Basin gets blues on Sunday

Whangarei's Town Basin is going to get the blues this Sunday - rhythm and blues that is. Photo / John Stone

Business owners in the Town Basin are hoping rhythm and blues will entice people to visit the area and stay awhile this weekend.

Blues at the Basin was born after Tina Cachemaille decided to try to liven up the Town Basin.

She approached the Whangarei District Council with her idea of having live music performed on Sunday around a month ago.

She was encouraged to find people who agreed it would be positive for the area.

"The lady I dealt with was so on board," she said. "With some live music I reckon the place would be pumping."

Rhythm and blues band Juice on the Loose will be performing live blues and soul music from 10am until 2pm on Sunday outside Mokaba cafe.

Manager of Mokaba cafe Anna Le Cheminant said she was very supportive of the new event.

"We're shouting [the band] lunch, we're all for it," she said.

"I think they should have a lot more going on down here. It's meant to be the heart of the town, I think it's the prettiest part for sure."

She said she was sure her customers would appreciate dining to some live music.

"It's a great idea."

Ms Cachemaille has recruited some young local talent to perform alongside Juice on the Loose.

Co-Lab is a group of Whangarei boys who perform acoustic covers of songs. Ms Cachemaille passed them busking in town one day and was so impressed she approached them about the gig on the spot.

They will be playing from 12-1pm to give Juice on the Loose a chance to have a break.

She hopes the event will become a regular thing and more local bands will have the opportunity to perform.

"I'd like to see it every two or three weeks," she said.

However, she said it has been a challenge to organise on her own.

"It would be a full-time job trying to organise it all."