Christmas in the Pa proceeds to help foodbank

Rotorua stage performers often get called upon to sing for their supper - but rarely for someone else's.

A group of well-known local singers will perform Christmas carols on Saturday night next weekend to mark 50 years since the establishment of Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Craft and Arts Institute at Te Whakarewarewa Valley.

All door sales from the Christmas in the Pa concert will be donated to the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal in aid of the Salvation Army foodbank.

Concert producer Monty Morrison said the concert was centred on whanau and whanaungatanga - giving back to the community and celebrating the past and present.

"Christmas in the Pa is an opportunity for families to come together in a beautiful, historic and uniquely Rotorua venue to celebrate Christmas together through song," he said.

Vocalist Russell Harrison, of the Howard Morrison Junior trio, the Rotorua Symphonic Band, Pure Voice trio, and singer-songwriter Rodger Cunningham will perform traditional and contemporary Christmas favourites, hymns, rock-renditions and a special ukulele tribute, with Te Puia staff.

Te Puia general manager sales and marketing Kiri Atkinson-Crean said the event marked the last in a series of special 50-year celebrations at Te Puia during the past month. The concert will be at Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house to celebrate the importance of whanau and whanaungatanga to individual and community wellbeing, she said.

"A concert like this is built on community participation and that is an important part of what we are trying to portray - togetherness and celebration."

Donating the door sales to the Salvation Army foodbank was a way of helping families in need, she said. Food, song sheets and programmes will be available at the venue, and concert-goers can bring a picnic. Gates open at 5pm Saturday December 14 with door sales $10 per family (up to two adults and two children) and $2 per extra child or senior citizen.

A can drive will take place on Monday from 6pm-8pm in the Westbrook area between Pandora Ave, Orion St, Pegasus Dr, Pukehangi Rd and Malfroy Rd. Everyone is welcome to collect cans from residents for the foodbank appeal.

Donations to the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army foodbank can be made at our Hinemoa St office between 8am and 5pm weekdays. People can donate money or non-perishable food. Food donations can also be made at the Salvation Army's Community Ministries at Community House on Haupapa St. Let us know if you're organising an appeal event by contacting reporter Mike Watson, phone (07) 348 6199 ext 57049, or email mike.watson@dailypost.co.nz