What's on: Musical tribute to our soldiers

Finely Tuned's Marlene Badger (left), Evelyn Falconer, Sue Morrison and Tania Pinfold will perform at the civic memorial Anzac service tomorrow.

A musical tribute to soldiers who fought in our wars will be heard during a civic memorial service to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

Hosted by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick at the Energy Event Centre tomorrow from 9.30am. Father Mark Field will be the officiating minister. The service will also feature performances from local musicians with an opening ballad from singer Evelyn Falconer.

"It's a real honour to perform and you don't want to mess it up so, while I feel honoured, I'm a little scared as well," Mrs Falconer said.

"My grandfather fought in World War I and returned as invalid near the end so, for me, it is personal. I have got his medals in miniature and I wear them very proudly.

"He came back and was never able to work. We honour the dead a lot but we also need to honour the men who came back as very different men.

"It's about celebrating life and the freedom that we have because of their sacrifice."

Mrs Falconer said researching to find the right songs for the event was emotional.

"YouTube is a wonderful thing, I sat through the videos and bawled. I was watching soldiers coming home from Afghanistan and surprising their children. It shows that there is a lot of good in our world and we need to remember that."

Also performing will be Events and Venues' technical and safety manager Ray Philpot with a guitar solo and Rotorua Brass and City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band.

A slideshow of past and present New Zealand troops will be played throughout the service and during the entertainment with Finely Tuned, featuring Mrs Falconer, finishing proceedings. "It will be big band-style swing jazz and the [veterans] love it. We see them foot tapping and they sing along. We're having fun and we hope it's contagious," she said.

People driving to the Energy Events Centre are encouraged to avoid the Prince's Gate entrance and enter at the Polynesian Spa and take the road behind the museum and Energy Events Centre.

The traditional dawn parade at Ohinemutu takes place tomorrow at 5.45am. There will also be a parade through the Government Gardens, starting at 9am from Memorial Dr arriving at the Energy Events Centre at 9.20am in time for the civic service at 9.30am.