Youth Festival off to a great start

Local youth have been getting out and involved this week with the Class of 09 Youth Festival underway, being held in conjunction with national youth week.

Council’s Community Projects Coordinator Jenny Steadmen says so far the youth have been having a ball but the big one is still to come – on Saturday 30 May is the Rock yer class off event at the Taupo Events Centre with popular band Midnight Youth as the main act of the night.

Midnight Youth has just released a new CD, has two hits in the top 40 and has toured with bands the Veronicas and INXS who said “they are one of the best bands they have toured with in Australasia.”

Other bands and performers at Rock yer class off include ‘A Kiss Goodbye’ - a youth band from Tauranga sponsored by NZ Music Month, local rock band Seizefire and musician Jamie Fitzgerald who have both got into the regional semi-finals for the Smokefree Rockfest competition. The event is also supported by the talented MC Mana.

Last Saturday night the festival was kicked of with the Electrik fluoro party where young people from 12 – 18 years old were entertained by EIPIC, Kaleidosonic, Awhimai Fraser, DJ Pix and MCs Case and Eden. There were glow sticks and flouro gear everywhere – party goers really got into the theme of the evening and enjoyed a range of music by the talented line-up on stage.

Monday saw the start of the Guitar Hero III practice sessions at the Taupo Library. The Competition night on Thursday from 5.00 pm is going to be a tough competition with the skills and talent on display at the practice sessions.

Lets Get Loud – a local performer’s concert night is being held on Friday 29th at Taupo Events Centre, open to young people and their families. To wrap up the festival, there is a Da-Bomb competition (biggest splash) being held on the Sunday at the AC Baths.

To find out more about the youth festival and to view a programme go to www.taupo.govt.nz.

Thank you to the partners and sponsors of the festival for your contribution: NZ Music Month, Taupo Youth Arts Trust, Creative Taupo, Café for Youth Health, Active Arts, Taupo Library, Taupo Venues, Sport Waikato, REAP, Lion Foundation, More FM, The Edge, !@M3 and a youth reference group.