Long Bay Live brought the community together in spectacular style on Saturday 22 November, with glorious sunshine setting the scene for an unforgettable afternoon and evening of performances. As the final event in Long Bay College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the day felt especially meaningful – a chance not only to showcase the outstanding talent within our school and local community, but also to celebrate the great relationships between Long Bay College, Long Bay Primary, Torbay Primary, and Northcross Intermediate.
The turnout was exceptional, with families, friends, alumni, and community members gathering on the college field to enjoy a vibrant programme of music, dance, culture, and creativity. From the youngest primary school performers to our senior college musicians, the support from the crowd created a heartwarming atmosphere.
A Feast of Entertainment and Food!
Alongside the impressive performances, the festival atmosphere was elevated by a fantastic selection of food trucks serving delicious treats throughout the day. Whether it was something sweet, savoury, or refreshing, there was something to tempt everyone. The bar, conveniently positioned with a perfect view of the stage, was bustling from the moment it opened, offering a relaxed place for adults to unwind while still enjoying every act.
Our bustling market stalls added a lively village feel, offering a range of handmade crafts, gifts, and goodies. Many visitors left with full hands and even fuller smiles after browsing the wonderful variety on offer.
Fun for the Whole Whānau.
Children were spoilt for choice with entertainment. Go Vertical’s incredible inflatable activities, including giant obstacle courses and action-packed mazes, kept kids happily occupied for hours on end. Our free face painters never stopped either, transforming little faces into tigers, butterflies, superheroes, and everything in between. Adding even more colour and excitement to the atmosphere were our amazing Long Bay College performing arts students, who roamed the festival dressed as pirates, fairies, Shakespearean characters, and whimsical figures from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Their interactions with children and families brought a magical touch that made the event feel truly special.
A Celebration of Performers Across the Community.
The afternoon opened with a powerful performance from Long Bay College’s Kapa Haka, setting an uplifting tone that carried through the whole day. This was followed by our award-winning Big Band, whose mix of jazz classics impressed the crowd and demonstrated why they continue to excel in regional competitions. We were thrilled to welcome performers from our local primary schools, beginning with Torbay Primary’s 90s Mash-Up and followed by a wide range of cultural and musical acts from Long Bay Primary, including the mesmerising Lion Dance, the energetic Red Riot Band, the talented Instrumentalists, and the spirited Detentions Band and Dance Troop. Outstanding individual and group performances continued throughout the afternoon, including Tyler Cuff, Shallow Dive, Carly Cameron, Stella Voce, Elise & Emily Cuff, Betty Shen & Madi Simpson, Carla Anderson, and our incredible Heavenly Bodies Band. Torbay Primary delivered two more stunning cultural items with their Kapa Haka and Fan Dance, while Afrobeats, Mamma Mia Jazz Troupe, and Northcross Intermediate Kapa Haka kept the crowd energised and engaged.
As the sun began to set, two of our standout student bands closed the show in style: Rotten Weather with their mix of originals and crowd favourites, and finally Rumpus Machine, whose award-winning performance was the perfect way to end the festival.
A Day to Remember Long Bay Live was a true celebration of community, a chance for people of all ages to come together, support one another, and enjoy a diverse showcase of performing arts. We are incredibly proud of every performer and deeply appreciative of all the teachers, helpers, whānau, volunteers, and visitors who contributed to the success of this special day. With sunshine, delicious food, a buzzing bar, colourful characters, outstanding entertainment, and a wonderful sense of togetherness, Long Bay Live was everything we hoped for and the perfect finale to Long Bay College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. Perhaps it’s something we should do every year?
