Gigs

Upcoming performances

Date City Venue
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
07/12/24 Lower Hutt Stokes Valley Christmas Parade
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Stokes Valley. We did it for the first time last year – loved it – and are doing it all again this year. Brilliant. We start up at the corner of Kamahi St and Stokes Valley Rd, and parade allllll the way down Stokes Valley Rd until we get to the shops. It’s great fun – we will make sure we’re glammed up in our Christmas tinsel and other finery, and we will see you there. Get your dancing shoes on!
31/12/24 Wellington Courtenay Place New Year’s Eve Party
Address: Courtenay Place. They’re closing off part of Coiurtenay Place for a massive street party this New Year’s Eve (day and evening), and we have been invited to take part. More details to come. Should be a good one!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
05/04/25 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. In 2025 the Relay for Life will be held at Sky Stadium – and we will be there to do an intro performance and then lead the first lap around the stadium. It’s going to be a wonderful day and a fantastic fundraiser for the Cancer Society. See you there!

Subscribe: RSS | iCal

Recent performances

Check out our gig reviews. These give you an idea of what it’s like to be part of the band, and demonstrate the range of gigs you can book us for.

Date City Venue
Spring festivals and fairs
16/11/24 Wellington Courtenay Place Block Party
Time: 4:30pm. Address: Allen Street, off Courtenay Place. A new event for everyone – this is a big closed-street event on Allen Street off Courtenay Place with heaps of bands, performers, food and fun. We’ll be performing from 4:30 to 5:00pm. See you there!
07/09/24 Wellington Brazil Independence Day at El Barrio
Time: 9:30pm. Address: 35 Dixon Street, Te Aro. We start at 9:30 on Eva St and then move upstairs to finish at 10:30pm inside El Barrio. Always a fun gig – pencil it in your diary – see you there!
Winter festivals and fairs
05/07/24 Wellington Courtenay Place Winter Parade
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Courtenay Place. The various owners of the bars/venues/places of Courtenay Place are supporting a series of events along Courtenay Place throughout June/July. That means we’re doing a night parade! Twinkly lights! Drums! Dance! Action! 7.00-8.00pm, 5th July (Friday night). We start at the Taranaki St end of Courtenay Place, and parade allll the way along it, finishing at the Weta Workshop Tripod Sculpture. Come and join us! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
05/04/24 Wellington Cultural Food Fair – Miramar Central School
Time: 6:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Park Road, Miramar. Once again we’re thrilled to be performing at the Miramar School Food Fair – and we’re also very much looking forward to sampling the hangi, foods from around the world, and the home baking deliciousness – see you there! Related post
24/03/24 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Exciting! We’re already deep into rehearsals for CubaDupa, with new content to showcase on-stage this year. We’re amped already! We’ll be performing at Ngā Taniwha Stage and Swan carpark between 2:30pm – 3:10pm, followed by a street parade at 3:10pm – 3:25 pm from Swan Lane to Carnival Central (the Southern Cross). Looking forward to it! Related post
23/03/24 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 8:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Yay! CubaDupa is here! We’ve got a jam-style gig on Saturday evening 8.00-8.30pm outside the Southern Cross. We are really looking forward to having a boogie with you all. See you there. Related post
03/03/24 Wellington Newtown Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Save the date! It’s gonna be great! Related post
Sporting events
21/02/24 Wellington T20 Cricket – New Zealand vs Australia
Time: 5:30pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington Stadium. We’ve been invited to play outside the Stadium, welcoming the crowd for the T20 cricket match between New Zealand and Australia. We’ll be drumming and dancing sometime between 5.30pm and 7.00pm – see you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
11/02/24 Wellington Blessing of the Boats
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay. CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER. A very important part of the Island Bay Festival. Each year, local and visiting Clergy venture out into the Bay to bless the fishing boats after they’ve made a trip around Tapu te Ranga Island. Unique to Island Bay, the Blessing of the Boats ceremony has been adopted in Island Bay by its Italian community since 1933. So many boats and so much activity really makes this something special to see. It always attracts large crowds to the coastline, who come to watch boats from all over Wellington line up to be blessed for safe carriage and bountiful catches. This year we’ve been asked to participate in this traditional event by leading a parade of clergy and supporters around Shorland Street and down to the beach to board their boat so the blessing ceremonies can begin. We feel honoured to have been asked.
11/02/24 Wellington Birdman Competition parade
Time: 12:15pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay. ALSO CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Bah! As the Blessing of the Boats has sadly been cancelled due to the incoming Southerly, we’ve been asked to help with the Birdman Competition instead. We’ll be leading a fun Birdman Parade to the beach at 12.15pm, so they can all jump off the wharf into the water. Coolio!
11/02/24 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 10:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. We’ve done this fun community event heaps of times and are doing it again this year. It’s a lovely long parade down The Parade from Avon Road to the Festival zone in Shorland Park. Once we arrive there we’ll be playing a short set in front of the Rotunda. We’re looking forward to it – hope you are too! Related post
06/02/24 Wellington Kotahi
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Kahurangi School, 43 Strathmore Avenue, Strathmore Park. CANCELLED. Sadly we have had to cancel our performance at this event. Kotahi 2024 is a great Waitangi day event with a fun fair for the kids, great food and an outdoor concert for all – featuring Bret McKenzie, Sam Manzanza Band, and more. The event runs from 2pm-6pm.
27/01/24 Wellington Summer Sampler
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. CANCELLED. Due to the death on the waterfront yesterday, and the rāhui currently in place, WCC have cancelled all events planned for today. We send our condolences to the friends and whānau of the person who passed away yesterday. Summer Sampler brings live performances to the waterfront every Saturday and Sunday during January and February, and raises funds for the Wellington Free Ambulance.
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
02/12/23 Lower Hutt Stokes Valley Christmas Parade
Time: 11:30am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Stokes Valley. The Stokes Valley Christmas Parade is a small local community Christmas parade in sunny Stokes Valley. This is our chance to glam up with our traditional Xmas finery! It will be something quite different and somewhere that we’ve never played before – it’s an adventure! We are super-excited to be taking part – hope to see you there! Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
25/11/23 Wellington Diversity Festival
Time: 8:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Memorial Theatre, Victoria University. The Diversity Festival is a yearly event that brings together diverse cultural performances from ethnic communities in celebration of Wellington’s cultural diversity. It starts with a community’s dinner from 5.00 to 6.00, followed by the main event through til 10:00pm. We’re going to be on-stage with our drummers and dancers at 8:30pm – we’ll see you there! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
11/11/23 Wellington Walking Stars Wellington
Time: 8:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Walking Stars is a sponsored charity walk event for the Cancer Society. Its the partner event for the Relay for Life. We have supported both events for many years now. We give the walkers a big lift and we always get lots of smiles and waves from them, plus usually a few snazzy dance moves as well. We’ll be performing somewhere around Odlins Plaza/Taranaki Wharf, between 8.30 and 9.30pm. See you there! Related post
Conferences
27/10/23 Wellington Changing Minds – Palliative Care Conference
Time: 1:00pm. Address: Lower Hutt Events Centre. Te Omanga Hospice are running this conference as part of their education programme for professionals in the sector. As the subject matter is so serious, they feel that having some entertainment during the conference break would give everyone a lift. They are also always keen to involve the arts in their work whenever possible. We are very much looking forward to taking part. Related post
18/08/23 Wellington Conference – Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists
Time: 5:40pm. Address: James Cook Hotel. Diversional and Recreational Therapists have contacts with a wide range of the community, including those with physical disabilities, both healthy and frail elderly, people with developmental disabilities, people with mental illness, children and youths. Wellington Batucada has been asked to provide a bit of entertainment during their Annual Conference – which we’re delighted to be able to do. Related post
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
11/08/23 Wellington Women’s World Cup – Netherlands Fan Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. After the massive success of the first Netherlands fan parade (we were all on telly everywhere!) and the massive success of the Netherlands team in getting to the Quarterfinals – the Dutch Embassy has asked us to do it all again on Friday! Meet at Shed 6 by 11am in your finest shades of orange, and we will lead you in a drumming and dancing tangerine extravaganza along the waterfront to the Stadium, arriving in good time for the match against Spain. Related post
02/08/23 Wellington Women’s World Cup – Italy vs South Africa
Time: 5:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. The third of our FIFA Women’s World Cup performances – this time as part of the fan experience leading up to the game between Italy and South Africa. We’ll be performing in and around the Fan Zone, located at Shed 6 and under the sails at Queen’s Wharf. See you there! Related post
27/07/23 Wellington Women’s World Cup – Netherlands Fan Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. We have been invited to lead the Netherlands fan parade to the big Netherlands vs USA game at the Stadium. This is being run by the Netherlands Embassy and the Dutch Football Federation. They are keen to make it the craziest, noisiest and most colourful fan parade at the tournament! They will be running big public promotions for everyone to “Be Orange for a day” so that everyone can join the parade and have the experience (even if not going to the game). Last time these two teams met it was the final of the last World Cup – so it doesn’t get much bigger than this! The game was one of the first to sell out completely – so there will be 30,000+ fans all going off! We’ll be playing for around 40 minutes between 11.00am-12.00pm. The parade route will be from Shed 6 Fan Zone to Wellington Stadium, arriving in plenty of time for the game. SEE YOU THERE! Related post
21/07/23 Wellington Women’s World Cup – Spain vs Costa Rica
Time: 5:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. It’s the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and we’ve been asked to play our part! We’ll be performing in and around the Fan Zone, located at Shed 6 and under the sails at Queen’s Wharf. See you there. Exciting! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
29/04/23 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Relay For Life is a community fundraising event full of energy and emotion. Whether you have a connection to someone who has been or is going through cancer, or you just want to make a difference – Relay For Life is for you! We’ve supported this event and the Cancer Society’s other event (Walking Stars) for many years. We’d love to see you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
26/03/23 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 11:15am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We’re back to perform our awesome CubaDupa Carnival Bloco extravaganza on Sunday – where we get together with all the visiting samba schools from around the country and present to you – a HUGE and LOUD mass samba experience. See you at Swan Carpark from 11:15 am – 11:45 am. Not to be missed! Related post
25/03/23 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 6:20pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. CubaDupa how we have missed you! Here are the details: 6:20pm – 7:00pm Street performance, Swan Carpark. 7:00pm – 7:15pm Parade from Swan Carpark to Te Aro Park (via Marion Street, Hannahs Courtyard and Leeds Street). See you there! Related post
10/03/23 Wellington Cultural Food Fair – Miramar Central School
Time: 6:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Park Road, Miramar. We have been invited to perform at this long running school fundraiser event. It’s a food fair run by the very diverse Miramar Central School and its community. Yummy! We are totally looking forward to playing drums and dancing with the kids and eating all their food 🙂 Related post
05/03/23 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Oh how we have missed the Newtown Fair! One of our favourite parades of the year – and certainly the maddest and most crowded. We’re ready and raring to go – we hope you all are too. Get your dancing shoes on for the NEWTOWN SHUFFLE! Related post
18/02/23 Wellington El Barrio Carnaval
Time: 8:30pm. Admission: Street performance is free, tickets for El Barrio $7. Address: El Barrio Bar, corner Eva St and Dixon St. It’s Carnaval Party time at El Barrio! Carnaval in Brazil usually goes off in mid-to late February and this is the start of El Barrio’s annual season of celebrating it. And who better than Wellington Batucada to help kick things off on Saturday 18th Feb by bringing our big Carnaval beats to rock the house! It’s likely to involve a bit of a blast in the street before heading up the stairs to carry on the party inside El Barrio. We would love to see you there! Related post
12/02/23 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 10:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. One of our regular summer gigs – we love it! Parade down The Parade towards the waterfront and the park, and probably a short static gig at the end of it. See you there! Related post
Weddings
11/02/23 Wellington A wedding!
