Top Kiwi acts heading to Rotorua for summer concert series

CLASS ACTS: Musician Michael Barker (right) and Ngai Tahu Tourism's Fraser Leddie have joined forces to bring some top Kiwi acts to Rotorua over summer. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Some of New Zealand's top musical acts are coming to Rotorua for a series of summer concerts at a special outdoor venue.

The Rainbow Springs Nature Park Summer Series has been put together by local musician Michael Barker, and the team at Rainbow Springs, and brings to Rotorua multiple award-winning acts such as Tami Neilson, Nathan Haines, The Phoenix Foundation, Don McGlashan, Rob Ruha and local songstress Ria Hall.

Barker, an accomplished percussionist who has played with the likes of Split Enz and the John Butler Trio and is one half of popular blues/rock duo Swamp Thing, said to get such high quality acts to the city was not an easy job and he hoped locals and visitors would support the concert series.

"I had a look at the venue and thought it was the perfect outdoor covered theatre, set in the bush, with great parking and easy access and a licensed bar with easy going staff - what more could you want?

"There's nothing like it in this Bay of Plenty area."

He said it was a busy time for musicians and having the concerts on a Sunday evening meant the artists were more likely to be available.

"Some of these artists you have to book more than a year ahead.

"Quite often we hear 'there's not much happening in Rotorua' and people have to go to Auckland or elsewhere to see these great performers, but not now.

"Bringing artists of this calibre to Rotorua over the summer period is a real treat."

Ngai Tahu Tourism North Island regional manager Fraser Leddie said Rainbow Springs wanted to do something different and hoped to make the concert series an annual summer event.

"The auditorium is a great venue and we thought it was worthwhile to meet up with Mike, who we are very fortunate to have living in our community, and has been fantastic helping us source artists who would fit in well with the venue here.

"We can fit about 400 people and it's quite intimate, so we think it will be perfect for the concert series.

"We are really excited to have this here and we'd like it to become a feature for touring artists from all over New Zealand."

Mr Leddie said tickets were on sale now and seats were limited.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park - Summer Series
January 15: Rob Ruha and Ria Hall $55
January 29: Swamp Thing $55
February 12: Don McGlashan $65
February 26: The Phoenix Foundation $75
March 12: Nathan Haines $65
March 19: Tami Neilson $65
- To book call (0800) 724 626, email reservations@rainbowsprings.co.nz, or visit www.rainbowsprings.co.nz