Town hopping with Music Month gigs

French for Rabbits and Fraser Ross are performing tomorrow as part of the New Zealand Music Month Rotorua calendar, including John Fitzgerald (left) and Brooke Singer (right).

New Zealand Music Month Rotorua is again in full swing with a calendar packed with events and workshops.

The month celebrating Kiwi music began on Sunday with jazz at the Arawa Park by the Twin City Stompers from Hawke's Bay. This was followed by the BOP Blues Club meeting at Abracadabra on Wednesday and authentic folk duo Frank Burkitt and James Geluk last night at the Te Runanga Tea Rooms.

But there is plenty more still to come.

The Rogue Stage sole creator and owner Karin Vincent encouraged people to "just get involved and see what local musicians are doing", and "to support local musicians and come out to the show".

She said the calendar of events was broad and applied to both people who actively wrote and produced music, as well as people who wanted to find out about learning new music skills. People would have the chance to see a range of music styles, and "it's all local New Zealand music", Mrs Vincent said.

She said music would be hosted in venues that were not usually available, with support from Rotorua Lakes Council.

Tomorrow night, the ethereal dream-pop band French for Rabbits will be playing with their labelmate Fraser Ross as part of a six-date tour at Te Runanga Tearooms.

French for Rabbits features Brooke Singer, John Fitzgerald, Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa and Ben Wood.

Mrs Vincent said the opportunity to see an internationally acclaimed New Zealand band in Rotorua was unique.

Next Friday, New Zealand guitarist, singer, songwriter and percussionist Dave Alley will be performing at Sequoia Eatery Rotorua.

Abracadabra Cafe will have a slot on Sunday, May 15 from 12pm to 3pm for local musicians to set up and play.

A local showcase of bands is being put together at the Lava Bar on Friday, May 20 and musician Chris Webber will be setting up his loop pedals and demonstrating what can be done for solo performers.

A One Chance Youth Music Festival is being held at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hurungaterangi at 114 Sunset Rd on Saturday, May 21, where youth are involved in building a music festival from start to finish, as a Gateway programme for Year 13 students from local high schools. The opportunity for local musicians to record and produce a song in an hour will be available on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11 at a pop up recording studio. Matt Septhon from Coro Sonic Lab is setting up Rogue Records at 1150 Pukuatua St. It is being sponsored by The Rogue Stage and Musicworks Rotorua, giving musicians the chance to experience being recorded, sit in on the mastering and get the promotional aspect of The Rogue Stage promoting their track afterwards. Other workshops include drum workshops at Musicworks Rotorua with Gabor Irmalos on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, and a hands-on "get drumming" workshop by Ben Wilcock at Waiariki Music Department with Rio Hemopo, Ed Zuccollo and Justin Firefly on Sunday, May 29.

Kevin Whooley from Whitireia Polytechnic will also be giving live sound curating talks. The finale for New Zealand Music Month Rotorua will take place at Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in the Concert Chamber on Friday, May 27. The finale is being headlined by Rio Hemopo (from Trinity Roots), Ed Zuccolllo and Justin Firefly, with homegrown original jazz influenced roots and electronica sounds.

Local bands will also get the opportunity to perform their originals, including The Intricate Melody, John Hamilton Trio and Steamroller.

The calendar of events is sponsored by Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, The Rogue Stage & Musicworks Rotorua.

- For more information, visit www.theroguestage.co.nz, facebook/nzmusicmonthrotorua and facebook/theroguestage

Details:

French for Rabbits and Fraser Ross

* When: Tomorrow, 7.30pm to 10.30pm

* Where: Te Runanga Tea Rooms

* Tickets: General Admission $20, Unwaged/Students/OAP $15 at www.theroguestage.co.nz

Dave Alley

* When: Friday May 13, 8pm to 10pm

* Where: Sequoia Eatery Rotorua

* Tickets: General Admission $10 at www.theroguestage.co.nz