TUNE IN: Bob Vincent will take a singer/songwriter workshop at The Arts Village for New Zealand Music Month. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
TUNE IN: Bob Vincent will take a singer/songwriter workshop at The Arts Village for New Zealand Music Month. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Rotorua - get ready to celebrate New Zealand Music Month.
Dozens of workshops, seminars and live performances will be held around the city in the coming weeks for the occasion, which celebrates the best of Kiwi music.
The Rotorua District Council and Rotorua Trust will fund a number of eventsand will promote the theme "Live and Local", which pays tribute to original music from Rotorua artists of all ages and genres.
The council's creative communities strategy lead, Glenys Searancke, said the event provided locals with a mixture of home-grown entertainment and the chance to participate in the arts.
"Music Month is a great opportunity to show our support for our local musos and, of course, for them to show their talents to us. It's a great time to give them a platform," Mrs Searancke said.
The first of a trio of Friday night performances throughout the month began with the Old School Cool concert at Belgian Bar last night. This Friday's performance, held at the Catering Company, will feature big local names including Chris Webber and Sam Yeoward.
The last of the Friday night shows, also held at the club, will have a youth focus and all three performances will be recorded with the intent of producing a compilation CD of Rotorua's 2014 Live and Local.
"The CD will not only draw attention to the phenomenal talent we have here in Rotorua, but also provide a valuable snapshot of our voice and our songs for posterity," Mrs Searancke said.
The Arts Village will also host three workshops and seminars, with participants learning new musical skills and take their performance techniques to a higher level.
The first is a singer/songwriter folk-style workshop, guided by musician Bob Vincent, who has released more than a dozen CDs. The workshop will take place on May 12 and May 19.
A Spanish-style guitar and looping workshop will be held at The Arts Village on May 17, taken by Chris Webber.
An electro-funk loop pedal workshop will be held on May 24.
For more information visit www.creativerotorua.org.nz.
