Matariki exhibitions, events and performances opened, happened and occurred last night in the appropriately penetrating cold of of an Incubator evening.
As a regular attender at evening events at the wonderful Incubator Creative Hub at the Historic Village in the mid-Avenues of Tauranga I know I need to be “rugged up” and Friday night was no exception. It was a superb, clear, star-bright evening. A slither of moon with an undertone of orange and therefore, cold. I wore what I lovingly describe as my “marae coat”. It’s the second edition of an ankle length coat I wore when attending often rural marae and when I had to go to Wellington. The second edition skims the top of my ankle boots and is dark-green wool – vintage and a $10. recycle shop find. It provides the shelter of a tent when you’re waiting to be called on or standing on the Historic Village tarseal, it’s bliss.
These ladies have been here before!
Events at “the Inc” rely on the voluntary hard and well-honed teamwork of the Committed – a group who seem to have been here since the earliest days of this creative hub. Artist and musician, John Baxter, is one of the evening’s photographers and photographer and painter Nicci Baxter is in The Artery kitchen putting finishing touches to “the kai”.
The multi-talented and multi-tasking artist Nicci Baxter
There are also numerous non- Incubator faces including Western Bay of Plenty’s creative Mayor Garry Webber and Mrs Carole Webber – it’s so good to see them here too. I tell Mayor Webber I will not go on at him about the roads. He laughs and I know we’re both on the same page.
A crowded house
The evening’s programme is opened by the Tauranga Hospital Choir group Vocal Chords (it’s formally called the BOP Health Providers Choir) – they are wonderful and talented and my enthusiasm for their performance is only curtailed by the cold seeping into my feet. 
I used to find it hard trying to explain what participating in a kapa haka group meant to me – I’d have no difficulty talking about this with the Pakeha members of Te Hauora a Toi – the Bay of Plenty District Health Board Kapa Haka group, led by Te Pona Martin. (There is a live video of their performance filmed by the inimitable Lynette Fisher of The Incubator on the ARTbop facebook page). 
They finalise a wonderful performance with the district anthem “Tauranga Moana” and He Honore – I cannot stop myself. On the tarseal in the semi-dark I join in. I’m so absorbed in the performance I don’t even see I’m standing next to the team from Creative Bay of Plenty – on realising this I manage to hit up their General Manager about funding options for an original music band. The exhibitions are formally opened and the participating artists speak. 
Then the queues form for the “kai” and the galleries – where did all these people come from….
the Incubator Gallery is packed out as is The People’s Gallery a step away into the Village.
I’ve been coming to these events regularly now and know that, unless I wish to join the scrum to buy a painting (yes that’s what often happens as the works are so amazing) I’m better to come back another day. Tonight however I do something I’ve never done before – I move the curtain and photograph part of Michelle Estall’s wonderful exhibition “Ruahine” 
I capture the artist’s statement for Mumu Moore
And I am entranced by the intricately painted guitar exhibited just inside The People’s Gallery doorway
I don’t stay for the food, the cold is taking my breath away so inside my marae coat I slip away. As I turn towards the gate I notice that even the gazebo covering the supper is creatively engaged in the event – the lights and movement of the guests creating the most wonderful magic lantern show against the back wall. 
I seem to conclude every article about events at the Incubator congratulating them on their professionalism and the level of enjoyment they provide. I’ll have to do it again – this was a wonderful combination of waiata, kapa haka, creativity, food and people – the fundamental elements of Matariki
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Rebecca Larsen’s “Tirama, Tirama Matariki” – “Twinkle, Twinkle Matariki” was launched on the 8th June 2019 
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
Congratulations to Christina Pataialii who has been selected as the inaugural winner of the Rydal Art Prize; chosen by a panel of three leading New Zealand public art gallery curators.
The work of Suzanne Sturrock
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
