Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes will perform in Northland for the first time at this weekend's Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival.
Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes will perform in Northland for the first time at this weekend's Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival.
A weekly round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North
A New Orleans trombone player, a legendary Kiwi bluesman and an Auckland band making 1950s-style swing cool again are among more than 40 acts getting ready to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival this weekend.
This year's headline act is Robert Harris, who is flying from New Orleans to take part in the festival. Mr Harris last played in the Bay of Islands in 2010 and has just completed an European tour.
New Orleans trombonist Robert Harris is the headline act at this this weekend's Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
First-time performers at the three-day event will include Kiwi blues veteran Midge Marsden, backed by guitarist Chet O'Connell; Tauranga Big Band, a treat for fans of the big band sound; and the infectiously enjoyable swing band Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes from Auckland.
They will be joined by regular favourites such as Blue Monkey Racket, Brilleaux and Lex Pistols.
Long-time organiser Shirley May said this year's line-up of more than 40 bands was one of the strongest ever and featured eight Australian acts, including the James Southwell Band from Melbourne with some of that country's top musicians.
The festival was also celebrating its 30th year, a major achievement for any event, Mrs May said.
Bands will play at seven venues in Paihia, Russell and Haruru Falls starting at 6pm on Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Some will also play around town on Saturday morning and at two church services on Sunday.
Northland acts taking part include Basin City Big Band, Jireh May, Mike Nettmann, Joe Carbery, Late Night Meat Sandwich, Soulshine, Taylah Barker and Two Kay.
Badges giving entry to all three days cost $50 from the venues; day passes are available for $30. See www.jazz-blues.co.nz for more information.
Guess the song
The Bay of Islands Painting Group is running a "guess the song" competition in conjunction with this weekend's Jazz and Blues Festival.
Groups members have been busy making art inspired by songs and displaying the paintings in shop windows around Paihia. All you have to do is match the painting with the correct song title.
Entry forms are available from the art group's pop-up shop in Paihia Mall, Cabbage Tree gift shop, Scenic Hotel, and inside the festival programme booklet.
The paintings went up last Friday and will stay until August 9. It's free to enter and the winner receives a gourmet hamper of Bay of Islands produce.
Entries should be placed in the boxes at the pop-up shop or the Scenic Hotel by 1pm on August 9. All correct entries will go into the draw. The winner will be announced at the Scenic Hotel at 3pm.
Bibliophile alert
The Waipapa Rotary Club is holding its annual book fair, thought to be the biggest in the Far North, this weekend.
The doors open from 3-9pm on Friday at BaySport stadium (on Harmony Lane, off Waipapa Rd near SH10). Selling continues on Saturday from 9am-2pm. Free entry.
Proceeds go to a range of community projects in Northland.
Turner Centre turns 10
Don't forget the Turner Centre's 10th anniversary celebrations which continue all this week, with the highlight a variety concert starting at 7.30pm tonight.
The programme includes kapa haka by Bay of Islands College and Te Pito Whenua (the cultural group at Waitangi Treaty Grounds), a short play by the Kerikeri Theatre Company, the Bay of Islands Singers, Northern Dance Academy, rock band Rangitane Riot, and up-and-coming opera star Kauwiti Selwyn.
A number of singers who performed at the centre's first show, among them Tania Priebs and Daniel Morrison, will be back for the anniversary show.
A thank-you dinner for volunteers was held last Saturday. This Saturday the Auckland Symphony Orchestra will perform jazz by Gershwin and the late Kerikeri composer Russ Garcia. See www.turnercentre.co.nz for more information.
The Turner Centre was opened on August 5, 2005 by then Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Stars on show
Kerikeri astrophotographer Chris Pegman is holding an exhibition of his extraordinary images in the Turner Centre's Theatre Bar.
Kerikeri astrophotographer Chris Pegman with a night sky image shot at Matauri Bay's Rainbow Warrior memorial. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF
As well as a series of large-scale night-sky panoramic photographs, the show includes a selection of his favourite images of the Far North plus events and people (among them singer Stan Walker and composer Russ Garcia) captured during the past 10 years at the Turner Centre.
Mr Pegman works as an osteopath when he isn't staying up to 3am to photograph the Milky Way. The show is free and open daily from 9am-5pm.
Springbank School near Kerikeri is inviting all not-for-profit organisations free stall space at its upcoming market day.
The stalls are a chance for charity groups to promote themselves or raise money by making the most of the crowds that turn out for the annual market day showcasing student businesses.
The market day will be held on Sunday, September 20, from 11am-2pm. Call Sally on (09) 407 5236 to book a space.
Design a pillow
The winner of an upcoming design-a-pillow competition will win dinner for two and a night at a top Northland resort, while also helping Kerikeri retirement Village residents get a better night's sleep.
Anyone who wants to enter has to buy a pillowcase for $20 at Beds R Us in Kerikeri and submit the finished product by August 26. The decorated pillowcases will be auctioned on September 4.
Vicki Keen, of Beds R Us Kerikeri, and Betty Petrie, of Kerikeri Retirement Village, with one of the pillowcases destined for the design-a-pillow fundraiser. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
The designer of the pillow that fetches the highest price will win dinner and accommodation at Peppers Carrington Resort on the Karikari Peninsula; the winner of the business category will receive a $1000 advertising package.
Money raised will help the village replace and upgrade air mattresses in its aged care facility. The mattresses have air pockets which inflate and deflate intermittently, reducing the risk of bed sores. Patients are moved and turned regularly by staff but they still need relief between turns.
All pillowcases will be on display, and open to silent bids, at Beds R Us from August 27 to September 3. The fundraising target is $15,000.
Opua working bee
Working bees to clean up around the water tank on Opua's Franklin St, just below Opua School, are being held every Thursday and Saturday from 9am to about 1pm. Bring old clothes, sturdy shoes, garden tools, water and enthusiasm.
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