Exciting jazz band brings the swing
Apparently the latest thing in Wellington is swing, and many young people are going to classes to learn the modern version of the jitterbug or jive moves popular in the early 20th century. They then head along on any night of the week to one of the many jazz venues to dance along with local bands.
You can join in the excitement when the Taranaki Jazz Club brings one of the capital’s busiest and most popular young jazz groups, The Dancing & Drinking Society (D.A.D.S.), to town on Sunday, October 16 at The Mayfair. The group are exponents of New Orleans style swing and blues and have a large following. Doors open at 4pm for the new start time of 4.30pm. Admission $25, jazz club members $15, students $4.
As revealed at the special launch event last month, the New Plymouth Orchestra, celebrating 65 years of music, has taken on a new name. It will now be known as the Taranaki Symphony Orchestra, Te Tira Puoro o Taranaki. The time had come to reflect the fact that players are drawn from around the region, and that the group largely performs as a full symphony orchestra.
The first concert under the new banner will be Quodlibet on November 26, but you can catch some beautiful music by small ensembles from within the orchestra at the annual Garden Treats at Tupare, as part of the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular. Enjoy the wafting melodies as you stroll around the fabulous garden (487 Mangorei Rd), and then reward yourself with tea, coffee and yummy home baking served on old-fashioned china. That’s on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday 30 from 9.30am to 4pm. (Let’s hope the weather picks up a bit by then!) Admission to Tupare is free.
If you are going to make a day of gardens and music, you can see the Great Taranaki Steam Band perform at Waiongana Garden, (74 Kairau Rd West, Waitara) on Sunday, October 30 from 2pm4pm. Garden entry fee is $5.
The next organ recital at Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary is on Thursday, October 20 at 12.15pm. Christopher Luke presents a programme of Bach, Handel, Nixon, Smart and Pachelbel. Entry by gold coin donation.
Don’t Forget: Chamber Music New Zealand: London Conchord Ensemble Sunday October 16, 5pm Theatre Royal. Pre-concert talk 4.15 pm.