2008 is now underway and it’s time to set the party mood for the Summer!
Jambalaya is a music and dance festival jam-packed with three days of international and national acts, dancers, workshops, theatre shows, music and circus performers, market stalls, kids programme, street performance and the most beautiful energetic carnival parade this side of Brazil.
Now in its fifth year - there have been two shows in Taupo, then Rotorua has been the venue for the three day fest. This time though, organisers have moved it from Easter time to January to catch some of the summer vibe. The three-day pass will allow you to wander in and out of shows, try a workshop, watch bands and dance all night in the fabulous circus tent. The festival site has shade trees, a walk down to fresh water swimming in the lake and gorgeous international food so you can enjoy the summer as well as the gigs.
This year for the first time, Jambalaya has an outdoor main stage, The Sol Beer Stage, featuring international acts from all over the world, see the artist page for details. The dance performers line up is inspiring, we are very lucky to be presenting some of New Zealand and the world's top performers/teachers.
A carnival village filled with craft and art markets and international food and street performers will link all of the music and dance sites and create a bustling street scene to explore, and an internationally flavoured kids zone. Some of the artists lined up for this year's show include Katchafire, the Mamaku Project – and there are a stack of diverse events to get involved in like Salsa, Samba, percussion,dance, Polynesian Drumming, Dance African drumming, dance , Circus, Latin Percussion , Kapa Haka , Bollywood Dance , Hula Hoops, Long Poi and Carnival parade workshops.
Also worth a look for those of you who didn’t dance it out over New Year is the Summadayze festival. With a line up which includes Sister Bliss from Faithless, Benny Benassi, Dave Spoon, you can be sure that this event will have the roof of the Vector Arena thumping with da bass.