Amanda Billing formerly of Shortland Street with the Candy Lane dancers at the Rotorua Lakeside Concert. Photo / Ben Fraser
Amanda Billing formerly of Shortland Street with the Candy Lane dancers at the Rotorua Lakeside Concert. Photo / Ben Fraser
Organisers of the Rotorua Lakeside Concert believe it may have been the best concert they've organised yet.
The rain was not a dampener for the many who watched the annual free event at the Village Green on Saturday night with its star-studded list of performers and fireworks finale.
"Musically it was so good, I really don't think we could surpass the quality that was delivered on [Saturday] night.
"Every number was quite outstanding and it truly was a tribute to the artistic directors who worked so hard," Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust chairman Ian Edward said.
"Whether it was Darryl Lovegrove with his extraordinary performance of Bohemian Rhapsody and Gethsemane, Jason Kerrison with his Judas performance and our own local group the Annie choir (Kids with Elizabeth Woollacott) to Strangely Arousing - every single item was a highlight."
Image 1 of 14: 220215bf1 Lakeside. Fiona Malcolm and Calum Malcolm, 11, 22 February 2015 Rotorua Daily Post photograph by Ben Fraser
The attendance numbers were estimated in the thousands, but Mr Edward did not want to estimate how many turned out on the night.
Entry was a gold coin donation with proceeds going to Plunket.
"Plunket was selected because it was a worthwhile charity, somewhere all families have been touched by their work," Mr Edward said.
"It's fair to say that the numbers were compromised this year; one could appreciate that families that were coming down may have not given the inclement weather.
"It was a real challenge for the crowd and technical people but they provided expert lighting and sound enjoyed by all."
The Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust committee were eager to have a debrief of the weekend's concert before planning next year's event. It's a year's work, already ideas have generated for next year's event on how we will equal this and what we want to achieve.
"We start with a blank page on Sunday with no money and no clear idea, and it's a credit to the committee and decision makers to be able to put on something that is of truly international quality," Mr Edward said.
"This is a unique event in New Zealand organised by a unique group of Rotorua individuals that are prepared to do this voluntary for the enrichment of our community."
