Festival Closes With A Bang .. & A Bit Of A Boogie

MEDIA RELEASE
16 March 2004

Festival closes with a bang ... and a bit of a boogie

Wellington masters of rhythm and soul Fat Freddy's Drop and sexy Singaporean songstress Jacintha head a line-up of fine artists appearing at this Saturday's Toyota Festival Picnic for the final weekend of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

The hugely popular free family events have rocked Porirua and Upper Hutt in recent weeks, taking local and international talent into the suburbs. For this weekend's celebrations the picnic crew return to the Festival's heart - Frank Kitts Park on Wellington's waterfront.

Festival Artistic Director Carla van Zon says the Toyota Festival Picnics have been a great success and the final event promises to be even better. 'We wanted to take the Festival to the people of Wellington and Toyota has helped us do that. The previous picnics have drawn enthusiastic crowds and been a lot of fun. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than a family picnic on the waterfront with some fine free entertainment,' says Carla.

Wacky Spanish hair-fashionistas Osadia will amaze with their exrtreme makeover performances. Osadia have delighted audiences throughout the Festival by transforming straight-laced members of the public into multi-coloured punks. This will be one of Osadia's last Wellington appearances brought to us by New Zealand Community Trust.

Maori musician Ruia will get the crowd swaying with his slow-groove Te Reo Màori renditions of classic Bob Marley songs. Pacific Island dance and drumming courtesy of Whitirea Performing Arts will also feature.

The picnic will provide a great opportunity for Wellingtonians to check out Angus Watt's spectacular waterfront flag installation before it comes down for the last time. Three brand new sets of flags inspired by Angus Watt and created by local artists Wayne Youle, Moses W Vilamu and Triple S Crew - Juse and Kerb will also be installed for the day. These flags are the result of a joint venture between Whitireia Community Polytechnic and the Festival and supported by Lion Foundation, Porirua Community Arts Council and Creative Communities Porirua.

Toyota Festival Picnic

Frank Kitts Park

Saturday 20 March, 1-5pm

ABSOLUTELY FREE!

(In the unlikely event of rain, the event will take place Sunday 21 March)

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