Rockstars rock out _{by Madelaine Empson}

StarJam will celebrate a year’s worth of hard work and fun – and 20 years of creating new and exciting opportunities for young Kiwis living with disabilities through music, dance, and performance – in their End of Year Wellington Concert next month. A calendar highlight for this not-for-profit organisation, the concert features more than 100 Jammers from across the region, who’ll bring an evening of dazzling dancing, sensational singing, and rocking rhythms to the Walter Nash Centre in Taitā, Lower Hutt on Saturday the 4^th of December.

Wellington regional programmes coordinator Zoe Christall says it feels really surreal to be celebrating 20 years of StarJam.

“A lot of our families couldn’t quite believe that we had been running in the community for that long, but they were also just so stoked to know that we had stood the test of time and we’ll keep doing so. If anything, it was a fun excuse to have a birthday party with everyone!”

When it comes to the entertaining, surprising, and inspiring End of Year Concert, Christall is looking forward to having an audience in the room – especially considering that last year, COVID restrictions meant the Jammers could only perform to a camera.

While they “absolutely brought the vibes”, Christall can’t wait to see how excited they’ll be to share their work with their friends and families this year.

“These kids are absolute rockstars who love being the centre of attention. It’s going to be amazing!”