Concerts, Society Nights and Workshops
- Sunday 13th October – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions (free)
- Sunday 13th October – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
- Friday 18th October – Society Night – Dean Murray
- Sunday 10th November – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions (free)
- Sunday 10th November – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
- Friday 15th November – Society Night – Divine Pitch CD Launch
- Saturday 23rd November – Concert – The Cattlestops
- Saturday 7th December – Concert – Half Light
- Sunday 8th December – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions (free)
- Sunday 8th December – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
for further details on these future WBS events go to the Coming Events page.
for past events for this year (to date) see 2024 Past Events page.
for details on all documented WBS events go to the Past Events page.
Recent News:
Old time and bluegrass music jam sessions and banjo workshops
The free jam sessions are run on the second Sunday of each month, year-round, with the old-time jam session in the first half (2:00-3:30pm) and bluegrass jam session the second half (3:30-5:00pm. You can come for one. or the other, or both!
Also there are banjo workshops available on the same days from 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Please note that a prior booking is essential for these banjo workshops.
These Sunday jam sessions and workshops are held at the Petone Community House – 6 Britannia Street, Petone. All other events are held at 54 Richmond Street, Petone, a meeting room adjacent to the Petone Community Library.
WBS National Treasures
for the growing list of WBS National Treasures go to the National Treasures page.
30th Anniversary of the WBS
The Society Night August 21st, 2020 marked the 30th Anniversary of the Wellington Bluegrass Society.
This picture (courtesy of Hans Weston Films) shows Andrew Bicknell, the Founder and President of the WBS, holding a celebratory cake.
The first three decades of the WBS have provided much varied musical entertainment. For indication of the vast variety of music for the last decade go to the Past Events page
.
Queen’s Service Medal
The Founder and President of the Society is Andrew Bicknell. Announced in the Queens Birthday Honours on Monday 3rd June 2019, Andrew was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for thirty years of services to music! The Medal was awarded at Government House on 17th September 2019. See the About WBS page for further detail.
Mr Andrew Paul Bicknell: For services to music
Mr Andrew Bicknell has run the Wellington Bluegrass Society since establishing it in 1990.
Over the last 29 years Mr Bicknell has established an internationally recognised venue and following for performers to showcase their music. He has organised at least two concerts every month featuring local, national and international performers. Whilst having bluegrass as a base, his stage has extended to a wide range of high calibre performers of music genres. He has coordinated all bookings and negotiations with artists and service providers alike, then for each show has handled all bookings and ticketing himself. All profits for every show have been given to the performers concerned, to recognise each with the maximum return possible. On top of this, he also writes and sends regular newsletters, creates the graphic design needs for every aspect of the Society, creates website content, organises workshops and music camps for the teaching of instruments and voice, has helped connect those who need tuition or instrument repairs, and has been a point of contact for those wanting information or assistance with the music. Mr Bicknell has encouraged many others to take up instruments, develop their voices, form bands and helped to give them the chance to perform.
(and for information on several past threats to the WBS venue go to the Threat to venue page)
and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events !!
Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music !