NEWS RELEASE
from Leisure Active

23 February 2009

Petone Comes Alive With Jackson Street Fiesta

Jackson Street Fiesta, Saturday 7 March, 6pm – 10pm, Jackson Street, Petone

Some of the most exciting music, art, culture and cuisine in the Wellington region will converge at this iconic summer celebration. With the street closed to traffic; shops, restaurants and bars open till late; four entertainment stages; and thousands of people expected, this year’s Jackson Street Fiesta is an experience not to be missed!

“The funky and eclectic appeal of Petone’s historic Jackson Street makes it a fun location for an outdoor street festival,” says Alec Wheel, Major Events Coordinator for Hutt City Council’s Leisure Active Business Unit.

“There’s a real sense of community identity and vibrancy reflected by the unique array of boutique shops, galleries and the social café atmosphere. The Fiesta is really an extension of this, bringing the community together to celebrate the best of local arts and culture.”

Some of the Fiesta’s must-see music groups include Auckland-based rock and reggae band dDub, perennial crowd-pleasers The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and Petone band Hikoikoi, with its soulful songs of equality and justice.

Foot-stomping folk ensemble Rosy Tin Teacaddy and The Woolshed Sessions led by Age Pryor will offer an eclectic range of original music. Pub-style favourites include alternative pop-rock group Supermodel and local favourites The Eggs, featuring players from Fat Freddy's Drop, The Phoenix Foundation and Twinset. Joining the party line-up is breakbeat soul group, Harbour City Electric and Electric Wire Hustle with their psychedelic spin on modern hip-hop.

Latin-inspired bands Zirigidum, Wellington Batucada and Clave Latina will get audiences dancing in the street and Sam Manzanza & Rhythm African Band will be heating up the scene with spicy Afro-beats.

Comedy will not be in short supply with local funny-man Mr Fungus and interactive comedians The Improvisors, who will present a hilarious version of a Jackson Street historical tour.

Kiwi stuntman James Martin, who has returned to New Zealand after playing in over 30 countries and 400 cities, will perform his wildly successful international show. Teaming up with his American stunt-brother Colt Sandberg, the two daredevils will perform an extreme stunt show that they originally created for the Chinese Olympic Games. Brothers From Nowhere is a high-energy show that combines mini stunt motorbikes, fire, juggling, unicycles, high stilts and comedy – all performed to a rock music soundtrack.

“We bring something that is fun and full of spectacle and laughs. Sometimes the most important thing during these world crisis days is laughter,” says Colt.

The Petone Settlers Stage offers a snapshot of the cultures in the Hutt Valley. It will feature traditional Polish dancing by children from the local Polish community wearing colourful national costumes, a dance performance by Filipino refugee families, an Indian Bollywood item, a demonstration of traditional Japanese karate called Go-Kan-Ryu, belly dancing, Irish dancing from children of the Lower Hutt and Wellington Irish Societies, and singing from Latin American group Grupo Los Andes.

“We are celebrating the cultural stories of the Hutt Valley,” says the Petone Settlers Museum concept developer, Leanne Wickham.

“The first fiestas in Latin America were festivals with parades, street markets, flag-flying, mask-making and street decorations and there was lots of community involvement. That’s why it’s so nice to present a grassroots, community-based stage here in Petone.”

Kids of all ages are invited to join in the many crafts and activities presented by Hutt Valley Community Arts in Crafty Corrugulations. Have a bounce on the Petone Lions’ bouncy castle, enjoy storytelling in the Petone Library, and check out The Farsite Gallery’s new art exhibit called Unfurling the Leaf by Ffyona Matthews (6.00pm to 8.00pm).

Spot prizes from ZM are up for grabs for those taking up The Resene 91 Second Art Challenge to create a masterpiece from test-pots in a minute and a half (6:00 to 8:00pm). Plus aspiring photographers are invited to snap the Fiesta for the Summer Scenes MEGA-Pic Contest to have the chance to win great prizes from Mitre 10 MEGA Petone – including a seven-piece outdoor dining set!

The Jackson Street Fiesta is a family-friendly event proudly presented by Hutt City Council and funding partners Pelorus Trust and New Zealand Community Trust.

For more information on the Jackson Street Fiesta go to www.huttvalleynz.com/fiesta.

ENDS

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