Dowse Yourself in Big Summer Beats

Dowse Yourself in Big Summer Beats

Big Day Dowse, Sunday 25 March 2012, 1-6pm

The Dowse is hosting a massive party in the first of what will be an annual event for Lower Hutt’s much loved contemporary art gallery. In 2012, it’s also a celebration of the city’s new town square. Radio Active presents Big Day Dowse, headlined by New Zealand’s premier dub and bass electronic/ funk & hip-hop band, Rhombus, and features the gorgeous soul sounds of Bella Kalolo, the big band vibes or Newtown Rocksteady, video art by Michel Tuffery and much more.

It’s a big day out for all ages with a packed programme of live music, visual artists and incredible entertainers. Michel Tuffery’s large-scale audio visual artwork, Povi VaSa will be in the gallery while the Square will host high wire acts from Fuse Circus , dynamic street art by graf artists, stilt walkers, street theatre, storytelling and gourmet food.

For
young children, The Wot Wots will be there.

Dowse Square is designed by Athfield Architects and Wraight + Associates, the same team behind Wellington’s award-winning Waitangi Park. The Square will establish a heart for Lower Hutt, featuring paved and grassed areas, a fresh water spring as well as sculpture by prominent New Zealand artists Ronnie Van Hout and John Reynolds.

Wellington-based Rhombus delivers a blend of dub and bass, hip-hop, soul, funk and reggae creating a unique sound that garnered a large fan base here and around the world. The band has performed alongside St Germain, Dry and Heavy, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Fat Freddy's Drop, Kora and played at WOMAD in Australia and New Zealand. www.rhombus.co.nz

Bella Kalolo is of Samoan, Tongan and Maori (Ngati Porou) decent and is known for her ‘velvety voice that explodes into a soulful vocal spectacle’. 2011 began with Bella on the road with Fat Freddy’s Drop, saw her supporting international hip hop star Mos Def and was capped off with a performance at the famous Glastonbury Festival. Bella was also again nominated for Best Pacific Female Artist at the Pacific Music Awards, she released her debut album ‘Without the Paper’, performed during the Rugby World Cup and, with Julia Deans, took part in the ‘Diva’s in Paradise’ event in Rarotonga.

Newtown Rocksteady is a twelve-piece big band that makes you want to move. With cool covers, righteous melodies and hot original songs, the band combines their talents to recreate the Rocksteady reggae sound. The result is an inspired sound, with an infectious combination of mellow rhythms and upbeat dance tunes to get the whole family grooving. www.myspace.com/newtownrocksteady

Other acts are still to be confirmed - keep up to date with what’s on the programme by checking www.dowse.org.nz and follow us on Fa

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