Princess Chelsea's Midwinter Ball Returns!

This winter, the Civic Wintergarden (ALL AGES) and Meow Nui (18+) Wellington will be transformed into a world of fantasy! Princess Chelsea’s Midwinter Ball returns, this year with a new theme: SWORDS AND SORCERY - Fantasy on The Big Screen. With your esteemed host comedian Tom Sainsbury, and live performances from Princess Chelsea & The Dream Warriors in both centres, with Auckland guests The Circling Sun & Golden Axe, while Wellington will be treated to sets from Grecco Romank & Luke Buda.

In the shimmering and VHS-heavy age of the early 1980s, a treasure trove of cinematic fantasy was thrust upon us. Gleaming swords and potent spells in Excalibur, the ethereal beauty and terror of Legend, valiant quests of The Sword and The Sorcerer, Ladyhawke, The Beastmaster, Willow, Dragonslayer, and the mighty & muscular quests of Conan The Barbarian. And let us not forget the timeless enchantments of pure fantasy with The Neverending Story, the delightful Princess Bride, the poignant Last Unicorn, and the unforgettable shape of Labyrinth.

So, brave adventurers, will you join us to celebrate this golden age? How will you dress to impress as visions of enchanted lands and heroic feats conjure a costume fit for fantasy?

Called by many as ‘the show of 2024’, last year’s Twin Peaks themed Midwinter Ball was a revelation, and a dress up party for the ages. A sold out Wintergarden heaved with 650 guests dressed as Log Ladies, Agent Dale Coopers, and even a giant slice of cherry pie… and oh, so much more.

Princess Chelsea and her band The Dream Warriors delighted the audience with a blazing set of originals alongside covers of Julee Cruise, Angelo Badalamenti and In Heaven from Lynch’s Eraserhead. This wild and unforgettable night has been lovingly captured and presented as a four song tribute to David Lynch, due for imminent release.

For 2024’s Twin Peaks-themed ball, no expenses were spared on transforming the venue into the quaint town of Twin Peaks. Decoration which featured lasers, an indoor pine forest, a shrine to Laura Palmer and a replica of the infamous Red Room, we can only expect magic and mystery from 2025’s fantasy- themed ball.

“I’m not giving too much away but obviously we will need a medieval sword fight” - Princess Chelsea

If last year’s ball was anything to go by, I don't think she is joking - and further shenanigans will undoubtedly ensue. Expect the Civic and Meow Nui to be transformed into a world of fantasy.

Earlybird tickets are on sale Friday at 10am. Book your evening, and swan down the red carpet dressed in your favourite fantasy-inspired outfits. Portraits will be taken on the night, and prizes for best dressed.

ARTIST BIOS:

Princess Chelsea & The Dream Warriors
Cult producer Princess Chelsea has released five albums and developed a dedicated international following after her songs ‘I Love My Boyfriend’ and ‘Cigarette Duet’ exploded on YouTube and Tik Tok. Her most recent album ‘Everything is Going To Be Alright’ saw her win best alternative artist at the AMAs and the Taite Music Prize for outstanding creativity. Chelsea and her band the Dream Warriors have been described as one of the best live bands in the country and always give surprisingly dynamic and intense performances that surpass preconceived ideas how ‘feminine’ pop is presented.

Tom Sainsbury
Tom Sainsbury became a social media star with his irreverent comedy sketches amassing hundreds of thousands of views. You may know him from his characters Gingerbread, Fiona the wine reviewer or Boomer Dad, or you may have seen him on TV shows Wellington Paranormal, The Educators and the recent Spinal Destination.

The Circling Sun
Formed in the mid 2000’s The Circling Sun is a sonic collective from Tamaki Makaurau focused on progressive Afrocentric inspired Jazz music. Featuring some of the finest talents in music from Aotearoa, members include : Ben Turua, Julien Dyne, J.Y Lee, Joe Kaptein, Ruby Walsh, Cameron Allen, Finn Scholes and Matt Hunter aka Kenny Sterling. Their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Spirits ‘ was released on prestigious London label Soundway Records in 2023. Expect new music very soon!

Golden Axe 
The pioneering synth-punk supreme team of Chris Cudby (Power Nap) & Daif King (Stälker), GOLDEN AXE are back for one show only — by special request from Princess Chelsea! Emerging from the apocalyptic city streets of Tāmaki Makaurau in the early '00s, their maximum energy live shows are straight up legendary + their hits such as 'Free Time', 'Dognapped', 'Catmaster', and 'Hot In The City' remain insanely catchy. Game-changers on a number of levels, you would be crazy to miss Golden Axe's first and ONLY live show in a decade wow.

Grecco Romank 
Hailing from the dank corners of New Zealand's music scene, Grecco Romank is not your average band. This trio emerged from the most unexpected of beginnings: a bus driver, an opera singer, and a Greek filmmaker converging in a haunted primary school to record their debut album. Known for their ruthless and unforgiving live show, these AMA best alternative artist finalists latest album spawned student Radio hit ‘DON’T GET CAUGHT’ among other remarkable earworms.

Luke Buda
Luke Buda is a founding member of the The Phoenix Foundation, and also acclaimed and Taite Prize shortlisted solo artist in his own right. One of only a handful of New Zealand musicians to have made an appearance on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland, and recently made Morrissey quite angry when he contributed guitar to Everyone Is Horrid Except Me (And Possibly You) by Quilloughby feat. Lisa Simpson from the recent episode of The Simpson's "Panic on the Streets of Springfield."

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