This year will be farewelled in funky fashion at the Rotorua Lakefront, with Spacifix headlining the annual Mardi Gras celebrations.
The Auckland-based nine-piece band are just part of the entertainment set to welcome in the New Year at the free family entertainment event, which includes music, dance,
a sound and light show and plenty of fireworks.
This year's 52nd anniversary New Zealand Community Trust Mardi Gras concert - Rock the Lake - promises the proverbial something for everyone. The five hours-plus of non-stop entertainment begins with a children's programme at 5pm.
At 6pm the Mardi Gras concert gets fully under way as the evening programme kicks off on stage, Rotorua movie star Temuera Morrison as compere.
Headline act Spacifix will hit the stage about 8pm for a 90-minute set.
Spacifix are the new sweethearts of the New Zealand music scene, with a musical influence drawn from every island in the Pacific.
Spacifix will be followed by performances from guitar and saxophone maestro Kerry Le Lievre and New Zealand rock legend Tom Sharplin, with Celine Toner and the Cadillacs and the finalists from the Westbrook Tavern Karaoke Talent Search.
Saxophonist Roger Rangitaawa will herald in the New Year in soulful fashion, before the traditional midnight fireworks spectacular.
The event will be followed on January 27 by Opera in the Pa at Ohinemutu; Heart & Soul, the 2007 Lakeside Concert at Rotorua's Village Green on February 10 and the Blue Lake Dub Experience on February 17. Country superstar Glen Campbell is playing at the Rotorua International Stadium on March 24.
