On Monday an all-star album release party was held at Sale Street for "So this is Christmas" to assist victims of domestic abuse through Shine featuring The Feelers, the Earlybirds, Elemeno P and even Antonia Prebble and some All Blacks…
Christmas is a time of giving, and what greater gift is there than the gift of protection and good music. Kiwi artists used their talents to come up with "So this is Christmas", an album which will help provide funding to assist victims of domestic abuse through the work of Shine.
On Monday 15th November 2010, an all star album release party was held at Sale Street. The event was a success with the venue filled with fans and supporters eager to be entertained by artists featured on the album.
The Feelers, the Earlybirds, Elemeno P were just a few of the musicians for the night. Last on stage for the night was a stunning performance by Monique Rhodes and Jordan Luck who were backed by a group of local artists.
"So this is Christmas" released by Sony, features some of New Zealand’s big names – Peter and Margaret Urlich, Sharon O’Neill and Dragon, The Feelers, Jordan Luck Band with Monique Rhodes, The Patea Maori Club, Hollie Smith, Elemeno P, The Chills, The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra,The Earlybirds, Jan Hellriegel and Dick Johnson.
Pictured above left: Lani Purkis from ELEMENO P and Fleur Parker from Foamy Ed.
It also features Antonia Prebble and All Blacks – Neemia Tialata and Rodney So’oialo who accompany Massad Barakat-Deinve and Danielle Rana respectively. Massad and Danielle are the winners of the Play It Strange competition looking for two original Christmas songs written by NZ secondary school students.
Below, Massad and his sister.
Below: Melissa Baker, Chloe-Rose Barakat-Devine, Lizzy McKay, and Libby Priest.
Monique Rhodes, the driving force behind this album, is passionate about creating something positive for the community by using her musical talents. Monique has been travelling around the world for a few years now doing charity work through her music. Her work has brought together these talented music artists to create a distinctive Christmas album with a Kiwi flavour which will bring happiness to many households.
If you can’t feel safe in your own home where else can you? Shine is a charity organisation that helps victims of domestic abuse gain that safe environment at home by developing the safe@home programme. A free helpline gives abuse victims access to the free service they offer. Safe@home restores the comfortable environment in the household by providing beneficial security items after a security assesment has been conducted. To learn more about the service that Shine provides checkout www.2shine.org.nz.
This album will make a great Christmas gift or just a great addition to your music collection. So this is Christmas can be purchased at Noel Lemming or online.
Below, Tessa Apa, Ari Apa and Monique Rana.
Sally Ridge, Ari Apa and Jaimee Ridge.
Jordan Luck singing.
Story and photos by Natasha Arul, 15 November 2010.
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