News

The July school holidays are here and Scooby-Doo & the gang are in New Zealand for their funtastic hit show SCOOBY-DOO IN STAGEFRIGHT – Live on Stage!

SCOOBY-DOO IN STAGEFRIGHT – Live on Stage! opens in Christchurch on Tuesday July 7th with shows @ 1:30pm & 4:00pm and Wednesday July 8th, 10am & 12:30pm, then Wellington on Friday July 10th, 10am & 12:30pm and Saturday July 11th, 10am & 12:30pm. The gang heads up to Palmerston North on Monday July 13th, 10am & 12:30pm and travels to Hamilton on Wednesday July 15th 10am, 12:30 & 3pm. They finally reach the big smoke in Auckland Friday July 17th 10am, 12:30 & 3pm; sadly the show must close on Saturday July 18th 10am & 12:30pm.

SCOOBY-DOO IN STAGEFRIGHT – Live on Stage! has thrilled audiences around the world, the exciting, funtastic live 90 minute theatrical, musical scoobydelic performance is full of hilarious hi-jinx, groovy music and magical special effects. It’s ideal family holiday entertainment!

Tickets available now from www.ticketek.co.nz www.ticketdirect.co.nz and www.buytickets.co.nz

The extraordinary and superbly talented José Carreras will perform exclusively at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

The extraordinary and superbly talented José Carreras will perform exclusively at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery on Saturday, January 31, 2009. This is a rare and unique opportunity to experience the magic of the voice that has captivated audiences throughout the world in a stunning winery setting.

Gifted with a beautiful voice, José Carreras is considered one of the world’s greatest tenors and opera singers of his generation. With a phenomenal international performance career spanning over three decades and including recognition as one of the famous Three Tenors with Placido Domingo and the Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras continues to mesmerize audiences with his sublime tenor voice.

Joined by conductor Miquel Ortega, the Vector Wellington Orchestra and guest soprano, Anna Leese, the concert will be an unforgettable experience not to be missed.

Great seats on sale now from Ticketmaster, 0800 111 999 www.ticketmaster.co.nz – this is a fully seated outdoor winery concert. The grassed concert venue is located at the back of the winery and is surrounded by vines and views of the Pacific Ocean.

In support of the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation, Elephant Hill Estate & Winery is proud to donate a portion of ticket sales to the NZ Leukemia & Blood Foundation.

Elephant Hill Estate & Winery presents an intimate evening with José Carreras is proudly supported by BMW. For more information please visit www.elephanthill.co.nz

Performance day & time: Saturday, January 31, 2009, 7:30pm Elephant Hill Estate & Winery Ltd: 86 Clifton Road, Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand Parking: Available Ticket Prices and Packages (booking fees may apply): $145 – A Reserve Seat $190 – Gold Seats Packages available upon request

FOR MEDIA INTERVIEW REQUESTS AND PHOTOS CONTACT Magdalena VandenBerg +64 6 650 2522 Cell: +64 (0)21 557 151 E: mx@mxeventsmarketing.com

External link: www.elephanthill.co.nz

The internationally and critically acclaimed masterpiece, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA returns to New Zealand for a strictly limited season from October 14, at The Civic, The Edge in Auckland. Book Now! 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or online at www.the-edge.co.nz and from www.thephantomoftheopera.co.nz

“We are proud to announce that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is returning to New Zealand and are confident it will continue the incredible worldwide success and follow the sell out shows we are experiencing in Australia,” said Producer Tim McFarlane of The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific. “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece has been seen by more than 80 million people. Audiences have taken it to their hearts and the production is still a truly magnificent spectacle,” he said. As the longest running musical on Broadway, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA recently celebrated 21 years and has won more than 50 major theatre awards, including seven Tony Awards.

“With a fabulous stellar cast of 37 performers, we are incredibly excited to return and share this wonderful love story with our audiences, and for our New Zealand performers it will undoubtedly be extra special for them to perform in their home country, said Producer John Frost of The Gordon/Frost Organisation.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the story of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano - Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealously, madness and passions collide.

With spectacular sets and more than 230 costumes by international designer, the late Maria Björnson, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous music, including “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Music of the Night”.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is based upon the novel Le Fantome De L’Opera by Gaston Leroux. Original London production by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is presented in New Zealand by The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and The Gordon/Frost Organisation.

