Leap in to katch a great gig at the Zoo
19.02.08
Katchafire, one of New Zealand's leading reggae bands, returns to Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Friday, 29 February, to support native frog conservation.
The seven-piece band will play their third ZooMusic, and are expected to attract a sell-out crowd for this last gig in the 2008 series of concerts for conservation.
Since forming in 1997, Hamilton-based Katchafire has enjoyed immense success, which continues with their latest album Say What You're Thinking (2007). The band's original pop-reggae tunes, and their passion for live performance, have won them many fans.
Appropriately, Katchafire's "leap day" gig will be helping to support native frogs during the International Year of the Frog - a year of awareness-raising and action to fight the global amphibian crisis.
With three native frog species already extinct, Auckland Zoo hopes to raise awareness and funds for the remaining four, including the world's most evolutionarily distinct and critically endangered species – the Archey's frog.
Over one- third of world's 6300 known amphibians are currently threatened with extinction. By thinking locally, New Zealanders can help to act globally. Frogs around the world act as an environmental indicator and issues such as pollution, introduced pests and loss of habitat, have all contributed to the decline in numbers.
"It is absolutely wonderful that native frog recovery is being supported by the ZooMusic series," says Department of Conservation Native Frog Recovery Group leader, Amanda Haigh. "The funds raised will assist with surveying native frog populations for amphibian chytrid fungus, a disease that is deadly to so many frog species worldwide".
Seven-piece reggae band House of Shem will take to the zoo's band rotunda stage to open the evening (6pm to 7pm) before Katchafire performs at 7.30pm.
Your ZooMusic ticket is also your entry to the zoo – so come early to explore the zoo and see your favourite animals. Please be aware the band rotunda area will closed off in the afternoon to enable safe equipment set-up.
Tickets are available from Auckland Zoo and Ticketmaster.
Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic 2008 Concerts for Conservation
Katchafire, Friday 6pm to 9pm, 29 February, supporting native frog recovery.
Tickets available from Auckland Zoo www.aucklandzoo.co.nz 09 360 3805, or Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz 09 970 9700. Service fee applies
