Latest news with #ChristmasinthePark
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Want To Star At New Zealand's Favourite Christmas Party?
Press Release – DGA Do you have what it takes to perform in front of a massive live audience? Do you dream of sharing the stage with some of Aotearoa's most popular entertainers? If you answered yes to these questions, then get ready to audition for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, the nation's biggest free outdoor Christmas celebration, being held in Christchurch and Auckland later this year. Creative director Dixon Nacey encourages aspiring young artists to audition for the iconic show saying, 'It's a great opportunity to be part of a show that has helped to fast-track the careers of many successful Kiwi entertainers and given thousands of talented young performers the chance to work with and learn from some of the country's best.' Motivated performers are encouraged to apply online to audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the audition workshops being held next month in Auckland and Christchurch. So, if you, or someone you know, have what it takes to share the spotlight with some of New Zealand's biggest stars, check out Christmas in the Park and click on AUDITIONS for more information. Ends. Caption: Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2024 at the Auckland Domain. Photo by Richard Linton Editor's Note – Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be held in Hagley Park Christchurch on Saturday 29 November and at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 13 December.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Want To Star At New Zealand's Favourite Christmas Party?
Do you have what it takes to perform in front of a massive live audience? Do you dream of sharing the stage with some of Aotearoa's most popular entertainers? If you answered yes to these questions, then get ready to audition for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, the nation's biggest free outdoor Christmas celebration, being held in Christchurch and Auckland later this year. Creative director Dixon Nacey encourages aspiring young artists to audition for the iconic show saying, 'It's a great opportunity to be part of a show that has helped to fast-track the careers of many successful Kiwi entertainers and given thousands of talented young performers the chance to work with and learn from some of the country's best.' Motivated performers are encouraged to apply online to audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the audition workshops being held next month in Auckland and Christchurch. So, if you, or someone you know, have what it takes to share the spotlight with some of New Zealand's biggest stars, check out Christmas in the Park and click on AUDITIONS for more information. Ends. Caption: Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2024 at the Auckland Domain. Photo by Richard Linton Editor's Note - Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be held in Hagley Park Christchurch on Saturday 29 November and at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 13 December.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
San Jose's ‘Christmas in the Park' needs money
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — San Jose's iconic 'Christmas in the Park' is facing financial challenges. They are currently about $250,000 under budget, and they also need to finalize a new contract with the city of San Jose by the end of the month. Bay Area's largest boba festival celebration to take place steps from UC Berkeley campus Spring is in full bloom at Cesar Chavez Plaza, but the people who put on 'Christmas in the Park' every year say they're already thinking about the holidays. 'Every holiday season, you can count on 'Christmas in the Park' to transform Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose into a winter wonderland.' Debbie Degutis, the managing director for Christmas in the Park, says the holiday cheer will continue this year, but tough times lie ahead. 'We're about a 250k deficit, and that's a real challenge for us,' said Degutis. That's about 15 to 20% of their operating budget. Without the money, there'll be no raises for employees and no new attractions for the park. 'We don't make money off the ice rink. As a nonprofit with a free event, we have a tight budget,' said Degutis. But they'll have to ring in the holiday cheer regardless. This week, the City of San Jose announced they want to proceed with a three-year contract for the park. Mayor Matt Mahan even suggested they find a new area to host the event outside of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Fans are hoping for a Christmas miracle. 'Christmas in the Park in Cesar Chavez Park is one of the same to me, so I hope they find a way to stay here,' said one resident. Degutis says they're always open to donations, but one solution could be the $20 million in revenue she says the event brings to downtown businesses. 'I'm hoping they look at this $20 million and help us,' said Degutis. 'Give us whatever you can, but we need more help to make this happen. It's hard.' Even if the city wants to proceed with a plan to move Christmas in the Park to a new location, KRON4 has been told it's guaranteed to be at Cesar Chavez Park at least for 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oakland Unified School District votes to remove superintendent
(KRON) — There were some tense moments at Wednesday night's school board meeting in Oakland, where board members voted to remove the superintendent, sparking a heated response from one member against the plan. San Jose's 'Christmas in the Park' needs money After years of serving as Oakland's school district superintendent, Kyla Johnson-Trammell is now on her way out. The school board voted to end her contract. The board did not explain why they're ousting the current superintendent. However, efforts to remove her started two weeks ago, during the meeting on April 9 when school board member Mike Hutchinson announced that after eight years on the job and a recent contract renewal, the board majority was trying to get rid of Johnson-Trammell. Other members of the board, including its president, refused to comment on what happened in closed session, citing a violation of the Brown Act. On Wednesday night, they only described the decision as a 'voluntary separation agreement.' The announcement prompted outrage from community members attending the meeting. Johnson-Trammell did not attend the meeting. However, she did publish a thank-you letter on the district's website which said, 'As I prepared to step away from my role as your superintendent on June 30, I do so with immense pride in what we've accomplished together. The last eight years have brought some of the most challenging and most defining moments in our district's history. Through it all, Oakland has shown what's possible when we stay grounded in our mission and vision and work in partnership for our students.' Watch the full report in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
He Aha Te Aha: Anzac waiata released to commemorate Sir Robert Bom Gillies, 28th Māori Battalion
Released as a special project under the Waiata Anthems musical series, the waiata aimed to ensure the 'significant' legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion and Tā Bom Gillies continued to be remembered and resonate for generations to come. 'It is an ōhākī [parting wish] to the future; a promise that we will not forget their sacrifices and the values they upheld.' 'Our promise that we won't forget' Nikau's grandfather fought alongside Gillies. She co-wrote the waiata and is the main singer. The 17-year-old - who lives between Rotorua and Kawerau - told the Rotorua Daily Post Waiata Anthems commissioned her and other artists to create a waiata to honour the 28th Māori Battalion 'considering this is the first year without any living members'. She said the waiata was 'our promise that we won't forget'. 'I feel like we don't talk enough about how massive their sacrifice was. 'It felt like a way of saying 'thank you' ... to all of the soldiers in the 28th battalion.' She said it was a moment for all New Zealanders to remember and reflect. 'Even if you don't know much about the Māori Battalion, I really hope that this song can help people find and feel something. That's where the remembering begins. 'With no one left from the 28th Māori Battalion, they can't speak any more so that's what we have to do.' Nikau said it was 'incredibly special' to sing the waiata due to her personal connections to the 28th Māori Battalion. 'I kind of grew up hearing the names of the soldiers and being told stories and my Nan's memories.' She was previously in a band with Gillies' son. 'Honouring our tūpuna' After two days of recording in Tāmaki Makaurau, 'there was something missing and we couldn't really pinpoint what it was', Nikau said. 'At the same time as that, Matatini was happening and ... Ngāti Whakaue, their whole set was a tribute to Koro Bom and the Māori Battalion.' Te Kapa Haka o Ngatī Whakaue won the festival with their dedicated performance. Nikau said it was determined 'that's our missing ingredient'. 'They were our baking powder ... they just made our cake rise. 'We then had one day in Rotorua to record with them ... the harmonies were unreal. 'It was so much fun ... just a lot of happy people who were all there for the reason of honouring our tūpuna [ancestors].' Nikau - who studies te reo Māori at the University of Waikato in Tauranga - said she became a 'performer' singer when she was 7 and sang at Kawerau's Christmas in the Park. 'From then, I just was so fortunate to find all these incredible people who really wanted to help mold and shape my voice. 'I'm not sure if I would be where I am right now if it weren't for my village.' The waiata has been released today on all streaming platforms, along with a short documentary and music video on Waiata Anthems platforms.
