Big Day Dowse with Rhombus, Bella kalolo, Newtown Rocksteady

Big Day Dowse with Rhombus, Bella kalolo, Newtown Rocksteady

Sun 25 March 2012, 1–6pm | The Square, in front of The Dowse | RSVP on Facebook

Radio Active presents... big summer beats with Rhombus, Bella Kalolo, Newtown Rocksteady, Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band and much more. Big Day Dowse is the first of what will be an annual Dowse event, plus we want to celebrate the opening of a new civic square for Lower Hutt with a massive party. Headlined by Aotearoa's premier dub and bass electronic/ funk & hip-hop band – it's going to be big!

There's a packed programme of bands, visual artists and incredible entertainers. Experience internationally acclaimed artist Michel Tuffery’s large-scale audio visual artwork, Povi VaSa plus high wire acts from Fuse Circus, juggling antics from Basketball Jones, dynamic street art from graf artists Drypnz and The Pirate Collective, entertainment from the fabulously funny Mr Fungus, children's television sensation The WotWots, tape artists, stilt walkers, street theatre, storytelling, gourmet food, crafters and so much more. A big day out for all ages.

Keep up to date with what’s on the programme by checking www.dowse.org.nz and follow us on Facebook

Here's a taste of the programme:

5–6pm: Rhombus, a household name in New Zealand music is headlining Big Day Dowse. Formed in 2001 Rhombus have travelled the world with their Drum and Bass sound and in 2003 won Best Album at the NZ Music awards. Since then Rhombus has forged a reputation as one of New Zealand's most original and energetic live acts, selling out shows and festivals across the country and in Australia and Japan. Featuring Lisa Tomlins and led by DJ Koa they hit the stage at 5pm at Big Day Dowse and will be sure to get your feet moving. http://www.rhombus.co.nz/

3–4pm: Inspired by the classic Kiwi Holiday, a tradition of sunburnt pleasure and carefree campgrounds, holiday parks and beaches all over New Zealand, Fuse Circus will be at Big Day Dowse complete with with tyre swings and flying picnic tables and High Wire Hi Jinks! Bring your sunscreen, your deck chairs and your mates to enjoy this special all ages show, full of circus performance, physical theatre and 100% Kiwi music. They are on at 3pm at Big Day Dowse. Check out the trailer here.

2–3pm: Dont miss Bella Kalolo, a finalist for the Best Female Vocalist for the Pacific Music Awards 2010, when she unleashes her magnificent vocals at Big Day Dowse. The beautiful and talented Bella wowed the audience at London's Glastonbury last year, so we are sure proud to have at her at The Dowse. http://www.bellakalolo.com/

4–4:45pm: Join Spotty Wot and Dotty Dot at Big Day Dowse. Made at the famous Weta Workshop studios The WotWots is an enchanting pre-school series that follows the adventures of these two adorable siblings from outer space. The delightful pair will be visiting in person at our Big Day where you can havve you photos taken with them as they explore the new Dowse square.

Inside The Dowse: Michel Tuffery's immersive installation Povi VaSa will be showing at Big Day Dowse for ONE DAY ONLY. Michel Tuffery M.N.Z.M is based in Lower Hutt and is an acclaimed New Zealand Pacific artist. Povi Sava surveys Tuffery's sculptures and high energy cultural performance artworks created from 1994 until 2010. Tuffery's creative output is extensive across all arts media, printing, painting and sculpting, and he works collaboratively with technicians and other art practitioners to realise his performance and installation projects, requiring moving image, light and sound. http://www.micheltuffery.co.nz/

Outside the building: Tape Art NZ will hit the walls outside The Dowse at Big Day Dowse. An original and playful art medium that relies on the simple idea that tape can be manipulated to form expressive drawing lines the guys have been all over the world including the Bupyeong Street Art Festival in South Korea and Disney World Florida. You will be able to watch the work progress 10-6pm at Big Day Dowse.

4:45pm: Cool covers, righteous melodies, and hot original songs, Newtown Rocksteady is more than a band, its a moment in life when you just have to be there! Featuring 11 on stage this group of Wellington musos will be combining their creative talents to bring the Rocksteady reggae sound to Big Day Dowse. Their sounds and styles are inspired by the late 60's crazes of rocksteady and ska dancehalls in Jamaica and England. And the result? An inspired sound, with an infectious combination of mellow rhythms and upbeat dance tunes to get the whole family grooving. www.myspace.com/newtownrocksteady

In the Square: Collaborate with an artist! Help Wellington artist Erica Van Zon make something fabulous at big Day Dowse. More to come...

Clayz Clay Tent: Heaps of stuff to do for Kids at Big Day Dowse. Join our Dowse team to take your own fab clay creation in the Clayz Clay Tent.

1–1:45pm: Don't miss Mr Fungus, the comic creation of Wellington-based comedian, MC and entertainer FERGUS AITKEN at Big Day Dowse. Sure to make you laugh Mr Fungus combines high-energy, visual and verbal comedy, juggling and mime. He's appeared at The European Juggling & Circus Skills Convention, AXA Advertising Awards, Nelson Busking Festival, World Flower Show, Wellington City Council Millennium Celebrations and all over New Zealand.

Drypnz and The Pirate Collective is a Wellington based artist who has been creating murals and street works in New Zealand and around the world. He is represented in the UK by ZeroCool Gallery and in the state of Victoria, Australia by Just Another Agency. Drypnz and his buddies from the Pirate Collective will be creating work on-site in the square at Big Day Dowse. You can see more of his work here: www.drypnz.com

2–3pm: Basketball Jones is a man of many talents. As a basketball player, juggler and master of the unicycle he has performed in circuses, casinos, on TV and in various festivals in Asia, Europe, South America and at home in New Zealand. In his show, Basketball Jones delivers crazy basketball mayhem dribbling, spinning and juggling his way to a death-defying finale 10 feet in the air to provide prime entertainment for audiences of all ages. Don't miss his madness at Big Day Dowse.

Storytelling Heaven: offering a quiet retrieve at Big Day Dowse, the story tellers from Hutt City Libraries will be reading stories in a magical tent in the new square. Sneak in, grab a bean bag and be whisked away with a story...

In The Dowse courtyard: Bands and singer songwriters from Secret Level, Lower Hutt's youth studio will be playing on their own stage at Big Day Dowse. Acts to be announced but don't miss this great opportunity to check out Lower Hutt's young and rising.

ENDS

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