January 18th 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Groove in the Park
Western Springs Stadium
February 6th
11.00am – 8.00pm
Groove in the Park appeals to families and endorses Kids Can charity
A stronger family focus is set for this year’s Groove in the Park with organisers hoping to entice both young and old
from the local community and beyond to the music festival event.
“We want to appeal to families this year and are putting much greater focus into attracting people of all ages. As part
of this strategy we’ve developed a bigger family area which includes more rides, entertainment and hosting customized
towards children. We’ve also developed a ‘Clean & Green’ plan which sees recycling and waste management along with care for the natural environment at Western Springs,”
says Myken Stewart.
A dedicated children’s stage and children’s supervisors will be in place to ensure that children have a fun and safe
experience at the event. And all children under 12 years old will receive free entry if accompanied by an adult.
Another addition to the 2008 event is a relationship formed with Kids Can Charity which sees thousands of people exposed
to the worthy charity. Kids Can provides underprivileged children with food and clothing to support their basic
developmental and learning needs. Event goers will have the opportunity to interact with Kids Can representatives to
learn more about the charity, they will also be given the chance to make donations to this worth while cause.
“We are really excited about the new relationship formed between Kids Can and Groove in the Park for 2008. This year
with a bigger focus on families it made sense for us to tie in with kids can charity,” says Ricky Newby.
A new eco-friendly plan is in place for Groove in the Park 2008 with the objective of minimizing the environmental
footprint that Groove in the Park will leave behind. The plan sees recycling of all glass and plastic after the event
and a conscious minimization of paper waste throughout the event.
“On the day we will have clearly signposted recycling bins spread around the venue along with normal waste rubbish bins.
We will also be encouraging event goers to recycle through the main AV screen and the Groove in the Park information
booklet. Kids Can representatives will also help us to collect litter on the day and will encourage groovers to put
their own rubbish into the bins,” says Myken Stewart.
Another exciting new partnership sees Good Water selected as the water of choice. Good Water bottles are made from
plants and are bio-degradable containing no toxic chemicals or oils. Look out for the Good Water crew who will be on
site to talk to you about the Good Water project and the environment.
This year’s event will also include a wide range of community involvement in the form of ethnic foods, arts, crafts, and
cultural performances. Enjoy everything from Korean food, to bollywood dancers, to henna tattoos or do some shopping in
one of the street fashion stalls.
So head down to Groove in the Park this Waitangi Day to enjoy a spectacular musical line up and an even bigger selection
of entertainment, international foods, community arts and fashion.
Gates open at 11.00am so get there early to secure your favourite spot in the sun, and relax the day away because the
party goes until 8.00pm in the evening.
Earlybird tickets are $25 + booking fee and are available now from www.ticketmaster.co.nz or Real Groovy Stores and come
highly recommended so that you miss out on ticket sale cues at the door! Door sales will be priced at $35.
Entry to the event is from Stadium Road through the main Western Spring Stadium entry gates. Please view the attached
map.
Keep checking the Groove in the Park website for chances to win tickets, hotel accommodation and other great prizes!
Plus get information on all the big music festival acts and event updates.
www.grooveinthepark.co.nz
The Line Up
Headlining the festival event is legendary Kiwi band Supergroove who has reunited after 10 years for a select few events
and will be blowing away the Groove in the Park audience 2008 as the big act of the day! The crowd will go wild with
90’s mega hits like “you gotta know” “sitting inside my head” and “can’t get enough”. This iconic New Zealand band sees
members Che Fu, Joe Lonie, Tim Stewart, Ben Sciascia, Ian Jones, Nick Atkinson and Karl Steven back on stage again in
this rare performance.
Swedish house music producer DJ Axwell has been described as “the world’s biggest DJ right now” and is coming to New
Zealand to play Groove in the Park 2008! Axwell has worked with industry legends such as Robbie Riviera, Pete Tong,
Little Louie Vega and fellow Swede - Steve Angello. This huge international DJ is at the cutting edge of dance music
around the world, with recent remixes including mega-tracks such as “World Hold On” (Bob Sinclair), “Promiscuous” (Nelly
Furtardo), “Let it go” (Dirty South), “I feel for you” (Bob Sinclair) and “Music Matters” (Faithless). This London based
DJ is currently one of the worlds hottest DJ’s and his explosive crowd pleasing style will make Groove in the Park 2008
an event to remember.
A summertime treat sees our favourite expatriate Nathan Haines and his musical entourage back from the UK and setting
the daytime tone with some fresh summer grooves. At the forefront of jazz and electronica music - in the past year
Haines has toured in the UK supporting the Beastie Boys and recorded his new album "Right Now". While in the UK Haines
has collaborated with renowned international artists like British rapper TY, Soul Legend and Squire for Hire vocalist
Marlena Shaw. The UK band features Vanessa Freeman & Mike Patto from the UK
“TV Rock” feat Seany B is made up of dynamic Melbourne duo (Grant Smillie and Ivan Gough) along with MC Seany B. They
will perform all together for the first time in New Zealand at Groove in the Park 2008.
In 2006 TV Rock burst into the music scene with their catchy #1 smash hit “Flaunt it” with Seany B. The track won the
highest selling single and best dance release at the Aria Awards 2006 which was the biggest selling track in Australia
that year! “Flaunt it” saw night clubs around the world pumping with the catchy electro sound and daring lyrics.
Since the big hit they’ve released their first album “Sunshine City”, and track “The Others” which reached number one on
the Australian Dance Chart.
One of New Zealand’s fastest growing groups - Opensouls will wow Western Springs Stadium with their fresh Kiwi sounds
combining a blend of hip hop, funk, reggae, jazz and blues.
The Auckland collective is made up of 2 vocalists, M.C. Bjorn Petersen and singer Tyra Hammond, and a live band
including Jeremy Toy a.k.a. Ota (guitar/MPC), Julien Dyne (drums), Chip Mathews (bass), Steph Brown (keys), Scott Towers
(saxophone), Isaac Aesili (trumpet/vocals) and Harlin Davey a.k.a. DJ Buttafingers (turntables).
Plus enjoy performances from Tama Waipara who is fresh from his travels in New York. Waipara will execute the latest
blend of New Zealand jazz meets international funk, perfect for a summers day!
Crowd pleasers Once Were DJ’s (Dave Hull, General Lee, Tu Neil and Thane Kirby) also make an appearance on the Groove in
the Park main stage. They plan to get the party amped up playing favourite artists such as Guns 'n Roses, Run DMC, The
Rapture and Groove Armada.
ENDS