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The Balladeer
Monthly newsletter of Acoustic Routes, Wellington's folk music club
www.acousticroutes.org.nz
March 2015: in this issue
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AR February Concert – Hungrytown, Roseneath School Hall, Thursday 26
March, 7:30 pm
Special Concert - Enda Kenny and Lindsay Martin, Roseneath School Hall,
Wednesday 1 April, 8 pm
Pres sez
AR April Concert – Anzac Centennial Commemoration Roseneath School Hall,
Thursday April 23rd
Sunday Singaround, Alfred’s Art Space Petone, Sunday 8 March, 5-7 pm
Acoustic Routes open mic, Thunderbird Café, Sunday 4 April, 1-3 pm (to be
confirmed)
Review of Te Rangi Music Festival, 16-19 January
Review of Auckland Festival, 23-26 January 2015
Balladeer music classifieds
Are you ready to perform?
About Acoustic Routes
Acoustic Routes contacts
Other regular folk events/contacts in the region
This newsletter can be printed out from a pdf located on the website
www.acousticroutes.org.nz/balladeer
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1. Hungrytown, Roseneath School Hall, Thursday
26 March, 7:30 pm
Hungrytown is the musical and married duo of Rebecca Hall
and Ken Anderson. They have released two highly acclaimed
CDs, Hungrytown (2008) and Any Forgotten Thing (2011),
both of which continue to receive much airplay on folk and
Americana stations worldwide.
Rebecca and Ken tour full time; their adventures have taken
them throughout the US, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.
Their songs have been performed by many other artists,
including Nashville songwriting legend David Olney and
bluegrass veterans the Virginia Ramblers. Hungrytown's
music has also appeared on several television shows,
including the Independent Film Channel's hit series,
Portlandia.
Guests at the Canterbury Folk Festival this year, this is Hungrytown’s first Wellington
appearance. Don’t miss them.
http://hungrytown.net/about/#sthash.1Mz3YQAS.dpuf
Support Act: Ron Craig with Jude Douglas and Christine Roseveare
One of our best, Ron will entertain us richly with
a blend of countryish, contemporary and British
traditional sounding material. Mostly softish
ballads with some roaring sing-along songs. He
recently even learned a Pink Floyd (most out of
character). Musical sources and influences include
John Tams, Sting, John Prine, Nanci Griffith
Coope, Boyes & Simpson, Richard Thompson and
Stan Rogers. Ron will be joined by Jude Douglas
on Fiddle and Chrissie Roseveare on bass.
And as a nod to St Patricks Day, which of course will be celebrated the previous
week, our inimitable compere Roy McGuinness will give us a couple of Irish songs.
Entry: $15, $10 Acoustic Routes members and students
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The Roseneath School Hall is a
beautiful little space with
proper stage, lighting, etc.
Access is down a short lane off
the street (Maida Vale), next to
a church and a small row of
shops. There’s parking in the
school grounds and a bus
service that goes right past.
2. Special Concert - Enda Kenny and Lindsay Martin,
Roseneath School Hall Wednesday 1 April, 8 pm
It may be April 1st, but you would be foolish to miss this one. The top Australian duo
of Enda Kenny and Lindsay Martin will be treating us to a one-off performance, here
in Wellington, as they head south for the Canterbury Folk Festival at Easter.
Enda is an Irish-born singer and
songwriter living in Melbourne. His
thoughtful, descriptive stories of his
adoptive land have struck a chord
with festival audiences all over
Australia and his live performances
are always memorable and spiced
with plenty of humour.
Edna and Wollongong fiddler Lindsay Martin have made seven albums together
despite living over 700km apart as the kookaburra flies and they have toured
extensively in UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Hong Kong. In concert, they are
always engaging and their rapport with each audience clearly stems from a love
of playing music together.
Entry: $20, $15 Acoustic Routes members and students
You can book a seat by emailing [email protected]
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3. Pres sez
Hi Everyone
The Acoustic Routes year is finally launched, a month down the track
from January, which we deliberately keep clear of events while
people are rushing around madly holidaying and such like. But good
things are worth waiting for, aren’t they?
Our first event was the resurrected Sunday singaround at Alfred
Memelink’s Artspace on Petone’s Marine Parade. That was certainly a
success, with about 20 performers turning up to share their songs
and gaze at the wonderful art works and crafts on display. It’s a good reason to
keep some time free on the second Sunday of the month.
