The line-up for the 2015 Lakeside concert - The Night Fantastic - is out, and with a mix of talented local and national musicians the annual event's high-calibre reputation should continue.
The concert on Rotorua's Village Green on February 21 will feature some of the biggest names in New Zealandmusic as well as the best of Maori, classical and contemporary music, in a format accessible to every citizen of the region, organisers say.
The Night Fantastic
Annie Crummer, Jason Kerrison from Opshop and Kiwi Darryl Lovegrove, who was awarded Australian Entertainer of the Year for 2014, will perform at the event. Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust chairman Ian Edward said they had appointed three artistic directors this year, who had a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry, to organise the music.
"We are terribly excited about the line-up that we have got assembled here this year. Every year we appoint an artistic director but this year we have three. Shane Cortese, Candy Lane, who has just been given a Queen's honour for her contribution to dance in New Zealand, and Mark Dennison, who has been a musical director for New Zealand's Got Talent, and is not only a professional himself but organises and directs music for a number of shows."
Mr Edward hoped the event would pull a large crowd.
"We never know, but the crowds have been to the extent where people on the Village Green have standing room only. We anticipate this year's event will attract an equally large number, as it is an event that is eagerly anticipated by our community."
Local performers include ex-Western Heights High School student band Strangely Arousing, entertainer Russell Harrison, musician Alayna Powley and a choir of students from Glenholme School, who will perform hits from the musical Annie.
Pene Pati from Sol3 Mio will lead the opera section.
Annie Crummer will be one of the headlining acts at Lakeside, The Night Fantastic.
Shortland Street star Amanda Billing will sing with Harrison, while Tina Cross and the Candy Lane Dancers will have the crowd dancing with the latest hits.
The Modern Maori Quartet, fresh from their triumph on Tem Morrison's Happy Hour, should have crowds laughing.
The event is free but Mr Edward said there would be a gold coin collection on the night for Plunket.
