For the seventh time the South Canterbury Museum is preparing to have Perth St moving and grooving.
Next Saturday from 7pm, four local bands will be taking to the stage outside the museum for another edition of Retro Rock.
Museum director Philip Howe said the event was initially meant to be a one-off to go along with an exhibition that linked to the local 1970s music scene.
"As there wasn’t enough room in the museum, we hit upon the idea of holding it on Perth St, with the sloping museum lawn providing a natural amphitheatre for concertgoers.
"We had hoped to get one or two hundred people along, but instead we had an estimated audience of around 1000 people."
Due to the response from that first event in 2018, Retro Rock has now become an annual fixture, missing only one year due to Covid crowd-size restrictions.
The formula has been set and refined over this time; a truck parked in Perth St becomes a makeshift stage where local bands perform pop and rock music from the last 50 years.
The six previous events have seen dozens of local musicians performing, ranging in age from teenagers to some in their 70s.
As well as just enjoying the music, audiences members are encouraged to get into the spirit of things by dressing in "retro" fashions from the ’70s to the ’90s, with movie ticket spot prizes being awarded to the most fabulously attired.
Audience members are also able to take part in a local retro history quiz, enjoy refreshments from mobile vendors and take time out looking through the museum which remains open during the event.
Mr Howe said the success of the event was due to a combination of local funding support and a dedicated events team.
"The event is again supported by grants from Creative Communities Timaru and RSM Law Charitable Trust, along with support from the South Canterbury Museum Development Trust, and local businesses Living With Style and Movie Max Timaru.
"People really like supporting something that attracts a lot of people to an outdoor event downtown, and has a family-friendly vibe.
"The event is safe, alcohol and drug-free, and has a real positive community feel to it."
While the event is free to attend, the event team will collect donations from the audience to ensure that the event’s costs are fully covered.
In 2023 donations totalling to $4000 went to the Cyclone Gabrielle flood relief.
The four local bands taking the stage this year are The Artefacts, The Songsmiths, Devil’s Handbrake and Suburban Sons and Friends.
Dancers from Timaru’s Bronzbeat Studio of Dance will also perform during a couple of the band changeovers.
Mr Howe said there was a lot of talent in Timaru.
"It’s great to have a chance for local audiences to see this.
"The event draws on our popular music legacy from the last 60 years, it’s a lot of fun, and even attracts regular attendees from out of the district.
"We just need good weather on the night."
