1 February 2013

Fire ban forces switch from fireworks to spectacular laser show: ASB LunarFest 2013

A total fire ban has forced New Zealand’s leading Asian broadcaster to cancel a Lunar New Year fireworks display and present a spectacular laser-lighting show instead.

World Television Limited, which has 10 pay-to-view television channels on Sky and two TV channels on Freeview, is hosting the ASB LunarFest 2013 tomorrow, 2 February, at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau.

The festival was scheduled to finish with a fireworks display commencing at 10pm.

However, with a total fire ban in Auckland, WTV has called in Oceania Audio and Lighting, the company behind in the fireworks displays at the Rugby World Cup.

Set to a sound track, the 15-minute laser extravaganza will involve the use of theatre and event technology to create a visual spectacle with lasers shooting 18 kilometres into the air. A large LED screen will project images of fireworks.

WTV Chief Executive, Henry Ho, said the laser show will be spectacular and will be accompanied by a sound track played from one of New Zealand’s best concert sound systems.

Mr Ho said “other highlights of ASB LunarFest 2013 will include a ‘Bian Lian’ performance, a dramatic Chinese art which literally means ‘face changing’. The performance involves actors switching brightly coloured face masks instantaneously with the swipe of a fan, movement of the head or a wave of hand.”

A large crowd of more than 50,000 is expected to attend the festival including Pakeha, Maori and other New Zealanders keen to experience the wide range of activities on offer. Adding to the Asian experience will be more than 50 stalls of Asian food, arts and crafts, and traditional products, Mr Ho said.

The festival commences at 3pm and the main programme of entertainment at 8pm. Entry is free.
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