• Sunday 9th February – Old Time and Bluegrass Music (free) cancelled
  • Sunday 9th February – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential) cancelled
  • Friday 21st February – Mark Mazengarb presents The Petersens (Little Theatre, Lower Hutt)
  • Friday 7th March – Album Launch – The Bitter Brothers
  • Sunday 9th March – Old Time and Bluegrass Music (free)
  • Sunday 9th March – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
  • Saturday 22nd March – Concert – The Carol Bean Band

see below for details on each event:

Events that have been held at our venue over the past 35 years, being the community room adjacent to Petone library, will be affected by urgent remedial work that needs to be immediately undertaken with the building, for a period of six to nine months from the end of January. This is to address mould issues in the upstairs of the building, no doubt in association with the leaking roof. Whilst these works are undertaken, access to the building could be limited, so will affect WBS events over this timeframe. Council have allocated a budget of $5M for works to be undertaken, however are unsure of exactly when these works will start, nor exactly what is involved with the remedial work.

During this temporary period of disruption, some events may have to take place elsewhere from the community room, especially those where performers need to be booked months in advance. 

>> 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
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 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.

Note  there will also be a seating allocation system for those wanting specific seats allocated prior to concerts. Allocated seats should be requested well prior to the concert.  Click on following picture for further information on this option. Allocated seating available only for concerts – not for society nights.
allocated seating (600 wide) (175x97)


Friday 21st February 2025 – Mark Mazengarb presents The Petersens (Little Theatre, Lower Hutt)

The Petersens, one of America’s favourite bluegrass bands, are known for their rich harmonies, heartfelt songs, and deep-rooted connection to the traditions of bluegrass. The Petersens bring a fresh yet nostalgic sound that captivates audiences worldwide. Their first tour of NZ is a chance for New Zealanders to enjoy an authentic taste of American roots music live.

The Petersen children grew up playing music together and in 2003 first heard bluegrass at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. In 2005 the band formed and held their first performance at the First Christian Church of Mountain Grove, Missouri, their mother’s hometown church.

The band were originally composed of siblings Katie on fiddle, Ellen on banjo, Matt on bass, Julianne with song and dance, their mother Karen on mandolin and their father Jon on guitar. Over time Julianne switched to mandolin, Karen switched to bass, and Matt switched to guitar. Jon switched to piano on some of their gospel songs. These early performances were mostly held in local festivals, churches and cafes.

In 2010 the band won the Christian Action Ministries’ Gospel Sing-Off competition at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson. Their performance caught the attention of the IMAX Entertainment Complex, where they were invited to play regularly at the Little Opry Theater for the entertainment of local and state residents.

In 2015 the band received international recognition when their banjo player Ellen Petersen competed in the singing reality TV show American Idol, placing in the top 48. In 2017 Emmett Franz joined the band as their resonator guitar player. In 2018 the band placed fourth in the International Bluegrass Music Competition in Nashville. A year later, The Petersens went viral online when their YouTube videos gained international attention and have now reached nearly 250 million views. Katie Petersen composed California and My Ozark Mountain Home. The latter is a tribute to the Ozarks and was named the first official song by the City of Branson in 2023. Julianne Petersen is a multi-talented performer with a history of buck-dancing whilst playing the fiddle at the same time.

The band received praise from music professionals in the United Kingdom, who see the group as unique in the genre of bluegrass music. They have covered songs by other musicians, such as Dolly Parton’s Jolene, which has more than 17 million views on YouTube, and John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads, which gained 20 million views in twelve months.

The Petersens are known for taking the music of the Ozarks to the world and bringing the world to come visit them in the Ozarks. They have toured throughout Ireland, Finland, Canada, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, entertaining audiences with their tight harmonies and warm sibling humour.

The Petersens have released eleven music projects including a gospel album, two Christmas albums, and compilations of their popular YouTube songs. They perform full-time, entertaining audiences with their tight harmonies and warm sibling humour. In early 2025, they will embark on a tour of New Zealand, courtesy of Mark Mazengarb.

www.petersenband.com

Introducing The Petersens
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WypHI0RmYLg

Steel Rails by Louisa Branscomb performed by The Petersens (LIVE)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL4S-ZuSpJ8

The Petersens – NZ Tour Schedule 2025
www.petersenband.com/new-zealand-tour

Fri 21 Feb – Wellington – Little Theatre, Lower Hutt
www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/the-petersens-live-in-wellington/lower-hutt

EXTRA SPECIAL DEAL FOR WBS SUBSCRIBERS
15% discount on this Wellington show!
* * * PLEASE BOOK IN ASAP, AS THIS IS DISCOUNT IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER * * *

If you sign up for the WBS email newsletter, you will get this 15% discount when booking tickets to this show. To sign up, refer to the   About the WBS page. Look for the WBS email circulation list section.


Friday 7th March – Album Launch at the Abandoned Taproom – The Bitter Brothers

details to follow

Album Launch – The Bitter Brothers
Friday 7th March 8:00pm
$25/$20 members or children – tea and coffee included
(Please bring cash as we have no eftpos facilities)

Bookings accepted before the day – by email to bluegrass(at)xtra.co.nz or phone (04)477 0069

Doors open at 7:30pm for those who have booked
door sales on the day from 7:50pm

Venue – Abandoned Taproom
38 Fitzherbert Street Petone

there is paid parking beside the venue in a monitored carpark at $2 per hour
Alternatively free parking in any adjacent street


Saturday 22nd March – Concert at the Abandoned Taproom – The Carol Bean Band

details to follow

Concert – The Carol Bean Band
Saturday 22nd March 8:00pm
$30/$25 members or children – tea and coffee included
(Please bring cash as we have no eftpos facilities)

Bookings accepted before the day – by email to bluegrass(at)xtra.co.nz or phone (04)477 0069

Doors open at 7:30pm for those who have booked
door sales on the day from 7:50pm

Venue – Abandoned Taproom
38 Fitzherbert Street Petone

there is paid parking beside the venue in a monitored carpark at $2 per hour
Alternatively free parking in any adjacent street


and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events!!


Second Sunday each month – Jam Sessions and banjo workshop – Old Time Music and Bluegrass

Old-time Music and Bluegrass jam sessions 
second Sunday of the month
Petone Community House
6 Britannia Street, Petone
2:00 – 5:00pm

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 2:00pm and 4:00pm – but booking is essential for these.

Free entry to the jam sessions – all are welcome to play or to listen.

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
2:00 – 4:00pm
Petone Community House
6 Britannia Street, Petone
$40 per person – booking required

Please email bluegrass(at)xtra.co.nz  to register your interest in this workshop


Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music !