The Rufous Whistler is a widespread songbird across mainland Australia. They inhabit many types of dry woodland, mallee and mangroves. Its song is loud and varied, particularly in the breeding season.

This is not an Australian song bird

Rufous Whistler is also an excellent bluegrass/Americana outfit from Australia made up of outstandingly talented and entertaining performers and they are bringing their show right to Whangateau Hall. Will this show be lively and energetic? It absolutely will! Will it be poignant and moving? Almost certainly! Should you be there to take in this fantastic musical presentation? Without any doubt!

You can read all about this exciting band coming to our little hall, and get a preview here: https://rufouswhistler.com/

Please email me to book your place, as we expect it to be an understandably popular show. Bring your friends, bring your beverage of choice and be prepared for an unforgettable musical experience.

What: Rufous Whistler in concert
When: Thursday, 5 June 2025, 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm)
Tickets: $20 cash or bank transfer

Monday, 26 May 2025, 7:00pm. $15

It’s time for Club Night!

Get your instrument of choice out and ready, or be prepared to sit back and enjoy a night full of real music. Whichever you choose, it shall be a great night! This month our second half special guest is Auckland singer/songwriter Levi Lights On.

Levi Lights On at Auckland Folk Festival

Samoan-born Michael Levin Sesega, known professionally as Levi Lights On, is a compelling songwriter and storyteller based in Auckland, New Zealand. His music is defined by emotional depth, vivid lyrical imagery and a commanding vocal presence that invites listeners into an intimate and reflective space.

Blending elements across genres, Levi crafts songs that resonate on both a personal and universal level. His work explores themes of identity, connection, and the very essence of humanity. This is music from the soul, to the soul.

The evening will of course begin with our usual slate of delightful local performers! If you fancy yourself one such, do drop me a line and I shall add you to the list! (Sorry, for the florid language, I’ve been watching too much Bridgerton today.)

What: Club Night with Levi Lights On
When: Monday, 26 May 2025. Kick off at 7:00pm
Tickets: $15 cash or bank transfer.

The Elephant in the Room

And yes, many of you will have seen the publicity for the upcoming Rufous Whistler show on June 5th! It is going to be MOST EXCELLENT. You can email to book your place, as some of you already have done! I do expect this to be a very popular show. You can read all about this exciting band coming to our little hall here: https://rufouswhistler.com/

First off: yes, this is the WRONG night for a Whangateau Folk Club. But I have a very good reason for this. I’ll be away on a swim safari in Rarotonga for our regular club night and after being away for so long and missing out on so much great music, I couldn’t bear to miss another. Also, I’m so excited to be back in our lovely hall!

Secondly: we have something VERY SPECIAL this month! Bonnie Hurunui and Nathan Boston, of White Chapel Jak, are back up in Leigh, and they have been creating new music together, and working up some duo material. And they have agreed to come debut these new musical delights for us at Whangateau! I cannot emphasise enough how very very much you need to be there for this. There are not enough exclamation points in the world for me to get across how exciting this is. I’m so overcome I can barely string two sentences together.

Bonnie Hurunui

Nathan Boston

This is a regular club night, so all local musicians are welcome to put their name in for a first half floor spot. Email whangateaufolk@gmail.com to request your spot.

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start. $15 on the door, no bookings necessary, but it would help me to judge the amount of biscuits to get for half time if you email whangateaufolk@gmail.com to let me know you’re coming! See you there!

Paul McLaney in Concert

Sunday, December 17th

7:30pm, $20

Paul McLaney is a New Zealand-based pop music composer, singer and guitarist originally from Stockton-on-Tees, England.  In a career spanning over 20 years, Paul McLaney has released a remarkable body of work under various guises from acoustic finger-style guitar and lush string arrangements to ambient and experimental electronica. He has been a member of the collaborative music group Fly My Pretties, and produced the Te Reo song settings of Shakespeare for the Globe Theatre. He has a new album out and is currently touring in support of that.  He will be performing for us on Sunday the 17th of December at 7:30pm.  This promises to be a very unique and interesting evening of music, and I hope you will all join us for that.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing jenine@torkington.com

For more information about Paul McLaney and to hear some of his music: http://www.paulmclaney.com/