Time: 8:00pm. We’ve been asked to do help this lovely couple celebrate their wedding and surprise their guests. So we’re not going to tell you whose wedding it is, or where they’re getting hitched – but if you’re one of the guests, you’ll find out! Exciting! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
05/02/23 Wellington Summer Sampler
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. Summer Sampler is returning to the waterfront over January and February 2023. They are bringing live performances every Saturday and Sunday, and raising funds for the Wellington Free Ambulance while they do it. Our performance starts at 2pm. We will begin with a short parade along the waterfront, starting from somewhere around Te Wharewaka – and ending up on the lawn outside St John’s bar, where we will finish with a static performance. Total performance time around 30min. Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
03/12/22 Wellington Mary Potter Hospice Xmas Do
Time: 4:30pm. Address: Mt Victoria Bowling Club. We’re very pleased to have been invited to help the great Mary Potter Hospice staff celebrate their Christmas. Looking forward to it! Cancelled
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
03/12/22 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. Yay! It’s back! We missed our annual trip to Johnsonville last Christmas, and we’re very happy to be taking part again this year. We’ll see you there! With baubles and tinsel galore! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
23/11/22 Wellington Pablo’s Art Auction
Time: 6:20pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: National Library of New Zealand. Pablo’s Art Auction is a fundraiser for this long-established Wellington art-based charity and welfare organisation. It’s a large high profile annual charity event which has run annually over 20 years and is returning after missing last year due to COVID. We are thrilled to have been asked to take part in 2022. Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
18/11/22 Wellington Lumino Festival
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Taranaki Wharf. We have been invited to perform at the Lumino Festival (formerly known as the Wellington Lantern Festival). It’s being held on Wellington’s beautiful waterfront, at Taranaki Wharf. We’ll be drumming and dancing between 7.30 and 8.00pm. See you there! Related post
29/10/22 Wellington Day of the Dead – Mexican cultural festival
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Vogelmorn Bowling Club and Community Centre. We participated in this important Mexican cultural event two years ago at Aro Valley Hall. This year we have been invited again by the Mexican Dance and Cultural group Ollin Yoliztli. We’re looking forward to it, and hope you can join us. Related post
Sporting events
16/07/22 Wellington All Blacks vs Ireland
Time: 7:45pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Sky Stadium. We are thrilled to have been invited to provide the half-time entertainment during the test match between the All Blacks and Ireland. Our drummers and dancers will be giving it heaps out on the field – we’ll be loud, colourful, and full of samba-fuelled energy. See you then! Related post
16/07/22 Wellington All Blacks vs Ireland
Time: 7:45pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Sky Stadium. Related post Cancelled
Winter festivals and fairs
02/07/22 Wellington Grand re-opening of the St James Theatre
Time: 5:40pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We begin with a parade that features multiple performance groups including Wellington Batucada. Starting at 5.40pm, a small-ish group of our drummers and dancers will parade from Te Auaha (cnr Dixon and Cuba) to the St James Theatre. Part 2 of the performance features the whole band – drummers and dancers – and takes place out the front of the St James at around 7.45pm. We’re gonna be loud, colourful, and in the mood to celebrate the re-opening of this iconic theatre. We look forward to seeing you there! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
02/04/22 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. The Relay for Life is a national fundraising 24 hour run event for the Cancer Society, survivors and families. It is one of our longest charitable involvements – we help them kick off the event with a heap of noise and fun. We are very sad that it can’t happen this year.
Summer festivals and fairs
26/03/22 - 27/03/22 Wellington CubaDupa
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. The biggest gig(s) of the year for us – which we prepare for months in advance. We are gutted – as I’m sure is the rest of Wellington – that CubaDupa cannot happen this year. Kia kaha to the organisers who had to make this difficult decision. Roll on next year instead!
13/03/22 Wellington St Patrick’s Day Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. This would have been a parade along the waterfront. Kia kaha Aotearoa – let’s get through the Omicron wave safely, and together – in a triple-vaxxed, mask-wearing, socially-distanced kind of a way.
12/03/22 Wellington Aro Valley Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Aro Valley Hall, Aro Street. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. Oh darn it – another gig cancelled.
06/03/22 Wellington Newtown Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. One of our very favourite gigs – the parade of the year, where we come together in our tens of thousands to do the Newtown Shuffle down the main street of Newtown. We’re gutted we won’t be able to dance and drum with you all this year. Roll on 2023! The Newtown Festival we know and love cannot take place in 2022
12/02/22 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. The Island Bay Festival Parade is one of our regular annual gigs. We parade down ‘The Parade’ and a short end-of-parade performance at Shoreland Park by the rotunda to open the stage performance show. We’re very sad it can’t happen this year.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
20/11/21 Wellington Walking Stars Wellington
Time: 8:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. A regular event for us – supporting those living with cancer and the great organisations supporting them. Marshalling at Macs Brew Bar on Taranaki Wharf, and heading down to somewhere on the waterfront to play. We’re very sad it can’t happen this year.
Spring festivals and fairs
16/10/21 Wellington Wellington Lantern Festival
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Main Stage on Odlins Plaza. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19. Now known as Lumino City – this lovely waterfront festival was initially rescheduled to October 16 – and then postponed to a later date due to COVID alert level uncertainty. The event was eventually cancelled altogether.
Conferences
25/05/21 Wellington Harcourt’s Conference
Time: 9:15am. Address: TSB Arena. We’ve been invited to do a short and sweet performance at the start of Harcourt’s Conference at the TSB Arena. What fun! Related post
Winter festivals and fairs
02/05/21 Wellington International Dance Day
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Papa. We are thrilled to be once again taking part in International Dance Day at Te Marae, Te Papa. Come and join us for a celebration of the beauty and joy of dance (and drumming!) Related post More information
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
21/04/21 Wellington Unite against COVID (filming advertisement)
Time: 7:00pm. Address: Eva Street. We have been asked to take part in the filming of a new Unite against COVID ad – as part of the government’s vaccination programme. How exciting! Of course we said yes. Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
11/04/21 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY 11 APRIL. One of our favourite gigs of the year. Come and do the Newtown Shuffle with us, and let’s celebrate together! Related post More information
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
10/04/21 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. This year’s Relay for Life is being held at the Trentham Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Upper Hutt. Relay For Life is an inspiring community experience that gives everyone a chance to celebrate/whakanui cancer survivors and carers; remember/maumaharatia loved ones lost to cancer; and fight back/tū atu by raising awareness and funds to support the work of the Cancer Society. It’s a great cause, and one we’re honoured to have been invited to play for once again. See you there! Related post More information
Summer festivals and fairs
28/03/21 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 4:50pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers will be parading down Cuba Street from Abel Smith/Kelvin Grove at 4.50pm. At the WIA Nga Taniwha Stage (Swan carpark) we’ll do our stage show from 5.20pm onwards, together with our awesome musicians and singers. Afterwards, from about 5.50pm, we’ll parade down to Samba HQ at the Whistling Sisters where we will do a bit of a mashup with the Brazilian Big Band. Epic! We’d love you to join us! Related post
28/03/21 Wellington CubaSonic at CubaDupa
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: CubaDupa. If you missed yesterday’s performance, there’s another chance to catch us drumming in John Psathas’ Mass Music Sonic Interruption – CubaSonic! Up and down CubaStreet – find your spot and be part of the experience. It’s gonna be amazing! Related post
28/03/21 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Wellington Batucada will be joining with our sister samba schools from around NZ for the Mass Samba Carnival Bloco – featuring 200 drummers and dancers – it’s gonna be epic! See you at the Swan car park in front of the stage at 12.45. Related post
27/03/21 Wellington CubaSonic at CubaDupa
Time: 5:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: CubaDupa. Members of Wellington Batucada are THRILLED to have been invited to take part in the massive soundscape extravaganza Mass Music Sonic Interruption at CubaDupa – CubaSonic. World-renowned New Zealand composer, John Psathas, has contrived a composition to unite the CubaDupa site for a ten minute mass musical interruption. Psathas will be joined by over 300 musicians from Orchestra Wellington, Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, The Nudge, Boat, Dale Jellyman, the Richter City Rebels, Batucada drummers and many more ensembles. The musical backdrop to the piece features a locally developed 21st century instrument called Chime Red, that literally makes music with lightning. CubaSonic will be amplified through a custom designed audio system, featuring over sixty speakers with individual outputs spanning the length of New Zealand’s favourite street. It will be like nothing attempted in New Zealand before — and will happen twice at CubaDupa 2021. Presented in association with Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, with support from Creative New Zealand and PAF. Related post
13/03/21 Wellington Aro Valley Fair
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Aro Valley Hall, Aro Street. We are stoked to be taking part in one of Welly’s iconic local community events – the Aro Valley Fair. We’re opening for the famous Arolympics! Awesome! Related post
Sporting events
21/02/21 Wellington Round the Bays
Time: 7:45am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Waitangi Park. You’ll find us near the Waitangi Park Playground area (on Oriental Parade) at the crack of dawn, playing for the Round the Bays runners as they zoom past us at great speed. We’re doing three 15-20 min sets between 7.45 and 9.30am – a set for each runner wave as it comes past. Enjoy! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
13/02/21 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. Our drummers and dancers begin at Avon St at 2pm, and end our parade at around 2.45pm with a front-of-stage performance at Shorland Park. We hope to see you there! Related post
12/02/21 Wellington El Barrio Carnaval
Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: No minors. Address: El Barrio Bar, corner Eva St and Dixon St. We’ll be performing from 8pm onwards (outside and inside El Barrio). Should be a fun night! Related post
30/01/21 Wellington Multicultural Festival in celebration of Chinese New Year
Time: 12:15pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Marae, Te Papa. Our drummers and dancers have been invited to take part in this multicultural event by the Council of Wellington and China Cultural Centre, supported by Wellington City Council. There will be free cultural performances by many groups – celebrating cultural diversity in Wellington. Related post
Corporate gigs
05/12/20 Wellington Summerset Group Christmas Party
Time: 6:45pm. Address: Shed 5. We’ve been invited to perform at the Summerset Group’s Christmas Party on Shed 5 on Wellington’s waterfront. An invite-only corporate gig – but you’ll probably hear us through the windows if you’re passing by 🙂 Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
05/12/20 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. We’re so happy to be taking part in the Johnsonville Christmas Parade again this year. We love it! See you there with bells on! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
21/11/20 Wellington Walking Stars Wellington
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Once again this year we’ll be entertaining participants in the Walking Stars Charity Walk. Walking Stars is a night-time walking half marathon bringing people together to raise vital funds in support of local people living with cancer. It’s a great night, with a large number of people taking part. We’re likely to be performing on the waterfront, somewhere near Te Papa. Related post