Tickets go on sale Monday May 5 at 9am from The Edge, call 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or online at www.the-edge.co.nz and from www.thephantomoftheopera.co.nz

External link: www.thephantomoftheopera.co.nz

Korokipo Springs the premier outdoor event venue located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay is proud to announce the 2008 inaugural Korokipo Springs Contemporary Country Music Festival with headline artists The Warratahs and Shona Laing & her band The Sparrows and Lindon Puffin. Held on Waitangi Day, Wednesday February 6, 2008 the festival will showcase great New Zealand musical talents in lush countryside landscape surroundings of vineyards, fruit trees and rolling hills. The flat, grass venue space with its spring water feature evokes a lazy & relaxed country lifestyle, providing the perfect ambience for this inaugural event.

Korokipo Springs the premier outdoor event venue located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay is proud to announce the 2008 inaugural Korokipo Springs Contemporary Country Music Festival with headline artists The Warratahs and Shona Laing & her band The Sparrows and Lindon Puffin.

Held on Waitangi Day, Wednesday February 6, 2008 the festival will showcase great New Zealand musical talents in lush countryside landscape surroundings of vineyards, fruit trees and rolling hills. The flat, grass venue space with its spring water feature evokes a lazy & relaxed country lifestyle, providing the perfect ambience for this inaugural event.

Located at 1601 Korokipo Road on State Highway 50 in Hastings, Korokipo Springs is a perfect outdoor concert venue with its stunning Hawke’s Bay vistas it is an easy fifteen minute drive from Hastings and Napier. On site free parking is available and concert patrons are welcome to bring their own food & picnic baskets, low lying chairs, umbrellas and blankets, BYO alcohol is not permitted, wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Korokipo Springs Contemporary Country Music Festival, Waitangi Day, Wednesday February 6, 2008, from 1pm – 6pm, tickets go on sale, Thursday, January 10 from all TicketDirect outlets, www.ticketdirect.co.nz 0800 4 ticket or 0800 224 224

All tickets are $34 for general admission, $32 for groups of 10+ (booking fees apply) and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. A supervised kid’s zone will be provided with fun stuff by Funworks.

Tickets on sale now www.ticketdirect.co.nz

External link: www.korokiposprings.co.nz

Sunset Sessions with Don McGlashan & The Seven Sisters & Little Bushman Saturday Jan 5 2008 4:30-8:30pm Trinity Hill Winery, Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Trinity Hill Winery in association with Sunset Sessions is proud to confirm the only Hawke’s Bay concert date with with Don McGlashan and his band the Seven Sisters and Little Bushman on Saturday, January 5th, 2008.

Tickets for the Trinity Hill Winery concert are now on sale at the winery and from Ticketek.

Trinity Hill Winery is located in the reputed Gimblett Gravels in Hawke’s Bay Wine Country and has stunning vistas over vineyards, the Western Heretaunga Plains and towards the iconic Te Mata Peak.

Don McGlashan, will take to the stage with his new band the Seven Sisters to perform songs from his new upcoming album and from his first solo album, Warm Hand. In addition, the all time favourites; Anchor Me, Dominion Road, Bathe in the River, Miracle Sun, The Heater, Nature and Pulled Along By Love, songs from the earlier days of The Front Lawn, Blam, Blam, Blam and the platinum selling and internationally recognised popular band, The Mutton Birds.

Don and his band promise an electric performance combining exciting new material with the much loved greats to guarantee a trip down memory lane.

As the driving force behind many projects, Warren Maxwell enjoys near legendary status amongst the music savvy. As former frontman of Trinity Roots and saxophonist for Fat Freddy’s Drop, Warren recently took the plunge to concentrate on leading the blues quartet Little Bushman whose music has been described in the Sunday Star Times as “raw, rocky and psychedelic”.

Sunset Sessions kicks off on Thursday, January 3rd under the urban summer sky of Civic Square in Wellington before heading up North on Saturday, January 5th to the beautiful Hawke’s Bay for a sun drenched concert among the hills and vines at Trinity Hill Winery.

The summer vibe heads to the East Coast for a lazy Sunday outdoors concert in Gisborne at the historic Poverty Bay Club and on Monday January 6th in the Wharepai Domain, Tauranga. Sunset Sessions concludes with two concerts, January 8th & 9th in the lush and peaceful surroundings of the Leigh Sawmill Café.

Book Now at winery or from Ticketek please follow link below to book! http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=SUNSET08

Trinity Hill Winery, located 2396 State Highway 50, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand www.trinityhill.com

External link: http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=SUNSET08

Cellarbrate™ is proud to present for one Hawke’s Bay concert Hollie Smith and OPSHOP.

