Wellington’s got its Cuba St and Newtown street festivals and now Masterton is going to have a rocking event of its own.
King St became well-known for its successful art therapy studios; more recently it has been seen as the heart of Wairarapa’s live music scene, a reputation set to be furthered by being the venue for a new street festival from 3pm on October 25.
The Huia Festival on Labour Weekend will be headlined by one of New Zealand’s most sought-after live acts, The Black Seeds, and the immensely popular Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, and will see the street closed off for the day’s Mardi- Gras-style party.
The brainchild of Wairarapa-based top Kiwi musician Warren Maxwell and his brother Alan who is also bar manager of King Street Live, the festival is named after that most emblematic of New Zealand birds, the huia.
Maxwell is bringing his musical connections to bear and Mark Rogers of Up With People is also organising the event.
King Street Live and Up With People have invigorated the local music scene by bringing international acts to Wairarapa and kicking off new events such as this year’s wildly successful Pink Floyd Tribute at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
The Black Seeds were one of the most popular acts at King Street Live since it opened and they still hold the record for attracting the fastest sellout of the venue. At the Huia Festival Maxwell will be playing with one of his bands, King Oriori and Masterons. Solo instrumentalist Adam Page is bringing his wildly innovative musical talent and Shapeshifter’s DJ Sambora is another drawcard.
The stage will be at the Chapel St end of the street and the car park between Liquor King and King Street Live will be home to the food and beverage court. A special VIP Party will be held after the street festival in King Street Live from 10pm onwards.
Band members from The Black Seeds and Adam Page will be holding workshops the next day in association with Bully Free Wairarapa in the Stopping Violence Rooms.
In conjunction with the festival, organisers are also holding a song-writing competition for young people and they will get to play their song on stage.
Wairarapa News has teamed up with the festival to offer readers $20 off the normal $85 ticket price and also a discount for the VIP party. Just enter the code WaiNews when buying tickets at http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2014/huia-festival-2014/masterton/tickets
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– Wairarapa News
