- Sunday 8th October – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions (free)
- Sunday 8th October – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
- Friday 13th October – Society Night – Hope and The Hobo
- Sunday 12th November – Old Time and Bluegrass Music Jam Sessions (free)
- Sunday 12th November – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
see below for the details:
Changes on jam sessions for 2023!
To date, the free jam sessions have run on the second Sunday of the month, year-round, alternating old-time and bluegrass month about. It’s time for a change, and for this year onwards, both old-time and bluegrass jam sessions will happen monthly! The time slot has been increased to now be 2:00-5:00pm, where the old-time jam will be the first half, i.e. 2:00-3:30pm and bluegrass jam the second half, i.e. 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.
This format will apply each second Sunday of the month year-round, except for April (as this is Easter weekend this year).
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.
Saturday 30th September – Concert – Luthiers Corner
It was the early 70s and two young men more than ten thousand kilometres apart were being influenced by both 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. As it turned out, their respective universes were not only parallel but converging.
Cut to the 2019 Wellington Folk Festival, where Peter and Jack first met, 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 this, 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.
But a relationship of respect and admiration developed along with the guitar building side of things, and both men had an interest in each other’s music. As a mutual agreement, they decided to try a short stage performance 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 both men have different approaches to the music, the common thread of the folk music tradition allows an intuitive understanding of the music. Because of this, adaptation to each other’s repertoires followed naturally. This music is underpinned by vast 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
Saturday 30th September 8:00pm
Wellington Bluegrass Society, 54 Richmond Street, Petone
$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 7:20pm for those who have booked
Otherwise door sales on the day from 7:50pm
Friday 13th October – Society Night – Hope and The Hobo
details to follow
Society Night a week early this month due to Labour Day holiday weekend
Society Night – Hope and The Hobo
Friday 13th October 8:00pm
Wellington Bluegrass Society, 54 Richmond Street, Petone
$20/$15 members or children – tea and coffee included
(Please bring cash as we have no eftpos facilities)
Doors open at 7:30pm – Door sales only
Floor spots to follow the main act and then a jam session after that.
Bring your instruments and join in!
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
Changes on jam sessions for 2023!
To date, the free jam sessions have run on the second Sunday of the month, year-round, alternating old-time and bluegrass month about. It’s time for a change, and for this year onwards, both old-time and bluegrass jam sessions will happen monthly! The time slot has been increased to now be 2:00-5:00pm, where the old-time jam will be the first half, i.e. 2:00-3:30pm and bluegrass jam the second half, i.e. 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.
This format will apply each second Sunday of the month year-round, except for April (as this is Easter weekend this year).
Free entry to the jam sessions – all welcome
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
$30 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 !