Over but not out for ‘The Shoe’
The Bent Horseshoe Cafe may no longer be around but it’s legendary gigs still live on. Robyn and Steve Tolley closed the door on their cafe and music venue a year ago but have continued to organise music events. Singer-songwriter Charlotte Yates is their latest offering and Steve Tolley said it would be a nice intimate gig at Palmerston North’s Joseph Street Kitchen.
‘‘This is only our second gig at Joseph St. It has a fantastic atmosphere and as you know the food is superb. I am hoping to do more there. Charlotte will give you a sneak preview of her latest material hot off the press, including soon-to-bereleased single Back for More, as well as gems from her extensive back catalogue of six solo albums.’’
Yates performs solo and with others in music compilation album projects such as Baxter, Tuwhare and Ihimaera. She also writes and performs poetry, but says songwriting is at the heart of what she does.
Yates will also be working with selected students on songwriting at local guitar teacher Kevin Downing’s studio earlier in the day in a two-hour workshop. Yates was herself taught by Downing and says he is one of the best.
‘‘It sounds extremely obvious but the more my guitar technique improved, the better my songs got. Hand in glove, really.’’
The Tolleys have been hosting monthly music gigs at the Hokowhitu Bowling Club and Steve Tolley said they were still getting lots of bands requesting gigs.
‘‘But it is hard to fit them in. The bowling club is going well. We had a record crowd for the Bob Dylan night with Bullfrog and Shayn Wills and the good thing about the club is that it is a lot bigger than the cafe, so we can fit more people in. It also has a good bar and being in town it makes things easier for people if they want to drink.’’
Charlotte Yates in association with the Bent Horseshoe will be performing at Palmerston North’s Joseph Street Kitchen on August 30.