Matariki – the auspicious time of new beginnings in Aotearoa-New Zealand. This year Matariki has coincided with a blast of cold, wet and high winds but it cannot dampen the creative activity and enthusiasm you’ll find around the Bay of Plenty.
Make sure you get your shiny, green Matariki event handbook/programme. I got mine in the New Zealand Room/Reference Section of the Tauranga City Library (favourite place). I’m sure they’re everywhere. At the end of the Matariki event information you’ll find details of a public lecture about Tauranga Moana land issues. This is also part of the wider Matariki programme. And check out this link from The Spinoff for more information about Matariki.
Opening: Te whānau o Matariki –The People’s Gallery – Toi ka rere
Opening: Ruahine A – Solo Exhibition by Michelle Estall
Opening: Mātātoa – Mumu Returns by Mumu Moore
Performance: Vocal Chords – BOP Health Providers Choir
Performance: the Te Hauora a Toi The BOP District Health Board Kapa Haka Group (The group of well being)
Performance: Mana & the Maiden Warriors.
(Exhibitions continue for 3.5 weeks)
The Incubator Creative team continue their commitment to the recognition of Matariki as a time that not only showcases Māori New year and traditions but brings all New Zealanders closer together in a celebration of rebirth and the country’s rich cultural heritage.
It is an honour to be part of the Tauranga Moana Matariki advisory committee, it is a hugely significant time for us developing events that are meaningful,inclusive and bring people together through the arts and nurture new beginnings.”
And Rebecca Larsen’s “Tirama, Tirama Matariki” – “Twinkle, Twinkle Matariki” will be launched on the 8th June 2019 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Aihe Room of the Papamoa Library. Free celebration, book reading, children’s activities and kai! 
I’ve previously met Rebecca and loved her earlier book “Row, Row, Row Your Waka”. We are both learning Te Reo Maori at Te Waananga o Aotearoa and were at a recent visit to Huria Marae in urban Tauranga.
Rebecca has a website and a facebook page. https://www.rowyourwaka.co.nz/post/book-launch-t%C4%ABrama-t%C4%ABrama-matariki-twinkle-twinkle-matariki
Exhibitions everywhere:
TAURANGA ART GALLERY:
The Art Lounge in Downtown Tauranga has Max Thomson until 27th June 2019. This private dealer gallery has a regular email of events, workshops and exhibitions. 
Diverse styles of beautiful, original art at Macandmor in the Goddard Centre Downtown Tauranga.
Paul Herbert is the June exhibition at the Atrium Gallery within the Black Sheep on the corner of SH2 and Plummers Point Road, Whakamarama.
The Bethlehem Pottery Club has an exhibition and sale of work at the Bob Owens Retirement Village Hall on the 15th and 16th June 2019. Admission is free and there will be refreshments. ARTbop has been to other Bethlehem Pottery exhibitions here – diverse creativity in a beautiful setting. Check the Club’s facebook page for details of opening times https://www.facebook.com/pg/Bayclayexhibition/posts/
Mark Mazengarb & Kate Martucci
Where: The Jam Factory, 17th Avenue, Historic Village, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
“All the way from New York, don’t miss singer Katie Martucci on her brief tour of New Zealand! Joined by renowned NZ guitarist Mark Mazengarb (Guitar) this will be a night of world-class swing, old time and gypsy jazz music. I’m really excited to be able to bring Katie out to New Zealand ,I first saw her perform at a festival in the USA and was blown away by her voice and guitar playing!” says Mark Mazengarb, who is organising the tour.In recent years Mark has bought several groups out from the USA including the Lonely Heartstring Band, Joe Walsh, and Loren Barrigar.
If you like Norah Jones, Django Reinhardt, Swing or Old Time music – you’ll love this show!
Hailing from the rich musical history of the Catskill Mountains in New York State, Katie Martucci grew up singing and playing fiddle and guitar. The daughter of a jazz pianist, she began performing with her father at a young age.
By the first grade, she was writing her own songs and playing for tips. Her musical journeys led her to the Ashokan Western and Swing Week Fiddle & Dance Camp, vocal lessons with Laurel Masse of Manhattan Transfer, a brief stint of collegiate acapella at Skidmore College and ultimately, to the New England Conservatory. While at NEC, Katie studied voice, fiddle and songwriting in the Contemporary Improvisation Department, and had the opportunity to study with Dominique Eade, Ran Blake, Hankus Netsky, Carla Kihlstedt, and Eden MacAdam – Somer.
Mark Mazengarb is a kiwi guitarist who recently spent 7 years touring the USA full-time with American guitarist and singer Loren Barrigar. Mark has performed with many other world-class musicians, including Tommy Emmanuel and Frank Vignola. (www.lorenandmark.com)”
SHORTS FOR HOSPICE: I was shocked to find out that the Waipuna Hospice has to raise the equivalent of $71,000. every week to provide all of its services. Here’s another of the regular fund-raising events they undertake – basically putting it out there in winter! If you’re brave just do it. If you’re not what about thick tights and shorts? ARTbop will leave that to you. Here’s the website link for the event which happens Friday 21st June 2019! https://www.waipunahospice.org.nz/shorts/
Conducted by Justus Rozemond
Sunday, 30th June, 2019; 3.30pm, Baycourt Addison Theatre, Tauranga
The finals concert of our 6th biennial Concerto competition for 12-18 year old musicians from around the Bay of Plenty. A panel of prestigious judges headed by well known conductor and musicologist Peter Walls will select the winner on the night. Finalists will perform a movement from a concerto of their choice accompanied by the Symphonia. The finalists and their chosen pieces are (in alphabetical order)
- Hayden Butt (Tauranga) – Weber Clarinet Concerto No 2
- Huang Yu Li (Tauranga) – Mozart Piano Concerto No 9
- James Robinson (Tauranga) – Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto
- Leo Read (Taneatua) – David Trombone Concertino
- Rosa Hook (Rotorua) – Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
- Sumin Sarah Lee (Tauranga) – Mozart Violin Concerto No 3
During the judges’ deliberations the orchestra will play Janáček’s Adagio for Orchestra. Prizes will be presented by His Worship the Mayor of Tauranga, Greg Brownless.
Tickets on sale from 30th May via www.ticketek.co.nz, phone 0800 842 538, or at Baycourt Box Office.
Adult: $24; Concession: $22; 18 yrs and under: ONLY $2!
Service fees will apply. Save costs by buying on-line in bulk, or at the box office! BOOK NOW
The image in the heading of this article is of one of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Wharenui Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua at the Huria Marae, Judea, Tauranga.
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