Coming Events

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 at the Abandoned Taproom. 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 support acts 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!!

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Sunday 8th March 7:30pm – Concert – Luthiers Corner

It was the early 70s and two young men, more than ten thousand kilometres apart, were being influenced by the folk music and the associated musical instruments that became so popular at the time. They are Peter Madill and Jack MacKenzie, who became very involved in both the music and the construction and repair of instruments that were used therein. As it turned out, their respective universes were not only parallel but converging.

Advance to the 2019 Wellington Folk Festival, where Peter and Jack first met and became aware of each other’s music and the potential that existed between them. Both had committed to displaying their luthiery work at the festival. However, both were also taking part in the Festival as performers, Peter with the Madillionaires and Jack with the Downunderdogs.
Following that Festival, a relationship between them developed through their guitar building. Peter, being the more established and experienced of the two was kind and generous and began helping Jack develop his skills. Sticky problems were solved through collaboration and Peter’s formal woodworking skills were shared with each visit.

Then a relationship of respect and admiration developed along with the guitar building, and both had an interest in each other’s music. They decided to try a short stage performance, which took place at the last Mid-Winter Holler, which took place in late February 2023. Their music was very well received. As a result of encouragement and suggestion, an experimental concert at the Wellington Bluegrass Society then resulted.

Although they have a different approach to music, the common thread of the folk music tradition allows an intuitive understanding of the music. Because of this, adaptation to each other’s repertoire followed naturally. This music is underpinned by their combined repertoires, harmony vocals, solid flat picking and the possibility of an appearance of the pedal steel guitar that Jack has been teaching himself to play. It will be an interesting and rewarding evening, steeped in a combined rich history of decades of involvement in this art, complete with unique stories and a perspective born of the pursuit of both luthiery and music.

Concert – Luthiers Corner

Sunday 8th March 7:30pm
Wellington Bluegrass Society @ Abandoned Taproom Petone
38 Fitzherbert Street

$25/$20 members or children – tea and coffee included

Click here to book for the concert featuring Luthiers Corner

If this link doesn’t work, then send an email to andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com, put “website booking for Luthiers Corner” in the subject line, add your name, number of tickets required.   

Bookings accepted before the day
Doors open at 6:50pm for those who have booked

Otherwise door sales on the day from 7:20pm

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

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Society night Thursday 26th March featuring Stan Antonio

Phoebe Smith and Alex Howie grew up attending folk festivals and have played around Wellington as part of various folk groups. They dabble in the realms of Americana, folk, and bluegrass, and have recently been writing music together. Their influences include classic artists such as Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, more contemporary artists such as Adrianne Lenker, and Aotearoa artists like Marlon Williams and Nadia Reid. They aspire to use the banjo as a force for good in this world, alongside close harmonies and acoustic guitar.

Now She Knows What It Feels Like – Bella White – cover

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IANcYKZgze4

Right Back To It – Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman – cover

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2crWtl07U

Society Night – Stan Antonio

Thursday 26th March, 7:30pm start

Society nights happening on the fourth Thursday of the month
Wellington Bluegrass Society @ Abandoned Taproom Petone
38 Fitzherbert Street

$20/$15 members or children – tea and coffee included

Door sales only

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

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Saturday 11th April 2026 – Concert – Frank John and Erin Manu featuring Rob Greenfield (bass)

More details to follow.

Concert – Frank John and Erin Manu featuring Rob Greenfield (bass)

Saturday 11th April 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 concert Frank John and Erin Manu featuring Rob Greenfield (bass)

If this link doesn’t work, then send an email to andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com, put “website booking for The Frank John Trio” in the subject line, add your name, number of tickets required.   

Bookings accepted before the day
Doors open at 7:20pm for those who have booked

Otherwise door sales on the day from 7:50pm

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

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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 for 8 March 2026: 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.

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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 for workshops on 8 March 2026:
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!

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