Local funk and soul act Hot Tub will open the 2025/26 summer offering of musical acts at Dinner at the Lake on Thursday, December 18 – which is back for its fifth series and has become a staple on the local places to go, things to do menu.
Hot Tub, a 14-member ensemble with nine-piece horn section has been playing in and around Taupō for over a decade with the current vocal line-up featuring Emma Kettlewell, Sue Collett and Donovan Bixley.
As well as more standard blues rock numbers like 'Sweet Home Chicago' and 'Proud Mary' the band also extends itself to sweeter harmonious tunes from Burt Bacharach and those from jazz legend Herbie Hancock, allowing plenty of opportunity for improvised solos.
Tunes from Etta James have also been added to the group’s repertoire more recently, making band leader Peter Marshall quip that “there’s something in there to please, or offend, everyone – basically a great family offering.”
Excluding Christmas Day, Dinner at the Lake runs for the next eight Thursdays 4.30-8.30pm, until February 12, with a variety of food options, live local entertainment and a licensed bar.
