23 February 2009 - Auckland City Council's Music in Parks programme is providing Aucklanders with 11 free concerts and four free outdoor movies during March.

Highlights of the month include: o two Telecom Summer Sounds concerts featuring Luke Buda, Tama Waipara, Anna Coddington, Ardijah and other popular local acts o more great films in the Telecom Movies in Parks series, which profiles Kiwi actors, directors and producers with fresh, up-and-coming musicians including Apron Strings, Casino Royale and the 'mystery feature' in Western Park o The Windy City Strugglers, The Jews Brothers Band, Club Manouche, DJ Balkanetic, and the return of the Tea Dances in The Culture Garden series o the continuation of Auckland's longest-running jazz series, Drake Jazz at the Rotunda, featuring The Grant Winterburn Experience, the Brian Smith Quintet, David Edmundson, The Neil Watson Three and The Grand Central Band.

Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg Moyle, says the events have been popular so far this summer, with great crowds turning out to enjoy the free entertainment provided by the council.

"The weather's still good and the music is still going, so come along and take advantage of what some of Auckland's most spectacular parks have to offer," says Mr Moyle.

Music in Parks 2009 has more than 40 free concerts organised by Auckland City Council from January to April in Auckland's favourite parks and reserves.

This year Music in Parks is proudly sponsored by Telecom and Drake, and supported by NZCT, The Lion Foundation, Perry Foundation, RadioWorks (Mai FM, Solid Gold, The Breeze, MORE FM, The Edge, Radio Live and Kiwi FM), Juice TV and George FM.

Text SOUNDS to 8288 to register for free text reminders, cancellations and updates for upcoming Telecom Summer Sounds concerts, or POPCORN to 8288 for Telecom Movies in Parks. Registration texts cost 20c.