The Southland Times
October 02, 1997

THE City of Invercargill Caledonian Pipe Band, with a cast and crew of more than 60, is taking its Pipin ' Hot show on the road.
Following four successful concerts in Invercargill and Gore, the unique
blend of pipe band, rock, vocals and dance will make its debut in Dunedin's Regent Theatre on Sunday, October 19.
Producer Christine Hainstock said she was not aware of anything like this touring in New Zealand before. All going well in Dunedin, a tentative booking has also been made for the Theatre Royal in Christchurch in early December.
About 1300 people saw the show in Invercargill and another 700 in Gore and the feedback had been marvellous, she said.
"I have had nothing but good comments. It's introducing a lot more people to bagpipe music and they're really enjoying it.
"By combining the bagpipes and the rock, it's creating a whole new audience and exposing the audience to aspects of bagpipe music and rock music that they didn't know existed."
The vocals and dance married the themes, creating something unique for Southland and possibly New Zealand, Mrs Hainstock said.
"It's just so completely different and that's what we have to get across to the public."
The high-budget show also features special effects and lighting. Guest artists include last year's Showcase finalists Shannon Cooper-Garland and Jason Schmidt.
The band has the ambitious goal of filling the 1800-seat theatre and
winning over even more people who were previously indifferent to pipe band music.
Tickets went on sale this week and are available from Ticketek in Dunedin.