Ten Good Reasons Why It’s Essential To Come To Cuba St Carnival On 21 February 2009

1. 2009 is Cuba St Carnival’s Tenth Anniversary, and there’s more entertainment than ever before. And the most amazing thing is it’s all free. So amidst all this talk of recession there’s no better place to have some fun.

2. There are over 80 bands and DJ’s booked to play on 8 stages and four entertainment zones throughout the streets of Wellington. No matter what your musical taste there’s something to entertain you, with everything from big main stage acts, to Caribbean style steel drums, and a whole stage devoted to highly excitable Latin performers.

3. The Meridian Illuminated Night Parade (9pm) is an extravaganza not to be missed, including hundreds and samba dancers and drummers, Snake Charming Belly Dancers, Giant Squid, Aliens, Cook Island drummers, Pole Dancers, Slave Ships, Painted Bodies, Circus Performers, Amazonian Dancers and much, much more. It’s a whole kilometre of spectacular fun and entertainment – a little bit freaky, and a lot of surprises and amazing sights.

4. The International Street Performers will astound you with their amazing tricks and stunts – they include Rubber Band Boy (world record holder for “The Most Rubber bands on a single Face”), plus Canada’s Magic Brian, Pinky’s Street Circus from Australia, The Brothers from Nowhere (USA/NZ) and Piper McKenzie (Canada).


5. There are many curious things to witness and participate in at Cuba St Carnival. Taping Tales involves the creation of a huge mural on the walls of Glover Park buildings out of adhesive tape. Street artists from Via Grafik (Germany) and the Cut Collective will be busy transforming a Go Wellington Bus into a work of art. Body FX will be down at the Hula Shack painting Bikini’s on their models. Hair and make-up artists Wild Heads will be plucking people out of the audience and transforming them into walking works of art. OutdoorKnit will be sitting amongst all the craziness creating cosies for the trees in Cuba Mall. And down in Manners Mall you can learn to Tango.

6. Hundreds of Artisan Market stalls will provide some tantalising treats, lining the streets with everything from the freshest NZ designs, handmade jewellery and accessories, Pacific handcrafts, and curios. And if you need a break for a little while, take a seat at one of the many bars and cafes that have extended out onto the street for the day. Or pick up something yummy at an international food stall at the markets.


7. There’s also entertainment tailored especially for children. At the Capital E Kids Zone they can make their own Mardi Gras costume, and then learn a few Samba moves to get the true Carnival spirit. As well as that they can help put the finish touches on the Piñata style float for the parade.

8. And just when you thought you’d seen it all some Roving Street Performers will come right past, giving you a glimpse of something quite surprising. But we can’t tell you what they are – it’s a surprise!


9. And for the closest thing you can get to the Rio experience without actually being there, make sure you join in the big Batucada Clash, at Havana Club Sqaure at 11pm. Samba groups are descending on Wellington from throughout the country for the best, most ground-shaking Batucada clash ever, led by Samba Master Carlos Ferreira.

10. There’s nothing else like it in New Zealand – don’t miss out!

See our website for more www.cubacarnival.co.nz

ENDS