Our first concert of the year was also extra good. The Ruahine Rangers from
Palmerston North gave us a cracking performance of bluegrass and old time
standards, mixed with a bit of gospel and contemporary material, and a couple of
their own compositions as well. It went down a treat, as did the support set from
Sage, with Sue Rose’s rendition of “Hine Hine” in particular, carrying us away.
It wasn’t a bad audience turn out, but we still managed to lose money on the night,
a worrying trend which I hope we aren’t going to see repeated too often as the year
progresses.
Last Sunday we had our first Open Mic for the year at Thunderbird. After a quiet
beginning, we ended up with a full deck of performers again, to carry us through our
two hours of allotted time. The Open Mics are chugging along quite nicely, I think.
I mentioned last time that we would be surveying members this year about the club
and its direction. There’s been progress on that. Pamela Gerrish Nunn, Philippa Boy
and Annie van Herck have been working on a questionnaire which will be going out
soon. When it does we hope you will all give it some attention and give us your
feed-back.
Slainte and good folking,
Kevin.
4. AR April Concert – Anzac Centennial
Commemoration, Roseneath School Hall,
Thursday April 23rd
Our April monthly concert will be an Anzac Centennial Commemoration. It will be
just two days before Anzac Day and we are giving advance notice if you would like to
perform. You will be able to do one or two songs, depending on the turnout.
They can be songs about war, conflict or peace, from any era up to the present day;
in other words, not restricted to 1914-18. That could include the Jacobite rebellion,
for example, the Elizabethan invasion of Ireland, the Napoleonic Wars, the American
Civil War, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq.
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We’re anticipating there may be a queue to perform Bogle songs, which perhaps
could be resolved by some co-operative song-sharing on the night, so we don’t get
six versions of “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”.
We’ll have a special discounted door price of $5 for performers (others $10) to cover
hall hire.
5. AR Sunday Singaround, Alfred’s Art Space
Petone, Sunday 8 March, 5-7 pm
After a break, the Singaround was re-launched last month
with great success at Alfred’s fabulous gallery.
Come along with a song in your heart and on your lips
and give it a go. And take the time to browse around the
wonderful work on display.
Many thanks to Murray Kilpatrick for organising this and
to Alfred for making his Artspace available for our music.
the koha bowl.
Coffee and tea will be available. Entry: a gold coin for
https://www.facebook.com/Alfred.Memelink.Artist
6. AR open mic, Thunderbird Café Featherston
Street, Sunday 5 April, 1-3 pm (to be confirmed)
The AR Open Mics at Thunderbird on the first
Sunday of the month always provide a great
afternoon of music and conviviality. As this is
Easter Weekend, we will need to confirm for
April.
Expect a mix of regulars and some fantastic new
faces and voices. Thunderbird is a great live
music venue that serves excellent food and
drink.
Contact: Kevin Ikin; 04 478 4160 [email protected]
And don’t forget to check out the Sunday Acoustic Music Matinees on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
and sometimes 5th Sunday at the Thunderbird (see the Classifieds below for details).
Note the new time, from 1-3 pm.
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7. Review of Te Rangi Festival,1619 January 2015
Mary Kippenburger (aka Lady Chickenburger) and Peter
Charlton-Jones ran another fabulous festival over
Wellington Anniversary weekend. It's very much a
"gotta-take-part" event with all festival goers getting
the opportunity to perform two pieces. With a house band (comprising Wayne
Morris, Simon Muggeridge and Tony Burt) who seemed to be available to back any
perfomers, there's no excuse for hanging back. As well as Janet
Muggeridge's excellent set, and Erin and Frank from Taranaki playing lovely covers,
we heard people like Jude Douglas with her delightful violin playing and Sheryl Bond
(from Tauranga) singing beautifully.
On the Saturday afternoon Carol Bean did a Central Hawkes Bay Launch tour of her
great new CD "Next Bus Out" followed by Alan Downes with his CD, bringing his
songs back to their roots!
The setting for Te Rangi is perfect - central Hawkes Bay turned on great very warm
weather and Mary's family even ran a cafe on site with excellent food available. You
didn't even have to cook!
Peter manages the sound really well and of course the venue is used year round now
for regular concerts.
