An explosion of musical talent
The Mangonui Hall hosted an “explosion” of local acoustic musical talent recently, for a standing-room-only audience that relished the unamplified, social music club atmosphere.
No one was more delighted than Helen Holm.
“The Doubtless Bay area has always had groups of people happy to come together to make music, but somehow a new energy has spurred folk into higher levels of activity and excitement,” she said.
“A whirlwind of professional musicianship has arrived at Honeymoon Valley in the form of recently retired Christoph Maubach, who embodies the spirit of a great teacher — enthusiasm, energy, friendliness, patience and quiet confidence. He has joined existing groups and formed new ones, encouraging young and old to lift up their voices and sing, pick up their instruments and play with new vigour.
“And how better to nurture the talent within us all than to organise a concert showcasing them? And what better cause than fundraising for the Swamp Palace — the O¯ ruru Community Hall — currently under strengthening and repair by the Far North District Council after years of neglect?”
The friends and relations of performers happily parted with $15 to support the hall and to hear acts. The committee of the O¯ ruru and Inland Valleys’ Association (OIVA), which had been authorised to ‘run’ the Swamp Palace, was “massively thankful” for the support.
The committee had deposited just over $1200 into the building fund.
And in true Far North style, the audience were treated to free tea and coffee at the interval, along with all manner of eats that the performers had brought.
Meanwhile the bill included a bilingual welcome sung by Grant Goodwin, Tracey McClurg (a regular performer at the Mangonui Market), local ukulele group the Pohutuleles, the Woodpigeons, Coastapella (Christoph Maubach, Liz Nicols, Linley Main and Grant Goodwin), and the Mangonui SingRays, a community choir based at St Andrew’s Church.