From Dame Kiri to Susan Boyle, Tess Tickle will bring all her onstage magic to Kamo ... and the new bar to come (picture by Dan News) Kamo's owners have launched a fresh programme of entertainment under their new hostess Tess Tickle, which will feature DJs, drag shows and live music as the K' Rd night spot steams on towards renovations and revitalisation. The venue changed hands at the beginning of this month and will remain under the Kamo moniker until it is revamped and reopened mid-year. After plenty of community research new owner Toby Steele has unveiled a new line-up which will be presented by Entertainment and Events Manager Tess Tickle. Along with presenting her own brand of mindblowing shows, Tess also be the venue's marketing and media whiz, while former owner Loren Boothby is staying on as General Manager of Bar and Service. Tuesday nights will be a dedicated community night, while Thursday night karaoke will remain a fixture of the events list. It will be hosted by Kamo-stalwart Miss Heidi. However Saturday night karaoke is being scrapped to make way for DJs and shows, with Steele saying karaoke is simply not viable in the slot anymore. Fridays will be retro nights with DK Vitamin K, Ben Poutney, while Saturdays will feature long-established DJs and scene favourites Steven Oates and James Leuii. Both nights will have drag shows by Tess Tickle and a gaggle of guests. Sundays will be all about chilling with live music and a barbeque, with Auckland all-girl trio The Cruise kicking things off on May 1st with rock and jazz. Dykes on Mics will also continue to run on the first Sunday of each month. "We're really excited about trying something new and something fresh," Steele says. "We want to get people remembering Kamo is oldest gay bar in New Zealand. And I think it's really important we welcome new people. We want people to see the Kamo experience before it's gone, because it will be a chapter closing and there's a lot of pride in Kamo." Steele is passionate about keeping the venue a community space and says anybody is welcome to give him feedback, whether they are a patron, an entertainer or a community member. "I welcome ideas and suggestions all the time. I appreciate it when people give me feedback, because we want to be a bar that serves the community and meets their demands." In retaining Boothby and the current bar staff Ben Sheward and Jess Cooper, plus adding Tess Tickle, Miss Heidi and the new DJs Steven Oates and James Leuii, Steele believes he is creating the right mix and putting the right people in place to make it a smooth transition from Kamo to the new venue. Red tape allowing, the new bar is due to launch in July, when more staff will join the team. The revamp is being managed by architecture firm Martin Hughes, which has an impressive portfolio that includes work on Hotel De Brett, Cable Bay Vineyards and Ponsonby Rd's Lolabar. They are working with interior designer David Locke. Steele says the target demographic will be the 27-47 age group and his ears will be open to what that group wants; "it's just listening to our customers and always being open to change, and I think that's very important. We're very grateful for all our loyal customers and we look forward to welcoming them into Kamo and continuing with the changeover."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 19th April 2011 - 3:50pm