Six local bands will be vying for the top prize at the inaugural The Edgewater Resort and Spa String Band Competition tonight.

The showdown is expected to bring fierce and friendly rivalry along with creative performances from the competing bands – Manavanui Strings, Matakura Strings, Air Raro Boys, Kimiravenga Strings, Akasusa Strings and Captain Tama Strings. They are all expected to bring their “A game” to the event.

The Edgewater Resort and Spa director of events, Tiki Daniel said he was pleased with the calibre of the contestants.

“We were pleasantly surprised with the great performances from the teams in the first two rounds of elimination. Unfortunately we could only send three teams from each elimination to the finals due to time constraints.”

Daniel is also pleased to see a team from Aitutaki in the event. “Our gratitude goes out to Air Rarotonga for allowing their Aitutaki based string band to participate, it’s also great to have a team from Penrhyn in the finals.”

Resort’s sales and marketing manager, Emile Kairua says the event is designed to promote and grow local talent in Cook Islands music through string band entertainment, encourage the teaching and playing of string instruments, offer opportunities for string bands to earn and showcase their talent and to create an opportunity for their guests to be involved. 

There is a maximum of six members per group – three females and three males. Each team is required to sing two songs each – an original composition composed in either Maori, English or both, and the second song must be a Cook Islands song in either English or Maori.

Only non-electrical instruments are permitted on stage and each team’s number must include an entrance and exit performance.

Each performance will be judged using the following criteria: Composition – clarity of the message, lyrics and musical arrangement; Relevance to the theme – The Edgewater Resort and Spa “Village by Sea” or Te Pae Tai Nui and Presentation – dress, costume, stage presence.

The finals will start with the resort’s Night Market from 5.30pm with the string band competition starting at 7pm at the Brasserie Restaurant.

There is no cover charge and everyone is welcome.