Bring it on; what's happening New Year's Eve
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DUB STUFF:
What: All-ages party. Three zones - one outdoor all-ages zones, two licensed zones.
Line-up: Salmonella Dub, DLT and Mighty Asterix, Blackseeds Sheelahroc, Dubwize Soundsystem, The Nomad.
Where: Civic on Manchester, 7pm to 2am.
Tickets: $30 from Ticketek, Galaxy, and Echo Records Door sales, if available, $40.
Pluses: The Dubsters -they've had a great year. Ideal for those wanting to stay in town on the night and also for the under 18's. Note: Take ID if you want to access licensed zones.
ALPINE UNITY:
What: Two-day outdoor dance party in the Craigieburn Valley.
Line-up: Four zones covering house, trance, hard-house, drum'n'bass, progressive, dub, and hardcore. Acts include Shapeshifter, Solaa, Pylonz, Zuvuya, Auckland house DJ/producer Soane and Automatic (Kog Transmissions), plus heaps of Djs.
Where: Flock Hill Station in the Craigieburn Valley, 45 minutes from Christchurch. Gates open midday December 30, through to midday January 1.
Pluses: Top talent, Shapeshifter etc. The site (with Lake Pearson nearby for swimming), the closeness to Christchurch, and the fact that it's just two nights for those who aren't on holiday.
Note: No alcohol, although there will be licensed facilities on site. Tickets $100, check the website www.alpineunity.com
THE GATHERING G2:
What: New Zealand's largest outdoor dance event, The Gathering has brought New Zealand's dance community together every New Year's for the past five years, attracting crowds of up to 10,000.
Line-up: Eight zones covering the entire spectrum of dance music. Big star is mega British trance DJ/producer John Digweed (recently voted No. 1 DJ in the world!), also Austin Leeds (US), Gavin Martin (Aus), lan Mac (UK), and the cream of New Zealand DJ talent.
Where: Cobb Valley near Takaka. Three days from midday December 31 to midday January 3. (The third night will be an ambient night).
Tickets: $160; details www.gathering.co.nz
Pluses: John Digweed (of course - you don't get his rating without being something special); well run, and if you want the big party vibe then this is the event to experience.
ROCKIN' IN:
What: Dux de Lux outdoor courtyard concert.
Line-up: Three great acts kicking off with local legends Degrees K, Christchurch favourites Slim, and ex-city boys made big The Feelers.
Where: Dux de Lux, Christchurch, 7pm to 2am.
Tickets: $30 on the night, or from Ticketek.
Pluses: As strong a rock line-up as you could expect to find anywhere - satisfaction guaranteed', the great Dux beers; plus the venue is a cracker on a warm night.
WHAT ELSE:
There's plenty of other entertainment on: The Trillionaires will do their wacky welcoming in at the Wunderbar, the Stoutfellows bring some Celtic cheer to Cathedral Square, and you can party down hard on The Strip with Azure and Coyote's Dawnbreaker 02.
Whatever you do on the night, enjoy it and have a safe and groovy new year.
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Caption: Slim, The Feelers, Salmonella Dub, Soane, Shapeshifter, The Nomad, DLT, John Digweed, Craigieburn Valley