- Thursday 15th January 7:30pm – concert featuring Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
- Thursday 22nd January 7:00pm – Society nights start again after a break for a whole year on the fourth Thursdays this one featuring Phonic Fever
- Saturday 31st January 8:00pm – concert featuring Alex Seel and Jon Sanders (UK)
- Sunday 8th February – Old Time and Bluegrass Music – Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
- Sunday 8th February – Banjo Workshop – Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone
See below for details on the sessions and workshop; more details coming soon on the concerts and Society Night.
>> 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.
and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events!!
Thursday 15th January – Concert – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Wow, you’re in for a treat with this showcase concert featuring two great singer songwriters who meld perfectly!
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.
Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders – Good Miles To Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTzBZPoBxyI…
Performers – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Writer – Barry Saunders
Producers – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Filming – Delaney Davidson
Engineering, mixing and mastering – Alan Galbraith
Concert – Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Thursday 15th January 7:30pm
Wellington Bluegrass Society @ Abandoned Taproom Petone
38 Fitzherbert Street
$30 / $25 members or children – tea and coffee included
Click here to book for this concert
Please use the above link to book for this concert
If this link doesn’t work, please send an email to andrewbicknell2018@gmail.com
Bookings accepted before the day
Doors open at 6:30pm for those who have booked
Otherwise door sales on the day at the venue from 7:15pm
Venue – Abandoned Taproom
38 Fitzherbert Street Petone
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
They are a family friendly venue, i.e. children can accompany an adult
You can book in for dinner via this link:www.abandonedbrewery.co.nz/bookings-petone
There is paid parking beside the venue in a monitored carpark at $2 per hour; alternatively free parking in any adjacent street.
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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 February 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.
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 February 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!