07/11/20 Wellington Red Cross New Zealand – National Meeting
Time: 6:00pm. An exciting first for us as we entertain delegates at this year’s Red Cross New Zealand National Meeting at the Brentwood Hotel in Kilbirnie, Wellington. Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
30/10/20 Wellington Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ dance and cultural event
Time: 7:30pm. Address: Aro Valley Hall. A Day of the Dead event – a collaboration between the group Ollin Yolitzli (Mexican traditional dance) and Aro Valley Community Centre. We will lead everyone in a parade from Aro Valley park to Aro Valley Hall as an introduction to the main event in the Hall which starts at 8.00. See you there! Related post
Parties
24/10/20 Wellington Middle Eastern Community Group
Our director Sunita will be leading a small women-only group of drummers to perform at this special invite-only occasion. We’re looking forward to it!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
30/07/20 Wellington Taste of Cultures Charity Fundraising Dinner for NZ Red Cross
Time: 7:15pm. Address: Te Papa Marae stage. We have been invited to provide a small group of drummers and dancers to entertain guests dining at the Marae. This is a World Refugees Day event for NZ Red Cross, and a charitable fundraiser for their refugee and other programmes. We are delighted and honoured to have been asked to take part. Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
26/04/20 Wellington International Dance Day
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Papa. We are very sorry to say that the beautiful International Dance Day has also been cancelled due to COVID-19 🙁 Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
04/04/20 - 05/04/20 Wellington Relay for Life
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re sad to say that we won’t be performing at Relay for Life this year, as all events have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Summer festivals and fairs
28/03/20 - 29/03/20 Wellington CubaDupa
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We are absolutely gutted that, due to COVID-19, CubaDupa has had to be cancelled for 2020. We understand, of course, but it’s still a disappointment. It’s our biggest gig of the year, with six months of organising, planning, and rehearsals behind it. We’re very sad not to be able to present it to you this year. Take care out there, everyone. Related post
08/03/20 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Woohoo! We love Newtown Festival with a passion! We will be mustering at the Newtown Community Centre as usual, and will most likely drum and dance for a short while outside the Community Centre at 3:00pm, before setting off on our parade through the streets of Newtown. We’re expecting to be performing for at least an hour, maybe longer – it depends on how crowded the streets are, and how slow our progress is. Street dancers and watchers alike – come and join us once again for the Newtown Shuffle! Can’t wait! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
01/03/20 Wellington Life Flight Trust Open Day
Time: 9:30am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Westpac Rescue Base, Wellington Airport. The Life Flight Trust Open Day is an open-day Festival supporting Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Life Flight Services. It features helicopters, rescue planes, fire engines, ambulances, hospital services, police, customs detector dogs, rescue dogs (possibly puppies!) and safety services, food, fun… and Wellington Batucada! It’s a charity we’re keen to support. And if you or yours are ever in a tight spot these are the folks you would want to see coming over the horizon. Our drummers and dancers will be playing from 9:30am to around 10:30am. We look forward to seeing you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
22/02/20 Wellington Wellington Pride Hikoi
Time: 9:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: From Civic Square, along the waterfront to Waitangi Park. The Pride Hikoi is a waterfront Rainbow parade from Civic Square that culminates in the opening of the ‘Out in the Park’ event in Waitangi Park. We’ve been asked by some of our Rainbow members and allies to drum and dance at this event, which we are delighted to do. We show our support to our Rainbow members and their communities by participating in the hikoi. We’ll be gathering in Civic Square in our rainbow finery at 9:00am, ready for a 9:30am start. We will see you there! Related post
Sporting events
16/02/20 Wellington Round the Bays
Time: 7:45am. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Waitangi Park. We’ve been invited to perform at the Round the Bays event (for the Fiji Airways Corporate Zone), entertaining the runners as they race past. You’ll find us by the playground at Waitangi Park (on Oriental parade). Our drummers and dancers will be playing from around 7:45am to 9:30 am – playing off and on for runner groups passing by. Give us a wave! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
14/02/20 Wellington Wellington Lantern Festival
Time: 7:40pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Main Stage on Odlins Plaza. The Wellington Lantern Festival is a 2 day evening Festival around the waterfront with heaps of stalls and installations. Our drummers and dancers will be performing at the Main Stage on Odlins Plaza by Macs Bar, Taranaki Wharf. We’ll be playing from 7:40pm to around 8:20pm. See you there! Related post
09/02/20 Upper Hutt City of Song Festival
Time: 1:15pm. Age restrictions: All ages. The City of Song Festival is a 2 day outdoor festival in Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt. Our drummers and dancers will be performing a 30-minute set on the Sunday, starting at 1.15pm. Looking forward to seeing you there. Related post
08/02/20 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. We begin at Avon St, Island Bay – with our drummers and dancers parading down The Parade to Shorland Park – where we do a short performance (to kick off the main concert). The parade begins at 2pm. See you there! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
07/12/19 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. **Cancelled due to bad weather** We’re very happy to be once again performing in the Johnsonville Christmas parade. Yay! Santa’s here! And so are we.
04/12/19 - 05/12/19 Wellington Arohata Prison
Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Arohata Prison. We are thrilled to be performing at the Arohata Christmas Concert with our WONDERFUL drummers and dancers from Arohata who have been attending our workshops for the past couple of months.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
16/11/19 Wellington Walking Stars Wellington
Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. We are very pleased to have been invited to entertain the participants in a Cancer Society sponsored walk. We’ll be at Oriental Bay (possibly on top of the band Rotunda) from 8pm onwards. See you there! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
16/11/19 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 8:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. We’re very happy to be once again performing in the Johnsonville Christmas parade. Yay! Santa’s here! And so are we. Cancelled
Weddings
16/11/19 Wellington A wedding!
In order not to spoil the surprise for their guests, we won’t say too much about this gig, except to say that there’s a reason why we’ve been invited to help celebrate the marriage of this particular couple. We’re honoured to take part in their very special day. Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
09/11/19 Paraparaumu Coastlands Carnival
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: Free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Coastlands Mall. We’ve been invited to play at the 50th Birthday Celebration for Coastlands Mall in Paraparaumu. There will be a number of stages set up in the mall car park, with a mixture of local and Wellington bands and musicians. Our drummers and dancers will be performing before the Richter City Rebels take the main stage at 7.30pm – so we reckon we’ll probably be on-stage at about 7.00pm. Watch this space for more details! Related post
Parties
05/10/19 Wellington Shhhhh…. it’s a secret
We’re going to be performing somewhere in Wellington, sometime on Saturday 5 October, as part of a celebratory event. And that’s all we can say. It’s a surprise!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
05/10/19 Wellington Walking Stars Wellington
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Related post Cancelled
Workshops
22/09/19 Wellington Arohata Prison
Address: Arohata Prison. We have been invited to do a performance at Arohata Prison as part of a drumming project that we’ll be doing with some of the women there. It’s part of our ongoing community support involvement, and we’re really looking forward to it.
Spring festivals and fairs
21/09/19 Wellington Taco Addicts food van launch
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: In the carpark beside Heyday Bar in upper Cuba Street. Our lovely dancer Amber is opening her new ‘Taco Addicts’ food caravan on Saturday afternoon (serious YUM-factor!). She is having a wee event for that. Batucada dancers and drummers will provide some samba goodness to help the celebrations. It’s an informal ninja gig in our old stomping ground of Cuba Street so a whole HEAP of us will be drumming and dancing. Come and join in the fun and try a tasty taco! Related post
14/09/19 Lower Hutt, Wellington Ode to the Moon multicultural show
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: Free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Lower Hutt Town Hall. We are very pleased to have been invited to perform as part of the “Ode to the Moon” multicultural show – celebrating the Chinese Autumn Festival on the Full Moon. The show runs 7.00 to 9.00pm – we will be performing at around 8.30pm, just before the finale. Come and check out the wide range of cultural acts in the show, from both New Zealand and direct from China. See you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
12/07/19 - 14/07/19 Coburg, Germany International Samba Festival, Coburg
Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington Batucada, together with guest performers from our sister samba schools across New Zealand, is thrilled once again to be taking part in the International Samba Festival in Coburg, Germany. This is our third official visit to Coburg, and the fifth time that members of Wellington Batucada have performed at the festival. We’ll be performing on the main stage (Schlossplatz), and the second stage (Marktplatz) – as well as various other stage and street venues around the festival on Friday and Saturday. We’ll also be taking part in the mass samba parade on Sunday. Axe!
Winter festivals and fairs
07/06/19 Wellington Festa de São João at El Barrio
Time: 9:30pm. We have been invited to do a mini gig with a small group of drummers at El Barrio Bar, to celebrate the Festa de São João , which is a Brazilian festival that takes place every June. Of course we said yes – with bells on! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
11/05/19 Wellington Pride Parade
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: Free. Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington’s Pride Parade has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday 11 May, at the earlier time of 3.00pm. Once again we are honoured to be taking part in this wonderful celebration of Wellington’s diversity, creativity and love. Related post
30/03/19 - 31/03/19 Wellington CubaDupa
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Due to the recent tragic events in Christchurch, CubaDupa has been moved OFFSTREET this year. This means, sadly, that all of the street performances planned by Wellington Batucada and our samba whanau from around the country will now not go ahead. However, our Sunday Swan Stage show will still happen – onstage at the Opera House (ooohhh!!). Come and dance with us on Sunday afternoon, at the Opera House, 3:45pm to 4:25pm. And in an amazing piece of last-minute news – we have been given more time onstage than we had planned for in our original show. This means that, in addition to the stage show performers, we will be able to introduce you to ALL our drummers and dancers. We are gonna raise the roof!! Many thanks and much respect to the CubaDupa organisers for bringing this all together and rearranging everything in such a short amount of time. Arohanui. #TheyAreUs. Related post
16/03/19 Wellington Pride Parade POSTPONED
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington International Pride Parade POSTPONED. With our hearts heavy, the Board of the Wellington International Pride Parade has decided to postpone our celebration of inclusion, diversity and humanity – a new date will be announced in due course. We, like all New Zealanders, are hurting today. We have considered long and hard about asking Wellingtonians to walk alongside us in solidarity with our friends and whanau in Christchurch; we don’t want terrorists to win, we don’t want terrorists to dictate how we live our lives. If we were to proceed, we would divert crucial emergency services away from their duty. While we want to march in solidarity, to resist these acts of hate and intolerance and to tell terrorists they have no power in our country, we believe it is more important to honour the lives of those who were taken today. We stand with all New Zealanders who are appalled by the attack on our liberty and we will be back; taller, stronger and with resolve. Kia Kaha Christchurch. Kia Kaha Aotearoa.
