-Downers

12.00pm    Miles Calder And the Rumours

1.00pm       LatinAotearoa

2.00pm      Newtown Rocksteady

3.00pm      Mihirangi

4.00pm      Mara and the Bushkas

Proudly sponsored by Southern Cross Bar & Restaurant

Wellington Batucada is a community-based percussion group which brings the flamboyant world of samba from Brazil to Wellington. Batucada is a Brazilian word used to describe the syncopated, African-influenced samba music played by a large percussion group (bateria) as part of a street parade or carnival.

Originally formed in November 2001 to perform in the Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington Batucada endeavors to replicate the authentic samba sound playing a variety of Brazilian rhythms including samba batucada, partido alto, samba reggae, samba funk, and baion. We have been blessed through visits by several superb Brazilian and non-Brazilian samba teachers who laid the foundations for our music.

New rhythms and musical fusions are being explored and developed to reflect the wider cultural influences here in New Zealand, and to create a form of live dance music that’s uniquely ours. Check out photos and video from some of our events in the gallery and blog pages.

We are an all-inclusive group – anyone can join regardless of experience or ability, and we provide authentic Brazilian instruments for those who do not have their own.

Currently Wellington Batucada has over 120 members, with 50-70 members regularly coming to our weekly rehearsals. We are in demand to play at many parades, festivals and events, including the Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington Rugby Sevens, Newtown & Petone Fairs and in 2011 the Rugby World Cup Festival of Carnivale.

10am                          Basketball Jones

10.45am                     Zach Washer

11.30am                     Fraser Hooper

12.15pm                     Minnie Maniac

1.00pm                       Mr Fungus

1.45pm                       Wellington Youth Circus

2.30pm                      Fraser Hooper

3.15pm                       Minnie Maniac

At the corner of Constable and Riddiford Streets.

• 10.15 am -  Sam Manzanza and his Afro Beat Band
• 11.00 am – Mata Purotu Dance Group
• 11.10 am – Womansong Choir and Friends
•  11.45 am – Sendam Rawkestra
• 12.30 pm – My Chameleon
• 1.20 pm – Nimba & the Moringa Dancers
• 1.50 pm – Marimba Mojo
• 2.30 pm – The Bellycats
• 2.50 pm – The Glamaphones
• 3.15 pm – Bella Cajon

Now in their 10th year, the Wellington-based Klezmer Rebs ethnic/European world music band have released their latest CD Anarchia Total (on Ode Records) and will be playing from it as well as two previous CDs Just add shmaltz and Live at the 2005 Wellington Folk Festival.

The new CD Anarchia Total is available through music stores, Ode Records the Klezmer Rebs website klezmer.co.nz/cd-order/, and as a digital download at klezmer.bandcamp.com Visit the Klezmer Rebs website klezmer.co.nz/our-music to watch videos of the band live and listen to our songs.

Originally formed in November 2001 to perform in the Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington Batucada endeavors to replicate the authentic samba sound playing a variety of Brazilian rhythms including samba batucada, partido alto, samba reggae, samba funk, and baion. We have been blessed through visits by several superb Brazilian and non-Brazilian samba teachers who laid the foundations for our music.

New rhythms and musical fusions are being explored and developed to reflect the wider cultural influences here in New Zealand, and to create a form of live dance music that’s uniquely ours. Check out photos and video from some of our events in the gallery and blog pages.

We are an all-inclusive group – anyone can join regardless of experience or ability, and we provide authentic Brazilian instruments for those who do not have their own.

Currently Wellington Batucada has over 120 members, with 50-70 members regularly coming to our weekly rehearsals. We are in demand to play at many parades, festivals and events, including the Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington Rugby Sevens, Newtown & Petone Fairs and in 2011 the Rugby World Cup Festival of Carnivale.

As a musician, he’s been blessed with a simple yet expressive playing style, an astute eye for lyrical detail and a rich, emotive vocal tone straight out of the Detroit Motown era. Within the music industry, Louis has been forging a path for himself within the local music scene for several years now. In that time, he has consistently reaffirmed his talent through acclaimed performances before The Thomas Oliver Band, his membership in new generation super group Brockaflowersaurus-Rex & The Blueberry Biscuits, and a relentless stream of touchingly tear inducing solo performances.

