The Matariki Bucket raffle and day at the Whangateau Hall to celebrate Matariki and help raise money towards the cost of re-covering the chairs was a huge success-we raised just under $4,000 which is more than half the $7,000 bill. The day itself was wonderful (no rain until it was finished) and everybody enjoyed the Kapa Haka performance by Leigh Primary School children, the various games, activities in the morning and the overall positive atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone in the ratepayers and wider community for your support either by selling or buying tickets, filling up a bucket, giving donations or just attending on the day-We have a fabulous and generous community and the committee is extremely grateful for the support given by so many.

May Club Night

Whangateau Folk Club this month is on Monday, May 29th. This is a casual evening with no special guest, so it is the perfect opportunity for all you living room players to sign up and warble a tune or two. All levels of ability and musical genre are warmly welcomed, with the caveat that you be fully acoustic and able to play into our microphones. Each performer is allowed 2 songs for no longer than 8 minutes, so we have enough time to give everyone a try. The evening begins at 7:00pm, $10 on the door, with all proceeds going to the chair recovering project.

Songwriting Workshop

If you’ve ever wanted to write a song but just don’t know where to start, delve into the inner workings of a song writer’s mind, or spend an hour or two simply soaking up stories and songs and the stories behind them, then this workshop is for you.

Come along to this free 90 minute workshop with Andy Hamilton and the Dirt Road Orchestra. Andy has been writing, recording and performing his own songs for over 40 years.

The aim of the workshop is to unlock the creative song writing process and set you on the path to realise your own song writing potential through discussion, interaction and performance.

https://youtu.be/IO7FUHiGIeo

https://youtu.be/NijxcM92qI4

Please feel free to bring along your own instrument.
Saturday May 20th 11am Warkworth Library

Songwriting Workshop May 20 11am

Where in the World is Jenine?

So, you’re gonna find out eventually, I might as well confess now. I’ve fled winter yet again for the warmer climes of Colorado. I’ll be here looking after my mum, visiting with friends, and hopefully making some music until the 1st of August. I’ll still be your point of contact for most things Whangateau, but club nights will be run by Andy Hamilton and Nat Torkington. And Petrina Brenchley at the Campground is a better point of contact for questions about hiring the hall.

Everyone stay safe. Make lots of music and I’ll see you in August, all going well.

Yours,

Jenine

Whangateau Folk Club cancelled this month due to the tree down across Leigh Road at Upper Whangateau and no power in the area. The story is it’ll be cleared before club time, but no idea when the power will be restored. Best everyone stay home nice and safe, and we’ll try again next month!

Club night is tomorrow, Monday the 27th of March! 7pm, $15 at the door.

We have a very special second half guest act this month!  Described as an ‘intricate, complex, but warm-hug kinda experience’, Where Water Meets are folk duo Emily Sheppard (violin/viola/vocals) and Yyan Ng (guitar/vocals). Touring New Zealand for the first time, they are bringing music from their critically acclaimed first album River Islands, with songs and tunes inspired by the Tasmanian wilderness. They combine alternatively tuned guitars, violins and violas with ethereal vocals to create shimmering, visual worlds both Tasmanian and interstellar.  How exciting is this?

The evening starts at 7pm, Monday, 27 February, with half time bikkies and a hot drink included.  $10, door sales only, no pre-booking necessary. You can email Andy directly, or come early to sign up for a floor spot.

Radio New Zealand coverage

I have noticed that a lot of people tend to only come to shows that have been advertised on Radio New Zealand.  I would like to point out that getting onto RNZ is very difficult if you don’t know the right people or have the right connections.  A lot of great bands come through without having done an RNZ appearance.  This month’s guest is no exception!  So have your tea a little early, come down, and enjoy some truly unique and transporting music.

New Zealand String Quartet

After a sold-out concert in Wellington on St Patrick’s Day, we’re delighted to bring Irish Airs & Graces to Auckland next Friday 31^st March for a performance at Unitarian Church, 1a Ponsonby Road.

Irish Airs & Graces is a concert blurring the boundaries between traditional Irish music and contemporary classical music and featuring Irish composer Dave Flynn, the New Zealand String Quartet, and guest traditional Irish musicians: Tracey Collins (accordion) and Marian Burns (fiddle).

The New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ) is renowned for its versatility and has enjoyed collaborating with musicians and artists from all over the globe, in a range of classical, jazz and world music and dance genres.  The NZSQ first performed one of Dave Flynn’s works (‘Slip’ from String Quartet no.2 ‘The Cranning’) during our 2022 national tour, and we are delighted to collaborate with Dave on this special concert.

The programme features traditional Irish music arranged for string quartet, accordion, fiddle, and guitar. The ‘airs’ represent the famed melodies of Ireland, while the ‘graces’ represent the distinctive ornamentation techniques unique to Irish music.

Subject: CRG Emergency Hubs for safe shelter in the Rodney East Area

Mahurangi West Hall

Warkworth Town Hall

Mahurangi East Community Centre

Matakana Hall

Omaha Golf Club community Centre

Leigh Hall

Whangateau Hall will also be available for emergency shelter and coordination if necessary. WRRA and the Hall Committee are standing by and ready to open the hall when needed.

Frank and Kara have moved their February 15th show up to the Irish Wolf in Whangarei.  If you had pre-purchased tickets for Whangateau they should have been automatically refunded to you.

In addition, Greta O’Leary, our scheduled second half guest for February Club Night has had to cancel.  Club night will still be held on Monday, February 27th and will be hosted by Andy Hamilton.

There will also be an Info-stall for the Forest Bridge
Trust with taxidermy mounts of NZ predators, handmade cards and lots of support for all the people involved in active predator control and trapping. You will find plants and produce, books and gifts, a sausage sizzle and a welcoming friendly community atmosphere.

Matt Jones of the Dirt Road Orchestra in Puhoi hosts tonight at Whangateau Folk Club!  His special guest is Jemilah Ross-Hayes.  Jemilah’s rich vocals like warm milk, are the perfect accompaniment to your folk club half time bikkie and cuppa.  Read more about her below.  If you’d like a first half floor spot, come early and sign up at the door.  I’ll be rolling in from Queenstown a little late, hoping to see you all there!  $15 at the door, 7pm start!  

About Jemilah Ross-Hayes:  Jemilah will entrance you with honest lyricism that seeks to unravel the tough truths, deep doubts and soft soul within her experiences. Knitted into a soft blanket of open chords, Jemilah’s lyrics aspire to wrap you in the feeling of coming home.
Between the green comforts of her upbringing on Waiheke Island, to the bustling cities of Europe, she has dipped her musical spoons in many jars of honey. Discovering loneliness, freedom, confidence and wonder, she will transport you to Galway’s cobblestoned Irish streets and walk with you through the curving canals in Venice.

Jemilah will be accompanied by musical collaborator Koen Aldershof.