A Balkan Gypsy brass extravaganza provides the theme for Museum of Wellington City & Sea’s popular Third Thursday series this August. On Thursday 21 August at 7pm, Niko Ne Zna will thrill an audience with an energetic and dynamic performance.

The nine-piece gypsy-flavoured band formed in Wellington five years ago, and has since stunned audience with their captivating sound. An array of instrumentalists include Frankie Curac (Soprano Saxaphone & Accordian), Ben Hunt (Trumpet), Gareth Thompson (Darling Bass Trombone), Hamish Jellyman (Tenor Trombone), Simon Grove (Sousaphone), Hazel Leader (Snare Drum), Vlatko Materic (Bass Drum/ Tapan) and finally Nikkie Rich on vocals and percussion.

Speaking about the band, NZ Musician Magazine say, “Niko Ne Zna serve up authentic and twisted gypsy goodness... Complete with sax, sousaphone, trumpet, trombone, accordion, percussion and drums, this is a band that came to party. Balkan time signatures, funky brass bass lines, exotic melodies, it's all good.”

Speaking about the event, Head of Learning and Programmes, Rachel Ingram says, “Museum of Wellington City & Sea’s Third Thursday features a large range of acts. Niko Ne Zna provides an energetic and interesting flavour to add to our Third Thursday series. We look forward to seeing audience and the band dancing up a storm and having a great time.”

Recently Niki Ne Zna had three of their songs feature on Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement's vampire mockumentry What We Do in The Shadows. The band has also opened for the World of Wearable Arts show, playing to up to 5000 people each evening.

Third Thursday is a monthly event at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea that showcases Wellington’s history, people, taonga and culture. The Museum will be open from 10am-8.30pm and entry to the series is by koha.