Editorial: Concert magic lights up the night

We're a bit spoilt in Rotorua.

The Lakeside 2012 concert on Saturday night, this year themed When Loves Comes To Town, was an example of the fact we live in a city that really does have it all.

For 16 years, the organisers of the Lakeside extravaganza have created a concert that is now a sought-after gig by the country's top performers.

Last year's show was plagued by shocking wet weather. But this year, it was just perfect.

As the moon hovered above the stage and the sun slowly set, a record crowd (organisers tell us close to 30,000) sat and enjoyed the finest of New Zealand talent.

There was something for everyone including Maori culture, pop, rock, opera, classical, old school, R 'n B and dance.

And to top it all off, the show ended with a breathtaking fireworks display.

Concert-goers got all of this for only a gold coin donation to charity. This year's beneficiaries will be Riding For The Disabled and the Rotorua Community Youth Centre.

It might cost next to nothing to attend such an event, but each year it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put on.

Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust chairman Ian Edward said the event couldn't have happened if it weren't for the people sitting in the seats up the front.

Not only do these people pay good money for their view of the stage, many have also donated large sums from their businesses and trusts.

Rotorua can't thank you enough.

It seems money is getting harder to find for many things but thank goodness there are people who are still willing to fund such a wonderful night out.