Whangateau Hall

07/08/2024

We have just received word that works will be commencing shortly for the public toilet replacement and domain enhancement at Whangateau Domain Recreation Reserve.

These works involve;

- Demolition of the old toilet block
- Installation of new pre-fabricated toilet block
- Replacement of hall water tank
- Installation of additional wastewater storage tank
- New line marking and wheel stops to car park
- New timber bollards to domain reserve

Physical works will be carried out by M Keoghan Contractors,
Project Management by Hutchinson Consulting Engineers,
Auckland Council Project Manager is Chris Moyne.

Work is scheduled to commence Monday 12nd August and be completed by Friday 27th September 2024. The hall toilet block and car park area will need to be closed for the a short period during of the works. Site fencing and signage will be installed at the entrance.

29/07/2024

Folk Club tonight back at Whangateau Hall! We've got a lovely line-up of floor singers already signed up, followed by the brilliant and talented Chris "Albi" Dent in the second half! $15 on the door, kick off is at 7pm. See you there!

Send a message to learn more

22/07/2024

Whangateau Folk Club next Monday, 29 July with very special guest, Chris Dent of Albi and the Wolves! https://www.facebook.com/AlbiAndTheWolves

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7pm start with first half floor singers. Email [email protected] to book. $15 cash or bank transfer only.

This is a guaranteed great night of live acoustic folk music. See you at WHANGATEAU HALL!

https://linktr.ee/albiandthewolves
Three quirky fellas playing Indie-Folk in New Zealand!

27/05/2024

Barry and Nat Torkington will be your hosts for this month’s club night. No special guest, so it’s floor singers all night. And depending on the vibe, it might be singing in the round. We’ve done that before and it was a good time. Musicians circled up in the middle of the room, with listeners casually arrayed around the outside enjoying a natter and cup of tea. It’s a good night! Hey, you know what kind of talent we’ve got in our area. Get amongst it.

Do come along to Leigh Hall at 7pm on Monday! $5 on the door to cover hall hire and bikkies.

Send a message to learn more

11/05/2024

Plenty of tickets left for tonight's Hot Diggity & Turkey The Bird double feature! Come on down to the hall, 7pm tonight!

Send a message to learn more

08/05/2024

A little preview of the utter delight you are in for at the Turkey the Bird concert on Saturday. These fellas are truly divine. You must join us and experience the pure glory and joy of this brilliant band. And of course, you get a Hot Diggity starter to boot!

Saturday, 11 May 2024
Leigh Hall, 4 Cumberland Street, Leigh
Doors open at 6:30 for a 7:00pm start.
Tickets $30, cash at the door or bank transfer (message for details.)

05/05/2024

Turkey the Bird with Hot Diggity
11 May 2024, 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Leigh Hall, 4 Cumberland Street, Leigh
Tickets: $30

Hot Diggity is a hard hitting, sweet singing, all-female bluegrass band. They play original songs by Heather Carrigan (mandolin vocals) and Deborah Mackenzie (guitar and vocals) along with plenty of bluegrass favourites. Backed up by Jenine Abarbanel (bass and vocals), Sue Drake (banjo and vocals) and Louise Evans (fiddle), they put out a powerful, lively sound with hot instrumentation and tight harmonies. All five members are veteran musicians having played with numerous other bands in a variety of musical styles for years. Lovers of bluegrass tradition and the time period of its birth, the Hot Diggity ladies perform while kitted out in the finest vintage styles.

Turkey The Bird will remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of "Simon & Garfunkel,” 2 ounces of "Mumford and Sons,” a splash of banjo and served on ice on a sunny day. Hailing from the New Zealand left coast town of New Plymouth, this uplifting band will hit you with beautiful three part harmonies and toe tapping rhythms. Brilliantly interpreted covers enhance their funny, funky, stunning originals. This show also features release of their hot new single, “Lady who?”

24/03/2024

Club night tomorrow, Monday the 25th of March for Whangateau Folk! First half floor singers. Our second half guests are The P**i Pickers. (yep, that's me!) $10 at the door, show starts at 7pm. and we are meeting at LEIGH HALL, as Whangateau is still under refurbishment. See you there!

20/03/2024

Whangateau Folk: March Club Night

Monday, March 25, Leigh Hall. Special guests: The P**is

And just like that, it’s time for Folk Club! We will be meeting at Leigh Hall, same as we did for the George and Brad concert in February. This is a regular club night, so all local musicians are welcome to put their name in for a first half floor spot. Email [email protected] to request your spot.

