Kamo has launched into its new entertainment line-up and is urging people to come along to enjoy a night out before Auckland's longest-running gay bar is revamped and renamed, whether they want to check out drag shows or feast on live music. This Sunday the newly-sold bar on Auckland's K Rd will launch its live music programme, which will run alongside the monthly Dykes on Mics. Lesbian trio The Cruise will open the proceedings, before a bevy of acts take to the stage for the lesbian talent night. A barbecue will also be going, as the Kamo crew aim to create a relaxed place to wind down on a Sunday evening. Manager of Events and Entertainment Tess Tickle says people often want something to do and don't know where to go. "We're aiming to give people a space to go out and listen to music and eat and have a drink, then go home early to prepare for work the next day. So we'll have live bands from 6pm every Sunday." Anyone who has a band and would like to have an audition can contact Tess through her Facebook page, or Kamo' page. The new Kamo hostess has already lined up a series of drag artists, who she says are keen to see Kamo out in style with farewell shows. "To start the ball rolling, just to get people used to the fact that we are doing shows here again, we are bringing back drag spots every Friday and Saturday at 11.30 and 12.30," she says. "It's kind of a last chance for the girls to do a last number for Kamo before we shut it down and revamp it. So I'm getting all the girls in saying to them 'this is probably the last time you can do a number for Kamo, so make it something you have a bit of sentimental value over, make it personal and have a bit of a laugh with us'." Tess has booked in two girls ever Friday and Saturday night, when she will host. She has plenty of other ideas for going forward however. "As far as entertainment goes, we really want variety. Drag is what I do and what I know and what I've always wanted to enhance. But I'm so open to having drag kings perform, and boys, and not just focusing only on the drag look. And I'd like to help in the creative process of shows," she says. There is a DJ line-up to compliment the weekend shows, with Vitamin K playing retro on Fridays and Steven Oates and James Leuii taking charge of the music on Saturday. "The new owners just want to have more of a bar and clubby feel on those nights." The Thursday night karaoke remains in place with new co-host Miss Heidi joining in the fun in an official capacity, after being a longtime Kamo and karaoke regular. The Kamo crew are planning events for earlier in the week, but Tess is hinting she may create a sequel of her successful Tess' Drag Race. Further down the drag artist would like to be more a mentor than a performer and help other people gain confidence and hone their craft. She welcomes anyone with an idea to contact her. The bar is running as Kamo until major renovations, which are due in July, consents pending. Co-owner Toby Steele has hired former Club Seven Manager Adam Baughan, who is an Assistant Manager of Bar and Service along with Ben Sheward. Further staff will be hired as the bar is revamped and its capacity increased.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 29th April 2011 - 1:21pm