Mary also gets everyone going with a blind date concert. Although everyone is
allocated a team - the best fun is going around listening to all the plotting and
composing going on.
Sitting in the audience later we watched some very unlikely sights, such as Simon
Burgess in a very fetching dress and flowery trimmed straw hat. Mary's selection for
winner is really simple- positive mentions get points, complaints or criticism loses
points. For some reason there was a lot of toilet humour - possibly a result of the
water shortage and necessity to restrain from flushing! Copies of the compositions
have been requested so that in future years the walls of the toilets will provide
inspiration for the next blind date in 2016. See you there!
Janette Wallace-Gedge
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8. Review of Auckland Festival 23-26 January,2015
Yay, I finally made it to AFF again after a 5 year+ gap! Standout festival highlights
for me this year were Rachel Dawick’s fabulous performance at the Tui Finalist
Concert (bizarrely and tragically, she did not receive the award that she deserved)
and Into the East singing a beautiful version of Lorde’s song from the Hunger
Games. And the Nukes…oh boy they were a fabulous surprise for me…3 very unusual
ukulele combos with star quality singing in perfect rich harmony. The Feds were the
opener for the final concert and kicked things off with great aplomb.
I heard a snippet of Tony Burt and Karen doing their Celtic-Americana thing and it
sounded divine. Reg Meuross from the UK sang his contemporary poetic lyrics with
poignancy and grace (check him out on the web).
There was a great variety of
opportunities to participate in the
festival, including numerous dance
workshops, a ceilidh or two, songwriter
workshops, Dave Barnes’ marinated
session and several seriously long
blackboard concerts that lasted from 3
to 6 hours each!!! Then there were
sessions all over the place at night for
those of greater fortitude than I.
I have to take my hat
off to Roger Giles
president of the AFF
who stepped up once
again as a very
entertaining compere
for several of the major
gigs.
He was very funny
indeed and had
audiences in the palm of
his hand. I particularly
enjoyed the welcome
concert that he ran, and
there were lots of lovely
gems there.
The standout for me was emerging acapella singer Holly from Wellington. Gorgeous
pure voice, lilting ballads and breath control to die for. She follows in the footsteps
of greats like Anne Briggs
If you love heat, you would have been happy! It was a blistering weekend with
amazing thunder clouds to decorate the sky from time to time. The food was
wholesome if a tad limited.
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The Kumeu Showground was full of
characterful and generous minded folkies of
all ages. It is also quite near to the Waitakare
Ranges, and Piha … beautiful countryside to
visit, which I did for the first time in 40 years
of living in NZ.
All in all a very worthwhile experience and I
returned to Wellington feeling really pleased
that I had gone.
Mary Livingston
Photos by Mary Livingston and Gerard Hudson
9. Balladeer music classifieds
Where you can advertise your music-related items—lessons, instruments, gigs, band
members wanted, etc.
a) AWESOME GURDY MACHINE CROONING AT SOUTHERN CROSS,
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 9:30 pm
Every Wednesday the Southern Cross in Abel Smith Street hosts a Kroon for Your Kai
concert. Next week's event has a special Acoustic Routes flavour. The Awesome Gurdy
Machine (AGM) - the only 3 hurdy gurdy band in the southern hemisphere (as far as we
know) - will be playing. Their set includes an eclectic mix of traditional music from a
number of countries and centuries, plus some contemporary surprises. Band members
are Philippa Boy, Merrilyn Moonen and 13 year old Dominic Rowsell (Murray and Julie
Kilpatrick's grandson), with Nigel Parry on percussion.
The evening starts at 7:30 pm with a solo set by Ruth Mundy, then a (mainly) solo set by
Nigel Parry before AGM take the stage.Free entry.
b) MOTHLY BLACKBOARD CONCERT, PLIMMERTON BOATING CLUB,
THURSDAY MARCH 12, 7 PM
Hosted by the inimitable Roy McGuinness, this is a great night in a lovely venue with
low cost drinks and food, and a sound system. Put this one on your calendar as a
regular event. If you want to find out more, contact Roy on (021) 433-878.
c) MARCH MUSICAL TREATS AT THUNDERBIRD CAFÉ, FEATHERSTON
STREET, WELLINGTON
Thunderbird Cafe are good supporters of the local music scene. They host the Acoustic
Routes monthly open mic (1st Sunday, 1-3pm) and Acoustic Matinees other Sundays.