03/03/19 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Squeee! It’s the Newtown Fair! One of our favourite gigs of the year. We’ll be starting, as always, outside the Newtown Community Centre on Colombo Street. We’ll be warming up there from 3:15pm onwards with the parade setting off at 3:30pm. Usual route with a special surprise mash-up in the middle, and an added bonus bit of parading up Constable Street at the end. There’s 55 of us signed up so far to drum and dance, so it’s gonna be HUGE. Get out your dancing shoes and join us for the Newtown Shuffle! Related post
09/02/19 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. Once again we’re thrilled to be taking part in the Festival Parade at Island Bay Festival – Day in the Bay. It’s a lovely parade down the main street to Shorland Park on the waterfront. Once we reach the band rotunda in the park we’ll do an extra little performance for you. Come and see our drummers and dancers in the parade and join in the fun – parade starts at 2pm. Related post
02/02/19 Lower Hutt, Wellington Te Rā o te Raukura Festival
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu. We’re performing at Te Ra o Te Raukura 2019 – we’ll be playing at 12:30pm until 1:00 – just before Three Houses Down come on-stage. It’s going to be another great festival – we will see you there. Come and dance with us! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
01/12/18 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. The Johnsonville Christmas Parade – we love this gig – it’s such fun! Join us in celebrating everything Santa on Saturday – see you there.
Spring festivals and fairs
17/11/18 Kapiti Coast Kapiti Coast Festival
Time: 12:00am. Age restrictions: All ages. Annual fundraiser for Mary Potter Hospice – more details to come. Cancelled
11/11/18 Wellington WW1 Armistice Day Commemoration
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Pukeahu War Memorial Park. We are very honoured to have been invited to perform in Wellington as part of the WW1 Armistice Day Commemoration at Pukeahu War Memorial Park. Today marks 100 years since the end of The Great War. We will be drumming and dancing near the main stage from 3:00 to 3:30pm. We will see you there!
Wellington Phoenix home games
21/10/18 Wellington Wellington Phoenix Parade
Time: 4:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the stadium. We’re thrilled to be part of the first Wellington Phoenix game of the A-League season! At 4.00 pm we will parade down the Fran Wilde Walk into the Stadium and then make a half circuit inside the stadium – we’ll finish at approx 5.00pm, just before kick-off. At half time we’ll parade across the pitch (woohoo!) We will see you there. GO THE PHOENIX! Related post
Asakusa Samba Carnival
25/08/18 Tokyo Asakusa Samba Carnival
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. This year, for the first time, a contingent from Wellington Batucada accompanied by drummers and dancers from the other New Zealand samba schools, is heading to Tokyo, Japan, to take part in the enormous Asakusa Samba Carnival parade. Half a million people line the streets to watch this 5-hour spectacle of samba madness, and we are thrilled beyond measure to have been invited to take part.
Winter festivals and fairs
28/07/18 Wellington The Menagerie Variety Show
Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $49-$69. Age restrictions: No minors. Address: Opera House. The Menagerie Variety Show is returning to the Wellington Opera House on Saturday the 28th of July for a whole new one-night-only spectacular of epic proportions. It’s like the Royal Variety Performance but a lot younger, fresher, weirder, more risqué and heaps more kiwi. This show brings a fast-paced selection of incredible performances that will take you on a provocative and entertaining journey. If you haven’t seen a variety show before, you must come – every act is completely different and you never know what’s next. Your host Matt Powell will guide you from yodeling to acrobatics with every oddity in between. There’s circus, comedy, dance, music, magic, burlesque, drag, poetry and much more. Wellington Batucada are excited to be providing the on-stage half-time entertainment with our drummers and dancers. See you during the intermission! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
24/03/18 - 25/03/18 Wellington CubaDupa
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. What can we say? CubaDupa is our biggest and most elaborate weekend of the year. All our sister Samba schools from around the country will also be here, our Saturday night gig is gonna be epic, and we’re planning something new and unique for our mass Sunday bloco performance. We will see you there! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
10/03/18 Wellington Pride Parade
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re thrilled to be taking part in the Pride Parade this year. The theme is Our Family Celebration, promoting a sense of inclusiveness and a united celebration. We will be parading along the “Rainbow Mile”, which starts in Tennyson Street, proceeds to Kent Terrace, Courtenay Place, and Taranaki Street, finishing on the Waterfront. We’ll see you there!
10/03/18 Wellington Mt Cook School Gala
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: 160 Tory Street. Yay! We’re doing a gig at Mt Cook School Gala again this year – to say thanks heaps for letting us use their school hall for our Sunday CubaDupa rehearsal. We’re looking forward to it!
Summer festivals and fairs
04/03/18 Wellington Newtown Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. One of the BEST gigs of the year – and certainly the maddest as we attempt to parade through Newtown’s crowded Festival streets – led by our own dancers accompanied by at least a couple of hundred Newtownians. It’s gonna be awesome… We begin with a performance in front of the Latino Stage on Colombo St at 3.45, then parade through Newtown from 4pm onwards, aiming to arrive at the Community Stage on the corner of Constable and Riddiford at 4.30pm, ready to jam with Cumbia Blazera. See you there! Related post
03/12/17 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We love this vibrant celebration of all things Latin. We’re very happy to have been invited back to perform again this year. We’ll be on-stage just after midday. Get your dancing shoes on – we know you’re gonna be completely awesome. Batucada vai!
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
02/12/17 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. Once again this year we’re looking forward to taking part in the Johnsonville Christmas Parade. Yay for Santa and all that good stuff. We’ll see you there!
25/11/17 - 26/11/17 Wellington A Very Welly Christmas
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. This sparkly and shiny new Wellington Christmas event is gonna be awesome – particularly as we have absolutely no idea where we’ll be playing, what we’ll be doing, or even which day we’re doing it. Watch this space for more info 🙂 Cancelled
Rugby League World Cup 2017
18/11/17 Wellington Rugby League World Cup Quarter Finals
Time: 6:35pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Westpac Stadium. We’re thrilled to be entertaining the crowds arriving for the Rugby League World Cup 2017 Quarter Finals at the Westpac Stadium. Fans of New Zealand and Fiji – we’re looking to dance with you! See you outside the stadium from 6.35pm until just before kickoff.
Hastings Blossom Festival
16/09/17 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re taking part in the Blossom Festival parade in Hastings again this year. For us, it marks the start of spring. Yay!
Brazilian Embassy special events
07/09/17 Wellington Brazil National Day
Time: 7:45pm. We are very happy to have been invited by the Brazilian Embassy to perform that their Brazil Day celebrations once again this year. We’ll be playing for the Ambassador, officials and guests at the event at the New Zealand School of Dance. We’re very much looking forward to it.
Summer festivals and fairs
14/07/17 - 16/07/17 Coburg, Germany International Samba Festival, Coburg
Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington Batucada has once again been invited to perform at the Coburg Samba Festival in Germany. With over 200,000 attendees, this is the biggest samba festival outside Brazil, and it’s a huge honour to have been invited. We’re doing a number of separate performances on the Friday and Saturday, and joining with the other 3,000 sambistas in the mass street parade on the Sunday. This is the second time the band has performed at Coburg, we were last there in 2015.
Lions Tour 2017
01/07/17 Wellington Wellington Waterfront Fan Zone
Time: 9:10pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Following the match, we’ll be drumming and dancing for 45 minutes from 9.10pm, in the Wellington waterfront Fan Zone. We’ll see you there! Can. Not. Wait 🙂 Related post
01/07/17 Wellington Wellington Waterfront Fan Zone
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Building up to the second Test match in Wellington – we’ll be drumming and dancing for half an hour from 6.30pm, in the Wellington waterfront Fan Zone. GO THE ABs! Related post
01/07/17 Wellington Wellington Waterfront Fan Zone
Time: 5:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Building up to the second Test match in Wellington – we’ll be drumming and dancing for half an hour from 5.30pm, in the Wellington waterfront Fan Zone. GO THE ABs! Related post
01/07/17 Wellington Fan Zone, Odlins Plaza
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ll be drumming and dancing for half an hour from 4pm. Check us out at the main stage, Fan Zone, Odlins Plaza. GO THE ABs! Related post
01/07/17 Wellington Fan Zone, Odlins Plaza
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Building up to the second Test match in Wellington – we’ll be drumming and dancing for half an hour from 3pm, main stage, Fan Zone, Odlins Plaza. GO THE ABs! Related post
27/06/17 Wellington Fan Zone, Odlins Plaza
Time: 6:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Celebrating the Lions Tour as it arrives in Wellington! Our 45-minute performance today will be at the main stage in the Odlins Plaza Fan Zone. Catch our drummers and dancers warming up the crowd for the Canes game. Go the Hurricanes!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
20/05/17 Wellington Mary Potter Hospice collection day
Time: 1:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street, between Dixon Street and Manners Street. Once again this year we’re performing in Lower Cuba Street (between Dixon and Manners Streets) to support the Mary Potter Hospice fundraising day. Come and have a boogie with us in our spiritual home of Cuba Street – and give a little for a great cause. See you there! Related post
23/04/17 Wellington Race Relations Day
Time: 10:30am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Shed 6, Wellington Waterfront. We’re trilled to be drumming and dancing at Race Relations Day for the first time this year. This vibrant and colourful event takes place in Shed 6 on Wellington’s waterfront. We will be playing near the entrance as people arrive between 10.30 and 11.00am, then doing a short 10-minute performance on the stage inside Shed 6 at midday. The Shed will be full of people, stalls, food, and other fun things. Come and be part of the action! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
25/03/17 - 26/03/17 Wellington CubaDupa
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Another of our favourite gigs – a whole weekend of gigs, in fact. Blimmin marvellous. On Saturday night you can catch us on the Swan Stage from 9:00-9:30pm, and then parade with us down through Cuba Mall to Te Aro Park where we’ll be performing again. On Sunday, march with us down Cuba Street from 2:50pm, arriving at the Swan Stage at 3:15pm where we’ll meet up with other samba bands from around the country to play the big mass samba bloco CubaDupa finale. AWESOME! You’ll also find the rest of our samba family performing in and around Cuba Street throughout the weekend. Come dance with us.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
18/03/17 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ve been leading the runners around the track at the start of the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for quite a few years now, and we’re thrilled to have been asked to do the honours once again. It’s a great cause, and a wonderful atmosphere – we’re looking forward to seeing you there.
