Jesse's Blog: out in the fresh Open Air

This is a quick overview of the New Years festival we helped organize in the Bay of Islands. Dan Bregman and I took the photos and Dan did the write up. Cheers to all that helped out and attended and thanks to the three Chris's for the massive task of organizing the festival and letting us use the land. It was awesome!!!!

OPEN AIR

With so many different options for celebrating new years, it seems difficult to make a decision where one will go these days. Gisborne, Ingagnahuna, Matakana and Coromandel are all names that spring to mind when thinking of events that run over the switching of the years. However, there are also many smaller more modest festivals, which offer a more intimate option for punters to be part of. This year I opted for the wayward wanderer approach in choosing where to be for the 31st of December, 2009.

Venturing from Dunedin, across Cooks straight, and continuing north to the Tai Tokerou lands of the Far North. The roads eventually led me to an open paddock, set against a 360degree view of farmland and bush, next to a laughing lake, in the back blocks of Pakaraka. Open Air was what this festival was called.

The brainchild of a group of mates who were keen to celebrate the coming of the new year with some good music, a relaxed atmosphere, a group of happy people and most importantly, to be amongst what Aotearoa has to offer...the open air. However, it was not to be without a series of trials and tribulations. Liability insurance, securing a venue and funding the operation were a few of the hurdles which had to be navigated before Open Air could be fully realised.

But the Northland resolve never faulted, and every hurdle thrown their way was was pushed aside with a collected calm; it had to be a success...and so it was to be.

This wasn’t the standard issue commercial style of New Years festivals, that can be found around the country. Everyone present helped to make it what it was. Whether it was to help build the stage, position flags and teepees made from bamboo and sheets, usher people into the site, cook up a feed or two, or to pick up a guitar and strum out a melody that people could work to; everyone involved placed their mark, and put an imprint on how it was to turn out.

at 6pm, on the 31st, everyone gathered around the stage to partake in blessing the land, the people and the festival. A mihi was made by Christine, followed by a karakia which we all joined in on. This payed homage to the cultural roots that are firmly in place throughout the Far North and its people. Formalities complete, it was time to begin the fetivities.

First up was Cameron, who took to the stage with a guitar and a collection of songs to get everyone warmed up. A throwback to campfire sing-alongs, Cam strummed and sang us from dusk to the early evening. Enter the first of many DJs, ........ began to spped up the tempo, and offered a gentle invitation to move people toward the dance floor.

Without warning countdown had begun and the new year had arrived, followed by many a new years hug, kiss, pash, high-five, wolf whistle and man-hug. With the countdown over, the DJs got itchy fingers, and the decks began to spin once more. The music continued on into the wee small hours, as did the moving feet of the revellers who danced under the nearly full moon

So to conclude a long winded, much reminised account of a New YEars I will remember for years to come, I offer a challenge to our readers: Dare yourselves to venture where the crowds don’t go, where the gig guides and promoters haven’t heard of, and where the mainstream isn’t allowed entry. Get out and about over the summer period and search out the jewels in the rough, such as Open Air.