Your guide to CubaDupa Festival 2017

words by ben stephens

The best street festival in the whole of Australasia? It depends on who you ask, but we tend to believe that little factoid. Welcome to Cuba Dupa 2017.

Taking over one of Wellington’s most iconic streets, Cuba Street. A street that Grant Smithies from the Sunday Star Times called it ‘a place that embraces diversity and steadfastly refuses to be boring’.

Could not have put it better ourselves.

So you find yourself in ol’ Wellington this weekend, with a spare two days to fill, I’ve got you sorted with a little guide of what not to miss this Cuba Dupa:

CubaDupa Whakatau Opening
 Every festival needs a commencement and what better way to open it with a parade through Cuba Street. From Abel Smith and Dixon Streets, the two parades will culminate at Wellington Airport Swan Dancehall for the Whakatau, a traditional Māori welcome. Cuba Dupa have commissioned a kapa haka, one that you can learn, if you wish, HERE.

Kiwi BBQ
From the hilarious minds behind Colossal Productions, Kev, Bev and Trev are taking to the streets with their good old’ Kiwi BBQ. A piece of street theatre that will no doubt end with you in stitches, or at least wanting to find the nearest BBQ offering. The team do offer this: PS. Vegetarian options provided PPS. All food is hypothetical – BYO imagination

Princessin Hans
With two performances over the festival, highlight this one. Hans Kellett and Jorg Hochapfel have perfected the art of theatrical punk music. Throwing in a dash of Berlin’s queer literature and cabaret scene, this little number will blur the lines between celebrity and identity. A concept that is hard to tell apart in 2017. Wonderfully weird.

Tiki Taane
From the Salmonella Dub days to his solo career, Tiki will no doubt be closing out the Toi Pōneke Stage on the last day of the festival with a bang. Taane, rocks the mic, as well as being a finely talented human when with comes to the guitar. Do not miss his set.

CubaDupa is one of those festivals that you need to walk around and find your groove; find what sparks your intrigue, follow it and see how far that rabbit hole goes. See you on the street!

CubaDupa will run from midday to midnight on Saturday 25th and midday to 5 pm on Sunday 26th. Festival website HERE