Celebrate, elevate, amplify _{by Madelaine Empson}

Women in alternative creative spaces will be celebrated, elevated, and amplified through music, movement, tattoo art, and beers in an upcoming one-night-only event at Underworld Tavern on the 24^th of May. Together with the venue, AMPLIFY: PŌNEKE is brought to you by Burn My Records, an independent label based in Wellington dedicated to discovering and supporting alternative music.

Co-founder, CEO, producer, and mix engineer Jayde Marter says Burn My Records likes Wellington for its many cultural events… “but we want to see more cultural events for the bogans too!”

“We wanted to make a music and arts event that we would love to go and watch – and there are lots and lots of female-fronted businesses and bands in the alternative arts scene that contribute a huge amount to the Wellington community which we thought needed to be showcased”, Marter says. “If the audience takes away anything from the show, it is that we are lucky to live in a place that has such diverse alt culture and incredibly talented performers.”

Those performers include a stellar lineup of women-led bands making waves in alt-rock and alt-metal, including Curlys Jewels, Burn My Shadow, Cherry Punch, and Lady Reign. Alongside the wicked music, AMPLIFY: PŌNEKE features a range of ‘altertainment’, with fusion belly dance from Rosina June and her troupe, pole artistry by Myley and Natalia Gemini from The Garden Pole Dance Studio, cabaret-inspired moments peppered throughout, and even onsite tattooing for those who want to mark the occasion.