Levin celebrates live local music
Eclectic mix will ensure something for everyone
May is the month when we celebrate New Zealand music and, fitting with that theme, a free community music event is being held in Horowhenua this weekend.
As part of Purebread NZ May Music Month, a districtwide celebration of live local music is happening at the Levin Adventure Park on Oxford St on Sunday May 22 from 11am to 4pm.
“A Ka¯piti-based ‘Jazz in the Garden’ event has been held on the first weekend in May since 2009, but three years ago it was decided that something similar needed to be held in Levin as well,” organiser Chris Craddock said.
Most of the groups performing are Ka¯piti-based and have been part of these events since inception. Horowhenua-based covers band Peanut Slab joined the lineup in 2020.
Peanut Slab’s lead vocalist Markus Heke described the five-piece band’s music as ranging from rock to hip hop and everything in-between.
Having come together in 2019 to perform at a carpark gig, the band has also participated in Levin’s Summer Music Festival in January for the past few years, as well as taking part in other music events throughout Horowhenua and Ka¯piti.
The youngest performer at this weekend’s event will be Ka¯piti teenager Peyton Morete, a talented singer songwriter who has been
performing at local music festivals since she was 9.
Peyton is in her second year of study for a Degree in Commercial Music at Massey University in Wellington, and will be performing her own original songs at the event.
The musical set of Ka¯pitibased Latin American Jazz ensemble Brasso, who are the mainstay of these events, will include some originals as well as popular covers with a jazzy twist.
The fourth performers in the line-up are Fernando FeN˜ a — a Latin American band featuring Kapiti musical identity Fernando Figueroa, who is of Chilean descent.
“Fernando brings an exciting South American exuberance to the stage, performing
originals and contemporary improvised music,” Craddock said.
Peyton Morete opens the day at 11am, followed by Brasso at 12pm, Fernando FeN˜ a at 1.30pm and rounding out the day is Peanut Slab at 3pm.
Be sure to get along to the Levin Adventure Park with the family this weekend with a picnic basket and a blanket, and enjoy five hours of live rock, blues, soul, funk and reggae.
The event will still go ahead if wet, but the venue will change to O’Malley’s Bar and Grill which is across the road from the park.
Check out the Facebook event page Purebread NZ May Music Month for updates.