Summer festivals and fairs
18/03/17 Wellington Out in the Park
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Waitangi Park. We’re once again taking part in the parade to kick off the very fabulous Out in the Park Festival. It’s colourful, entertaining, and just really good fun. See you there!
05/03/17 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. One of our favourite gigs of the year. Come dance with us through the sunny streets of Newtown! We start in Rintoul Street at around 3:30pm, then parade to the intersection of Rintoul and Riddiford, then turn right into Riddiford Street and parade straight ahead until we get to the end, somewhere near the end of Newtown Ave. The drummers will be accompanied by a large group of Batucada dancers, and we hope you’ll join them in front of the band, leading the way through the crowds, doin’ the Newtown Shimmy. We’ll see you there!
11/02/17 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. We’ll be taking part in the Island Bay Festival parade again this year – kicking off a week of events and festivities in the wonderful Island Bay. see you there! Related post
29/01/17 Lower Hutt, Wellington Te Rā o te Raukura Festival
Time: 1:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu. We’re thrilled to be playing at this wonderful festival again. Looks like we might be performing just before Fat Freddy’s do their thing, which is pretty awesome. See you there!
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
03/12/16 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. We’re very pleased to have been invited to take part in the annual Johnsonville Christmas Parade once again. We’re near the front of the parade this year – watch out for us in the #4 slot – we look forward to seeing you there!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
02/12/16 Wellington Tapu Te Ranga Marae
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: $25. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: 44 Rhine Street, Island Bay. We are performing at the magical Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay as part of “A Night to Honour the Earth”. With kai, music and storytelling. Doors open 6.00pm, a small group from Wellington Batucada will be playing at 7pm for about 15 minutes. We’d love to see you there to support this very worthy cause, raising money to help refurbish areas of the marae.
Spring festivals and fairs
29/10/16 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Time: 3:40pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Our drummers and dancers will once again be performing at this year’s MIA (Mujeres in Aotearoa) gig. It’s one of our favourite gigs – a lovely audience that loves to dance, loads of other fabulous performers throughout the day, great food, great company – what more could you want? We’re last on the bill, come and dance with us – Wellington High School, Taranaki Street.
Dance workshop performances
24/10/16 Wellington Dance workshops showcase
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront – Odlins Plaza in front of Macs Brewery. Our lovely dancers will be performing on Wellington waterfront, accompanied by the Batucada drummers. They’ve just spent the last 3 days learning new choreography at an intensive dance workshop with Brazilian dance teacher Josiane Santos, and they’re keen to show you their moves! Come dance with us!
Wellington Phoenix home games
08/10/16 Wellington Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Westpac Stadium. We’re going to be performing before the game, sending good vibes and big beats to the ‘Nix. We will be playing near the gates, maybe even inside the concourse. The second part of our performance will be leading a parade of young footballers from local clubs onto the field. We’re looking forward to it!
Spring festivals and fairs
10/09/16 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Get ready Hastings, we’re heading up for our annual East Coast jaunt to take part in the Blossom Festival for the 15th consecutive year. Woohoo! See you there!
Winter festivals and fairs
04/07/16 Wellington Te Reo Week launch parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: from Parliament to Te Papa. We’re excited to have been invited to take part in the Te Reo Week launch parade, from Parliament to Te Papa. It’s gonna be big!
Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games
30/05/16 Wellington 100 Days to the Paralympics
Time: 12:00pm. Address: Te Papa. Led by flamboyant Brazilian percussion and dance group, Wellington’s Batucada, four paralympians and 100 local school children from Wellington will learn and perform a specially-choreographed Samba designed to be danced by all dancers. The party will begin at midday with a welcome by the Chief Executive of Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), the Brazilian Ambassador to New Zealand, plus a few words from PNZ Major Partner, ACC, also a presenting partner of the TV broadcast. The atrium will then fill with colour and sound as the performance tops off a celebration of all things Paralympic related, following the exhibition of the Spirit of Gold® Portrait Collection at Te Papa this past week. Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
21/05/16 Wellington Mary Potter Hospice collection day
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street, between Dixon Street and Manners Street. We’re honoured to have been invited to play on Cuba Street to help with the Mary Potter Hospice collection day. Our drummers and dancers will be be performing between 12.30 and 1.15pm. There will be hospice collectors raising money while we play, so please come along and support this very worthy cause. Related post
09/04/16 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Leading out the start of the Relay for Life, we’ll be parading the Relay route around Frank Kitts park for charity. The Relay for Life – Survivors and Carers is an awesome event and we’re proud to be able to give our support once again this year. Related post
Corporate gigs
08/04/16 Wellington Scots College Centenary – staff celebration
Time: 8:00pm. Batucada drummers and dancers were invited to do a surprise performance for guests at the Scots College Centenary party at the St James Theatre. Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
20/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Get ready for the Grand Batucada Finale – with over 150 drummers from all over the country, rocking out those samba grooves! We’ll be performing at the Swan Dancehall Stage (Swan Lane) from 3:30-4:00pm. It’s gonna be epic… Related post
20/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We’ll be parading from Te Aro Park up Cuba Street to Swan Lane from 3:00-3:30pm. Come and join us – 150+ drummers and dancers will be there to help you celebrate! Related post
20/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Get ready for the Grand Batucada Finale – with over 150 drummers from Wellington and across NZ, rocking out those samba grooves! We’ll be performing en masse in Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park) from 2:30-3:00pm. Related post
19/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 10:15pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We’ll be jamming and samba-ing in Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park) from 10:15-10:45pm – yay CubaDupa! Come on down! Related post
19/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 9:35pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. After our Swan Dancehall Stage gig we will parade down Cuba Street to Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park). Come and join our mini carnival parade! 9:35-10:15pm Related post
19/03/16 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 9:15pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. During the weekend of CubaDupa, Wellington Batucada will be rocking out the samba grooves all over the place, as will many of our samba brothers and sisters from all over the country, who are coming down especially to play at the event. 45 drummers and 20 dancers from Wellington Batucada will be performing on the Swan Dancehall Stage from 9:15-9:35pm. Hope you enjoy our Day of the Dead costume theme! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
12/03/16 Wellington Mt Cook School Gala
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: 160 Tory Street. Yay – Mt Cook loves us and we love them. We’re delighted to be playing at the Gala again this year – we’ll be performing at midday – see you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
12/03/16 Wellington Out in the Park
Time: 10:15am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Waitangi Park. Fabulousness abounds – we’re performing at Out in the Park again this year (hope the weather plays nice this time!). Start at Frank Kitt’s Park, parade along the waterfront to the event itself at Waitangi Park. Come and join us – we’re leading the parade! Related post
06/03/16 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Squee! One of our favourite gigs of the year and one of the funnest events we do! We’ll be mustering at 3:30pm at the Community Centre on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul, and then parading from about 4pm. If you’ve been to the Newtown Fair before, you’ll know that our parade takes rather a long time to complete, due to the 200-or-so extra dancers that lead us through the streets, and the other 80,000 happy people joining in from the sidelines. Bloomin’ marvellous. Related post
13/02/16 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. We’re thrilled to have been invited back to play in the Island Bay Festival Parade this year. We’ll be at the very end of the parade, which means you can all follow along and dance with us through the streets of Island Bay, finishing at Shortland Park near the beach. See you there! Related post
Wellington Rugby Sevens
30/01/16 - 31/01/16 Wellington Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium, Fran Wilde Walkway
Time: 1:05pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re performing for the Sevens once again this year. This year’s theme is “Superpowers Unleashed” and we’ll be dressed up appropriately to match the theme. This year we’re doing two 45-minute performances each day on the Fran Wilde Walkway – the approach to Westpac Stadium. Catch us on Saturday at 1:05pm and 2:30pm, and on Sunday at 12:05pm and 1:30pm. See you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
23/01/16 Wellington Footvolley Championship, Oriental Bay
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re playing as part of the Footvolley tournament again this year – we’ll be doing a couple of sets between midday and 2pm – see you on the beach at Oriental Parade! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
13/12/15 Wellington Wellington Santa Parade
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Yay – the good old Santa Parade! Looking forward to it, as always. Kickoff is at 1pm. We’ll see you there! Related post
06/12/15 Upper Hutt Upper Hutt Xmas parade
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. A new Xmas parade for us – we’re looking forward to it! We’re thrilled to be leading the parade this year – we’ll see you there. Related post
Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games
02/12/15 Wellington Rio Olympics launch
Time: 6:20pm. Address: Brazilian Embassy. A small and select crew from Wellington Batucada have been invited to perform at the Brazilian Embassy to mark the official launch of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The band will be performing with the Brazilian Divas from Auckland. We’re thrilled to have been asked to take part.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
14/11/15 Wellington Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Playcentre. Yay! We’re playing at the Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala again this year – looking forward to it! We love our teeny tiny audience 🙂
31/10/15 Porirua Pacific Island Youth fundraiser gig
Address: Te Rauparaha Arena. How exciting! More details to come. Cancelled
Spring festivals and fairs
17/10/15 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Age restrictions: All ages. This year’s MIA Latin Festival is being held at Wellington High School. We look forward to dancing with you once again.
Wellington Phoenix home games
11/10/15 Wellington Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
Time: 6:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Westpac Stadium. Yay! We’ve been invited to play at the first Phoenix game of the season! We’re playing on the concourse from about 6pm, then we will move onto the pitch to play there for a while before kick-off which is at 7pm.
Parties
10/10/15 Wellington Leandro’s leaving party
Time: 10:45pm. Age restrictions: No minors. Address: Bar Bodega. Leandro used to dance for Wellington Batucada and has been one of our biggest supporters over the years. He’s leaving to go back to Brazil, and is arranging one of his legendary parties. We’ll do a bit of a jam for a tune or two with So Samba, as well as our own stuff. Running times: 9-10pm DJ Sebastian; 10-10.45pm So Samba; 15 mins Batucada and So Samba together; 11-11.45pm Batucada on stage; 11.45 onwards DJ Sebastian. Should be a great night!