Prizing the intimate vulnerability of performing alone with guitar, Louis is also equally comfortable on stage with a full band, or yet again, working with live electronic beatmakers. From both lyrical and emotive perspectives, he sings songs which communicate the often underappreciated beauties of life speaking to the soul and the heart.

Louis has been privileged to warm the stage up for both legendary local Hi-Tek Soulsters Fat Freddy’s Drop and Chicago brass band The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Alongside this, in July he was accepted to attend the 2012 edition of The Red Bull Music Academy, as to be held in New York City late this year.

At present however, Louis is hard at work in the studio, archiving his ornately toned musings into a polished yet warm recorded form and preparing for a series of anticipated festival performances over the summer months. His most recent project is Vanilau, Maxwell, Baker, a “Crosby, Stills and Nash” style collaborative performance project with Mark Vanilau and one of his personal heroes, Warren Maxwell.

Been involve Newtown festivals, fashion in fields ,RWC2011,Melbourne, Australia ,Bars in wellington, and countless outdoor events.

Types of tunes I normal are cover old school funk, Swing ,RNB, Hip Hop ,Lounge, soulful House , anything to get your feet going.

Today will be playing some good NZ Tune that you might here at Barbeque or out in the sun , plus old schools sounds that you haven’t heard for long time.

Enjoy

DJ Mesala

With lots of fun, games and activities, it’s your chance to meet our new Kidzone host Morgan, have a play on the Kidzone Magic Desktop; plus hang out with some of your favourite characters from our local shows including Rufus from Pop-Up as well as SpottyWot and DottyWot from The WotWots.

All proceeds go to support DEBRANZ.

Old School remixes and Funk Set by DJ Mesala

DJ MESALA 10am to 1pm

DJ MAESALA  will be playing

Reggae on the remix

Nz Tunes

Dirtys 70s funk

Motown on the remix

plus many more old school gems

I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOR 20 PLUS YEARS NOW. I STARTED OUT PLAYING AT PRIVATE MOBILE FUNCTIONS LIKE WEDDINGS & BIRTHDAY PARTIES… THEN GETTING INTO SCHOOL SOCIALS & DANCE PARTIES, AND THEN I BECAME INVOLVED IN THE BAR & CLUB SCENE WHERE I HAVE BEEN THE RESIDENT DJ AT “ELECTRIC AVENUE” FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS.

CORK COLLINS 3pm to 4pm

Art was raised in a family of musical enthusiasts and was surrounded by instruments and music-making all of his life. He grew up in Newtown, a bubbling arts and multi-cultural centre in Wellington NZ, where his musical influences ranged from Indian and Polynesian to Maori, and many others from within the diverse community.

His DJ career started with aspirations to become a turntablist and he soon developed strong skills in this area. The techniques he learnt in these early years continue to be a crucial component of his live shows today, and showcase elements from both hip-hop and reggae culture. A serious vinyl collector, but lacking access to DJ equipment Art began presenting radio shows by night on Wellington’s Radio Active FM at the age of 17.

It was at this time that Art was mentored by some of Aotearoa’s leading figures in bass culture and soon invitations followed to join forces with the established Djs on specialist primetime Reggae and HipHop shows. Presenting on the popular station also lead to DJ bookings at various local clubs and venues.

A versatile DJ and skilled soundman, as his career progressed, he has performed alongside and supported local acts like The Blackseeds, Ladi 6, Messenjah (Reality Chant), Katchafire, House Of Shem, The Mighty Asterix, Dam Native, CXL, Silva Emcee, High Stakes Records, Yung Shottaz, and Iron Will.

Fulltime study and learning from experience, he became a first class studio operator and multi-instrumentalist. He is also an accomplished beat-maker and has worked and recorded artists from throughout NZ and abroad.

As his career progressed, Art set up NEWTOWN SOUND to make his mark in production and events projects. Over time the works of Newtown Sound have become a strong force in Aotearoa reggae and hip-hop music, in production, event management (such as Newtown Festival, now the country’s largest annual free street festival), promotion, and mentoring artists.

