Splore 08 melds together a strong line-up of international and New Zealand music acts, visual arts, film, performance art and workshops. Headlining the three-day festival at Te Papakanga Regional Park from February 8-10 is American soulful hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch and top New Zealand band Shapeshifter.

"Splore is dedicated to celebrating the art and culture of our time," says director Amanda Wright. "It enhances the understanding and appreciation of contemporary culture by providing artists with an inspiring environment that exposes their most creative work to a diverse and well attuned audience."

As well as music and performance, Splore 08 features visual arts, sculpture trails and workshops. Innovative international and local artists are encouraged to collaborate, producing memorable, unique performances and installations. International headliner Pharoahe Monch was co-founder of the rap due Organized Konfusion and this year released his latest album 'Desire'. New Zealand band Shapeshifter has been heralded as a musical phenomenon for their ground breaking live shows and unique blend of heavy soul/drum and bass. Spinning grooves at Splore 08 will be renowned Swedish DJ Freddie Cruger, who's known for playing everything from future to old-school funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, disco and latin, and Germany's bossa nova styles DJ/producer duo Mo' Horizons. And from the UK comes two very different acts - Birmingham reggae/dub group Overproof Sound System, and London DJs Benji B and Steve Spacek.

Splore is well known for its strong New Zealand line-up, and as well as Shapeshifter, Splore 08 will also feature dubsters Kora, Salmonella Dub's frontman Tiki, taonga puoru (traditional Maori instruments) musicians Riki Bennett and Rewi Spraggon together as Te Aratoi, classic funk and soul group Tyra and The Tornadoes, together with dance music producer Epsilon Blue, Wellington multi-instrumentalist Module, the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, Otara's reggae act Three Houses Down, Wellington eight-piece The Aviators, international festival favourites Antix and folk funk band Dan Sperber Complex. Splore 08 also features the return of two New Zealand DJs - Japan-based Kiwi DJ and music icon Ray Castle heads home to perform at Splore, while Ireland-based hip hop DJ Mikki Dee will also make the trip back to New Zealand for the festival. Other acts just announced for Splore 08 include Radioclit, Surf City, J-Star, Module, Prophets of Organised Rhyme, DJ Audit, Mark Pickering, Phillipa, Dylan C, DJ Rasa, DJ Junior, Bobby Brazuka, Auckland Jugglin Crew, DJ Spanky, Turnaround DJs, Paddy Free, Labretta Suede and the Motel Six and Mrs Peacock.

New for Splore 08 is the Living Lounge. On Friday afternoon and evening and during the day on Saturday the lounge features workshops, acoustic/downbeat music, poetry slams - featuring Def Jam Poet Ishle and film screenings. Come Saturday night and the lounge will be transformed into The Butterfly Zoo - a lush and glamorous burlesque cabaret venue themed in 1930s Shanghai nightclub style. Entertainment in The Butterfly Zoo ranges from the delicious to the daring, from flirtatious teases as a taster at your table, to the feast that includes Va Va Voom, the Strapped Passion of Pascal and sensational international neo-burlesque legend Empress Stah, all kept in line by ringmaster Dai Henwood.

The 2008 event is the seventh Splore festival and follows the sold-out 2006 event held on the same site. Tapapakanga Regional Park is located just one hour south-east of central Auckland, set on the Firth of Thames and nestled at the base of the Hunua Ranges. "It is a truly magnificent location," Amanda says. "Last year festival goers enjoyed incredible weather and it was great to cool off in the sea or in the adjacent freshwater lagoon." Amanda adds that Splore festival-goers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and the event is family friendly.

When: February 8-10

Where: Te Papakanga Regional Park, an hour south-east of Auckland Tickets: $175 + booking fee (including camping). Iticket or phone 0508 iticket. Children under 13 years are free. More information: Splore

22/01/08