It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it. That's what gets results.
Those lyrics to the Ella Fitzgerald hit T'ain't What You Do summed up the Vogel Street Party.
As the Dunedin group Swing Riot whirled and spun to the song in the street, smiles spread across the spectators' faces. Some hopped, others hollered.
The party celebrated the results of the ongoing renewal of the heritage area, including the Warehouse precinct.
The party catered for everyone and all sorts, young and old, attended.
Tabitha Bettis was enjoying the friendly vibe of the party and danced with her son Owen (10) as the ukulele band Bb6 performed reggae song Don't Worry, Be Happy.
''I like all the different people,'' Owen said.
University of Otago students Maddy Pears and Georgia Thomson Laing (both 22, of Nelson) live in Vogel St and gave up their living room for a live poetry performance.
The Warehouse precinct was an ''awesome area'' to live, said Miss Thomson Laing. Miss Pears agreed.
''It's accessible and it's got a nice vibe. It's different to being in the student zone. We like it.''
In the living room, Dunedin poet Giles Graham recited sonnets to capitivate and stimulate his audience.
Like any party, any turn could hold a surprise.
In the garden bar, drinkers stood mesmerised by the three blacksmiths working at a forge.
On the concrete first floor car park of hi tech company ADInstruments, a fashion show was held with dance music and rope lighting setting the mood for a temporary catwalk.
Further up the street, beyond the buildings in the throes of renovation, Dunedin punk band Scurvy Dogs polarises the crowd with the song Rebels on Rum.
A child sitting on his father's shoulders covers his ears, while two older teenagers wearing plaid shirts bounce to the fast paced rhythm.
Other children become instant fans when guitarist Ben ''Death Beard'' Glassey scatters gold coins made of chocolate among the audience.
Organising committee member Dr Glen Hazelton, who is also the Dunedin City Council's heritage policy planner, said he thought more than 10,000 people attended the street party.
''It was a really good turnout,'' he said.
''There were heaps of people around in the evening compared to last year.''
Next year, the committee would have to focus on catering to an even bigger crowd - there was more demand for this year's workshops than there was supply, he said.
Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the party's anthem kept coming from the mix of bands.
And the revellers sang, because, as Fitzgerald sang, ''It ain't what you sing - it's the way that you sing it. That's what gets results.
