"Stars in Your Eyes", is the most popular local music show organized by the Wanaka Musicians Society Inc. and will stage the 25th show in 2017.

The idea of the show originated from a TV show, and was brought to life by Jamie Robertson with the help from Dee Sarginson and Steve Brett in the early 1990s. Like the TV show Stars in Your Eyes was designed as a competition, but this was changed after the second show and it became an entertainment show with local talent

As part of the "Wanaka Snow Fest", Stars in Your Eyes was staged in the lobby of the "Clifford's Hotel" (now Wanaka Hotel) and moved after four shows across the road to the (old) Wanaka Town Hall due to high demand and growing popularity.

Now with the independence of the Community Hall the show could expand and the quality became more and more professional. In 2001 the "Lake Wanaka Centre" opened and the show received a "face lift". With the larger stage of the new building a new format could be introduced and a new Set was built.

The previous year (2000) The Photographer's Studio brought live video projection to the show. This feature developed to a vital part of Stars in Your Eyes showing between acts clips about the artists, the band and the production.

2003 new Sound and Lighting is introduced to the show. New effects and moving lights enhance the audience's experience. Quality live sound mix makes the show a treat.

Digital video recording and editing became a major improvement in video and sound quality. With the introduction of DVD the sound quality for the consumer improved. In 2004 Dolby® Surround (Pro logic) multi-track audio recording and Song Subtitles were introduced. Since 2005 a full Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound mix is available on DVD

2009 a new Set was built -The Arch remains still the centre feature of the show giving the Stars the big "Entrée" they deserve. The backing vocals are now grouped left and right of the arch.

2011- due to a new backstage setup of the Lake Wanaka Centre - the main set was shifted more to the back giving the artists more stage real estate to act

2012 Stars in Your Eyes celebrated the 20th show, the set got another "face-lift"- the stairs received LED lighting effects.

2014 Stars in Your Eyes introduced successfully an Online Ticket booking system.

2015 Stars in Your Eyes - the famous Star Backdrop returned to the show. Show days were changed to Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The online ticket booking system sold more than 90% of the tickets. Jen Anderson was the host for the Show.

2015 due to health reasons Jamie Robertson resigned as Chairman of the Wanaka Musicians Society Inc. and his role as rhythm guitar player of the Stars in Your Eyes show band. He was made a Life Member of the Wanaka Musicians Society Inc. The Jamie Robertson Scholarship for musical education was introduced and a major part of the proceeds of the show go into this scholarship to help gifted young people to follow a musical passion.

2016 Bradley Craig from Radio Wanaka joint the team as Show host.

2020 and 2021 Due to the Covid19 pandemic Stars in Your Eyes has been cancelled for the first time since it was created by Jamie Robertson

2021 Jamie Robertson the founder of Stars in Your Eyes sadly passed away.

Backstage | Schedule