A solid crowd turned out to enjoy The Twilight Variety Concert, held last Saturday evening at the Riverbank Amphitheatre.

Organiser of the concert, Beryl Wilson, of Arts Whakatāne, said the event started with a bang: “Literally, with the Taiko Drummers.”

This was followed by several different dance troupes and solo dancers, interspersed with instrumental music, song and poetry.

The soloists  included Rohan Evans, Meyer Wairata-Cook and Shelley Akuhata, as well as poet Ronna Funtelar.  

The EBOP Brass Band and the EBOPers Brass Band performed several upbeat items, and were joined by the singing trio, Tequila Mocking Birds.

Sam McLeod performed a contemporary dance, while there was also Israeli Dance, led by Wilson and Deva Belly, led by Jane Stea. Lorna Taylor got the crowd joining in with a Line dance.

The finale featured a dance theatre performance led by Lance Fuller. Titled Arrival, it was   a spectacular presentation with dramatic makeup, costumes and props.

Wilson said huge thanks went to the sponsors of the concert, including Creative NZ, and Trust Horizon.