Last night's Zaoui Concert at the Wellington State Opera House was attended by around 450 supporters of human rights marking the 1st anniversary of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority decision declaring Algerian MP Ahmed Zaoui to be a bona fide refugee. Mr Zaoui has been kept in jail since he arrived in December 2002 and is the first recipient of a security risk certificate issued by the Secret Intelligence Service. Images by Alastair Thompson.
MCs for the night Adam Gardiner & Jeremy Randerson
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The audience
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First up act - The Beat Girls
Former Governor General Sir
Paul Reeves
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The first headlining act of the
night Rhombus (
website)…
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… played some freedom fusion.
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Comedienes Gentiane Lupi & Jo
Randerson…
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…. with a scene inspired by Abu
Gharib prison.
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Jeff Henderson, Sally Rodwell &
Richard Nunns play a serious jazz number
"Killamanjaro!!" – Comedian
Taika Cohen messes with audience heads
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Turntableist Alphabet Head dazzles
with his hand speed
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The Accelerants
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… accelerate.
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Ahmed Zaoui's lawyer Deborah
Manning…
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… reads messages to the audience from
the subject of the night's festivities, Ahmed Zaoui and his
family.
And then finally, the second headlining act of the night Goldenhorse…. ( website)
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Lead singer Kirsten Kirsten
Morelle,,,
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…generates a bit activity in the mosh
pit.
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Responding to a request from the
audience the Goldenhorse guys play some :"Bowie for Zaoui"
(Little China Girl).
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Before Morelle returns to end the
evening with an optimistic rendition of Golden Dawn.
*** ENDS ***