Basey is turning fifteen. Yes that’s right we’re officially in our moody broody teenage years. Think major hormone surges and a raging desire to take Dad’s Toyota for a joyride. So for one night only, we’re throwing our ever-looming NCEA deadlines out the window, releasing our inner baddies, and celebrating our mahi like the party animals we truly are (peep the epic line-up at the bottom 👀🔥)!

Since 2008, Basement Theatre has served the independent live performance communities of Tāmaki Makaurau pretty fiercely. Our whakapapa is hearty and so many icons have torn through the roller door and made this place their own. Since our 10th birthday milestone, together with our artist communities we’ve been focused on getting this beloved entity through the Covid years. Sometimes she was kicking and spluttering, but always cackling along the way. We think everyone’s done a pretty sweet job, so let’s PARTY!!!! 

And while we’re at it, let’s FUNDRAISE TOO!!!!! For real tho, inflation has knocked our books around, and despite these challenges we’ve chosen to stay committed to championing artists and backing them financially. We’re pretty keen to make it to the end of the year without too much damage, so if there was ever a time you wanted to flick us a koha it’s now. 

You can do that by choosing how much to spend on your ticket to the party on Saturday September 23rd, through our Choose What You Pay ticketing scheme. If you’re strapped for cash we encourage you to pay the minimum $5. But if you’re cushy and you wanna give us a lil birthday present, a larger ticket payment will mean the world, and will directly help us to keep backing artists fiercely. If you’re out of town (or grounded 😜) you can still contribute to our birthday fund.

We can’t wait to see you all there. Ditch the homework, put on your most banging outfit, and get ready to dance the night away with the Basement whānau and GALOLEAFI, Geneva AM, Vercetti, Honey Givenchy and DJ Snakelegs. 

Thanks always to our core funders Creative New Zealand, Foundation North and Auckland Council. And thanks to iTICKET and Garage Project for being legends and sponsoring the party.