The weather forecast in Hawke’s Bay for Saturday, September 8th, 2007 is for a stunning sunny day, a perfect spring day for Cellarbrate™ a one day celebration and concert with New Zealand’s own Hollie Smith and OP SHOP.

To complement the day and to showcase the wine talent from the region, Squawking Magpie, Trinity Hill, Kim Crawford wines and Wild Rock Wine Company will be serving fantastic Hawke’s Bay wines. Diva Bar will provide their signature cocktails and beers.

Joining the musical line up is the sublime talent from the regions own Hawke’s Bay Jazz Club Big Band, DJ Lil’B and BLVD Nights, there is definitely music to suit all tastes.

Delicious food from Raymond the BBQ King, Pizza Guy, Rush Munro, Bay Espresso; great coffee & food and non alcoholic drinks from Arano Juices will add flavour to this one day cellarbration of music, wine, food and spring. The Hawke’s Bay Opera House foyer bar will also be serving plenty of cool liquid refreshments.

Fresh from a 12 million dollar renovation the Hawke’s Bay Opera House plaza, foyer, and Hastings Street precinct, is the natural choice of venue for its importance to the Hawke’s Bay architectural and cultural landscape. The rejuvenation celebrates a beautiful marriage of contemporary and Spanish mission design.

Hastings Street, Hastings will be closed to traffic from 3pm on Friday September 7th and re-open midnight Saturday September 8th 2007.

Doors open at 12:45pm and gate sales are available, patrons are advised to be early as Hollie Smith performs promptly at 1:10pm with OP SHOP on stage to close the day from 7pm.

CELLARBRATE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (note subject to change)

1:00PM WELCOME

1:10PM HOLLIE SMITH

2:30PM DJ LIL’B

3:00PM HAWKE’S BAY JAZZ CLUB BIG BAND

4:30PM DJ LIL’B

5:00PM BVLD. NIGHTS

6:30PM DJ LIL’B

7:00PM OP SHOP

8:30PM DJ LIL’B

9:00PM CLOSE

Tickets on sale now from Ticket Direct, 0800 4 TICKET (0800 484 2538), www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Gate Sales Available and also from wineries; Trinity Hill and Kim Crawford Winery When: Saturday September 8, 2007 (08.09.07)

Where: Hawke’s Bay Opera House plaza, foyer and Hasting Street, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay

Please note road closures will be in effect on Hastings Street

Entrance: Corner Hastings and Heretaunga Street

The international dance sensation returns to New Zealand with their critically acclaimed show - FloorPlay!

Eight years after its world premiere, the sizzling Australian-produced Latin and Ballroom dance sensation Burn the Floor will be igniting our shores once again with its brand new show FloorPlay in NZ this August 2007.

FloorPlay, combines the incredible talent of the World’s best dancers, spectacular costumes and music with a collage of dance styles including Salsa, Rhumba, Cha Cha, Waltz and Tango all with a sexy, modern edge. Burn the Floor has performed to over three million people in 93 cities in 19 Countries around the world to rave reviews from the media and audiences.

“Your feet are singing when you leave the theatre” - Las Vegas Sun

“A high energy, heart pounding display of dance pyrotechnics” - Variety Magazine

“A production so highly charged it almost rockets off the stage and into your lap” - Sydney Sun Herald - “A sexy, steamy, sophisticated dance extravaganza” - New York Daily News

The new show FloorPlay builds on the raw and sizzling soul of dancing and the physical chemistry that dance ignites when two people are drawn together as one.

Having toured Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, US and Australia to rave reviews, New Zealand will now have its chance to experience the amazingly high voltage production!

FloorPlay features a cast of 18 international award-winning dancers, two percussionists on stage and two lead vocalists. The stellar international cast bring their talents from all over the globe, from far-flung Sweden, Russia, Italy, Germany, UK, Ireland to Australia and the Philippines. And of course, such a dance spectacular cannot do without music, ranging from legendary classics to current pop favourites such as Sergio Mendes, Carole King, David Sanborn, Tina Turner, Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan. The carefully selected music compliments the sexy, high-energy performance perfectly.

Creators, World Champion Dance champions Peta Roby and Jason Gilkison who themselves started dancing at the age of 4, have gathered the best dancers in the world to present on stage a show that takes the competition out and puts the fun back in. The audience enjoy the dancing and the interaction with the dancers both on stage and through the audience.

