Street performers to add cup colour

By Nick Perry

A new song, a Charlie Chaplin look-alike and farmyard animals will be part of the backdrop of the Viaduct Harbour when thousands of tourists visit during the America's Cup.

An entertainment package starting next month and stretching through until March was unveiled by the American Express NZ Cup Village yesterday.

The village was forced to scale back earlier plans for top-class overseas acts when it failed to get consent in May for a grandstand and stage.

But it still wants to set up a smaller, floating stage that will hold up to 3000 people for five events. It hopes to firm up consent for this within a week.

Village public relations manager Sue Foley said it was confident it was on to a winner with the planned entertainment, which was free and would celebrate New Zealand culture.

Promoter Greg Lay said performers would be in the background throughout the boardwalks and public areas around the village, helping to create a relaxed mood.

The lineup includes street theatre, artists with easels, culture groups, musicians, face-painters and balloon sculptors.

A motionless "concrete man" will be dressed as Captain Cook and a talented Charlie Chaplin figure will perform magic and a stage show.

The Village Pavilion, in the City Market buildings, will be home to lambs, cows and horses - if resource consent is granted within the next few weeks.

The Radio Network has penned World on the Water, which will be the village song. Two versions will play on stations, a rock version for younger listeners and an easy-listening version.

Lyrics include: Maybe once in a lifetime you get the chance to be a part of something big ...

Don't be left standing on the shore, it's time to climb aboard.

"It's captain versus captain as they both take on the sea, Each crew member will give their best; they're sailing for their country.