Suzy Cato To Shine at Kawakawa Bay Christmas Concert

Generations of locals will look forward to meeting and joining in with one of New Zealand’s enduring TV identities, children’s TV presenter Suzy Cato, at the 2017 Kawakawa Bay Christmas in the Park celebration. Kawakawa Bay will once again resound to the sound of community and Christmas when the annual event takes place on Sunday December 10 on the village green.

Following on from the previous successful years, the local organisers have been hard at work developing the 2017 celebration with further tweaks and improvements. According to organiser Judi Cranston, “We have refined the schedule to emphasise our local content and community groups on top of the world class talent and kept the date early in the period. The ever popular Willie Iosia returns as our MC along with international soprano Gina Sanders who endears herself to the crowd with her warmth. We are very excited about the event and look forward to creating all those wonderful memories for our families and children.”

Organisers have kept the event to early December to avoid pre-Christmas overload and unsettled weather, as well as timing the event for a family-friendly 6-8pm Sunday evening. Organised to combine Christmas tidings with a celebration of local talent, the event ticks all the boxes for locals, showcasing local talent and providing a family orientated evening for all. Popular local acts and organisations will rub shoulders with stars like Suzy Cato and Gina Sanders whilst local MP Andrew Bayley is delighted to return to oversee the evenings activities.

The organisers are not receiving funding from Auckland City so are dependent on community support, sponsorship and donated prizes to ensure the event covers its costs. According to sponsorship Organiser Joanne MacLean, “The event has grown in size with people from all around the area enjoying a beautiful early summer evening in front of cool sounds and entertainment. We are planning for an even larger audience this year, all of which comes at a cost. We are so fortunate to enjoy the continued support of key supporters Kawakawa Bay Community Association, Zealandia and Barfoot and Thompson Clevedon but we are always looking for financial and hands on support in order to pull it off again this year.” The organising committee and circle of volunteers grows every year with the event with the team welcoming anyone wishing to put their hands up.

Local groups and organisations will again be supporting the event with food, refreshments and children’s activities. After last year’s enthusiastic response to open air entertainment on the village green, support is mounting for another summer of open air events for Pohutakawa Coast residents.

Suzy Cato will join up with her friend , Judi Cranston on stage. Cato and Judi Cranston, founder of kindyRock, are both avid children’s music education advocates Suzy will unveil her brand new song created by her and Kath Bee at Kawakawa Bay. The last word goes to Suzy Cato who summed it up perfectly, “This time of the year is such a special one – a time to get together with family and friends, or as in this case as a community whanau, and have some fun.” “As a founding member of Kiwi Kids Music it’s all about sharing the music of kiwi artists with the kids they created it for; kiwi kids, and it’s such good music too. Let’s have some fun!”. Find out more about what Suzy’s up to at www.suzy.co.nz

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