X Factor Winner the Star for Matariki in Hamiltona
16 July 2015, 6:32PM
Hamilton City Council
The X Factor winner Beau Monga will be the star performer during Hamilton’s Matariki celebrations this Saturday.
Matariki is identified as the Maaori new year, when the constellation Pleiades rises in the sky. Matariki has enjoyed a resurgence in celebration and popularity in recent years, celebrated by a number of organisations and institutions, including Hamilton City Libraries.
Mr Monga is beat-boxer and rapper, and earlier this year claimed victory in TV3's The X Factor, a hugely popular televised talent quest. He is from a talented family, the son of Betty-Anne and Ryan Monga, the nucleus of long-serving New Zealand "Polyfonk" band Ardijah.
"I'm looking forward to the jam (performance), and just want to say thanks to everyone who supported my journey on X Factor," says Mr Monga. "Matariki is a time to celebrate with family and friends!”
He will perform for 30 minutes, on the Garden Place stage, at 1pm.
The Matariki events and activities have been arranged through a Hamilton City Libraries collaboration with Marei Kura Creations, a creative arts group from Kirikiriroa Marae, and Entertainment Suite.
"Beau's a rising star in the New Zealand music scene, so we're really pleased he's made himself available to us," says Rebecca Whitehead, Hamilton City Libraries Director.
Other activities planned as part of Matariki in the City – encompassing Garden Place and the Central Library include:
- Manu Aute (kite making) sessions
- the Cosmo Dome hosted by Ron Fisher
- in Garden Place there will be cultural performances, a variety of market stalls, face painting, finger nail painting, and tamoko stencils
- story-telling
- sessions on how to make Porotiti, a kind of traditional Maori instrument
- displays of large kites – Manu Tangata and Manu Aute – in the library
- display boards with information and images on Matariki