We’d love to play for you!
We welcome the opportunity to perform in parades, festivals, corporate and private functions, so feel free to call us for a booking or to find out more information. You can hire us as a group of drummers and dancers, or you can hire us as a group of drummers only – it’s up to you.
Wellington Batucada wins Arts & Culture category at Wellington Community Awards 2019
Call Gordon Cessford on 021 548 477, or email the group on wellingtonbatucada@gmail.com
Check out our gig reviews. These demonstrate the range of gigs you can book us for, and what to expect when we play for you.
(Some of) Wellington Batucada’s performances
| Event | Date(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Days to the Paralympics | May 2016 | Wellington |
| Arohata Prison workshops and shows | September-December 2019 | Wellington |
| Aro Valley Fair | March 2021 and [2022] | Wellington |
| Asakusa Samba Carnival | August 2018 | Tokyo, Japan |
| All Blacks victory parade – Rugby World Cup 2011 | October 2011 | Wellington |
| All Blacks vs Australia – Bledisloe Cup 2013 | August 2013 | Wellington |
| All Blacks vs Ireland – Steinlager Series 2022 | July 2022 | Wellington |
| All Blacks vs Springboks – Tri-Nations Rugby Tournament 2010 | July 2010 | Wellington |
| All Whites vs Mexico – FIFA Soccer World Cup Qualifier | November 2013 | Wellington |
| Asia Pacific Outgames | March 2011 | Wellington |
| Birthday parties | October 2019 | Wellington |
| Brazilian Carnival | March 2013 | Raumati Beach |
| Brazilian Party at The Grand | March 2014 | Wellington |
| Brazil National Day | September 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 | Wellington |
| Changing Minds – Palliative Care Conference | October 2023 | Wellington |
| Charity Ball, Te Papa | June 2013 | Wellington |
| Chile/Mexico Independence Day | September 2013 | Wellington |
| City of Song Festival | February 2020 | Upper Hutt |
| Coastlands Carnival | November 2019 | Paraparaumu |
| CubaDupa | March 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, [2020], 2021, [2022], 2023 and 2024 | Wellington |
| CubaSonic at CubaDupa – world premiere | March 2021 | Wellington |
| Cuba Street Carnival | February 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009 | Wellington |
| Cultural Food Fair – Miramar Central School | March 2023 and April 2024 | Wellington |
| DANZdance20 | November 2013 | Wellington |
| Day of the Dead – Mexican dance and cultural event | October 2020 and 2022 | Wellington |
| Diversity Festival | November 2023 | Wellington |
| EFTPOS Christmas Party | December 2012 | Wellington |
| El Barrio Carnival | February 2012 and 2023 | Wellington |
| Fete de la Musique | June 2011 and 2012 | Wellington |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup | July-August 2023 | Wellington |
| Footvolley Championship | March 2013 and February 2016 | Wellington |
| Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival | October-November 2006 | Wellington |
| Harcourt’s Conference | May 2021 | Wellington |
| Hastings Blossom Festival | September 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 | Hastings |
| Homegrown Music Festival | February 2008, 2009 and 2014 | Wellington |
| International Dance Day | May 2013, [April 2020] and May 2021 | Wellington |
| International Samba Festival, Coburg | July 2013 and 2014 (with London School of Samba), July 2015, 2017 and 2019 (as Wellington Batucada) | Coburg, Germany |
| Island Bay Festival Parade | February 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, [2022], 2023 and 2024 | Wellington |
| Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala | September 2012, November 2013, 2014 and 2015 | Wellington |
| Jackson St Fiesta | March 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 | Petone |
| Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance | Easter 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, January 2011, Easter 2012 | Taupo, Rotorua and Auckland |
| Johnsonville Christmas Parade | December 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, [2013], 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, [2019], 2020, [2021] and 2022 | Johnsonville |
| Kapiti Strawberry Festival | November 2013 and 2014 | Paraparaumu Beach |
| Kokomai Creative Festival | October 2013 | Masterton |
| Kotahi | [February 2024] | Wellington |
| K-Road Carnival | September 2003 and December 2004 | Auckland |
| Life Flight Trust Open Day | March 2020 | Wellington |
| Lions Tour 2017 | July 2017 | Wellington |
| Lord of the Rings The Two Towers – New Zealand premiere | December 2002 | Wellington |
| Lumino Festival | November 2022 | Wellington |
| Luscious Lola 1 | November 2002 | Wellington |
| Luscious Lola 2 | October 2003 | Wellington |
| Luscious Lola’s Booty Shaker | August and September 2004 | Wellington and Auckland |
| Mary Potter Hospice collection day | May 2016 and 2017 | Wellington |
