Not technically in October. Monday, 4 November. 7:00pm. No guest. $10.

Hello, everybody!

Just a quick note to say that due to our club night falling on Labour Day, I’ve decided to push it out a week to November 4th. Nat and I will be attending Wellyfest over Labour Weekend, and we’ll be pretty wrecked by the time we get home, if previous years are anything to go by. I hope you all don’t mind the change and will join us for a casual evening of floor singers. No special guest, so this will be a particularly community-oriented social evening.

If you have been working up the courage to put your hand up for a floor spot, this is the perfect opportunity. You can’t ask for a more supportive and uplifting audience, and you’ll never sound better than you do in our hall. You can email me at whangateaufolk@gmail.com if you’d like to reserve a spot.

Half time bikkies and a hot beverage. Oooh, I’ll have some samples of the new Turbo Tonic Latte powder for anyone wanting to try that!

See you at 7pm on November 4th, my friends. Until then, keep that good ol’ music in your heart!

Jenine

Held by Leigh Knitting Group, with proceeds going to Leigh Library.

Club night this month is Monday, the 30th of September. We have a very special treat for our second half. The Mollymawks, aka Alasdair Baxter and Emily Allen, are making their very first appearance at the Hall! The Mollymawks are an acoustic guitar/vocals/violin duo playing original songs and tunes with a Celtic flavour.

This being our regular club night, the first half will be full of our amazing local musicians performing 2 song floor spots. If you would like to be one of those lovely floor singers, email whangateaufolk@gmail.com to get your name on the list!

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start, and your $15 entry fee includes a half time cup of tea and biscuit!

We have just received word that works will be commencing shortly for the public toilet replacement and domain enhancement at Whangateau Domain Recreation Reserve.

These works involve;

• Demolition of the old toilet block
• Installation of new pre-fabricated toilet block
• Replacement of hall water tank
• Installation of additional wastewater storage tank
• New line marking and wheel stops to car park
• New timber bollards to domain reserve

Rendering of new toilet block

Physical works will be carried out by M Keoghan Contractors,
Project Management by Hutchinson Consulting Engineers,
Auckland Council Project Manager is Chris Moyne.

Work is scheduled to commence Monday 12nd August and be completed by Friday 27th September 2024. The hall toilet block and car park area will need to be closed for the a short period during of the works. Site fencing and signage will be installed at the entrance.

Whangateau Hall is BACK!  And shinier than ever.  Join us on Monday, the 29th of July for a very special folk club night featuring Chris Dent of Albi and the Wolves!

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7pm start with first half floor singers. Email whangateaufolk@gmail.com to book. $15 cash or bank transfer only.

This is a guaranteed great night of live acoustic folk music. See you there!

Chris Dent, mostly known as Albi from Albi & The Wolves, is an entertaining and earnest performer who’s been writing songs since childhood. He’s happy to spin a yarn, and open the door to his life experiences. He’s sometimes smooth, sometimes energetic, and occasionally heartwrenching, All in all Chris is a performer that you simply need to see if you get the chance!

As many of you will have noticed the Renewal Project was not completed by the end of May as scheduled.  There is still work going on repairing the floors.  But the rest of the work is completed and looking very shiny.

The new handover date with council, when we will be getting access back to the Hall is 15 July.  We will start accepting bookings for after the 16th of July.

– Your hall committee

Whangateau Folk Club SPECIAL EVENT

Saturday.  11 May 2024.  7pm.  $30

HOT DIGGITY AND TURKEY THE BIRD
double header

Leigh Hall, 4 Cumberland Street, Leigh

Enjoy this adorable video prepared by Turkey the Bird to tease their upcoming single release tour, starting at Whangateau Folk Club this week at Leigh Hall!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6mzP16S3Ci/

Reserve your seat by emailing whangateaufolk@gmail.com now!
Tickets are $30, cash on the door or bank transfer.
Show starts at 7pm, doors open at 6:30.

Special Guest: Maggie Cocco

Hello, Friends and Neighbours!