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start. $10 on the door, no bookings necessary. See you there!

15/02/2024

George Jackson and Brad Kolodner: in concert at LEIGH HALL

Tuesday, 20 February 2024
7:30pm

Whangateau Hall is closed for refurbishment, but that doesn’t mean the music has to stop. Leigh Hall Committee have graciously offered up their hall to our club until we are back up and running.
New Zealand-born, Nashville-based fiddler George Jackson and Baltimore based American banjoist Brad Kolodner met years ago in a late-night jam session at the hallowed Appalachian String Band Music Festival in West Virginia and have since formed a musical bond that runs deep, across continents and through a number of recorded projects. From the moment the fiddle bow hits the strings and the fingers grasp the fretboard, George and Brad are locked in, weaving their way through ancient melodies made new again. From trance-inducing moody original tunes to classic barnburners, their show has something for serious or casual folk music fans alike. They play with a mischievous curiosity that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats wondering where they’ll go next.
This will absolutely be an incredible evening of outstanding Americana music and not to be missed! Tickets are $20 and you can reserve your seat by emailing [email protected]. Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

22/01/2024

January Club Night: TUESDAY, 30 January 2024.

Club night this month is moved to a TUESDAY to make room for the Auckland Folk Festival. We have a very special second half guest: The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee. They will be fresh off their Auckland Folk Festival appearance, so should be super hot for us! Tickets are $20/each. Doors open at 6:45pm, first half starts at 7:00pm. Book now at [email protected].

"Mining the fertile common ground between bluegrass, early country music, and traditional mountain music, The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee are Virginia’s torchbearers of the old time sound. Their powerful harmony singing and energetic instrumentals have captivated audiences around the country and helped the band to win many awards including blue ribbons in the old time band contest at the 85th Annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, Virginia and the bluegrass band contest at the 51st Mount Airy Fiddlers’ Convention in North Carolina. Band members have won a slew of individual awards as well, including first prize in the coveted MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Deep knowledge and appreciation for traditional music enables the band to craft tasteful original songs and instrumentals that blend seamlessly alongside the classics. The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee cut no corners when it comes to real, hard hitting, old time country music – an approach that is quickly gaining them loyal followers far beyond the reaches of their Virginia mountain home.
Learn more and hear some of their music at https://alumridgeboys.com/"

Standard folk club format EXCEPT I will be limiting the first half to 7 floor singers to leave as much time as possible for our amazing special guests. If you wish to perform, you MUST email ahead of time at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Home page of The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee, a bluegrass, folk group from Floyd, VA. A favorite at dances and festivals around the Blue Ridge region, The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee are helping to continue the great dance music traditions of Southwest Virginia

11/01/2024

Thursday, January 18th.

With a blend of dreamy acoustic duets, bluesy murder ballads and foot-stomping Folk, New Zealand-born and Nashville-based South for Winter’s (https://www.facebook.com/southforwintermusic)
sound is as eclectic as their origins. Formed by Christchurch native Nick Stone and Coloradan Dani Cichon, the two songwriters and multi-instrumentalists combine elements such as vocal harmonies, percussive acoustic guitar, mandolin, electric guitar, and suitcase stomp into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as “laden with delicate harmonies, intricate guitar-work and earthy vocals...impeccable sound”.

South for Winter are ordinarily a trio, but unfortunately, Michigander Alex Stradal is unable to travel to New Zealand at this time. However, they are equally delightful as a duo and will put on a great show for us.

Tickets are $20 and available at the door (cash only) or you can prebook by emailing [email protected].

Doors open at 7:00pm with a 7:30pm show start time.