| MIA Latin Festival | November 2012 and 2013, October 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 | Wellington |
| Michael Campbell victory parade | August 2005 | Wellington |
| Middle Eastern Community Group | October 2020 | Wellington |
| Mt Cook School Gala | March 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 | Wellington |
| Multicultural Festival in celebration of Chinese New Year | January 2021 | Wellington |
| Nelson Arts Festival | October 2010 | Nelson |
| NewDowse Gallery opening | February 2007 | Lower Hutt |
| Newtown Fair | March 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, April 2021, [2022], 2023 and 2024 | Wellington |
| Ode to the Moon multicultural show | September 2019 | Lower Hutt |
| Olympic and Paralympic Games launch – Rio 2016 | December 2016 | Wellington |
| Open Street Sunday | October 2013 | Wellington |
| Oporto store opening | February-March 2013 | Wellington |
| Out in the Park | March 2016 and 2017 | Wellington |
| Pablo’s Art Auction | November 2022 | Wellington |
| Parihaka International Peace Festival | March 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 | Parihaka |
| Party in Pink | October 2012 | Wellington |
| Petone Winter Carnival | July 2008 | Petone |
| Philippines Disaster Fundraiser | November 2013 | Wellington |
| Pride Hikoi | February 2020 | Wellington |
| Pride Parade | March 2018 and May 2019 | Wellington |
| PSA (Public Service Association) Centenary celebrations | October 2013 | Wellington |
| Race Relations Day | April 2017 | Wellington |
| Red Cross New Zealand – National Meeting | November 2020 | Wellington |
| ReelBrazil | November 2009 and September 2010 | Wellington |
| Relay for Life | March 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, [April 2020], 2021, [2022] and April 2023 | Wellington |
| Round the Bays | February 2020 and 2021 | Wellington |
| Rugby League World Cup Quarter Finals | November 2017 | Wellington |
| Rugby Sevens | February 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 | Wellington |
| Rugby World Cup 2011 – Festival of Carnivale | September-October 2011 | Wellington |
| Sambanui Batucada at the Dowse | April 2013 and 2014 | Lower Hutt |
| Scots College Centenary – staff celebration | April 2016 | Wellington |
| Seven Sharp | May 2013 | Wellington |
| Silver Ferns vs Malawi – netball test | October 2013 | Wellington |
| Soccer World Cup (Brazil) – opening game | June 2014 | Wellington |
| Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists Conference | August 2023 | Wellington |
| St Francis de Sales School workshop | October 2012 | Wellington |
| St James Theatre – grand re-opening | July 2022 | Wellington |
| Stokes Valley Christmas Parade | December 2023 | Lower Hutt |
| St Patrick’s Day Parade | [March 2022] | Wellington |
| Summer Sampler | February 2023 and [January 2024] | Wellington |
| Summerset Group Christmas Party | December 2020 | Wellington |
| T20 cricket match – NZ vs Australia | February 2024 | Wellington |
| Taco Addicts food van launch | September 2019 | Wellington |
| Tapu Te Ranga Marae | December 2016 | Wellington |
| Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Mokopuna | March 2012 | Wellington |
| Te Rā o te Raukura Festival | February 2014, January 2017 and February 2019 | Lower Hutt |
| Te Reo Week launch parade | July 2016 | Wellington |
| Te Papa’s 10th Birthday celebrations | February 2008 | Wellington |
| The Menagerie Variety Show | July 2018 | Wellington |
| Toots and Grooves Ska Festival | January 2008 | Horowhenua |
| Trade Aid International Fair Trade Day/World Fair Trade Day Global Party | May 2010 and 2012 | Wellington |
| Unite Against COVID – TV ad | April 2021 | Wellington |
| Upper Hutt City Summer Carnival | February 2015 | Upper Hutt |
| Upper Hutt Xmas Parade | December 2015 | Upper Hutt |
| Wairarapa Balloon Festival – Night Glow | March 2012 | Masterton |
| Walking Stars Wellington | November 2019, 2020, [2021] and 2023 | Wellington |
| Weddings | September 2015, November 2019 and February 2023 | Wellington |
| Wellington International Jazz Festival with Carlos Ferreira | November 2003 | Wellington |
| Wellington Latin Carnival | March 2003 | Wellington |
| Wellington Lantern Festival | February 2020 and [2021] | Wellington |
| Wellington Phoenix A-League Soccer – home games | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 | Wellington |
| Wellington Santa Parade | December 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 | Wellington |
| Whanganui Festival of Cultures | October 2013 and 2014 | Whanganui |
| WOMAD (Gables stage) | March 2015 | New Plymouth |
| WOMAD Kidzone workshops | March 2007 and 2008 | New Plymouth |
| World of Wearable Arts parade | September 2005 and 2006 | Wellington |
| WW1 Armistice Day Commemoration | November 2018 | Wellington |
| Xmas Party @ San Francisco Bath House | December 2012 | Wellington |
Dates in [square brackets] were cancelled, generally due to bad weather or COVID 19.