Written by Stephanie Harawira as Site Super Administrator
Whanau Day Out 2008 was loud and proud with around 8,000 people celebrating the dynamics of being "Whanau". This year Whanau Day Out provided a wonderful platform for cultural exchanges involving a wide spectrum of high quality entertainment representing the broad range of cultures and ethnicities that comprise our great city.
"Holding our crowds" all day from a stage platform is a lot of fun and is something we do very well. This year our stages hosted a wide range of local talent of both young and old with our crowds roaring with approval. One thing was sure "our crowds were loving it".
Sweet and Sour (SAS) perform on stage at Whanau Day Out 2008
First Dance "Knock Knock"
Sweet and Sour will be going to Hip Hop competitions in Las Vegas, adn are putting on Hip Hop show "Brother-Hood".
Third Dance
Also see Sweet and Sour's bebo site
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Crowds and Audience at Whanau Day Out 2008, Parrs Park, Glen Eden, West Auckland.
Whanau Day Out 2008 was loud and proud with around 8,000 people celebrating the dynamics of being “Whanau” in it's widest sense of embracing and engaging entire communities.
This year, word of mouth and fast texting saw our youth section fill up very very quickly for Whanau Day Out. We had youth crews from South Auckland, Otara, North Shore, Howick, and of course West Auckland, lining up all hungry to perform.
Christian Dawson of the Kiwi Party , joining in a children's lolly scramble.
Pasifika Performing Arts Troupe
Our Whanau Day Out youth stages “went off” and were truly amazing. We had so many talented groups come in to join us that we were stretched to fit everyone in.
Steve Larkins plays Freddie Mercury at Whanau Day Out 2008 singing "It's a kind of Magic" to a lunch time picnic crowd of families relaxing on the grassy carpet of the Parrs Park open air lounge.
Our youth stages opened with an interactive 30 minute Michael Jackson performance by Richard Gannaway, who engaged our crowds “BIG TIME” and had everyone roaring.
Michael Jackson played by Richard Gannaway in front of a large crowd.
Michael Jackson touches the hearts of the people in the crowd at Whanau Day Out 2008.
Friends and Family together enjoying the day. Hats off to the organisers for all their hard work ... "heads down and b??? up".
Friends out together for a day to remember ...
... or maybe they prefer to remember it like this.
Police enjoying keeping the event safe, The Ezekiel 33 Trust thanks the local Police for supporting the community at this event and previous events.
As always, our site was a drug free, alcohol free, smoke free environment promoting “Healthy Lifestyles and Positive Choices”. This was supported by other local groups promoting their community services ie: Plunket Carseat Safety Campaign, the Healthwest “WOW Bus” Health Campaign and Waiora Health Services.
Friends Day Out.
Voice Dance perform on stage at Whanau Day Out 2008.
Sci Vehikite dancing Tongan Princess
Sci Vehikite - Dancing Tongan Princess
We also found on the day we had 5 different youth crews rock up to Whanau Day Out in the hope they could get a shot on our stages, and with a bit of re-organising, we slotted them in. The result was “an amazing stage line up” which was well received by the thousands who attended.
Jennings and Stephanie MCing at Whanau Day Out 2008.
Pasifika Performing Arts Troupe
Prospect Primary School Pasifika Group
Pasifika Performing Arts Troupe
All in all, Whanau Day Out 2008 was very successful. Though there were relatively large crowds, we did however anticipate much more, and believe we lost a some of our crowds because April 5th was the beginning of the Winter Sport season.
We would like to acknowledge and thank all our sponsors and local supporters who have continued to support us and believe in the vision of “Building Stronger Communities”. Without your help events like ours would not happen! From the hundreds of performers, the thousands of youth and families who attended our event. THANK YOU!
Whanau Day Out 2008 engaged communities from all over Auckland. Every year more groups are plugging in!
Schools
Henderson Valley Primary (Henderson Valley)
Colwill School (Massey)
Kelston Girls High (Kelston)
Kelston Boys High (Kelston)
Massey High School (Massey)
Prospect Primary School (Glen Eden)
Waiuku College (Waiuku)
Community Groups
Waiora Health
Healthwest
Plunket
Maclaren Park
Kiwi Party
Churches
Honey In The Rock Ministries (Henderson)
Otara Baptist Church (Otara)
New Lynn Baptist Church (New Lynn)
Every Nation Church (North Shore)
Voice of Christ (Onehunga)
Maori Organisations
Te Wananga O Aotearoa (Mangere)
AUT – Maori Recruitment (Auckland City)
Te Poho O Tanikina Marae (Waikato)
Ponga Sculptures (Drury)
Ngapuhi Ki Waitemata (Henderson)
Maori Party (Tai Tokerau)
Some Video of Whanau Day Out events in earlier years.
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