19/12/2023

New Zealand, we're coming your way ✈️

These birds are heading South for the winter again, and we've got a cracker of a tour lined up. Find us in 2024:

18 Jan - Whangateau | Whangateau Hall

19 Jan - Katikati | Katikati Folk Club*

20 Jan - Waihi Beach | Secret Garden Waihi Beach*

21 Jan - Whitianga - Beat Fairy

22 Jan - Devonport | The Bunker, Devonport

2 Feb - Nelson | The Boathouse, Nelson

3 Feb - Mapua | Ruby Bay Store; Theatre, Gallery, Tearooms

4 Feb - Picton | Picton Little Theatre Incorporated

10 Feb - Christchurch | Little Andromeda

11 Feb - Diamond Harbour | Live at the Point

15 Feb - Queenstown | Waikākā Church Queenstown ^

17 Feb - Invercargill | Southland Musicians Club ^

18 Feb - Dunedin | Dunedin Folk Club ^

* with support from The Mollymawks
^ with support from Arun O'Connor Music

📸 by

10/12/2023

Paul McLaney in Concert

Sunday, December 17th

7:30pm, $20

Paul McLaney is a New Zealand-based pop music composer, singer and guitarist originally from Stockton-on-Tees, England. In a career spanning over 20 years, Paul McLaney has released a remarkable body of work under various guises from acoustic finger-style guitar and lush string arrangements to ambient and experimental electronica. He has been a member of the collaborative music group Fly My Pretties, and produced the Te Reo song settings of Shakespeare for the Globe Theatre. He has a new album out and is currently touring in support of that. He will be performing for us on Sunday the 17th of December at 7:30pm. This promises to be a very unique and interesting evening of music, and I hope you will all join us for that. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing [email protected]

For more information about Paul McLaney and to hear some of his music: http://www.paulmclaney.com/

25/11/2023

Club Night: Monday, November 27th. 7:00pm start, $15.

Our special guest this month is David Shanhun. (https://www.davidshanhun.com/home). David Shanhun has opened shows for Heart, Foreigner, and Three Dog Night, toured internationally, and had the #1 song on iTunes NZ with 'Jessie'. He has shared the stage with Grammy Award winner Bryan White, and been a nominee for the NZCMA Horizon award. And on top of all of this, he is a truly wonderful human being who I rate very highly. I am so pleased he has included us in his current tour of the North Island. I know you are going to love him and his show. Please do come along.

This is a standard club night with first half floor singers, so warm up those fingers and tune up your guitar! You can email me at [email protected] to sign up for a slot, or just sign up at the door on the day.

17/11/2023

Richard Grainger in concert tonight. Doors open at 7:00pm.

We've just sound checked at the hall, and I tell you Richard's voice was made for our acoustics. It is truly going to be a very special show.

I wanted to let everyone know, we're out of the Koparepare wines, so BYO refreshments for the show tonight. There will of course be a hot drink and bikkie for you at half time.

Plenty of seats left, we're saving yours, so do come along for a magical evening of music.

10/11/2023

Richard Grainger (www.richard-grainger.com) is a ‘widely respected songwriter and guitarist with a clear and ‘captivating’ vocal style’. His songs are performed widely by performers at home in his native England and abroad. A prolific and diverse artist, Richard is a singer, songwriter and musician who has been performing on the British Folk Scene since the 1980’s.

I saw Richard at Wellington Folk Festival and his show was engaging and poignant and funny. Since then he has been playing to packed houses all over New Zealand. We are lucky to have him for his penultimate New Zealand performance on Friday, the 17th of November. Tickets are $15 and available at the door or by emailing me at [email protected] to reserve your seat for what will be a very special show.

Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm show.

27/08/2023

Whangateau Folk Club meets Monday, 28 August. Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7pm Club start. No guest artist, all local folkies are invited to sign up to perform 2 numbers.

$10 on the door, all proceeds going towards the hall chair renewal project! Light supper served at intermission (hot drink and a bikkie).

Location: Whangateau Hall

07/08/2023

Have you lost a rose gold mobile phone around 740 Leigh Road in Whangateau?

Has a little sticker on the back, owner will know what it is.

The phone rings but we cant answer it, there's no display.

To claim, call Angie: 021353666

24/07/2023

July Club Night, Monday 31 July 2023
Hi Everyone,

Winter is nearly over YAY, Jenine will be back next month YAY and we have a very special guest band this month: TWEED, YAY.

I have had the privilege to work with TWEED in the past and I guarantee you will be wowed by this incredibly musical and dynamic trio. Since its inception, Tweed has honed a distinctive style of catchy melodies, poly-rhythms, and tight-knit, complex vocal harmonies. Tweed’s music has a harmony-rich vintage sound reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Joni Mitchell, and cites the Punch Brothers, Joan Armatrading, and Ani diFranco as main influences. As well as their own songs they will be bringing their unique touch to a bunch of well-known classics, especially for this show.

