Category Archives: Media coverage

Phoenix parade, Wellington waterfront

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Go the Phoenix!

At Queen's Wharf, start of Phoenix waterfront parade, 09/12/12Our second gig of the day, following on from the Santa Parade earlier on in the afternoon. Go us!

We’d initially thought we would have to RACE across town from the end of the Santa Parade on Manners Street, to the start of the Phoenix Parade at Queen’s Wharf. Fortunately for us, we had plenty of time, so the band strolled along the waterfront, pausing for an impromptu ninja gig to salute the Sea Shepherd’s ship Bob Barker, which is currently in Wellington getting supplies and preparing for another battle with the Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean. Continue reading

Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC

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Waterfront parade from Queen’s Wharf to the Stadium

Surdo line at the Phoenix gameThis was the first time we’ve done anything for Wellington Phoenix in aaages, and we were really pleased to be asked to take part in their new pre-match waterfront parades.

We gathered at Queen’s Wharf and waited for the parade of schoolkids to arrive from Civic Square. Once they reached Queen’s Wharf, we hopped onto the tail-end of their line, and together we all marched along the waterfront to the Stadium. It was a pretty big crowd, all very excited and enthusiastic about seeing the Phoenix in their first home game of the season, as were we. Continue reading

Wellington Rugby Sevens parade

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We absolutely love Wellington Sevens weekend…

…because Wellington goes collectively mad, becomes completely extravert for two days and dresses up in all manner of nutty costumes. It’s totally awesome!

Batucada has been taking part in the Sevens festivities since 2003, and once again this year we were invited to lead the Wellington International Rugby Sevens parade.

It was a good day for parading through the city streets. Sunny but not too sunny (and therefore not too insanely hot for drumming), no wind, and great crowds as usual.

Batucada dancer in the Sevens parade

Batucada dancer in the Sevens parade
Photo by Fairfax NZ

Continue reading

All Blacks tickertape victory parade in Wellington

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Performing for 100,000 people – and the All Blacks!

The Webb Ellis CupMonday – Auckland, Tuesday – Christchurch, Wednesday – Wellington.

On Tuesday morning I was vaguely wondering where I should stand to watch the All Blacks victory parade in Wellington the following day, when an unexpected BatMail from Caroline arrived in my inbox.

Subject: URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED!!! BATUCADA IN THE TICKERTAPE PARADE TOMORROW!!!
Importance: High

The email began with “Good morning everyone and whoopdeedooo!!!” and closed with “DRUMMERS ONLY if you are keen and available for this please email pronto as please with YES YES YES TO THE ABS PARADE in the subject line.”

Yup – Wellington Batucada had been invited to perform in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup 2011 victory parade. We’d be playing in what would turn out to be Wellington’s biggest ever event of its kind, and I went a little weak at the knees at the prospect. Whoopdeedooo all right! Continue reading

Catching the fish | the wellingtonista

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FishHead magazine launch

Last Tuesday, I was drawn like a fly to a pile of fishheads to the Overseas Terminal for the launch of FishHead magazine…

…The seven minute voyage across the harbour seemed to have been planned entirely so the hipsters could get their “on a boat” badge on Foursquare. Oh hipsters and their adorable need to collect things. Anyone would think that their lives were hollow and empty or something. Things got more lively on land, where we were welcomed by Batucada, fishheads firmly in place.

The band sounded great outside, marching back and forward and hitting their percussiony bits. When they came inside later on, it was a little too loud though, so this Fly wasn’t surprised to see guests slipping outside to get their Titanic on…

The Masked Barfly – 30 March 2010 – The Wellingtonista

Thousands flock to sevens parade

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Wellington Rugby Sevens 2010

Thousands of Wellington residents and rugby fans turned out in the central city to show this year’s crop of NZI Sevens players what to expect this weekend.

The parade, featuring the tournament’s 16 teams, kicked off at 12.45pm and was led by Wellington samba band Batucada and the Argentinian sevens team.

Fans clapped and cheered as players passed through the central city streets with the teams arriving to a packed-out Civic Square. Each team captain was called to the stage where they addressed the excited crowd, which saved its biggest cheer for the home team…

Stuff – 4 February 2010

Big weekend approaches for the city

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Upcoming events in Wellington

The first weekend in February is always a big one for Wellington, and this year promises to be the same…

“So theoretically, you could head to One Love in the morning, go to Waitangi Park for the afternoon, and then join Wellington Batucada as they drum their way from Queens Wharf to Westpac Stadium in the lead up to kick-off. And if you’ve enough energy left in between – check out the OK Dinghy Regatta on the Waterfront,” says Cr Morrison.

Wellington City Council News – 21 January 2010

Giant candelabra lights up display

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Hastings Blossom Parade 2009

Shrek was a hit, as usual. So too were the foam cannons and of course the Batucada dancer with the skimpy pants.

The public turned out to the annual Blossom Parade in droves on Saturday and they were not disappointed as close to 1000 people danced, waved and cheered through the streets of Hastings…

… The Batucada dance group from Wellington, which is a regular fixture at the parade, set the mood for the first-time Caribbean Steel Band later on.

Hawke’s Bay Today, 14 September 2009