Fairy lights on the waterfront

Walking Stars is a night-time fundraising event for the Cancer Society, with participants walking a half marathon or a 12km loop in Wellington city. It’s the partner event for the Relay for Life. We have supported both events for many years now, drumming and dancing for the walkers as they head around the waterfront.

Walking Stars brings people together in a fun, vibrant environment to raise vital funds in support of local people living with cancer.

We give the walkers a big lift and we always get lots of smiles and waves from them, plus a few funky dance moves thrown in for good measure.

This year was no exception. A cold, clear night saw our drummers dressed up in fairy lights once again (we do love our fairy lights!). For this event, the fairy-lightness is enthusiastically reciprocated by members of the audience – the walkers themselves – many of whom get dressed up in some kind of colourful costume that often includes their very own portable illuminations.

Our job was to drum and dance on the waterfront for an hour or so, providing a spectacular focus of support and entertainment for the walkers – many of whom briefly become dancers as they pass by.

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers perform Rocinha samba at Walking Stars 2023
Video by Therese Grobler

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers perform Sambanui samba reggae at Walking Stars 2023
Video by Therese Grobler

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers perform Merengue at Walking Stars 2023
Video by Therese Grobler

Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers perform Ilê Aiye at Walking Stars 2023
Video by Therese Grobler

Photo gallery

Photos by Alison Green and Andre Grobler. Click on any thumbnail to see the larger version: