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February 2022

Mundi Trio

Prepare to be transported!  Mundi Trio comprises Brazilian percussionist Ricardo Stuani, guitarist Chris Dabinett and flautist, vocalist, and composer Tamara Smith.  Mundi’s music exudes joy and passion – taking you on a journey filled with global colours, grooves and influences.

Mundi have performed at many festivals and the trio members were chosen to perform an original item on the banks of Avon/Ōtākaro River with Yo-Yo Ma and Marlon Williams as part of Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Project.

Tamara Smith grew up in rural North Canterbury and trained in classical flute before training in jazz at the Christchurch Jazz School.

Chris Dabinett graduated from Wellington Massey University in Jazz Studies.

Ricardo Stuani is a percussionist.  He has a Bachelor in Percussion and a Masters in Music from the University of Sao Paulo.

Venue: Any suitable theatre, music venue, house concert, hall, church or woolshed
Set up: 2 hours
Personnel: 3
Duration: 2 x 45 minute sets
Price: $900+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Ethnic and World Music fans
Website: http://mundi.co.nz/

March 2022

The Alpaca Social Club with special guest Cousin Alice

The Alpaca Social Club plays fresh sounds from exotic lands.  The music has a flavour of Arabic, Celtic, funk, soul and gypsy jazz cultures.  The two musicians at its core are pianist and accordionist Craig Denham and bassouki player and guitarist Jon Sanders.  Fans describe their live show as “a pyrotechnic display of dazzling virtuosity” and “a quantum leaping musical curiosity”.

Raised in New Zealand, of Barbadian/Welsh/English parentage, Alice has been based in London for the last 16 years.

“Cousin Alice is unique. At a time when the jazz scene is awash with girl singers singing lovelorn lyrics at funereal tempos and living their Billie Holiday-esque fantasies along comes Alice with her banjolele and suddenly the clouds part, the sun shines and everything is just dandy.” Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band Leader

Venue: Any suitable music venue, theatre, café, art gallery
Set up: 1 hour
Personnel: 3
Duration: 2 x 45 minute sets
Price: $900+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: General audience

April 2022

Brendan Dooley Magician

Brendan Dooley is one of the World’s top young Magicians and is described by The Press as “A new generation of talent…snapping at the heels of established acts.”

Most recently Brendan was headlining at the prestigious World famous magic castle in Hollywood, California which is the No. 1 place to see the best magicians in the world, with a highly acclaimed 30 show run. This was completed at the age of only 22 making him one of their youngest ever headliners. Following his tours throughout NZ, Australia, Asia and his 30 show run at the Prestigious World famous Magic Castle Brendan brings his brand new show, MARVELS! for the whole family.

Brendan combines flavours and skills of the vaudeville era with the fresh elements of the current world to bring a world class evening of mind blowing magic, quick wit, comedy, insane stunts and plenty of audience participation.

He creates not just a show but an experience you will never forget!

Venue: Any suitable theatre, hall, art gallery or venue of choice
Set up: 2 hours for pack into venue
Personnel: 2
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes no interval
Price: $1,100+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Family and general audience
Website: http://www.brendandooley.com

May 2022

Albi and the Wolves

Albi & the Wolves set fire to stages and fill hearts with hope with their energetic and relatable alternative indie folk songs.

Chris Dent, the proud albino frontman Albi, Pascal Roggen and Michael Young have crafted a stage show that’s brimming with energy and moments to pause for reflection.

The trio has a huge sound that is simply created by an acoustic guitar, electric violin, double bass and their three voices.

Since 2014 they have gone from strength to strength touring in Australia, New Zealand and Rarotonga and in 2018 they took home the Best Folk Artist Award at the NZVMA’s.

What makes the band special is the sense of community that follows them everywhere they go so whether it’s connection through dance, laughter, or singing audiences feel radiant after shows and keep coming back for more.

Venue: Any suitable theatre, music hall, art gallery or venue of choice
Set up: 3 hours for pack into venue
Personnel: 4
Duration: 2 x 45 minute sets
Price: $900+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: General audience
Website: https://www.albiandthewolves.com/

June 2022

Katie Boyle in Pat Goldsack’s Swingers Club and Brothel

87-year-old Patricia Goldsack, known as Pat to her friends and lovers has toured New Zealand for the last six decades with her touring swingers club and brothel. Looking to make a dollar in her old age, and lots of new and naked friends, she explores how close two degrees is and whether we can make that separation smaller.

The show features anecdotes from Pat’s chequered past, audience interaction, and all kinds of tips and tricks, delivered with a sharp grandmotherly wit and accomplished improvisational skills. Fresh from multi-award nominated performances in 2018-19, this is one old woman you don’t want to miss.

Winner Best Female Comedian, 2019 Comedy Hub Awards, Winner Best Comedy, 2018 Palmy Fringe Festival, Nominated Best Comedy, 2018 Nelson Fringe Festival, Nominated Best Solo Show, 2018 Wellington Comedy Awards.

“a pure joy to watch” – Art Murmurs “impossible not to love” – Echoes From The Wings “utterly phenomenal . . . hilarious” – Theatreview

Katie is one of New Zealand’s most noted Shakespearean actors, with 13 Elizabethan productions performed over the last eight years. She is directed by award-winning comedian Alexander Sparrow, as seen on TVNZ’s Breakfast, TV3’s The Project, and PRIME TV’s Back Benches, and in The Wall Street Journal (US).

Venue: Any suitable theatre, community hall, café, wine bar
Set up: 2 hours
Personnel: 2
Duration: 1 hour no interval plus Q & A (optional)
Price: $900+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Fun and improvisation for a general audience
Website: http://www.sparrowandboyle.com

July 2022

Michael Hurst in The Golden Ass

A man with a suitcase, compelled to tell the story of The Golden Ass.

Michael Hurst is Lucius Apuleius, a virile young Roman man who is obsessed with magic. On a trip to Thessaly, the weird centre of spookiness in the ancient world, he finds himself in a position to witness an actual spell being cast. But his over-enthusiasm leads him into an alarming accidental transformation. Oops.

His struggle to return to his human form has him fall into a froth of irreverent and often ludicrous adventures involving simple-minded husbands, adulterous wives, clever lovers, bandits, witches, donkeys and a panoply of outrageous characters.

There’ll be no holds barred as Michael takes on this scary, bawdy, beautiful Roman classic, fusing it with his own experience as a story teller. A thoroughly modern take on what is ultimately a story of redemption and the power of love.

One man. One suitcase. A cast of thousands.

(Age advisory content suitable 16+)

Venue: Theatres, art galleries and community halls
Set up: 3 hours
Personnel: 2
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes no interval plus Q & A (optional)
Price: $1,300+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Theatre and art audiences

August 2022

Mad Doggerel Cabaret

Two poets and a musician combine to present a comic and lyric portrait of Aotearoa New Zealand and its place in the South Pacific today. Their Mad Doggerel poetry cabaret is full of cascading words, wild musicality and lightning humour.

David Eggleton, the current Poet Laureate of Aotearoa 2019 – 2022, has been described as a jazz-bop-beatnik poet ‘whose poems never cease to amaze and astound in their creativity…in performance he is no longer ‘just a poet’ but a ranter, a raver, a conjuror…his poetry spirals into today’s world from a Polynesian heritage’. David Eggleton, an acclaimed writer, has received just about every literary award for poetry it is possible to receive in New Zealand.

Daren Kamali was a founding member of the South Auckland Poets’ Collective in 2008 and a co-founder of Niu Navigations in 2013, an organization aimed at encouraging young Pacific writers to tell their stories.

An accomplished performance and slam poet, as well as a musician, Daren Kamali has travelled the world presenting poems based on Polynesian and Pasifika legends and his own life story.

Richard Wallis is a Dunedin-based classical guitarist. As a soundscape musician he has worked extensively with David Eggleton in producing music recordings.

Venue: Any suitable theatre, music hall, art gallery, performance venue
Set up: 2 hours
Personnel: 3
Performance: 2 x 40 minute sets
Price: $600+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Literary and theatre audiences
Website: https://www.anzliterature.com/member/david-eggleton/
https://www.pantograph-punch.com/posts/from-barracks-to-books

September 2022

Across The Great Divide

World music in a true folk roots fusion! Acoustic Americana meets Celtic Spirit! Here come Across the Great Divide, featuring traditional, contemporary and original songs and tunes from Celtic, Scandinavian and Americana roots.

Featuring guitarist and arguably NZ’s finest dobro player, Tony Burt, and internationally respected Swedish saxophonist, Hanna Wiskari-Griffiths, and music specialist and tradition bearer of Scots songs and tunes, on harp, guitar, and vocals, Karen Jones

Unknowingly you are drawn into and welcomed to their special Transatlantic musical world. Original and traditional tunes and airs; Americana original compositions all receive the same skill and passion in their delivery until you are no longer aware of their different musical roots, nor any divide at all.

An Across The Great Divide concert isn’t a quiet affair. Strap yourself in for a wild, toe tapping and emotionally laden journey, perfectly held together by their passion for their traditions.

Venue: Any suitable theatre, music café, community hall
Set up: 2 hours for pack in
Personnel: 3
Duration: 2 x 45 minutes
Price: $800+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: General music audiences
Website: www.acrossthegreatdivide.website

October

The Bicycle & the Butcher’s Daughter

A new solo play with Helen Moulder directed by Sue Rider presents a family, food and five surprising characters!

Olivia Paterson runs a big meat exporting company and wants to feed the world. Her daughter is a vegan. Her father wants things to stay as they are. And her sister is not sure what she wants. Only the mysterious Grace seems certain.

The Bicycle and the Butcher’s Daughter is a lively and entertaining solo work which addresses themes of women in leadership, the meat industry, veganism, global food issues and family relationships.

It is written by Sue Rider & Helen Moulder and directed by Sue Rider, the collaboration that brought you Playing Miss Havisham, Gloria’s Handbag and Meeting Karpovsky. Production includes recorded music by pianist Richard Mapp and violinist Juliet Eyre.

Contains some strong language. Recommended 15 +

Venue: A Stage, a theatre, a café or community hall
Set up: 2 hours
Personnel: 2
Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes no interval plus Q & A (optional)
Price: $1,100+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: Theatre, comedy audiences
Website: www.willowproductions.co.nz

November

Grant Haua Awa Blues

Grant Haua was long-time half of blues-roots stompers Swamp Thing with drummer Michael Barker. He will present, in concert, his deep timbre soul blues vocals, acoustic guitars and foot percussion cajon, snare in a performance relating to his Maori culture which are at the heart of these songs

Grant wants the audiences at his show to feel like they’re guests in his home and like the songs, his home is pretty simple but it’s warm, cosy and friendly.

So welcome. This is his place. Awa Blues tour 2022. Kia ora koutou

“A seasoned artist who touches all kinds of points in the blues and folk from Taj Mahal and JJ Cale to dialled down Stevie Ray and even an adventurous touch of acoustic James Blood Ulmer. Seems like this is Grant Haua’s time” Graham Reid (Elsewhere Magazine).

Venue: Any suitable theatre, music café, community hall, house concert
Set up: 2 hours for pack in
Personnel: 2
Duration: 2 x 45 minutes
Price: $1,100+GST (or 70% of gross after reasonable costs whichever is greater)
Appeal: General music audiences
Website: www.granthaua.com/home