Fresh Fest 2001 Urban Music: 30 June - Auckland

Aotearoa has been chosen to host the first annual Fresh Fest in Auckland on 30 June 2001, a worldwide Urban Music tour featurig hip-hop and R&B music. Top acts nationwide are expected to perform. The show will also cover other music genres like acid jazz, drum & bass, soul, reggae and fusion music.

A major coup for festival organisers has been securing a contract with LA-based Samoan hip-hop group, the BOO-YAA T.R.I.B.E., to headline at the festival. This will be the BOO-YAA T.R.I.B.E.'s first trip to New Zealand, and they are keen to meet other Polynesian musicians in the South Pacific.

The event is being organised by U.S. based companies, Midas Touch Productions & Fayvor Entertainment. Michael Deet, founder of Midas Touch, says he's holding the event in New Zealand because he feels the future of urban music is based here.

His partner, Faye Va'afusuaga from Fayvor Entertainment, is a NZ born Samoan now based in Los Angeles. After working in the marketing department of Australian Consolidated Press in Auckland, she moved to the US and has done event management and marketing for Motown, KingWorld Ltd, the Soul Train Awards, the MTV awards and the Grammy Awards.

"I wanted to give something back to my heritage and help New Zealand musicians discover themselves first, then expose it to the world," says Va'afusuaga.

Local musicians Lole Usoali'I and Herman Loto are helping to produce the show at the Auckland Town Hall. Fresh Fest is for all ages and all nationalities.

The event will be a good opportunity for those who wish to pursue a career in music to meet up with people who can make their desires a reality. There will be talent managers/scouts with booth style stalls for those who are interested.

Fresh Fest (FF) will offer an all-day concert, open market stands, short film and music video screenings, DJ skill displays, open mic contest, breakdance contest & exhibition, island and modern dance, graffitti exhibition, special guest speakers, hip hop tutoring, business & entertainment counseling, new urban fashion displays, arts and crafts, food, drink and more.

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