Aotea Centre to Bloom Pacific Bright on New Years

Media Release

Aotea Centre to Bloom ‘Pacific Bright’ on New Year’s Eve

AUCKLAND, November 27, 2006 – Auckland’s Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®, will herald in the new year in vibrant Pacific style with family entertainment, live music and much more at the seventh First Night celebration.

This year the theme is ‘First Night® – Pacific Bright’ with organisers promising the Aotea Centre will burst into bloom at the stroke midnight, transforming into a vibrant Pacific garden with hundreds of colourful flowers made by Auckland primary schools.

First Night® is a free event aimed at providing families with a safe, alcohol and drug-free way to celebrate the new year. It is organised by THE EDGE® Public Programmes. This year’s event will be held within the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® from 7pm. (Doors open from 6.30pm.)

Confirmed live music acts for the Music Stage in the ASB Theatre include Goldenhorse, Aradhna, DZIAH, Billy TK Jnr & Band and Farmer Pimp. Various cultural groups will also perform on a World Stage adding a global flavour to the night and a Cabaret Stage will showcase variety acts while the outdoor Aotea Square Stage will resound with the sound of Pacific Island drumming.

“Aucklanders have embraced First Night® ever since it was introduced for the millennium celebrations,” said THE EDGE® Public Programmes Manager, Sally Markham. “We are proud to continue to provide a truly multicultural and free family-oriented event in the heart of the city.”

In addition to live music, activities include a popular karaoke bar, workshops by renowned community artists, The Travelling Tuataras, face painting and cultural arts and crafts activities.

First Night® is part of international New Year’s Eve celebrations staged in over 130 cities in the USA, Canada and the UK. The Auckland event is the only First Night® event to be held in Australasia and regularly attracts over 25,000 people.

Ms Markham said as the event will be held within the Aotea Centre, there will be restriction on the number of people able to be accommodated and so she recommends families arrive early.

Meanwhile, volunteers are being sought to work at this year’s event to assist in running the evening’s performances, marshalling the midnight procession to Aotea Square and help to make decorations. People interested in volunteering are asked to contact Nicole Ramage, Ph 09 307 2677 extn 5092 or email nicoler@the-edge.co.nz.

For more information about this year’s event visit www.firstnight.org.nz.

ENDS

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