Music and goodwill for Christchurch neighbours radiated from the Wakatipu over the weekend, when more than 15,000 revellers enjoyed the first Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert and an estimated 2000 supporters flocked to the free 10-hour Kia Kaha Canterbury concert, in Queenstown.
A sea of humanity of all ages partied and picnicked around the main stage for the Summer Concert on Saturday, swelling the population of Gibbston to a size not seen since thedays of the gold rush.
Queenstown youth band the Station Agents played the first set at lunchtime.
Then grizzled bluesman Dr Hook (74), also known as Ray Sawyer, arrived on stage to thunderous applause and regaled the audience with hits from his epic career.
"Kia Kaha Christchurch," the doctor prescribed, fist raised, to an especially heartfelt cheer.
Original Creedence Clearwater Revival bass player Stu Cook and the reincarnated Revisited outfit took to the stage and belted out their greatest hits to the delight of the crowd. Shout outs to Queenstown and sing-alongs to Midnight Special, Proud Mary and Bad Moon Rising, among many others, were the order of the day.
The good times continued yesterday, when a who's who of Wakatipu talent played free in support of the Salvation Army and Red Cross appeals, on stage on Earnslaw Park.
Kia Kaha Canterbury opened with an address by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden, who paid tribute to victims and survivors, emergency services personnel and volunteers involved since the February 22 earthquake.
Ms van Uden told the crowd it was time to put arms around loved ones and hold them tight.
"It's time to look around, to breathe deep and count the things and people we're all still taking for granted. It's time to discard all the petty nonsense that clogs up our everyday routines.
"In short, it's time to realise the lessons of how lucky we all are and think hard about how we make the most of our lives from here on."
Kiwi Haka was the powerful opening performance, followed by acts including Charlie Gibson, a Queenstown Primary School band, Noel and Ela Coutts, Those Guys, the Station Agents, Sweet Groove, Inside Out, the Mutz Nutz, Mojo, the Sequin Sisters, Deadlier than the Male, DJ Downtown Brown and The Cartel-the GCs.
Co-organiser Sunny Sky said last night an estimated $10,000 had been raised from donations, including $1200 alone from the cookie and cupcake stall run by Queenstown Montessori.
