Campbell Smith, owner of Auckland City Limits Festival, has always been a music festival addict.
He fell into the Big Day Out in 2004 and hasn't looked back since. Now in his 13th year as a music festival organiser, he's excited to see that the inaugural Auckland City Limits Festival has grown rapidly in popularity - but that might be, in no small part, because of the emphasis on our youngest punters.
"Through all the years of working at the Big Day Out, I felt that our younger generation were missing out on some history-in-the-making. Children are important and if we offer them specific content and entertainment, we can create a experience that everyone can really enjoy."
Auckland Kiddie Limits is the mini-festival within the festival and this year's line-up features a swag of amazing performers including Captain Festus McBoyle's Travellin' Variety Show, Chris Lam Sam's Musical Mayhem Show, Le Cirque De JP, Chanelle & Friends, Itty Bitty Beats and Claudia Robin Gunn. The musical and entertainment line-up is curated by the renowned Finn, recently retired from the 95bFM kids' show, and has a ton of different activities to boot.
Richard Manic (aka Captain Festus) is thrilled to return to the festival and brings his portable music troupe, brimming with old-fashioned pantomime and a good splash of Kiwiana.
"Our world is all about family and community," says Manic, "We have varied characters and see those differences as a strength. We're big believers in being ourselves and we encourage others to be themselves too."
Organiser Campbell Smith.
He adds with a grin: "We don't believe in pushing sugar. Our teeth aren't pristine, in fact we delight in rotten teeth and we want everyone to have a great time."
Manic reminisces about the time he had to perform last year with two twins tugging on his boots for a good 20 minutes and says that is exactly what a festival for kids should be.
"An experience for our youngest festival-goers so that they can enjoy the live music, performance, comedy and everything else that comes with having quality time together as a family."
Chris Lam Sam, who brings's Mr Lam Sam's Musical Mayhem Show, couldn't agree more.
The talented composer and primary school teacher spent many years as a full-time entertainer with The Funky Monkeys and is all about the kids.
"I spent 17 years cutting my teeth with The Funky Monkeys and since then I've performed with a number of organisations [including the New Zealand Symphony orchestra and Te Papa] and I'm all about bringing down the barriers that prevent children from accessing music in those spaces.
Le Cirque De JP.
"I'm really conscious of the fact that even 30 minutes can have a huge impact on a child's experience and having fun with music, letting kids be kids and letting families create positive memories - that's what this show is all about."
There are also whispered promises from Chris' own boys, Zac and Zeb, of magic in his show and an unconfirmed rumour that - just maybe - a microwave might be given away. It seems well in keeping with a performance of magic and mayhem.
For those parents worried about actually getting to enjoy some of the acts without their beloved offspring, the festival also offers pass-outs so you can drop the kiddos at their grandparents' place - unless, of course, they're at the festival, too. The mini-festival is free to children under 10 with a ticketed adult and has its own secure area.
The Auckland Kiddie Limits Festival promises to be an exceptional experience and an opportunity to treat our young audiences as adult punters. As Smith says, "we are committed to creating a loyal music and performing arts-loving generation. What better place to start?"
Lowdown
What: Auckland Kiddie Limits When and where: Saturday, March 3, 11am until 5pm; the Village Green space in Motat, accessed only from within the festival's Western Springs site. Note: Auckland Kiddie Limits is not a drop-off area. Kids and caregivers are encouraged to enjoy the space together. To keep everyone together, all kids will be registered so no one gets lost.