Tweed

Check them out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC7JK1ewQSY&t=155s

The evening begins at 7:00pm, $15 on the door.

Anyone wanting to book a spot to perform in the 1st half please email me (Andy) at [email protected] or turn up early enough to get on the list. We have had some great new performers recently and I hope you all turn up again.

Hope to see you on Monday

Kia kaha

Andy

17/07/2023

The Matariki Bucket raffle and day at the Whangateau Hall to celebrate Matariki and help raise money towards the cost of re-covering the chairs was a huge success-we raised just under $4,000 which is more than half the $7,000 bill. The day itself was wonderful (no rain until it was finished) and everybody enjoyed the Kapa Haka performance by Leigh Primary School children, the various games, activities in the morning and the overall positive atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone in the ratepayers and wider community for your support either by selling or buying tickets, filling up a bucket, giving donations or just attending on the day-We have a fabulous and generous community and the committee is extremely grateful for the support given by so many.

25/06/2023

June folk club night is cancelled due to illness. See y'all in July. Stay warm and healthy!

24/04/2023

Whangateau Folk Club cancelled this month due to the tree down across Leigh Road at Upper Whangateau and no power in the area. The story is it'll be cleared before club time, but no idea when the power will be restored. Best everyone stay home nice and safe, and we'll try again next month!

17/02/2023

Help Whangateau Hall raise money to have the hall chairs recovered – all we need is a few hours of your time



South Pacific Pictures are making a new game-based series for TV3 and will be filming at the Whangateau Hall on Wednesday 22 February.

They require 20 extras (over the age of 18) for a funeral scene from 1:30-4pm (approx).

Extras will be playing mourners in a funeral scene, but will be wearing masquerade-type masks so their faces will not be recognisable. No acting, but a bit of standing is required.

Extras would be required to come dressed in black clothing.



Anyone interested would need to sign a confidentiality agreement, upon which the production company are able to share some more details about the programme with you.



To register your interest & availability email [email protected] or call Petrina Brenchley 021 244 8145

16/02/2023

Kia ora Whangateau residents



We’d like to do something to clean up the debris from Whangateau reserve foreshore before it starts rotting and stinking.



Proposing meeting at the reserve at 10 am this Saturday and raking the debris into piles so it can be shovelled onto a trailer & take to the tip.



Bring gloves, rakes and wear closed toe shoes.



Any help appreciated.



Ngā mihi

12/02/2023

Due to weather constraints all council rubbish and recycling collections on Mon & Tues are cancelled. For private services check with your provider for details.

11/02/2023

Subject: CRG Emergency Hubs for safe shelter in the Rodney East Area

Mahurangi West Hall
Warkworth Town Hall
Mahurangi East Community Centre
Matakana Hall
Omaha Golf Club community Centre
Leigh Hall

Whangateau Hall will also be available for emergency shelter and coordination if necessary. WRRA and the Hall Committee are standing by and ready to open the hall when needed.

22/01/2023

Tonight! Tickets available at the door, $35, cash only.

Folk Club Night is a little bit special this month with a triple header of Auckland Folk Festival stars, beginning with up and coming New Zealand phenoms, Butter Wouldn’t Melt. This power duo has grown up on the New Zealand Folk Scene and they have been wowing crowds for a couple of years now. We are very excited to be getting them to Whangateau Hall, supporting Albi & the Wolf (only one this time!) and festival headliner Sneaky Bones. This will not be a traditional folk club with first half floor singers, but we will still have intermission tea and biscuits. We are also not on our usual last Monday of the month, this concert will be 23 January, doors opening at 6:45pm.

21/12/2022

As is our custom, we will not have a full Club Night in December. Instead we have our annual community leftovers pot luck. There will be a speaker and microphone set up on stage, and a sign up sheet for open mic performers. If past years are anything to go by, there will also be some casual jamming.

Kick off is at 6pm. Bring togs if the tide and weather are right for a twilight swim. Bring a plate of leftovers, or anything else you might care to contribute to a shared dinner, and your own beverages. There are plenty of plates and cutlery in the hall. We'll sing carols as we do the washing up together!

The tongue-and-cheek White Elephant Gift Exchange is just a bit of fun, an opportunity to "gift forward" that unwanted set of shrimp forks from a random relative. It is absolutely not mandatory. Please wrap your contribution and we'll have a table set out for it. If there are not enough gifts for everyone, we'll raffle them off. Who knows what you might go home with?