Waipā to host three-day bluegrass music festival
The Mighty River Domain at Lake Karāpiro will be buzzing with the sound of bluegrass music for a three-day festival this month.
Kiwigrass comes to the Waipā district from 31 January to 2 February, with concerts, workshops and jamming sessions all part of the fun.
Top international groups are set to perform, including Lonely Heartstring Band and AJ Lee and Blue Summit, both from the USA.
Visiting from across the ditch are Australian bands Bluegrass Parkway, Coolgrass and Nine Mile Creek, as well as Jean-Luc Leroux & Friends from New Caledonia.
A line-up of 11 New Zealand groups are also playing, including Waikato bands The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, Rhode Works and You, Me, Everybody.
Kiwigrass receives support from the Waipā District Promotion Fund.
Waipā District Council deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said she was delighted to welcome the festival to the district for a second year.
“We’re very excited to host Kiwigrass again, which we anticipate to be an outstanding three days of music,” she said.
“The festival is a fantastic opportunity to welcome musicians from all around the world and we encourage visitors to stay on a few days and enjoy the district. From cycling the Te Awa River Ride to kayaking in Lake Karāpiro, there’s so much in Waipā to explore.”
Event organiser Jenine Abarbanel said she hoped the festival would attract visitors from around the world and New Zealand, as well as local fans of bluegrass music.
“Mighty River Domain is the perfect location for our fun and relaxed bluegrass festival. It really has it all – an indoor venue, picturesque outdoor areas, camping facilities and a café with the stunning backdrop of Lake Karāpiro. We know our musicians and festival-goers will have a blast.”
Also running in conjunction with the festival is Kiwigrass Academy on 29 and 30 January where top musicians offer tuition and insights to budding musicians over the two days before the main festival.
Kiwigrass will be held at Mighty River Domain, Lake Karāpiro, with weekend passes and individual daily tickets available. For the full line-up and ticket details visit kiwigrass.nz.