Bay Rains: a social enterprise for Oz

Bay Rains is a social enterprise; a Western Bay of Plenty-based fundraiser for the diverse victims of the current and ongoing fires in our neighbour Australia.

This afternoon I was invited to a second working meeting with Peta Clavis of The Black Sheep Whakamarama and Brooke Stinson, keyboardist and vocalist of Hybrid Blues. Peta has a large notebook. Brooke has a clipboard. The conversation is about the series of music and gigs they are putting together to raise funds for what will be an advertised list of organisations in rural Australia supporting those affected by this season’s bushfires. It’s always said “if you want something done, get a busy person” and these two ladies are really busy people. Despite an already heavy load of work and entertainment related commitments these two have instantly pulled together three local performance venues, a team of musicians and bands and, local BnB owners to provide free accommodation for the volunteer musos. There’s still a list of “needs” to make sure this project flies and I’ll put those at the end of this piece.

The gig at The Black Sheep Whakamarama is going to be a mini music festival. It looks as if the genre here will favour folk music. It’s going to run from 12noon to 12pm and the branded “Bay Rains” advertising will be out as soon as the graphic designer has completed his contribution to the project.

The day at the Black Sheep is planned to include entertainment for the children, a barbecue and yummy food. A silent auction. The Black Sheep already has a small fundraising raffle on the go already.

Check this out!

Venues secured: March 1^st @ the Barrel Room, March 7^th @ Waihi Beach Hotel; March 14^th @ The Black Sheep.
We have approx. 22 bands/artists interested so we are just sorting through them to determine who will play where, this will also determine times of each event.
I am now just in the process of trying to get as much sponsorship as possible including – flights for the Aussie Band, Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, stretch tent, sausages, buns, stuff for the silent auction etc etc! As you would have seen have plenty of accommodation for the muso’s from some awesome bnb owners.

If you can offer anything to support this fundraising project whether it’s straight up cash for the airfares, stuff for the silent auction, your time and talents to organise and promote the event, or your time and energy on the day contact Peta Clavis at The Black Sheep at Whakamarama blacksheepbarandgrill@gmail.com

and their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Bar—Grill/The-Black-Sheep-Bar-Grill-1521530954835376/

WHAT’S HAPPENING? BAY RAINS music for Oz bushfire assistance

1st March 2020 at the Barrel Room 26 Wharf Street Tauranga

7th March 2020 at the Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Beach

14th March 2020 at The Black Sheep at Whakamarama

And while you’re waiting if you’ve got any great ideas to raise funds for our family and friends in Oz – let us know.

Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current Managing Editor of ARTbop. Rosemary has arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland. She has been a working lawyer and has participated in a wide variety of community activities where information gathering, submission writing, community advocacy and education have been involved. Interested in all forms of the arts since childhood Rosemary is focused on further developing and expanding multi-media ARTbop as the magazine for all the creative arts in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

You can read Rosemary’s most recent article for ARTbop Part I of a two-part record of a trip to Auckland galleries, on the bus!

Busted: Auckland & Black Asterisk – Part 1

HOUSE SITTING

Rotorua+Hamilton+Taupo+Tauranga:- Mature professional visual artist and arts educator is available for house sitting from 01^st February 2020. Non-smoking, non-drinking. Experienced former home-owner, gardener and small pet owner. Contact: miriam.ruberl@gmail.com