Festival faces competition - from Tom Jones

By TOM CARDY - The Dominion Post

Last updated 05:00 30/11/2009

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Wellington's reputation as the events capital this summer means the International Arts Festival may face competition from other events eating into its potential audience â competition that now includes entertainment legend Tom Jones.

Jones will perform at the Michael Fowler Centre on February 22, four days before the start of the $14 million arts festival.

Other shows announced in the past few weeks for dates close to the festival include dance show Warriors of Brazil at St James Theatre and comedy shows Busting Out and David Strassman at the Opera House.

Music shows vying for Wellington audiences in January and February included AC/DC at Westpac Stadium, Faith No More and Diana Krall at TSB Bank Arena and the Homegrown Kiwi music festival on the waterfront.

Competition for tickets from other high-profile shows has previously cost the festival. It cancelled plans for The Blue Planet Live at Westpac Stadium in 2004, citing competition from events including David Bowie, the Pretenders and Billy Connolly.

Ultimately competition from other concerts and events cost the 2004 festival nearly $6 million in lost ticket sales. Nobody from the festival could be reached for comment last night.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

The $14m International Arts Festival runs for 24 days from February 26. About then, there are at least 16 events in the capital and surrounding regions.

AC/DC, Westpac Stadium, Jan 28 and 30

Them Crooked Vultures, TSB Bank Arena, Jan 29

Fringe 2010, Feb 12 to March 6

Busting Out, Opera House, Feb 12 and 13

Faith No More, TSB Bank Arena, Feb 16

Diana Krall, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, TSB Bank Arena, Feb 19

David Strassman, Opera House, Feb 19 and 20

Warriors of Brazil, St James Theatre, Feb 19-21 J

im Beam Homegrown Kiwi music festival, Wellington Waterfront, Feb 20

Tom Jones, Hello Sailor, The Lady Killers, Michael Fowler Centre, Feb 22

In the regions:

Raggamuffin 2010 - Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Steel Pulse, Julian Marley, Sly & Robbie, Sean Kingston, Rotorua International Stadium, Jan 23

Ronan Keating, Church Road Winery, Napier, Feb 6

The Four Tops, Temptations, Mary Wilson, Martha and the Vandellas, The Miracles, Mission Estate, Feb 13

Tim Finn, Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Alana Estate, Martinborough, Feb 20

Cliff Richard and The Shadows, TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth, Feb 27

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Womad, New Plymouth, March 12-14

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