LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (June 23, 2008) – The beats of international and Kiwi musical talents will rock Lake Wanaka during New Zealand’s premier snowboarding event, the Burton New Zealand Open, next month.

The Gravis Open Sessions offer live music every night throughout competition week and includes two major concerts on Thursday and Saturday. Combined with daily high-paced action from top international snowboarders, the Burton New Zealand Open presents a full schedule of entertainment on and off the mountain.

Headlining the Gravis Open Sessions is the heavy funk and soul sounds of Kora. Since their formation in 2002, Kora has gained a huge live presence, vocal harmonies sailing on the powerhouse tunes of the five piece band. Their recently released debut self-titled album shot straight to the number one slot of the official NZ charts and has now reached Platinum sales. Kora are showing no signs of slowing down.

Top New Zealand dj, DJ Woosh, complete the line-up with Kora on Saturday August 2 at Lake Wanaka Centre, tickets cost $40.

Hailing from the UK DJs Stanton Warriors have performed at every major festival and super club around the world – treading an international path few djs can rival. With many awards and accolades under their belts Stanton Warriors is sure to get the Wanaka crowds cranking as they implement house, electro, hip-hop and funk elements into their sounds.

Taking centre stage after the Stanton Warriors is Kiwi producers The Upbeats, who have continued to forge an impressive reputation as both masters of their craft and the future of drum’n’bass. This ticketed concert is on Thursday 31 July at the Lake Wanaka Centre and costs $35.

Other acts include Black Planet who will kick off the musical entertainment for the opening party on Tuesday 29 June. With a strong focus on drum & bass they are charged with getting the event underway, free at Red Rock from 9pm.

DJ Woosh will also be performing at Snow Park’s Woolshed following the night-time action of the invitational quarterpipe jam 6-8pm Friday 1 August.

Further entertainment includes the Burton 2009 movie premiere; an up close look at what Burton’s pro riders have been up to over the past year featuring some groundbreaking riding and extraordinary film production, this is followed by rider signings. Screened at the Lake Wanaka Centre – it is free for everyone.

Gravis Open Session tickets are available from Play It Again in Queenstown and Lake Wanaka from Friday 27 June. Both sessions run from 8pm to 12am.

Attracting the world’s top professional riders, the Burton NZ Open kicks off the 2009 international snowboard competition series. The Burton NZ Open features five days of halfpipe, quarterpipe and slopestyle action with NZ$50,000 cash up for grabs. It takes place at Snow Park NZ, July 29 to August 2, 2008.