Mix-CDs are another focus for Art and he has released several popular series, including the acclaimed ‘Ghetto Red Hot’. Art has used these mixes as a way to record and promote homegrown talent alongside some of the world’s best artists.

Art then went on to establish New Zealand’s first website strictly devoted to uniting and promoting Aotearoa reggae in all its forms, WWW.NICEUP.ORG.NZ – Aotearoa Reggae Online. NiceUp quickly expanded to become a central hub for building the reggae community, promotion, production and mentoring. Events management also became a large focus and NiceUp has run a range of tours/shows with national and international artists (Jah Mason, Jr Reid, Jr Kelly, Rodney P, Deadly Hunta, The Bug, Warrior Queen, Rhythm and Sound, Tikiman), as well as film screenings, artist workshops and outdoor events.

No stranger to performing away from his home turf, Art is a regular traveler and performer and has strong alliances throughout NZ. In the last twelve months, he has also performed in Berlin, London, Glasgow, Udaipur, and Delhi alongside top ranking reggae performers such as Mungo’s Hi Fi, Earl Gateshead, Rhythm and Sound, Deadly Hunta, Mr Williamz and Reggae Rajas.

‘I feel I’ve been blessed to have come by so much great music in my life, and I am so proud of the music coming out of Aotearoa right now. You’ll hear that in my sets, representing some serious talent’

‘For me its about connecting and building together, so the musical bonds are important to me – the artists I work with are like family’

Be sure to keep a look out for Newtown Sound productions, collaborations and releases in 2011:
- ‘Sirens’ (12” vinyl release) by Dam Native
- ‘Foundation’ (single) featuring vocalist Israel Starr
- ‘Legalise’ (album production) NZ Hip Hop by Wellington group Evil Mule
- ‘Ghetto Red Hot – Vol. 5’ (Mix CD) mixed by DJ Art Official

www.newtownsound.co.nz
www.soundcloud.com/newtownsound
www.myspace.com/newtownsound

Widely experienced comedian & MC (including European Juggling Convention; Edinburgh Fringe; Fiji Showcase; Canberra, Nelson & Auckland Buskers Festivals; numerous NZ Juggling Festivals).

In the past year MR FUNGUS and his alter ego Fergus Aitken has headlined comedy events from North shore to Invercargill and appeared at the Port Fairy Folk Festival (Australia).

“Was great to have you there and you did an excellent job, pulling and entertaining a large crowd and while adding a loud, vibrant and visually dynamic performance to the Fiesta mix…”                                                                                  VERVE EVENTS LTD (JACKSON ST FIESTA, PETONE)

“Mr Fungus is a consummate improviser…”
NZ INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

“Thrillingly Stupid…”
ROYAL AUCKLAND EASTER SHOW

“Hilarious…”
NZ NEWS UK (London)

For the first time in history Boxing’s Biggest Baddy Fraser “The Thumper” Hooper will dare to challenge all comers in a three round bout of pure comedy carnage.

This is a must see for all sport and comedy fans everywhere.
Get a ringside seat for a guaranteed belly aching knockout performance.

NZ based award winning clown Fraser Hooper returns after the worldwide success of Funny Business and Insideout with another mesmeric mime show with classic ingredients of hilarious audience involvement, ridiculous routines and a complete disregard for his own safety.

The focal point of Newtown’s 10 day long Festival extravaganza is the Newtown Festival Street Fair from 10am on Sunday 3rd March 2013.

Check out the Fair Day programme and the performers who will entertain you.

If you’d like a stall at the Fair Day, see our stall bookings pages.

And find out about Road Closures in Newtown on Fair Day.

Reclaim the streets and experience Newtown !

Enjoy the smorgasbord of 8 music stages, fairground fun, stalls and international food on the menu in Wellington’s festive suburb.

Newtown is a community where everyday you can sample at any time a wide range of the world’s best ethnic foods, shop in the eclectic mix of local shops, or simply enjoy a great coffee in one of Newtown’s cafes, restaurants or bars.

Be in the mainstreet of Newtown on Fair Day. Closed to vehicles, Riddiford Street is turned into a community party – the perfect opportunity for local groups, businesses & performers to showcase themselves to the public & for us all to celebrate Newtown.

