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- Thursday 23rd April, 7.30pm – Society night featuring Phonic Fever – 9 Stanhope Grove, Korokoro (note change of venue, one time only)
- Sunday 10th May – Old Time and Bluegrass Music – Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
- Sunday 10th May – Banjo Workshop – Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
See below for details on concerts, Society Nights and sessions and workshop.
>> Please refer to each event listing and take note of where it is taking place.
Old time and bluegrass music jam sessions and banjo workshops
These Sunday jam sessions and workshops are currently being held in different venues due to fire at Alicetown Community House in November 2025.
Society Nights
Society Nights will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month, normally at the Abandoned Taproom (but note change of venue for April Society Night only). They start with a Guest Spot by a feature artist or group. The Guest Spot is half a concert, i.e. 45 minutes. This is followed by a tea and coffee break then floorspots and a jam session for one and all. Admission is generally $20 for general admission, $15 for members or children – includes tea and coffee. Door sales only. (There is also an occasional ‘blackboard’ concert without a featured Guest Spot.)
and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events!!
Society night Thursday 23rd April featuring Phonic Fever
Phonic Fever are Anne O’Donnell – ukulele and harp, Geoff Pearce – flatpick and fingerpick guitar also cahon, and Charles Greenlees, also known as Charles Harter – guitar, mandolin, and fiddle on the more energetic numbers. They came together through Geoff’s partner and Anne, who both work at a Hutt Physiotherapy practice, who were having a Christmas function and Geoff attended, brought his guitar to provide entertainment. Charles, who is Anne’s partner, also took his guitar to provide entertainment. This was the first time Charles and Geoff met, and following this they got together and worked out a few tunes and kindled a musical friendship.
The band grew from there, working out songs and developing a repertoire. A few musicians came and went through the process. Once their music began to develop, Anne also joined the band, stuck with them throughout and the three are the current lineup.
Their repertoire is entirely original songs. Charles is the principal songwriter with Anne strongly collaborating, and Charles working out melodies. Geoff has written a few songs too. They sing in three-part harmonies and use a variety of styles of music including ragtime, blues and swing. They make every song individual and stand alone. Their songs are often tongue in cheek, but can include social commentary as in “I would love to be loved”, which looks at the daunting prospect of joining an internet dating site. Some can border on the educational including “The Gut”, “A Good Night’s Sleep” and “The Bluegrass Boys”. Their songs have an element of infectious fun, tempered by occasional serious undertones in unexpected places.
The last three years have been very creative for the band, who not only have an entirely original repertoire, but have also created many videos, viewable via their Youtube channel. Some examples are:
The Bluegrass Boys by Phonic Fever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqwCAjM2170
Whatever the Weather by Phonic Fever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYypdCASK3M
Society Night – featuring Phonic Fever
Thursday 23rd April, 7:30pm start
Door sales only, from 7:00pm.
Wellington Bluegrass Society @ 9 Stanhope Grove, Korokoro (note change of venue, one time only)
$20/$15 members or children – tea and coffee included
Society nights happen on the fourth Thursday of the month. The feature act performs the first set, starting at 7:30pm;
second set is floorspots followed by a jam session.
Second Sunday each month – Jam Sessions and banjo workshop – Old Time Music and Bluegrass
Old-time Music and Bluegrass jam sessions
second Sunday of each month
2:00 – 5:00pm
Venue: Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
Free entry for jam sessions! All welcome!
Jam Sessions
The old-time jam will be the first half (2:00-3:30pm) and bluegrass jam the second half (3:30-5:00pm). You can come for one. or the other, or both! And there are also Banjo Workshops available between 3:00pm and 5:00pm – but booking is essential for these.
All are welcome to play or to listen.
Banjo Workshop
There will be a banjo workshop, for absolute beginners. Running in parallel to the jam session, at the same venue, this will cater for anyone who has either just picked up a banjo, through to getting you up to jamming with others.
Banjo workshop for absolute beginners
3:00 – 5:00pm second Sunday each month
$40 per person (or as advertised) – booking required – please book via email before the day for this event
Please bring:
+ banjo
+ tuner
+ drink bottle
+ some means of taking notes – a recording device is fine
Venue:
Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
Please email andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com to register your interest in this workshop
Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music!