Spot on entertainment

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 546, 26 July 1994, Page 7

Spot on entertainment

The temperature is on the rise in the Ruapehu region with the advent of some hot bands and great acts coming our way through the ski season. What's on in Ohakune? Check out the promo calendar featuring the 'Fab Four' night spots - Ohakune Hotel, Powderkeg, Hot Lava and Turoa Lodge. In-bar party nights, giveaways and happening times are on the cards between now and September. The Powderzone plays host to DJ Max Actor and his 'party sounds in the powder zone', each Wednesday night and every weekend from Friday through to Sunday. Be there to win Fisher skis, a snowboard and ski suit (see ad this page). For more information, listen to Ski FM's 'Wots Up Captain Carrot' entertainment guide, every week day (see ad for times). Sam Hunt and Barry Saunders Poetry legend Sam Hunt and country singer/ songwriter Barry Saunders have teamed up a night of poetry and music for their Round the Mountain tour of the central North Island. The pair hit the Ruapehu region this week, with performances at National Park's Schnapps Bar on Thursday 28 July, starting 8pm, and another appearance at the Ohakune Hotel on Friday. The tour is being touted as 'a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' rolT. Rest assured, Sam Hunt won't be playing guitar and singing - that will be left in the capable hands of Barry Saunders. Neither Sam nor Barry are strangers to touring, in fact they thrive on it. Sam's poems reflect the roads he has travelled during the past 30 years. Barry and his band, The Warratahs, have released four albums in total, containing a travelogue of songs inspired by the places they have seen and visited. On the tour Barry will be playing songs off his Turn to Page 8

FROMPAGE7 newest release 'Long Shadows', along with Warratahs favourites. Sam will, as always, perform a mix of old and new material as well as poems from his favourite New Zealand poets James K Baxter, Alistair Campbell, and Robin Hyde. The show

will open with a set from Barry, followed by Sam's poems, with Barry returning later in the evening with more songs. Sam has toured Australia, USA and England, and in 1984 was appointed a cultural ambassador by the New Zealand

government. To date he has published 15 books of poetry. In 1985 he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his contribution to New Zealand literature. Comedy and Blues combine with Gary and Paul Also hitting the Ruapehu region is the pairing of Blues guitarist extraordinaire Paul Ubana Jones, and talented entertainer Gary McCormick. The old team have reunited for an 'Are You Experienced' return to the 60's tour and perform at the Ohakune Hotel tomorrow night (see advertisement this page). Gary advised us: "We're not unplugged like everyone else, but we will be unhinged". Recently returned from a tour of France and the United States, with a string of highly successful concerts behind him, Paul Ubana Jones has written a lot of new material and will spend the rest of the year doing small tours in New Zealand. Paul said they decided to make their latest tour one with a sixties flavour because of the popularity of the music of that era. "The music was great. It was a fun time. People still like it, so Gary and I thought we'd have a bit of fun doing it now". It does not mean however, that Gary is moving towards a career in music. "Sadly for the music world, no", said Gary. "My commitment to Heartland take up much of my year. But the tour with Paul will enable me to indulge in some poetry, analysis of the sixties and help people who were there, put their lives back together". Hot Lava eruption Featuring this Friday and Saturday at the Hot Lava, Ohakune Junction, is an up-and-coming band from Auckland, who guarantee a show to make the skiers jump. 'Redhanded' is a six piece who cover the best of dance music from around the world and have been making a name for themselves through gigs in Auckland and Northland. Expect a fast-driving sound bound to get your feet tapping, as , they play music from

the Beatles to Nirvana, the Eagles to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and ZZ Top to The Spin Doctors. On Saturday 6 August, Hot Lava is host to a new phenomenon in New Zealand. The 'Techno Dance Party' is being put on by Quaff Records of London and features three visiting DJ's from England and a light show from Auckland - including lasers to create an eerie effect at the venue. These events are very popular in England, often being held in an isolated field in the country with enormous sound systems and light shows. This promises to be an interesting evening and many ■ tickets have pre-sold in Auckland to the growing a number of followers of the 'Techno' scene. ■ On Wednesday 3 August the DB Sports Night 1 features 'Bouncy Boxing' for the first time in the " Waimarino. The huge inflated ring will be centre- ■ stage at the Hot Lava and contestants will win 1 prizes by putting on large blow-up gloves and a scoring points against each other without the ■ danger of injury. " This promises to be a great spectator event as , the vantage points around the balcony create a ■ perfect arena. * Also to come shortly to the 'Lava' is 'Sumo a Wrestling' - a hilarious parody of the ancient ■ Japanese sport, and the mechanical snow board, " where shredders can test their skills against one a another. 1 Watch for the dates of the various DB Games J Nights on Wednesday's at Ohakune's only venue ■ for great live action. 1