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!!
Saturday 1st August 8:00pm – Raven Mavens Quartette CD launch concert
The Raven Mavens Quartette return to the Wellington Bluegrass Society on 1 August 2026 for the launch of their eagerly anticipated new CD.
Since releasing their previous album of original songs in 2020 — also celebrated at the Bluegrass Society — the band have continued to delight audiences throughout Wellington, the Wairarapa and the Kāpiti Coast with their distinctive blend of blues, roots, folk and swing influences.
The Raven Mavens have become renowned for their catchy, blues-infused original songs, written primarily by band leader Cindy Muggeridge. Drawing on her deep roots in blues piano, as well as Latin rhythms and rock ’n’ roll grooves, Cindy’s latest collection tells stories of life, love and loss, alongside wry social and political observations. In both performance and recording, she is joined by the exceptional talents of Kate Marshall on vocals, violin, accordion and flute; Marian Carter on vocals, saxophone, clarinet and recorder; and Anje Glindemann on vocals, drums and percussion.
The band are also excited to feature two original compositions by Kate Marshall on this new recording, with Kate taking the lead on piano, supported by the other Mavens.
A unique all-female ensemble, the Raven Mavens Quartette gives every member the opportunity to shine as both instrumentalist and vocalist. What began in 2011 as a duo, with Cindy on boogie and blues piano and Marian contributing soulful vocals and clarinet, expanded to a trio with the addition of drummer Anje Glindemann, and later became a quartet when multi-instrumentalist Kate Marshall joined the group.
Each member is a gifted musician and singer in her own right, but together they create a musical chemistry that is greater than the sum of its parts. Their rich combination of voices and instruments produces a sound more often associated with a much larger ensemble. Audiences can expect humour, passion, warmth and exuberance, all in service of songs that remain firmly at the heart of the performance.
Join the Raven Mavens Quartette for an evening celebrating original music, masterful musicianship and the release of a remarkable new collection of songs.
Art of Romance performed by the Raven Mavens Quartette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD-LSGc2qK8
WBS Concert featuring Raven Mavens Quartette CD launch concert
Saturday 1st August, 8:00pm
Wellington Bluegrass Society @ Abandoned Taproom Petone
38 Fitzherbert Street
$30/$25 members or children – tea and coffee included
Click here to book for the Raven Mavens CD Launch Concert
if this link doesn’t work, then please email andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com
Come for dinner before the show! Abandoned Taproom Petone have plenty of tasty treats, and grab a drink (or two) as well:
www.abandonedbrewery.co.nz/taprooms#Petone
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.
Clawhammer 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: TBC
Please email andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com to register your interest in this workshop
Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music!