Who doesn’t love a free magazine? Nourish is a quarterly magazine which has a section of Bay of Plenty news as well as the wider Waikato region. The Autumn issue has a travel feature on Thames with articles on five destination food outlets with some art as well. Great seasonal recipes, an events calendar, excellent photography, arts and crafts articles, book reviews and more. I found mine at a café but have seen them available in art galleries and fashion boutiques. Keep an eye out for one, you will enjoy the read. www.nourishmagazine.co.nz
Would like music with your coffee? Try Café Botannix at Palmers in Bethlehem. Live music from 11.00 am -2.00 pm on a Sunday with Saturdays to follow How about music with your wine? At Trinity Wharf Hotel on the 2nd Friday of the month, Leith Milsom plays jazz standards on the grand piano with guest vocalists. 7.00 pm-9.00 pm
Arts on Tour came to Baycourt, Tauranga with a show named “Wheel of Experience” and what an experience it was. Theatre, music and history all rolled into a show which is not long but has so much depth.
What I loved about the show was the experience started before the first guitar was strummed. On entry we were given a slip of paper with a name on it and told it was to be used later in the show. The stage set looked like an old West Coast workers cottage complete with old bottles, wood panelling, and taxidermy. The three entertainers dressed in the style of the period and maintained their characters during the show.
Dave, David and Peter are all accomplished musicians and played a variety of string instruments including guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, slide guitars and even a Chinese zhongruan instrument. Stirring vocals and harmonies had the audience mesmerised. Peter’s acting ability was also showcased during the introductions to the songs which were inspired by tales of historic and legendary New Zealand events. The variety included sea shanties, ballads, blues and also rollicking musical solos.
As for the slip of paper we were given, the names were horses and Peter sung the written record of a horse race. You were encouraged to cheer, whistle or boo your horse during the race and the winner was rewarded with a red rosette. Great fun and many people commented at the end that the show had indeed been a unique experience.
Have a listen to their music by clicking on the icon below.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=2154604035 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small](ARTbop thanks Baycourt for the ticket provided for Diane Hume-Green to attend “Wheel of Experience)
The fifth Annual Treasured Art auction and exhibition was held at Ingham Sears showroom at Mount Maunganui. This event is a fundraiser organised by Rotary Tauranga Sunrise Club with funds raised going to Kiwi Can. A lot of work by the members of the Sunrise Club ensures this is a successful event and provides much needed funds for Kiwi Can to continue their work providing support for school children in New Zealand.
This year’s guest exhibitor was Grahame Sydney, an internationally recognised New Zealand artist. How wonderful to see his prints of iconic New Zealand scenes here instead of in a catalogue. The charity auction is held as an evening event in the showroom with some of the paintings or prints auctioned and then the exhibition runs during the following Saturday and Sunday. With over 70 paintings to view and purchase there was something for all tastes, from watercolours, oils, mixed media pieces and even a fabulous wine raffle. Watch out for it next year. A great charity event and a great venue. Beautiful art and luxury cars definitely do go together.
The Battle of Pukehinahina Gate Pa Commemorative Exhibition 2014. Held at the Greerton Hall and put together by The Battle of Gate Pa Trust and hosted by Greerton Lions volunteers. An interesting, professional exhibition which not only tells the story of the Battle but also of migrants to New Zealand and the history of settlement in Tauranga. The use of images from the Alexander Turnbull Library, video interviews of local schoolchildren and well known identities, TV documentary exerpts, music, lighting and interesting text boards and graphics made the exhibition anything but boring. If your knowledge of the history of this area was limited to the origins of the names of Cameron Road, Greerton, Esk and Harrier Streets (a General, Colonel and two ships from England) then you would have learnt so much more. The one thing that stood out for me was The Rules of Engagement which were proposed before the battle by the chiefs. These rules pertained to the treatment of the injured and prisoners of war and set the tone for future battles in New Zealand and around the world.
We must applaud the organisers and sponsors for the calibre of the exhibition and the message it conveys for all people in New Zealand. Lets hope the calls for a permanent home for this exhibition and/or the funding for a travelling show can be found.
Diane Hume-Green
