An Autumn Showcase Concert featuring Nayland College students and guests.

Rock the South returns to Nelson, with an all ages music gig featuring 9 of the regions hottest up and coming youth bands performing exclusively live on stage.

This years lineup includes:
Three's a Crowd (Nayland College), Blind Eye (Waimea College), Equinox (Nelson College for Girls), Ellie & Laura (Waimea College), Acoustic Knot (Waimea College), The Recliners (Nelson Boys College / Nayland College), Cosmos Vita (Nelson College for Girls), 1024 (Nelson Boys College), Shut Up Connor (Waimea College)

This event is strictly alcohol and other drug free, and suitable for 14-24 year olds. Security and Health and Safety Event Workers will be on hand to ensure a happy and healthy event for all.

Door sales ($10) may be available on the night, but with a lineup this epic, highly unlikely, so get in early to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson, Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson, Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

They say that Opera has the best tunes, but these days we so rarely hear them in the provinces.

There is clearly a hunger to hear these marvellous melodies sung by the "big voices". Last year, Lloyd Webber to Puccini, featuring tenor James Rodgers and mezzo Rachelle Pike sold-out Blenheim's ASB Theatre. So we are doing it again, this time in Blenheim and Nelson, with four NZ Opera colleagues presenting an evening of music from the worlds of Grand Opera and Musical Theatre - their favourites and yours.

Baritone Robert Tucker directs and performs Opera Unboxed, with New York based mezzo Rachelle Pike, our favourite Aucklander Helen Medlyn, and exciting young Wellington tenor Declan Cudd, accompanied by international pianist Catherine Norton.

Scouts Nelson proudly presents Nelson Scout Gang Show.

A fun filled family variety show for young and old that will have you laughing in your seats. There will be well known songs, and sketches for the whole family.

It has been a long 26 years since the last show, and we are bringing it back with a force to be reckon with.

America is like an enormous armed toddler at an all-you-can eat dessert buffet, simultaneously eating and throwing pudding around the room. Who's going to tell him to stop? Where are his parents? A situation like this needs a calm, firm hand: someone with insight and experience, someone like Wilson Dixon.

"Deadpan delivery of some of the funniest songs you'll ever hear" - Time Out, UK

"Simply sensational and utterly unmissable" - TVNZ

"At the absolute top of his game" - Sunday Star Times

R13

Taking its name from 'sassafrass' - slang for a sassy person who isn't afraid to speak her mind - Tami Neilson's album places a heavier emphasis on soul music while not abandoning her country and rockabilly roots. Neilson conjures up a wonderfully retro style that sounds like it could be a lost gem from the late '50s or early '60s; however, beneath the classic veneer are frank, highly relevant lyrics.

Neilson's confident vocals are undoubtedly abetted by her being surrounded by familiar collaborators. She co-produced SASSAFRASS! with Ben Edwards, the co-producer of her last two critically-acclaimed albums, DYNAMITE! and DON'T BE AFRAID.

Backing her up in the studio was her talented band, the Hot Rockin' Band of Rhythm: Joe McCallum (drums), Mike Hall (bass), Brett Adams (guitar) and Neil Watson (guitar and pedal steel), who have toured with her around the globe over the past three years. A brass section and strings enhance the album's classic qualities.

For the past decade, Neilson has been the queen of the Kiwi country and roots music scenes, with countless accolades and achievements to her name, including a handful of 'Best Country Album' awards at the New Zealand Music Awards and the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for excellence in songwriting.

She has also built up a loyal fan-base who know they're guaranteed one hell of a show, when it comes to her live performances and that's certainly what's in store for the SASSAFRASS! Tour.

The Bootleg Beach Boys perform selections of classic hits, & cult favourites, from California's most famous band. From surf themed anthems such as Surfin' Safari & Surfer Girl to classic muscle car memorable's like Shut Down & Fun Fun Fun, the band have gathered an impressive repertoire of west coast, harmony laden songs, that evoke the spirit and essence of the pursuit of the 1960's American dream.

The Bootleg Beach Boys tackle such classics as In my room, God only knows, Good Vibrations, Help me Rhonda in their hit heavy set, but also pay homage to the genius of Brian Wilson in the form of selections from the seminal Pet Sounds, and cult favourites from the legendary Smile album.

This blend of 5 vocals & infectious sun soaked gems, makes for a memorable night of some of the finest music committed to tape over four decades. You'll most assuredly have fun fun fun till the bar calls last drinks again! A night not to be missed!

Despite deep personal loss, ZULU LOVE have decided not to disappoint their New Zealand audiences and they will be returning to Nelson.

ZULU LOVE is a Johannesburg (South Africa) based band starring some of Soweto's top musicians. Nelsonians will remember them as the incredible vocalists from last year's sold-out performances of Stimela the Musical. "As soon as people saw them, they were bowled over by their incredible talent, infectious enthusiasm and pure joy" Nelson Mail

Their deep rich African harmonies blend traditional styles such as isicathamiya with upbeat African Soul.
Celebrate the return of the incredible music of South Africa with artists we can't wait to see again! Don't miss the soaring voices and Zulu Love!