They also host music at other times, with a 5.30pm start weekdays and 1pm start
weekends. Here's what's coming up in March;
1 March
Acoustic Routes Open Mic
5 March
Matt Hay and the Haymakers
6 March
Gravel Road
8 March
Acoustic Matinee
12 March
Winter Moon from Melbourne (acoustic Folk)
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13 March
14 March
15 March
19 March
20 March
21 March
22 March
27 March
Hobnail trio
Flix Rose
Acoustic Matinee
Jodie Gummer
Raven Mavens
TBC
Acoustic Matinee
Wellington Heads
d) RED DOG ACOUSTIC DUO WITH BLAKEWATER BLUES, ST PETER’S HALL
PAEKAKARIKI, SATURDAY 28 MARCH, 7:30 PM
Red Dog Acoustic Duo features Dave Murphy and Dougal
Spier, who will be supported by Blakewater Blues – AR’s
own Gordon Chamley, Murray Kilpatrick and Sue Rose.
This promises to be a great evening even if you aren’t a
blues fanatic, and anyone with an interest in the blues
should be enthralled. Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30
pm start.
Tickets available at
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2015/vintage-bluessessions/paekakariki, or you can take your chances on
the night.
e) GORDIE MACKEEMAN AND HIS RHYTHM BOYS, 27,28,29 MARCH
Hailing from Prince Edward Island on Canada’s east coast, the multi-award-winning
Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys serve up old-time roots music in an
exhilarating live show that instantly enamours audiences, with jaw-dropping
stagecraft and showmanship.
Gordie MacKeeman’s thrilling ‘Crazy Legs’
dance style mixes with close-harmony
bluegrass vocals, Peter Cann’s blistering
guitar solos, and the lively multiinstrumental talents of Thomas Webb
(vocals, banjo, guitar, pedal steel guitar and
double bass) and Mark Geddes (double
bass, drums, percussion, mandolin and
banjo).
Take a look at this clip if you need more
convincing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZ8XBXodDA
Three opportunities to catch them in Wellington:
Fri 27th March
Wellington Bluegrass Society
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www.wellingtonbuegrass.net.nz
Sat 28th March
Sun 29th March
San Fran, Cuba Street
Clogging Workshop
www.eventfinder.co.nz
www.cubadupa.co.nz
f) WANT TO REVIEW FOR THE BALLADEER?
We have a handful of willing writers who regularly get shoulder tapped to review AR
concerts and we are very grateful to them. The AR Committee is offering a free
concert ticket to anyone who reviews a concert for the Balladeer. It is great to hear
a range of voices and opinions, so if you are interested please contact Philippa or
Nigel. [email protected]
10. Are you ready to perform?
Are you interested in performing at Acoustic Routes events, including
support acts for our monthly concerts? Contact us
[email protected]
11. About Acoustic Routes
Acoustic Routes (Wellington Folk Centre Incorporated) is a club for people who enjoy
playing and listening to folk and acoustic styles of music.
We have several regular events each month. The first Sunday of the month is an
open mic session at the Thunderbird Café in Featherston Street, from 1-3 pm.
The second Sunday of the month we host a singaround at Alfred Memmelink’s
Artspace on the Petone foreshore, from 5-7 pm.
The fourth Thursday of the month generally features a concert, usually with a
visiting artist and support acts from amongst our membership. These concerts are at
Roseneath School Hall, Maida Vale Road, Wellington.
Membership of Acoustic Routes costs $25 a year for individuals, $40 for couples or
families, or $15 for students and beneficiaries. It entitles you to door-charge
discounts at Acoustic Routes events and also at events put on by most other folk
clubs. Members get priority access to performance opportunities, and can have input
into the club's activities. To join, email [email protected].
Acoustic Routes publishes this newsletter (The Balladeer) at the start of every
month, and also an acoustic gig guide for the Wellington region (Acoustic Routes
update). You can subscribe online, or contact [email protected]
12. Acoustic Routes Contacts
President: Kevin Ikin [email protected]
Correspondence: Emma Hart [email protected]
Treasurer/Membership: Sue Ikin [email protected]
Balladeer: Philippa Boy / Nigel Parry [email protected]
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Acoustic Routes update email: Gerard Hudson [email protected]
Performance opportunities: [email protected]
Postal address: PO Box 27-191 Marion Square, Wellington, New Zealand.