At this, the 13th Newtown Festival Street Fair, many of the local restaurants will be serving delicious food outside, supplied fresh from their kitchens.

Newtown’s shops and local businesses will be joined by over 200 other stall holders & community groups selling an enormous range of goods, reflecting the diversity of the people who come together for this event. Stall sites fill both sides of the main street & into the adjoining side streets.

A performance based street fair with live music, colourful costumes and dance all day entertainment is provided by community groups, local musicians and Wellington bands. The depth of talent in wider Wellington comes to our community for this once a year street party.

Bring a picnic, your blankets, kids, grandparents, friends and come and listen to a variety of jazz styles …

The lineup

1 pm: The Wend
Newtown Locals playing their take on tradtional blues.

2 pm: Serendipity
The ultimate Duo – Mike Duffy and Jeremy Desmond.

2:30 pm: Elizabeth Wise
All the way from Memphis, Tn. 24 Year old Elizabeth Wise born and raised in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and spent last 4 years working on music in Memphis.  Her own Memphis-based band, which includes blues/jazz legend Dr. Herman Green who accompanied BB King, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis for years, has been a regular band during tourist season on Beale St., played all over Memphis, while her Richmond-based band has toured Virginia.

3:30 pm: Megan Wheeler
British muso travelling New Zealand and combining other travelling musicians in the set. Look out ya’ll!

4 pm: Nigel Patterson
 Led by Nigel Patterson, one of New Zealand’s finest keyboardists/composers (The Black Seeds, Fly My Pretties) with support from Lucien Johnson (Shogun Orchestra, The Troubles) on tenor saxophone, and Peter Elliot on drums the trio combines expert musicianship with passion and creativity.

Inspired by such greats as Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Mal Waldron, McCoy Tyner and many others The NP Trio creates a contemporary, sophisticated and digestible take on the jazz idiom.

5 pm: Serendipity
See above …

5:30 pm: The Bandits
6 piece Salsa Band. These young and up and coming Jazz School trained performers are playing regularly in the Wellington scene and will bring the grass dancefloor alive in the afternoon..

Big Bike Fix Up

Bring your bike along to the jazz picnic and our volunteer mechanics will help you fine-tune and fix it up! Find out more.

Keep an eye out for this year’s exciting childrens’ programme. Coming soon!

For more information call (04) 381 6758, email zooevents@wellingtonzoo.com or visit www.wellingtonzoo.com.

A group of Wellington musos are combining their creative talents to create and recreate the Rocksteady reggae sound. The eight-piece, Jamaican Rocksteady / Soul / Funk big band featuring members of Hikoikoi, IRoots, Roy G and the Bivonators, Safari, Zirigidum, and The Resole Project, play stonkin’ grooves to get people moving their bodies.

Their sounds and styles are inspired by the late 60′s crazes of rocksteady and ska dancehalls in Jamaica and England. And the result? An inspired sound, with an infectious combination of mellow rhythms and upbeat dance tunes to get the whole family grooving!

Rally Cars – Race Cars – Historic and Classic Vehicles

Get up close to some powerful race machinery as the hills of Newtown come alive with the sound of speed!

Wellington Car Club is based in Russell Terrace, Newtown.

It’s time to sell all those items you never use and have a good old clear out. Transform your garage or front yard into a stall and make some quick cash!

There will be garage sales all over Newtown – and our official map makes it easy for people to find your sale.

Contact Don at garage.newtown@gmail.com if you want to take part.

See the Official Garage Sale Map or check out the summary map below.

View Great Newtown Garage Sale 2013- Sat 9 th March in a larger map

The third annual Newtown Festival “Gruppetto” provides an opportunity to meet other cyclists in Newtown.

Meet up from 7.30am at Peoples Coffee, have coffee and a chat, then bike into the city in small groups.

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery2.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery4.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery5.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery6.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery7.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery8.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery9.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery10.jpg

/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NF-gallery11.jpg

1@/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sponsor-new-world2.gif@http://www.newworld.co.nz/newtown

1@/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Rotator-radioactive.jpg@http://www.radioactive.co.nz