“Burn the Floor presents FloorPlay combines the elements of a Rock’n’Roll concert and Broadway Theatre with the sensual and dynamic energy of Latin and Ballroom dance into a powerful, one-of-a-kind stage performance” says producer Jason Gilkison

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

AUCKLAND - Aotea Centre Thu 2nd & Fri 3rd 7.30pm / Sat 4th 4pm HAMILTON - Founders Theatre Tue 7th & Wed 8th 7.30pm WELLINGTON - Michael Fowler Centre Sat 11th 4pm & 8pm CHRISTCHURCH - James Hay Theatre Thu 16th & Fri 17th 7.30pm / Sat 18th 4pm & 8pm

Book AUCK, WGTN & CHCH - Ticketek 0800 842 538 Book Hamilton - Ticket Direct 07 985 5858

www.ticketek.co.nz www.ticketdirect.co.nz

www.burnthefloor.com

External link: www.burnthefloor.com

Cellarbrate Hawke's Bay Wines 2007 Wine NZ music food and summer Saturday Feb 3 2007 Cellarbrate

Cellarbrate 2007 For the first time in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. In anticipation of the annual harvest, Cellarbrate brings together Hawke's Bay winemakers to share their passion for our world class exceptional wines with locals and visitors to the region in the spirit of celebration; wine, food, NZ music and summer. Cellarbrate

Starring 15 award winning wineries; Alpha Domus, Bilancia, Brookfields,Church Road, Clearview, Corbans, Esk Valley, Longridge, Matariki Wines, Squawking Magpie, Trinity Hill, Te Awa, Wild Rock and Wishart Estate. With hand craft Limburg Beer and scrumptious contemporary food by DISH, Clearview, Church Road and Brookfields and with NZ music guests: The Phoenix Foundation, One Million Dollars, The Hot Grits, Deva Mahal, Ben Throp, DJ Lil'B and Mary Manon Merisier Cellabrate is your one day to chill, relax and enjoy the spoils of Hawke's Bay. Tickets on sale from November 9th at Ticketmaster Ticketmaster 10am - 6pm Saturday February 3 2007 Waikoko Gardens, Hawke's Bay A&P Showgrounds

External link: www.cellarbrate.co.nz

Eight2d8 - Hawke's Bay on Speed Dating

The concept is very simple.

To register please click link to Eight2d8

An equal number of men and women are invited to a local bar, where everyone gets eight minutes to find out as much as possible about each other. The girls stay seated while the guys move from table to table at the ring of a bell.

All they have to do at the end of the night is mark `yes' or `no' next to the guy's/girl's name they are interested in, and if they both mark `yes', a match is made and contact details are sent out the following day.

Date and time: Saturday September 30 from 5 to 6:30pm. Place: Diva bar in Havelock North. What: 3 x 8 x 3 teams! Table 1 = Ages 20 to 28 Table 2 = Ages 28 to 38 Table 3 = Ages 38+ with cut off mid 50s

Price: $35 for one off event fee, includes a couple of wines or beers and nibbles.

What to expect at the eight2d8 event:

# Following registration, enjoy an eight2d8 cocktail at the bar, take a deep breath and then relax. During this time before the main event all participants will have a few minutes to survey the room and begin interacting with some of the prospective partners for the evening.

# When everyone is registered, each participant will be taken to their seats at the tables of their age group preference. Ladies on one side, guys on the other.

# Once everyone is comfortable the clock will start ticking eight minutes and counting. At the sound of the bell, the guys move on one seat and the ladies remain seated.

# After the eight minutes have run their course, mark `yes' or `no' on the form provided during registration - this is how to build up a prospective date list.

# The half-time bell will sound after four dates for a 15 minute interval, then it's time to date again following the same procedure.

# At the end of the evening, everyone will fill out a form and hand it back to the eight2d8 team.

# After the event, the eight2d8 team will contact everyone a couple of days later with their possible match or matches - a match is determined if both parties tick `yes' on their forms during the evening.

# Then eight2d8 will provide each person and their match with their contact details and then leave the rest up to them. To take part, register at Eight2d8

External link: www.eight2d8.co.nz

Mx Events & Marketing – The Global Launch DIVA Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, NZ

On Wednesday night, Mx Events & Marketing took centre stage @ DIVA in Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Mx Events & Marketing is now open in the business of providing global excellence in event management and marketing

The company's global launch was held in the plush, lush and stunning DIVA, with invited VIP’s walking the knockout red carpet, drinking beautiful cocktails and mingling with what are arguably some of New Zealand’s finest and brightest people. Squawking Magpie wines flew.