Club night is upon us with our very special guest Maggie Cocco from Detroit,Michigan by way of Whangarei. An independent artist, Cocco composes and runs community music programming between tours. When I met her at Hamsterfest, I was struck by the beauty of her voice, her sensitivity in performance and her creative, insightful songwriting. This is going to be a very special night, don’t miss it!

Whangateau Folk Club, April Club Night
Monday, 29 April, 7:00pm
LEIGH HALL!!! 4 Cumberland St, Leigh
First half floor singers, second half with special guest Maggie Cocco
$15 at the door, cash or bank transfer includes refreshments at half time.

May Special Concert!

Hot Diggity will be playing in Leigh in May, along with a second band, Turkey the Bird from New Plymouth. Turkey The Bird will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of “Simon & Garfunkel,” 2 ounces of “Mumford and Sons,” a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day. Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms. Hot Diggity hooked up with these 3 amazing musicians while both bands were guests at Wellington Folk Festival last year. Put this on your calendar, it is going to be a VERY special evening, and I am not just saying that because I’m in one of the bands!

Saturday, 11 May. 7:00pm. $30
Leigh Hall, 4 Cumberland Street
EMAIL ME to reserve your spot! I expect this show will be very popular!

I’m headed away to the USA for a couple months a few days after this show. Nat and Barry will be running the club while I’m away. There are already a couple great shows on the calendar for that time. I’m sorry to be missing them. But I’ll see y’all when I get back!

Stay safe out there!

Jenine Abarbanel
021 428 458
whangateaufolk@gmail.com

Hello, Friends and Neighbours!

I have very exciting news! I met a wonderful musician while we were at Hamsterfest in Paeroa this past weekend. Maggie Cocco hails from Detroit Michigan and has a dedication to exploring the depth, breadth, and profundity of music. An independent artist, Cocco is based in Whangarei where she composes and runs community music programming between tours. I had the pleasure of attending her workshop, seeing her in concert, and playing with her in the late night jam session and I was struck by the beauty of her voice, her sensitivity in performance and her creative, insightful songwriting. Luckily she is free on our next club night date, and is excited to come be our guest! Put it on your calendar!

Whangateau Folk Club, April Club Night

Monday, 29 April, 7:00pm

LEIGH HALL!!! 4 Cumberland St, Leigh

First half floor singers, second half with special guest Maggie Cocco

$15 at the door, cash or bank transfer includes refreshments at half time.

POP UP FOLK AT THE NIX

Speaking of free refreshments in the intermission, Nat and I will be feature guests at Pop Up Folk in Auckland tomorrow night, sandwiched between Ari Leason and Dave Alley. If you or anyone you know are going to be in the city and interested in some early evening entertainment, do “pop” along!

Saturday, 6 April, 5-7:30pm

Ockham Collective’s The Nix, 6 Nixon St, Grey Lynn

Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided in the two breaks.This is not a licensed venue, so BYO alcohol, and extra snacks if you need it!

Tickets are on the door – either cash or bank transfer

$15 adults

$10 students (13-18 or with student ID)

$5 kids 7-1

6 and under free!

May Special Concert!

I was at Hamsterfest this past weekend because Hot Diggity were the headline act. It was a blast! Hot Diggity will be playing here in Leigh in May, along with a second band, Turkey the Bird from New Plymouth. Turkey The Bird will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of “Simon & Garfunkel,” 2 ounces of “Mumford and Sons,” a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day. Catchy folk songs with stunning rich melodies and effortless smooth lyrics. Songs that tell uplifting stories about love and life. Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms. Hot Diggity hooked up with these 3 amazing musicians while both bands were guests at Wellington Folk Festival last year. Put this on your calendar, it is going to be a VERY special evening, and I am not just saying that because I’m in one of the bands!

Saturday, 11 May. 7:00pm. $30

Leigh Hall, 4 Cumberland Street

EMAIL ME to reserve your spot! I expect this show will be very popular!

I’m headed away to the USA for a couple months a few days after this show. Nat and Barry will be running the club while I’m away. There are already a couple great shows on the calendar for that time. I’m sorry to be missing them. But I’ll see y’all when I get back!

Jenine