2026 events are listed below
(either page down or click on specific event for more detail)
Jam sessions and banjo workshops
The jam sessions are run on the second Sunday of the month, year-round. The old-time jam is 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! The Banjo Workshops (booking essential) are between 3pm and 5pm.
Second Sunday – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions
Second Sunday – Banjo Workshop
Society nights
Society nights are on the fourth Thursday of the month, at the Abandoned Taproom, Petone.
15th January – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Second Sunday each month – Jam Sessions and Banjo workshop
Held on the second Sunday afternoon of each month between 2pm and 3:30pm for the Old Time Music jam session and 3:30pm to 5pm for the Bluegrass Music jam session – now at the Alicetown Community House. The Banjo Workshop is 3pm to 5pm.
Thursday 15th January – Concert – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Jackie Bristow was brought up in Gore, honed her craft in the pubs and clubs of Sydney, Australia and now lives in Nashville Tennessee, USA. Jackie has released five critically acclaimed studio albums and spent the last few years opening for Chris Isaak, Boz Skaggs, Bonnie Raitt and Tommy Emmanuel, as well as headlining her own shows.
Joined by Barry Saunders, A genuine Kiwi music hero, and singer and principal songwriter for the legendary country band The Warratahs. Barry has also had a parallel solo career spanning six albums, along with collaborations with Sam Hunt and Delaney Davidson.
Jackie’s life was turned around in 2020 whilst visiting New Zealand, when the Covid-19 lockdown hit. Unable to return to her home in Nashville, she “made the best of the crazy world” of that time by focusing her creative energy in new directions. A silver lining saw Jackie connecting with Barry Saunders and an amazing friendship and music partnership was made. Jackie and Barry went on to perform shows around New Zealand and releasing their debut single collaboration Good Miles to Go in 2024.
“We’re two seasoned songwriters who have teamed up as we love singing together and our voices and songs work so well together.
“We combine our catalogues of songs. We perform as a duo, with two acoustic guitars and two voices, harmonies, harp, including some solo performances and stories.