Bring along a picnic and a rug and settle in to enjoy free local entertainment as Music at the Band Rotunda returns to Government Gardens on Sunday afternoons in February and March.

The series will cover six Sunday afternoon sessions from 1pm – 3pm, starting Sunday 3 February. 

After celebrating its tenth birthday last year, Music at the Band Rotunda has refreshed the format for 2019 allowing twice as many local performers to showcase their talents.

Rotorua Lakes Council Performing Arts Director, Cian Elyse White, has taken over the programming of this event and is excited to extend the range of entertainers on offer.

‘’Rotorua has an exceptionally talented arts community and I am thrilled to have picked up the mantle of this event, carrying on the wonderful mahi of the former organisers.

"This year’s summer series promises a diverse range of artists, from emerging to established, and covering a myriad of genre. Rotorua is in for a treat, as this year’s Music at the Rotunda series is shaping up to be an exciting event for all.’’

This year the programme will offer two different performances each afternoon, featuring local musicians and groups including jazz, blues, country, roots, ukulele, show tunes, rock’n’roll, symphonic bands and much more. 

Sunday 3 February – 1pm: Stave, 2.15pm: Simply Random

Sunday 10 February – 1pm: Rotorua Symphonic Band, 2.15pm: Nikau and Ian Perrie

Sunday 17 February – 1pm: Jazzanovo, 2.15pm: Sunrise Rockers

Sunday 24 February – Art in the Park (10am – 4pm, www.artsvillage.org.nz)

Sunday 3 March – 1pm: Gabriels Presence, 2.15pm: The Thermaleles

Sunday 10 March – 1pm: Evelyn Falconer, 2.15pm: Rhinestone Mining Company

Sunday 17 March – 1pm: Elisha Hulton & Turanga Merito, 2.15pm: De Nova

Note: Sunday 24 and Sunday 31 March will be left as wet weather days if any of the previous shows are cancelled.