Rotorua Lakeside Concert's annual concert at the end of the month will go ahead – but there are concerns whether it will be the cracker of previous years.

The present arid conditions, with no immediate rain relief in sight, are casting doubt on whether the fireworks display will go ahead at the event on February 29.

Organisers say with overnight conditions cooling however, the weather is likely to abate to allow the programme to reach its conclusion.

But the fears are genuine, amid a ‘Grapes of Wrath' like heat with swirling winds and temperatures regularly at 30 degrees Celsius plus.

If curtailed, the suggested ban on the regulation fireworks display will not detract from a potentially successful concert, organised again this year by Ian Edward.

Ian has cobbled together many celebrated stars over the years, and indeed has proved the real maestro in arranging the annual merging of leading NZ entertainers.

Each year too, a charity has benefitted from the concerts on the Village Green which draw thousands of locals to a concert originally for the benefit of locals.

The concerts began over 20 years ago, principally at the behest of a local charitable trust awash with money and not quite knowing what to do with it. They gained momentum from the time organisers managed to combined the talents of the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa with the late Sir Howard Morrison. A Knight with a Dame, as the first concert was labelled, proved immensely popular.

The concerts also helped sustain Sir Howard's illustrious career, as towards the end of his life he was able to perform alongside Dame Malvina Major (who thought Sir Howard had the voice of an opera singer) and notable NZ entertainers, with two concerts around the country.

His legacy is the aptly named Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, formerly the Civic Centre on which stage he had performed homerically in his later years.

Years on, his son Howard (Howie) Morrison Junior is among the headliners of local and national talent for the February 29 concert.

This year the organisers have chosen KidsCan Charitable Trust as the recipient of the charity funds from Lakeside 2020. KidsCan provides food, clothing and basic healthcare to help Kiwi kids learn and reach their full potential.

A breakdown on some of the artists as follows:

Amelia Berry

Born and raised in Wellington, soprano Amelia Berry has returned home to New Zealand after making a name for herself in New York. After graduating with a masters degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, she received an AMP Scholarship in 2015 to pursue an opera career. Amelia now frequently performs with New Zealand Opera, and we can't wait to have her performing at Lakeside 2020!

Howie Morrison Jnr has been performing professionally since 1985. Initially performing with his dad as rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, Howie launched his solo career in 1990. More recently, Howie has performed with his own trio alongside Russell Harrison and Chris Powley. During his career he has worked with many greats in the entertainment industry, including the likes of John Rowles, Tui Teka, Billy T James, Frankie Stevens, Dalvanius, Eddie Lowe, Toni Williams, Dame Malvina Major, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross and original members of his dad's quartet.

With a passion for entertaining that goes back to when he first took the stage at age nine, Russell Harrison truly is a ‘Big Man' of the New Zealand entertainment scene. With credits that include film, television, recording and radio, he has spent his whole career bringing joy to people through his love of music and performance. Still recognised as a Lotto Presenter and ‘Singer of Songs' he now travels the world sharing his talents on cruise ships. Recently returning back to television as a host on Kai Safari, he is now busier than ever with his various musical groups. These include Russell Harrison & the Brown Brothers, The Howard Morrison Trio, and the Rat Pack styled Hit Men.

Rewa Ututaonga

Hailing from a background in Māori cultural performance, Rewa Ututaonga was performing nightly in concert parties at many of Rotorua's top hotels from a very young age. In 1983, Rewa branched out as a solo songstress and won a singing competition judged by the late Prince Tui Teka, who then invited her to perform on both of his upcoming television specials. Rewa then honed her singing and entertaining skills on the cabaret circuit, both in Rotorua and Wellington, as well as joining well-established band Cairo. Performing with Sir Howard Morrison in 1999, she then became an essential member of his touring band over the next 10 years, performing at shows both throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Dennis Marsh

Dennis Marsh is one of the biggest stars on New Zealand's country music scene, and has been for many years. Originally from Te Kuiti, his warm, emotionally powerful voice and easy-going performing style have helped him earn six platinum and four gold albums in his homeland. In 2011, Marsh celebrated his Maori heritage with the album The Maori Songbook, which gave him a New Zealand number one album for the first time from 30 album releases.

Maisey Rika

Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika has one of Aotearoa's most impressive lead vocal styles, fused with her honest and thought-provoking messages. Her musical palette is nothing short of vibrant, a mix of Māori, folk, acoustic, soul and easy listening, with elements of roots and deep culture. Maisey has been singing at a professional level since her teenage years, and at age 15 was nominated for Best Female Vocalist at the NZ Music Awards. Maisey has released four original albums since, all of which received accolades in the NZ charts. Her 2012 album Whiira is the highest charting original Te Reo Māori album to ever be released in Aotearoa.

Hollie Smith

Hollie Smith is one of NZ's most predominant & iconic musicians. A prolific hardworking singer/songwriter and performer, she has always maintained a highly respected reputation of creating music with the upmost integrity & passion, not to mention her incredible live performances and powerhouse vocals. After working with numerous bands including Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy's Drop and Detroit dance legend Recloose, she was approached by NZ songwriting royalty Don McGlashan to perform on a movie soundtrack single Bathe in The River. Topping the New Zealand charts, the single went on to become one of the biggest in New Zealand history.

Savage

With an appetite for success bigger than a rampaging Godzilla, Savage has dominated the airwaves for years. Savage is the voice behind iconic dance record Swing with Joel Fletcher and viral radio smash hit Freaks with Timmy Trumpet. He hung two quadruple platinum singles plaques on the wall in 2014, and a New Zealand Music Award for highest selling single in 2015. The five times platinum Freaks is a bonafide global bounce anthem, having charted all over the world. It's no secret that Savage is multi genre artist, having sold in excess of 2 million records as a hip hop artist. However, it was his breakthrough into the global dance realm that championed his third #1 single, and turned the local hero into a dominating success worldwide.

Other artists in the lineup include Adeaze, IDCO, Kindred, Krissie Knap, Hohaia Macfarlane and Nikau Grace Chater.