Weddings
19/09/15 Wellington Phil & Bron’s wedding
Time: 2:10pm. Address: The Boatshed, Wellington waterfront. We are completely honoured (and thrilled) to have been invited to play at the wedding of our very own Dr Phil and his wonderful sweetheart Dr Bron. We’ll be playing outside the Boatshed (weather permitting) from 2:10pm until the bride arrives at 2:30pm. Squee! Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
12/09/15 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re looking forward to our annual visit to Hastings for the Blossom Festival – this year’s theme is “Great Things Grow Here”. See you there! Related post
Brazilian Embassy special events
07/09/15 Wellington Brazil National Day
Time: 8:30pm. We’re honoured to have been invited once again to play for the Brazilian Embassy to celebrate Brazil National Day. We’re top of the bill, and we’ll be playing from 8:30 onwards for about half an hour. Looking forward to it! Te Whaea (NZ School of Dance) – invite only. Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
10/07/15 - 12/07/15 Coburg, Germany International Samba Festival, Coburg
Admission: 20 €. Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington Batucada has been invited to perform at the Coburg Samba Festival in Germany. With over 200,000 attendees, this is the biggest samba festival outside Brazil, and it’s a huge honour to have been invited. We’re doing 5 separate performances (3 stage and 2 street) on the Friday and Saturday, and joining with the other 3,000 sambistas in the mass street parade on the Sunday.
29/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Get ready for the Grand Batucada Finale – with over 150 drummers from all over the country, rocking out those samba grooves! We’ll be performing at the Swan Stage (Swan Lane) from 3:30-4:00pm, where we will also be joined by Niko Ne Zna. It’s gonna be epic…
29/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We’ll be parading from Te Aro Park up Cuba Street to Swan Lane from 3:00-3:30pm. Come and join us – 150+ drummers and dancers will be there to help you celebrate!
29/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. Get ready for the Grand Batucada Finale – with over 150 drummers from Wellington and across NZ, rocking out those samba grooves! We’ll be performing en masse in Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park) from 2:30-3:00pm.
28/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 10:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. We’ll be jamming and samba-ing in Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park) from 10:30-11:00pm – yay CubaDupa! Come on down!
28/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 10:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. After our Swan Stage gig we will parade down Cuba Street to Te Aro Park (aka Pigeon Park). Come and join our mini carnival parade! 10:00-10:30pm
28/03/15 Wellington CubaDupa
Time: 9:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Street. During the weekend of CubaDupa, Wellington Batucada will be rocking out the samba grooves all over the place, as will many of our samba brothers and sisters from all over the country, who are coming down especially to play at the event. 55 drummers and 15 dancers from Wellington Batucada will be performing on the Swan Stage (Swan Lane) from 9:30-10:00pm. Check out the costumes, dudes!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
28/03/15 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We are honoured to have been invited once again to lead the opening lap of the Relay for Life at Frank Kitt’s Park. This 24-hour Cancer Society fundraising event celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers and remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and it’s really rather awesome. We hope to see you there!
Summer festivals and fairs
14/03/15 New Plymouth WOMAD
Time: 12:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: TSB Bowl of Brooklands. So… did we mention that all our hard work paid off, and we won the WOMAD Performer Competition?? Well – we did, so we’re performing at WOMAD this year. OMG. Squeee! V. exciting. Come and dance with us! Gables Stage, Saturday, 12 noon – 1.00pm. Related post
08/03/15 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Squeee! We LOVE Newtown Fair! The “Wellington Batucada led by half the crowd dancing their socks off” parade through Newtown closes the show and it generally takes at least an hour and a half for us to get from one end of the parade route to the other. Awesome. See you there! Get yer dancing shoes on! Related post
28/02/15 Upper Hutt Upper Hutt City Summer Carnival
Time: 12:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Trentham Memorial Park. We’re doing the Snowball Samba at the Upper Hutt City Summer Carnival for the first time this year! The plan is to play in front of main stage from 12:00-12:30pm, then we’ll parade around for a bit. We’ll play in front of the main stage again from 1:30-2:00pm. Come and have a boogie with us!
15/02/15 Wellington Out in the Park
Time: 10:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Waitangi Park. We’re thrilled to have been invited to Out in the Park this year – Wellington’s Queer Fair. We’ll be taking part in The #Love Parade, which goes from Civic Square to Out in the Park’s new venue at Waitangi Park. Starts at 10am, we’ll see you there! NOTE THAT DUE TO BAD WEATHER – this event has been cancelled – hopefully it can be re-scheduled for sometime in March. Watch this space! Cancelled
Wellington Rugby Sevens
07/02/15 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. Woohoo! Here we are again, doing our waterfront parade thingy for the Wellington Sevens – we love it. Our costume theme this year is “Steampunk” – we hope you like it! Starting from somewhere near Mac’s Brewery, parading all the way along the waterfront, ending up at the stadium. Come and have a dance with us on the way to the Sevens… Related post
06/02/15 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. Woohoo! Here we are again, doing our waterfront parade thingy for the Wellington Sevens – we love it. Our costume theme this year is “Steampunk” – we hope you like it! Starting from somewhere near Mac’s Brewery, parading all the way along the waterfront, ending up at the stadium. Come and have a dance with us on the way to the Sevens… Related post
05/02/15 Wellington Wellington Sevens Parade
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ll be taking part in the Wellington Sevens parade once again this year – it’s one of our favourite parades – hope to see you there! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
14/12/14 Wellington Wellington Santa Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Yay! The Santa Parade is nearly here (where’d the year go???) We shall see you there, no doubt. With bells on!
06/12/14 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. The Johnsonville Christmas parade got cancelled last year due to bad weather, so we’re all being very good so Santa brings us lovely weather this year. See you there!
WOMAD vote busking
30/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking at the Sunday Markets – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. This gig is only a couple of days before the end of voting, so please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Waitangi Park Sunday Market, 11.00am.
29/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on the waterfront – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. This gig is only a couple of days before the end of voting, so please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Wellington Waterfront near Mac’s Brewery, 3.00pm.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
22/11/14 Paraparaumu Beach Kapiti Strawberry Festival
Time: 10:30am. Age restrictions: All ages. The Kapiti Strawberry Festival is a Mary Potter Hospice Fundraiser. We had a lovely time there last year, and we’re very pleased to have been invited back again. We’ll be doing two 20 minute performances, the first at 10.30am and the second at 11.45am. We hope to see you there.
WOMAD vote busking
21/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 6:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on Cuba Street near the Left Bank Night Market – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Left Bank Night Market, Cuba Street, 6.00-7.00pm. Related post
15/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on Cuba Street – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Cuba Street, 6.30pm. Cancelled
15/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 4:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on the waterfront – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Wellington Waterfront, 4.30pm. Cancelled
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
15/11/14 Wellington Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Playcentre. We’re once again thrilled to be performing for our teeny tiny audience 🙂 at the Island Bay Playcentre fundraising gala. Come and have a bash with us! Time TBC.
WOMAD vote busking
08/11/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 6:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on Cuba Street – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Cuba Street, 6.00-7.00pm. Come and have a wiggle with us before the fireworks!
26/10/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re busking on the waterfront – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Wellington Waterfront near Waitangi Park (Sunday Markets), 11.00am.
Spring festivals and fairs
18/10/14 Whanganui Whanganui Festival of Cultures
Time: 12:20pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Woohoo! We had such a great time at the Whanganui Festivasl of Cultures last year – we’re thrilled to have been invited once again. We’ll be doing two stage performances, the first at 12.20pm, the second at 3.10pm. We’ll see you there!
12/10/14 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. The full Batucada crew (laydeez AND gents this year!) are once again planning to celebrate the Mujeres in Aotearoa Latin Festival with a BANG. We love this gig. It’s at a new venue this year – James Cabaret – and we’ll be performing at 3:35pm.
WOMAD vote busking
12/10/14 Wellington WOMAD busking gig
Time: 2:20pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Today we’re busking in town – not for money, but for votes for us to play at WOMAD next year! The band with the most votes wins a coveted spot to perform at this amazing world music festival in New Plymouth – and we’re going all-out to win. Please come and support us – and GIVE US YOUR VOTE. Cnr Courtenay Place & Taranaki Street, outside Burger Fuel, 2.20pm for half an hour.
