Nightclub rises from the ashes

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 646, 23 July 1996, Page 20

Nightclub rises from the ashes

In one of the first major business upheavals directly related to the continuing eruption of Mt Ruapehu, the Hot Lava Nite Club sale has fallen through. Owners Paul and Karina Beckett had thought the business had sold back in April when they had an unconditional sale agreementwith a Taupo-based company. With the uncertainty of the new eruption series and the prospect of no ski season at all for the Ruapehu fields, the company decided to abandon the purchase, despite having already been in operation for several weeks under the name 'Holy Cow'. Paul and Karina have vowed they will still operate the

Hot Lava Club, in Thames Street Ohakune, even if there is no skiing this year, with several bands booked. They take control of the club tomorrow and will kick off with a 'Black Ash' party on Friday night "to try and appease the gods," said Paul. With the Saturday Mardi Gras at the Junction they have The Exponents playing and hope for a good crowd to assure the other bands booked for later in the year that "all is still well in Ohakune". Paul joked that it seemed livestock nightclub names don't go down well in the area, referring to the recent 'Holy Cow' experience and an earlier short-lived lease by a group who named the club the 'Crazy Horse'.