Rotorua rocks during music monthwww.rotoruanz.com

Teenagers are in for a treat when popular Kiwi R&B singer and hip hop dancer J. Williams rocks into town next week.

Local musicians and special guests will be celebrating NZ Music Month with performances in Rotorua throughout May.

Rotorua District Youth Council has organised the J. Williams concert for 13-18 year olds at the Soundshell on Friday 21 May.

Meanwhile, local talent Rodger Cunningham, Rawiri Waru and Murray Clark can be heard performing at ‘Originals Open Mic Nights’ at The Pheasant Plucker this Sunday [9 May] and the last Sunday of May.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) community arts officer Kiri Jarden says Rotorua has long had a depth of musical talent, with many people keen to support Rotorua musicians composing their own music and lyrics.

“It’s great to see more artists taking the step of writing and performing their own material at open mic nights. Recognition has to go to establishments, such as Pheasant Plucker and Belgium Bar, that support local musicians. It’s hard to build the necessary performance experience without regular venues.”

Also during NZ Music Month, youth bands will play at City Focus every Thursday at 5pm from May 13. Ms Jarden says the RDC coordinated concerts are an opportunity for bands formed through high schools and churches to perform in public – some for the first time.

Other events featuring local youth talent will also be scheduled at the Soundshell during May.

“We will be profiling some of our local stars during the month with the aim of raising awareness of the talent that we have here,” says Ms Jarden.

Events and activities will be promoted online through www.rotoruanz.com as well as creativerotorua.org.nz, rotaz.co.nz and on Facebook (under Rotorua Music).