Website: www.acousticroutes.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Acoustic-Routes/89128457590
13. Other regular folk events/contacts in the
region
Americana Jam Session
When:
Meow on the 4th Sunday, from 4 to 6 pm. Join Richard Klein and friends
and enjoy some of the Wellington region's finest players and singers of
country, blues, Cajun, old-timey, boogie-woogie and all-around goodtime American music, and it's an open session so you can join in.
Ceol Alba Scottish Music Club
When:
4th Friday of month, 7.30 - 9.30pm. A club for playing and/or listening
to (mostly) traditional Scottish music. Sheet music supplied or
downloadable.
Where:
Lower Hutt.
Cost:
$5 per night
Contact:
Lynne Scott, 04 565 0164 [email protected]
Contradance with Chilli Jam
When:
1st Saturday of the month, 7:30 pm
Where:
St Michael’s Parish Hall, Kelburn
Cost:
$15 waged adult, $10 unwaged adult or child and $30 for a family.
Contact:
[email protected]
Finn’s Cafe Open Mic Nights
When:
4th Wednesday of the month, 7.30 pm. This is a really popular night and
a great way to meet other musicians. Hosted by Danilo.
Where:
Finn's Cafe Bar, 2 Beach Rd, Paekakariki.
International Folkdancing
When:
Every Wednesday from February to December, 7.30 to 9.15
Where:
Tarrant Dance Studios, 125 Cuba St, Wellington
Contact:
Cashy Yates (04) 569 1618 [email protected]
Kapiti Live Music Club
When:
2nd Wednesday of the month, an acoustic evening of round table music
and discussion, 7:30 till 10pm.
Where:
Acoustic Sessions, 15 Sam’s Way, Raumati
Contact:
[email protected] and http://www.klmc.org.nz
Kelburn Pub Live Music
When:
Live music every Sunday 3-5 pm.
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Contact:
Sunday Roots on the first Sunday of each Month, 4-7pm. Hosted by Pip
Payne and featuring a different guest artist each month. Details 'Sunday
roots' on Facebook.
Pip Payne if you want to perform - 027 654 5419.
Levin Folk Club
When:
2nd Friday of month, 7.30 pm, blackboard concert plus guest artist.
Entry:
Members $5, Non-Members $8, Children $3 (includes supper)
4th Friday of month, 7.30 pm, acoustic night. $2
Where:
Horowhenua, Scottish Society and Pipe Band hall, cnr Bartholomew Rd
and Middlesex St.
Contact:
Rona Cooper [email protected]
Website:
www.levin-folk-music-club.org.nz
Lunchtime Singing Group
When:
Every Thursday 12-1pm
Where:
St Andrew's on The Terrace (Hall), 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Contact:
Carol Shortis [email protected]
Mainly Acoustic Music Club
When:
(Mostly) every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm
Where:
Mayfair Cafe, 116 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Contact:
Kevin & Sue Meehan (04) 970 4008
For enquiries or newsletter email [email protected]
Morris dancing: Dave Barnes http://www.morrisdancing.org.nz/
Pukerua Bay Folk Club
When:
1st Thursday of month, 8 pm
Where:
9 Donlin Rd, Pukerua Bay
Contact:
Murray or Julie Kilpatrick, (04) 239 9951, [email protected]
Wellington Bluegrass Society
When:
3rd Friday of month, 8.00 pm
Where:
54 Richmond Street, Petone
Contact:
Andrew Bicknell, (04)477 0069, [email protected]
http:// wellingtonbluegrass.net.nz/
Wellington Scottish Fiddle Club
When:
Varies, but mostly monthly around the first Sunday
Where:
Depends on who is hosting it this time! A club for learning tunes in the
traditional "by ear" style, it welcomes fiddlers of all levels.
Cost:
Mostly free
Contact:
Iain Matcham, ph 04 568 8635 email [email protected]
Wellington Bluegrass Society
When:
3rd Friday of month, 8.00 pm
Where:
54 Richmond Street, Petone
Contact:
Andrew Bicknell, (04)477 0069, [email protected]
http:// wellingtonbluegrass.net.nz/
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