Top picks and mixes at CubaDupa
With so much going on during Wellington’s big street festival, it may be difficult to see and experience everything, writes Alan Granville.
Wellington’s creative juices will be flowing once again on the weekend of March 30-31, as the annual CubaDupa festival takes over the capital’s streets.
Expect the unexpected, as more than 100,000 people are expected to cram the lanes around Cuba St to witness everything from art installations and parades to DJs, bands, and roaming acts. It’s a family-friendly event, so there are plenty of children’s activities, too.
With so much going on it may be difficult to see and experience everything, so here are five highlights to look out for. Are you a frustrated musician? Ever listen to an album and go ‘‘I can do better’’? Well now’s your chance to shine through this unique performance.
invites audiences to interact with the creation of an album, from conception to completion.
The show is performed over 12 hours with a new song written and recorded each hour.
A band, The Undercuts, leads the audience in finding a spark for an idea.
Then, hand-in-hand, The Undercuts and the audience write lyrics and music to turn that initial spark into something much larger.
Finally, the song is performed and recorded live. It is mixed, mastered and uploaded publicly. One for the budding spies out there – this is described as a ‘‘mass-participation spy game’’.
Engineered by Wellington performance wizards Binge Culture, you sign up with your phone number and, at the appointed time, you will start receiving instructions to complete your secret mission. Stay incognito in the crowds while you operate in the shadows, and gain access to a secret world among the mayhem. This is one for the kids, and probably the young at heart too. It’s a cycling tour that re-investigates the history of Wellington.
Captain Cook takes children on a storytelling tour and finds himself thinking again about his contribution to New Zealand history. Music abounds at CubaDupa, with the likes of Alien Weaponry, The Phoenix Foundation and Electric Fields performing on the stages.
Coming from New Orleans is Cha Wa, a brass band-meets-Mardi Gras’ Indian outfit.
describes the band as
‘‘a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves that are impossible to resist’’.
The group will roam through the festival, with performances on various stages as well.
Music to get you smiling and grooving. There’s one guarantee – you won’t go hungry! Everything from street food to more fancy fare can be found throughout the streets.
How about Malaysian hawker food in front of Satay Palace (165 Cuba St), butter chicken at Tulsi (135 Cuba St), or a paua butty at acclaimed Logan Brown (192 Cuba St), then wash it down with a new Pacific Ale brewed especially for the event from Parrotdog?
You’ll be spoilt for choice.