Hastings Blossom Festival
13/09/14 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ll be heading up to Hastings soon, for our annual get-together and performance in the Hastings Blossom Festival parade. Fantastic! Looking forward to it! The parade theme is Spring: Back to the Future and we’re planning on looking pretty cool… we’ll all be in themed costumes for the first time this year. Related post
Brazilian Embassy special events
09/09/14 Wellington Brazil National Day
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ll be performing at Massey Museum Building at 7:30pm (time TBC) in celebration of Brazil National Day. Related post
2014 Soccer World Cup
13/06/14 Wellington Shed 6
Time: 7:10am. Admission: Free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ve been invited to kick off this year’s soccer World Cup in Brazil with a bang! Here’s the schedule: 7.00 am: Muster under the sails at Queens’ Wharf. 7.10 am: Perform for half an hour outside Shed 6. 7.40 am: Move into Shed 6, do another 2-3 minute ‘big bang’ performance to kick off the cup. 8.00 am: Brazil v Croatia game starts. We’ll be providing a bit of noise during the exciting bits as well 🙂 Related post
Sambanui
27/04/14 Lower Hutt Sambanui Batucada at the Dowse
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dowse Square, Laings Road, Lower Hutt. Huge Samba Jam featuring Wellington Batucada joined by drummers and dancers from across NZ. Samba performers from all over New Zealand will be gathering in the Dowse Square to showcase new material developed at Sambanui, a 4-day intensive samba workshop with international tutors held over Anzac weekend. Come on down for a boogie!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
22/03/14 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ll be leading the participants around the first lap of the Relay for Life again this year, and we’re really honoured to do so. This 24-hour Cancer Society fundraising event celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers and remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and it’s really rather awesome. We hope to see you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
08/03/14 Wellington Mt Cook School Gala
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: 160 Tory Street. We are pleased to be playing at Mt Cook School’s fundraising gala for the first time this year. We have a couple of Batchildren at the school, and one of our Batmums teaches there – so it’s a bit of a family affair. We’ll be playing at 12:30pm for half an hour. We’re on straight after the disco… Related post
02/03/14 Wellington Newtown Fair
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Newtown Fair has become one of our favourite gigs of the year. It’s jam-packed with good vibes and mad-crowds-dancing-in-the-streets and really, we couldn’t ask for a better day out. We’ll see you there! Related post
Parties
01/03/14 Wellington Brazilian Party at The Grand
Time: 12:00am. Age restrictions: No minors. Address: The Grand, Courtenay Place. We’re playing at The Grand at midnight again – this time for a Brazilian Party. Last year’s gig at The Grand for Chile/Mexico Independence Day was awesome – so we’re expecting a great night once again. You can catch us doing a short warmup outside Burger Fuel on the corner of Taranaki St and Courtenay Pl from 11.30pm, or better still – catch us at The Grand at midnight. See you there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
15/02/14 Wellington Homegrown Festival
Time: 1:50pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront. Gosh it’s been a while since we played Homegrown. In 2014 the Homegrown landscape is changing, and they’ll be opening up more areas of the waterfront and offering significantly more free to the public entertainment. Lower Franks Kitts Park, The Lagoon and the Te Papa promenade will be the free-to-anyone areas, and within them you will find… Wellington Batucada (amongst many other cool things). We’re looking forward to it! You can catch us at two 30 minute performances: 1.50 pm at Waitangi Park, and 3.50 pm at Frank Kitts Park (both begin with us roving for 10 minutes and then 20 mins on the buskers stage). See you there! Related post
Wellington Rugby Sevens
08/02/14 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. Day 2 of the Sevens – a bit sunburnt (or possibly rained-on…), a bit worn out from the previous day’s festivities, but raring to go and do it all again today. See you on the waterfront somewhere! Related post
07/02/14 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 3:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. Catch us parading on the waterfront in celebration of the Sevens – and acting as Pied Pipers to get you to the stadium at some point… We are dressing up in pirate costumes this year – they’re gonna be awesome! Related post
05/02/14 Wellington Wellington Sevens Parade
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Woo yeah! The Wellington Sevens weekend is here again! This year (so as not to clash with Waitangi Day) the street parade will be on the Wednesday. We’ll see you all there! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
02/02/14 Lower Hutt, Wellington Te Rā o te Raukura Festival
Time: 11:30am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu. We’re delighted to have been invited to take part in Te Rā o te Raukura for the first time this year. The festival is a family orientated event with a focus on health, art, and education; with kid’s amusement rides and over 100 stalls with a massive array of fine foods and crafts. The name of this event Te Rā o te Raukura is significant to the people at Waiwhetu and the tangata whenua in the Wellington Region. The ‘Raukura’ was used as a symbol of peace, love and harmony by the prophet Te Whiti O Rongomai at Parihaka. Te Rā o te Raukura commemorates the day in 1881 when Parihaka was invaded, and celebrates unity in Lower Hutt City and the wider Wellington Region. We look forward to seeing you there for our first gig of 2014. We’ll be doing two 15-minute performances, at approx 11:30am and 12:30pm. Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
08/12/13 Wellington Wellington Santa Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Yay! Wellington Santa Parade is nearly here! What fun! Hope you’ve got your Santa hats ready… Related post
30/11/13 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. We love the Johnsonville Christmas Parade! It’s awesome! We will see you (and Santa) there – with bells on! Cancelled
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
23/11/13 Wellington Philippines Disaster Fundraiser
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Civic Square. Wellington is raising funds to help those affected by the terrible typhoon in the Philippines. Batucada will be performing in Civic Square at 2.30pm. We hope you’ll join us. Related post
23/11/13 Paraparaumu Beach Kapiti Strawberry Festival
Time: 10:30am. Age restrictions: All ages. The Kapiti Strawberry Festival is a Mary Potter Hospice Fundraiser. We’ll be doing two 20 minute performances, the first at 10.30am and the second at 12.00pm. We hope to see you there. Related post
Soccer World Cup
20/11/13 Wellington All Whites v Mexico, FIFA Soccer World Cup Qualifier game
Time: 5:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Queens’s Wharf to Westpac Stadium. The All Whites play Mexico at home in the second of their two World Cup qualifier matches. The game’s sold out, so there will be a lot of people walking to the stadium along the waterfront. Batucada will be part of the 5.30 pm parade from Queens Wharf to the Stadium, and we’ll be playing outside the Stadium once we arrive. Come and join us! Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
16/11/13 Wellington DANZdance20
Time: 5:10pm. Address: Opera House. DANZdance20 Concert, celebrating 20 years of Wellington Dance. Batucada are the final act on a bill that features amazing dancers from all over Wellington over the past 20 years. We’ll be encouraging the audience to get up and dance! Related post
10/11/13 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. MIA Latin Festival, Newtown Park. Mujeres in Aotearoa (MIA) is a non-profit Latin American women’s group that works to keep Latin American culture alive. Our all-girl group of drummers and dancers ROCKED last year, and we’re planning to do it all again in 2013. Woohoo! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
09/11/13 Wellington Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala
Time: 1:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Playcentre. We’ll be performing again at the Island Bay Playcentre Gala this year. Hope to see you there! Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
27/10/13 Wairarapa Kokomai Creative Festival
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’ve been invited to take part in the parade and run a drumming workshop as part of the Kokomai Creative Festival, Wairarapa, which will be held over Labour weekend. The masked parade is at 11.00am (bring a mask!), with our drumming workshop at 12.00pm. Hope to see you there. Related post
Silver Ferns netball matches
24/10/13 Wellington Silver Ferns v Malawi netball test
Time: 6:30pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: TSB Bank Arena. We’re thrilled to be playing at the Silver Ferns v Malawi Netball Test, TSB Bank Arena. From 6:30 onwards we’ll be playing a 20-30 minute set near the entrance as the crowd arrives for the game, and at half time we’ll be doing a short set on the netball court itself. Cool fun! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
22/10/13 Wellington PSA (Public Service Association) Centenary celebrations
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Parliament. We’re delighted to have been invited to help the PSA celebrate 100 years of service to New Zealand. We’ll be leading the parade from the Cenotaph (corner Lambton Quay and Bowen Street) up to Parliament at 1pm, and then after the speeches from 1.45-2.15 pm we’ll be doing our main performance, outside Parliament. Related post
Wellington Phoenix home games
13/10/13 Wellington Wellington Phoenix Parade
Time: 4:05pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the stadium. We will be mustering near the Chicago Bar underneath the sails at Queen’s Wharf at 3.45. We’ll play there for a short while at 4.05pm and then we’ll parade along the waterfront to the Stadium, setting off at about 4.10pm. If you’re heading off to see the Phoenix game, why not join us?
Spring festivals and fairs
05/10/13 Whanganui Whanganui Festival of Cultures
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Wellington Batucada will be performing and taking part in the Festival of Cultures parade in Whanganui for the first time in October. The parade is at 12.00 noon and our performance is at 3.00 pm. See you there! Related post
22/09/13 Wellington Open Street Sunday
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington CBD. We’re opening the inaugural Open Street Sunday event – where some of Wellington’s streets in the CBD will be closed to traffic, and taken over by people doing stuff. We will gather at the corner of Taranaki and Dixon Streets by 12.45 pm, and will then parade up Dixon and Cuba Streets. Sounds like it’s gonna be awesome fun! Related post
21/09/13 Wellington Chile/Mexico Independence Day
Time: 12:00am. Address: The Grand, Courtenay Place. A midnight gig at The Grand to celebrate Chile/Mexico Independence Day. Should be fun! Related post
14/09/13 - 15/09/13 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We will be up in Hastings once again for Blossom Festival weekend – our traditional welcome-to-springtime event. Related post
Brazilian Embassy special events
04/09/13 Wellington Brazil National Day
Wellington Batucada will be performing at the Whare Waka to celebrate Brazil National Day on September 4.
Bledisloe Cup
24/08/13 Wellington Bledisloe Cup fan trail
Time: 5:20pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We will be mustering at Queens Wharf, at the Frank Kitts end of Shed 6 at 5pm, ready to start parading along Wellington’s waterfront to the Westpac Stadium at 5.20pm. Come and join us, and we’ll deliver you to the stadium in plenty of time for the Bledisloe Cup kick-off. Go the ABs! Related post
Brazilian Embassy special events
07/06/13 Wellington Charity Ball, Te Papa
Address: Te Papa Tongarewa. A glittering Black Tie affair at Te Papa, showcasing performers from Brazil and beyond… we’re thrilled to have been invited.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
07/05/13 Wellington Seven Sharp – Wellington’s Not Dead
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: St John’s Bar. Tonight at 7pm Wellington Batucada will be taking part in Seven Sharp‘s live TV broadcast from the St John’s Bar in Wellington. The gig starts at approx 6:30pm, and we’ll be joining heaps of other creative performing types to show John Key that Wellington is still New Zealand’s most vibrant city – and that we’re certainly Not Dead. Come and join us!
Winter festivals and fairs
05/05/13 Wellington International Dance Day
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Te Papa. A 5-10 minute performance by members of Wellington Batucada, part of the grand finale act of International Dance Day. Related post
Sambanui
28/04/13 Lower Hutt Sambanui Batucada at the Dowse
Time: 3:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dowse Square, Laings Road, Lower Hutt. Huge Samba Jam featuring Wellington Batucada joined by drummers and dancers from all over NZ. Samba performers from all over New Zealand will be gathering in the Dowse Square to showcase new material developed at a 4 day workshop over Anzac weekend. Come on down for a boogie!
Wellington Phoenix home games
31/03/13 Wellington Wellington Phoenix Parade
Time: 3:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the stadium. Come and join us as we parade down the waterfront from Queen’s Wharf to the Stadium in support of Wellington Phoenix!
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
23/03/13 Wellington Relay for Life
Time: 3:50pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Frank Kitts Park, Wellington. At approx 3.50pm when the ribbon is cut we’ll lead the Survivors & Carers for the first lap around the track, and then we’ll continue playing for a while. A great cause, and a great day out. Hope to see you there. Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
23/03/13 Wellington Footvolley Championship, Oriental Bay
Time: 1:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. We will be playing on the beach in front of the main volleyball net from 1.00 – 1.30 pm. Related post
Oporto store promotion
13/03/13 Wellington Oporto store, Courtenay Place
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re helping Oporto celebrate the launch of its Wellington store. Come and see us on Courtenay Place!
08/03/13 Wellington Oporto store, Courtenay Place
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re helping Oporto celebrate the launch of its Wellington store. Come and see us on Courtenay Place!
Summer festivals and fairs
03/03/13 Wellington Newtown Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. Yay! Our annual dance-n-drum through the streets of Newtown. Last year you guys were AWESOME – we had so much fun dancing with you – hope you’ll come and join us again this year.
02/03/13 Raumati Beach Brazilian Carnival
Time: 1:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Brazilian cultural event at Uniting Church Hall, Raumati Beach – in support of the Raumati International Children’s Group, and with a focus on kids. Come and have some fun with us!
Oporto store promotion
01/03/13 Wellington Oporto store, Courtenay Place
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re helping Oporto celebrate the launch of its Wellington store. Come and see us on Courtenay Place!
28/02/13 Wellington Oporto store, Courtenay Place
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re helping Oporto celebrate the launch of its Wellington store. Come and see us on Courtenay Place!
Summer festivals and fairs
09/02/13 Wellington Island Bay Festival Parade
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Island Bay Park. Our drummers and dancers will be leading the parade to the Park to kick off the Island Bay Festival. Hope to see you there!
