"Last night I attended my first Tawa Music Festival and all I can say is 'Wow!' As my husband and I were walking out of the Michael Fowler Centre I reflected on whether there would be any other [comparable] community in New Zealand that could pull off such an event. As well as being a fabulous showcase of the musical talent of Tawa, it showed the amazing way that the Tawa community works together."
- Carolyn Stuart, Tawa Intermediate principal, quite possibly summing up the feelings of most who attended Tawa's big night out in 2008.

Held in the Michael Fowler Centre every second year and aptly named 'Tawa Goes to Town', this year's 'Tawa Schools & Community Festival' will take place on Thursday evening, 16 September. The 2010 event will be the 21st music festival held since 1979. It is a musical extravaganza, a 'vibrant multi-media show' involving around 700 participants - singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. Year 5 & 6 students from all six Tawa primary schools take part, along with the Tawa Intermediate choir, Tawa College's 'Dawn Chorus' choir, and more than 80 adult singers.

Many of the 18 pieces to be sung will be accompanied by energetic dancers on stage or colourful props used by all those taking part - and sometimes both. Many hours and weeks of practice on the part of all the singers, performers, and accompanying musical team go into making this a very enjoyable and entertaining concert.

Above: some of the 350+ primary and intermediate students at their regular Wednesday afternoon practice in the college hall.
Below left: some of the 120 Redwood School children at the start of their 'long' return trek after the practice.
Below right: sign on the Main Road advertising the upcoming Music Festival.

"A wonderful community event which is always highly entertaining, skilful and professionally performed."
- Hon Peter Dunne, MP for Ohariu.

"I was very impressed with the performances by our talented children, young people and adults."
- Hon Winnie Laban, MP for Mana.