Kahurangi launches new album

PRESS RELEASE 6
Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Kahurangi launches new album

International performing arts company Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre will launch its new album, marking its 30th anniversary, as part of the National Waiata Maori Music Awards this week.

The album is called, Te Taumata, and it will be launched at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House foyer on Wednesday, September 11, 6pm to 9pm. The Waiata Maori Music Awards two-day event will also be held at the opera house over the following two days, September 12 and 13.

One of the founders of Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre, Tama Huata, Hastings, said the new album would be a “best of” production reflecting the past 30 years since the group’s inception. The album was recorded in Wellington earlier this year.

“We had current members of Kahurangi and a few members from the past involved in recording this particular album,” Mr Huata said.

“And we have breathed new life into some of the older songs that we have done, we have refined them.” Further details of the album will be released at the launch.

Mr Huata is also executive director of the National Waiata Maori Music Awards which is on target to begin Thursday, September 12.

There are four events involved including the Maori Music Expo, Te Koanga Maori Fashion Show, Maori Music Celebrity Breakfast and the Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony.

The two-day Maori Music Expo starts on Thursday, September 12, and comprises National Maori Hand Games, vocal and Taonga Puoro workshops, music artist panel discussions, kapa haka and other performing arts entertainment.

Te Koanga Maori Fashion Show will be held on the evening of September 12, produced by Tangiora Huata and artistic director Duane & Tutevira Wichman, of Oyster Entertainment, Auckland.

The Celebrity Maori Music Breakfast will be hosted by Waiata Maori Music Awards ambassador, Taisha Tari, on the morning of Friday, September 13.

It will feature presentations from recipients of awards in the Nominated Section, Ngamoni Huata (Keeper of Traditions Award) and Golden Harvest (Maori Music Industry Award).

The Maori Music Expo will continue during Friday and in the evening the main event, Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony, begins 7pm.

Guest performers confirmed for the awards ceremony include Ahorangi Winitana, Waiata Maori Music Awards ambassador Taisha Tari, Rim D.Paul, Toni Huata, Maisey Rika, Mihirangi, Ashley Puriri, K/Line, Kahurangi Choir, Young Men Society and Katchafire.

The Kahurangi album launch will be broadcast live by Te Reo Irirangi on Ngati Kahungunu (Radio Kahungunu) on 765AM and 94.3FM in Hawke’s Bay and available online via www.radiokahungunu.co.nz from 6pm to 8pm, Wednesday, September 11.

Radio Kahungunu will also broadcast at the Maori Music Expo on Thursday, September 12, from noon to 2pm.

Radio Kahungunu will broadcast the main event, Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony, on Friday, September 13, from 6pm to conclusion.

ENDS

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