Affirm Family Festival stronger than ever in Aranui

22 November 2005

Veteran Rhythm and Blues band Ardijah and NZ Idol contestant Lissell will lead a promising line up of local talent set to rock this year’s Affirm Family Festival like never before on Saturday, 10 December, at Wainoni Park, Hampshire Street, 10am to 4pm.

From Salsa All-star dancers and the McVicar Majors Marching Team, to kite-flying and cultural performances by local schools, the day promises something for everyone.

Affirm has grown in strength each year as a grass roots-based celebration. It is run by the Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society for the community to celebrate its strengths and unique character with funding from the Eureka Trust, Christchurch City Council, Housing New Zealand, Burwood Pegasus Community Board and many other organisations.

The event provides families with a fun way to access information on some of the community services available through information tents on the day.

Festival Manager Rachael Fonotia says the Aranui community always looks forward to the Affirm Family Festival in the run-up to Christmas as a positive statement about what’s good about their home area.

“Aranui gets knocked a bit in the media, and this Festival highlights the good things that grow here across many different cultures.
“The music, the dancing, the ideas that helped craft this day each year all came from Aranui, and that’s something our community celebrates with a buzz of its own at Affirm,” Ms Fonotia says.

It is also a great opportunity for people from other areas in Christchurch to come and see what a multi-cultural area like Aranui can produce. Affirm Idol contestants will also take the stage, along with such events as the Celebrity Sports Clash. Other music acts will include: Neon Sophora; '03 Brofessionalz; 3Stylers; Sista Waitoa; Common Ground, and Zion.

Starting at 10am, the day promises to provide lots of action on two stages with Niu FM announcer Sela Alo, and Tahu FM announcer, Lisa Reedy, sharing the MC duties between them throughout the day.

If wet, the event will be held at Cowles Stadium, 170 Pages Road.

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