Under the guidance of DIVA kitchen genius, Kent Baddeley, the food was as scrumptious as it was endless, Nick, worked his magic on the floor and behind the bar, his team resembled a Calvin Klein photo shoot.

It was a superb evening, and in the spirit of Mx Events & Marketing, the launch carried the company mantra “with heart, passion, conviction, and the power of visualization, breathe life into dreams………”

Official launch in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

After 20 years abroad, local resident Magdalena VandenBerg has returned to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand and established Mx Events & Marketing, a company through its global connections and experience will provide excellence in event management and marketing.

The strong foundation of Mx Events & Marketing is built on years working alongside many of the key business names in the show business world; Harvey Goldsmith (CBE) globally recognized as one of the key driving forces behind Band Aid and Live Aid, and more recently for the final tour of Pavarotti, Cirque du Soleil; a Montreal based producer of live shows with 12 shows currently performing around the world, Duet Entertainment, Kevin Jacobsen and major promoters from Madrid, Barcelona, Belgium, Zurich, Geneva and France.

Within each role responsibilities have extended to active involvement in all aspects of event management; developing sites, working with venue managers, transportation, accommodation logistics, crowd management, parking and ensuring strict compliance with local authority requirements.

Mx Events & Marketing takes inspiration from entrepreneurs and dynamic marketers who with their addictive energy and infectious determination, hard work ethic, ego’s, complex personalities, strategic thinking, risk taking abilities, budget and financial genius, added confidence layers to a dream of owning an event management and marketing company specializing in entertainment. The simple philosophy of “with heart, passion, conviction, and the power of visualization, breathe life into dreams………” is our company’s mantra says Director, Magdalena VandenBerg who has lived in or worked in amazing countries and cities; Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Paris, Geneva, Sevilla, Gijon, Barcelona, Madrid, Rotterdam, Los Angeles, New Orleans.

It’s been an incredible journey, one of many hours of hard work, seismic stress and constant change, however, this goes with territory, and Magdalena wouldn’t change a thing about it. The result is dynamic; people come and leave concerns at the door, and escape to another world.

Hawke's Bay Today - 13 May 2006 - Kate Newton - Readers' Reporter

She is ambitious, sophisticated and has spent the last 20 years travelling the world, but 42-year-old Magdalena VandenBerg is now happy to be back in Hastings and living with her parents, writes Kate Newton.

Magdalena VandenBerg can't stop smiling as she sits in the tiny office she has set up in her family's garage. Behind her is a picture she painted one night in her Las Vegas apartment. "God Bless Las Vegas Forever", it says. Magdalena warns not to look at it too closely because "it's something a child could do" but it brings back fond memories of her time in the big city. Also behind her, to her right, is a photo of her mother and father whose home she has returned to after 20 years of living in the world's biggest cities. After marketing events such as Cirque du Soleil and concerts to European and American audiences and, for five years, being a flight attendant, Hastings feels small to her, but it's home. "I had so many experiences overseas but I had to stop and realise my dreams and had to take the leap," Magdalena said. "I've come to the point where it's absolutely fine that I'm back in Hawke's Bay. I'm convinced I'm on the right course." Magdalena's office was once the room where the grandchildren would sleep when they came to stay and turning it into an office didn't come without its problems. "Thank God for technology. There was no phone jack and I've had to go completely wireless." Magdalena only made the decision to come home in December. Cirque du Soleil had offered her a Sydney-based job marketing the show to the Asia Pacific region. "I thought if I'm going to come back to this part of the world then I'm going to have my own business and base it in Hawke's Bay." That business is Mx Events and Marketing - a company that Magdalena promotes as being able to provide excellence in event management, using her global connections. Her dream is to bring her favourite singer Robbie Williams to Hawke's Bay. "It would be incredible if Hawke's Bay was a destination for talent," Magdalena said. "We have, in the summer time, the Mission and Church Road concerts which demonstrate we have the outdoor venues."

Living in the Windsor Avenue family home is a big change from the Amsterdam apartment she left behind only five weeks ago. "I can't just put on my Coldplay really loud now. I have to be a bit more mindful" she said. "It's just that belief that you're in the right place a the right time. I just love the energy here. "