Wellington Rugby Sevens
02/02/13 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. All aboard the Batucada Walking Bus! Our drummers and dancers will be parading along the waterfront from the Odlins Plaza Fanzone to the Stadium on Day 2 of the Sevens. Come and join us in all your costumed glory! Related post
01/02/13 Wellington Wellington Sevens waterfront parade
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Fanzone to Stadium. All aboard the Batucada Walking Bus! Our drummers and dancers will be parading along the waterfront from the Odlins Plaza Fanzone to the Stadium on Day 1 of the Sevens. Come and join us in all your costumed glory! Related post
31/01/13 Wellington Wellington Sevens Parade
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We’re pleased to announce that, once again, we will be leading the lunchtime parade of Sevens teams through town, from Ballance St to Civic Square. See you there! Related post
Wellington Phoenix home games
27/01/13 Wellington Wellington Phoenix Parade
Time: 4:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the stadium. Wellington Batucada drummers and dancers will be parading along the waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the Stadium, arriving at the Stadium in plenty of time to catch the Phoenix game. Join us! Cancelled
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
22/12/12 Wellington Xmas Party @ San Francisco Bath House
Time: 11:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: San Francisco Bath House, Cuba Street. On Saturday 22nd December Santa is coming early, bringing the most explosive Xmas party! The heart of Rio De Janeiro is right here in Wellington this Christmas with Wellington Batucada. This powerhouse ensemble creates breathtakingly complex walls of sound. The throbbing heartbeat of the surdo drum underpins rattling snares, layers of hand-held percussion instruments such as agogo bells, ganza shakers, tambourims, and the panting, surreal shrieks and moans of the cuica friction drum. Joining the carnival will be Crazy Fat Brazilian: Elaine Abras sings and plays guitar, Matt Smithers on electric guitar beside Darryn Sigley on drums, and Paul Mouncey on bass. So join us for a sweaty dance hall samba party! No cover charge – Show starts at 8pm, Batucada on-stage at 11pm. Related post
Wellington Phoenix home games
09/12/12 Wellington Wellington Phoenix Parade
Time: 3:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Wellington waterfront, from Queen’s Wharf to the stadium. We’ll be parading along the Wellington waterfront, leading the crowd to the Stadium in time for the Wellington Phoenix home game. Do join us! Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
09/12/12 Wellington Wellington Santa Parade
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We love the Santa parade – come and party with us! Related post
Corporate gigs
07/12/12 Wellington EFTPOS Christmas Party
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Mac’s Brewbar, private function rooms. A small and select group of Batucada oldbies, entertaining the fancily-dressed employees of EFTPOS Wellington at their Christmas party. Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
01/12/12 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. Our annual jaunt through the streets of Johnsonville – fun for all the family! Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
11/11/12 Wellington MIA Latin Festival
Age restrictions: All ages. MIA’s Latin Festival. The Festival celebrates the Latin culture through live performances, art & crafts and traditional food stalls, games and children’s activities. Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
30/10/12 Wellington Batucada school workshop
Time: 9:45am. Address: St Francis de Sales School, Island Bay. We will do a performance and instrument display at 1.45 – 2.45pm. We will also give 2 workshops from 9.45 – 10.45am then 11.15am -12.15pm with 2 classes each – around 52ish 7 and 8 year olds. Related post
27/10/12 Wellington Party in Pink
Time: 7:00pm. Address: Wellington Chinese & Cultural Centre, Mt Albert Rd, Newtown. Party in Pink is being organised & run by the local Wellington Zumba Instructors and is part of world-wide fundraising campaign being held during October and endorsed by Zumba Fitness LLC to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Research. Related post
Wellington Phoenix home games
06/10/12 Wellington Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC
Time: 5:45pm. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: Westpac Stadium. Parade from Queens Wharf to the Stadium. Wellington Batucada will join a Fan Trail/Parade at Queens Wharf/Chicago/Dockside area, hopping onto the end of a parade of a large group of school kids who will start the parade at Capital E/Civic Square. See you there! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
22/09/12 Wellington Island Bay Playcentre Fundraising Gala
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: Island Bay Playcentre. This year the Gala includes a garage sale, cultural foods: Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Kiwi as well as music and entertainment. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting, little dig and a raffle. Wellington Batucada will be performing for about 20 minutes from 12.30pm onwards. Related post
Spring festivals and fairs
15/09/12 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Hooray! It’s the Hastings Blossom Festival! That must mean spring is almost here…
15/09/12 Hastings Clock Tower stage
Time: 11:45am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: Hastings Clock Tower. Our annual visit to Hastings for the Blossom Festival kicks off our Spring/Summer season in style. Come and see us performing at the Clock Tower stage before the parade.
Brazilian Embassy special events
07/09/12 Wellington Brazilian Embassy National Day
Time: 8:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages/licensed. Address: Brazilian Embassy.
Winter festivals and fairs
23/06/12 Wellington Fête de la Musique
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Outside the Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington. We’ll be performing outside our “local”, the very wonderful Southern Cross, as part of the annual Fête de la Musique – an international celebration of music from around New Zealand and the rest of the world. Organised by Alliance Francaise.
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
12/05/12 Wellington World Fair Trade Day Global Party
Time: 2:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Outside the TradeAid shop at 86 Victoria St, Wellington. We’ll be doing a 30-minute performance outside Trade Aid, for a day which celebrates the existence of a global fair trade organisation dedicated to global best practice. Join us! Related post
Summer festivals and fairs
06/04/12 - 08/04/12 Auckland Jambalaya
Age restrictions: All ages. Jamming, workshopping, performing, Jambalaya was indeed awesome! 3 days of immersion into samba drumming with samba masters Fred from London School of Samba and Budi from Wicked Aura in Singapore. Fantastic! Related post
Charitable events, fundraisers and good works
31/03/12 Wellington Relay for Life
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. What a great cause, and one which we’re very happy to support.
Summer festivals and fairs
11/03/12 Wellington Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Mokopuna, Seatoun
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Te Ra o Kupe Festival is an annual event in its 7th year and is the only festival that is celebrated in the eastern suburbs. The festival is about bringing the community together and celebrating the eponymous ancestor Kupe, who first visited the shores of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The day starts with a formal opening with the Mayor and some of her counselors. Wellington Batucada will be doing a 30-minute stage performance at midday.
10/03/12 Masterton Wairarapa Balloon Festival – Night Glow
Time: 6:30pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Solway Showgrounds, Masterton. A magical evening for the whole family, the Trust House Night Glow is the Balloons Over Wairarapa Festival highlight. Tethered Balloons light up the night sky in a dazzling display set to music. Bring the whole family and a picnic. Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Gates open 6.00pm. Wellington Batucada will be performing between 6.30 and 8.30pm.
04/03/12 Wellington Newtown Fair
Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Newtown. We’ve been performing at Newtown Fair for what seems like forever – and we love it! Parade starts at 3.45pm. Related post
Wellington Rugby Sevens
04/02/12 Wellington Wellington Sevens after-party Ninja gig
Time: 10:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Courtenay Place. Initially Wellington City Council asked us to play at the after-party in Courtenay Place, then they changed their minds and said they didn’t… so we decided to do it anyway for free. Awesome night! Related post
04/02/12 Wellington Waterfront parade from Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. After the success of our “Pied Piper” walking bus parades from the RWC fanzone to the stadium, WCC invited us to do the same for the Sevens. We start at the Fanzone near the Odlins building and parade along the waterfront to the stadium. Join us! Related post
04/02/12 Wellington In front of Westpac Stadium
Time: 12:00pm. We’ll be doing a short performance in front of the ticket gates at Westpac Stadium, welcoming all you lovely costumed Sevens fans to the venue. See you there in all your glory! Related post
03/02/12 Wellington Waterfront parade from Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. After the success of our “Pied Piper” walking bus parades from the RWC fanzone to the stadium, WCC invited us to do the same for the Sevens. We started at the Fanzone near the Odlins building and paraded along the waterfront to the stadium. We hope you enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed you! Related post
02/02/12 Wellington Wellington Sevens Parade
Time: 12:45pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. We love Wellington Sevens weekend! As usual we led the Sevens Parade through the city streets and then lined up at the entrance to Civic Square to drum the teams through. Related post
Wellington’s Christmas celebrations
03/12/11 Wellington Johnsonville Christmas Parade
Time: 11:00am. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville. We took part in the Johnsonville Christmas Parade again this year – hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Related post
13/11/11 Wellington Wellington Santa Parade
Time: 12:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. The annual Santa Parade starts at the Parliament end of Lambton Quay and wends its way through the city streets to Civic Square. Related post
Wellington Phoenix home games
30/10/11 Wellington Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory
Time: 4:00pm. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Westpac Stadium. Starting on the concourse/walkway and then parading around the bowl, moving onto the ground just before kick-off. Related post
Rugby World Cup 2011 – Festival of Carnivale
26/10/11 Wellington All Blacks Victory Parade
Time: 12:15pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Parade route: Civic Square, Mercer Street, Willis Street, Lambton Quay to Parliament. We took part in Wellington’s tickertape parade to celebrate the All Blacks’ historic victory in the Rugby World Cup 2011. Our biggest audience ever – over 100,000 people – and the All Blacks too. What a day! Related post
09/10/11 Wellington Waterfront parade from RWC Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 4:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Leading the crowd from the Fanzone to the Stadium, arriving in plenty of time to catch the second Quarter Final match between Australia and South Africa. Related post
08/10/11 Wellington Waterfront parade from RWC Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 4:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Leading the crowd from the Fanzone to the Stadium, arriving in plenty of time to catch the first Quarter Final match between Wales and Ireland.
02/10/11 Wellington Waterfront parade from RWC Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Leading the crowd from the Fanzone to the Stadium, arriving in plenty of time to catch the Canada vs All Blacks game. Related post
25/09/11 Wellington Wellington Regional Stadium
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Westpac Stadium. A short performance inside the stadium before the Argentina v Scotland game. W00t!
25/09/11 Wellington Cuba Mall (mid area)
Time: 2:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cuba Mall. Related post
23/09/11 Wellington Waterfront parade from RWC Fanzone to the Stadium
Time: 7:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Leading the crowd from the Fanzone to the Stadium, arriving in plenty of time to catch the Australia vs USA game. Related post
Hastings Blossom Festival
17/09/11 Hastings Blossom Festival Parade
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Related post
17/09/11 Hastings Clock Tower stage
Time: 12:00pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Hastings Clock Tower.
Rugby World Cup 2011 – Festival of Carnivale
15/09/11 Wellington Courtenay Place Park
Time: 5:30pm. Admission: free. Age restrictions: All ages. Address: Cnr of Courtenay Place and Taranaki Street. Related post
09/09/11 Wellington RWC Fanzone
Time: 6:00pm. Admission: free. Address: Odlins Plaza area on Wellington’s waterfront. Related post

Subscribe: RSS | iCal