Plot your New Year party
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CHRISTMAS, New Year, office parties, family barbecues and the good old night on the town. 'Tis the season to be jolly. And for many, the opportunity to get jollier than one normally would. Hamilton's inner-city area is sure to become a travelling party as people move from cafe to pub to club over the next few weeks leading up to the birth of 1998. Once a cow-town to be avoided, Hamilton has become cafe laden and pub heavy, and those of us "stuck" here for the silly season could certainly do a lot worse than stay in town.
IF YOU'RE more interested in getting out of the area, the options are again plentiful. Loves Ugly Children star at Pakiri Beach, near Warkworth, on New Year's Eve for the Pakiri Rock Festival, while Head Like A Hole feature at The Buzz '98, to be held at Haruru Falls near Paihia.
THE BIGGEST dance party of all is at Takaha Hill near Nelson from December 20 - January 2. [Oops! That should read 31 December - WebEd] It's called The Gathering, and with good reason as 10,000 people are expected at this year's event. The Gathering site has been described as one of the most beautiful festival sites in the world. It is a camping experience and Gathering-goers need to bring food, water and camping gear, though food will be for sale on site.
The list of performers and DJs for the Gathering is longer than this column but includes Salmonella Dub, Pitch Black, Rotor, Unit 23 and Hamilton's own Overwash Vs Megalon plus Contact FM's Dub show host DJ Atmosphere. Billed as a festival of freedom, dance, music and participation, The Gathering is probably the place to be for New Year's Eve.
* THERE ARE no gate sales and tickets must be bought before the event. Tickets are $51 and are available in Hamilton from 21 Frequency Generators, in Kings Arcade behind McDonald's. Tickets are limited and selling fast, so be quick. (The event is alcohol and dog free.)
* NOTE: Those of you hoping the Spice Girls new album would seal their 1998 failure will be disappointed. New single Too Much has charged to the top of the British charts, leaving the fab five thumbing their noses at critics.