We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy.

This week it's gigs again. More gigs than you can shake a stick at. More gigs than you can shake two sticks at. In fact, shake all the sticks you want – there are still more gigs...

Black Velvet are sure to win audiences over with their smooth, velvety tones at Drivers Bar.

152) Black Velvet at Drivers Bar!

I don't usually write about covers bands, despite Tauranga having a few very good ones. Many boast musicians moonlighting from their main (original) band. Brilleaux has two such offshoots: Rockhouse, which includes singer Graham Clark and drummer Beano Gilpin; and Black Velvet, featuring guitarist Bruce Rolands and bass player Brian Franks. They're joined by singer Tara Watson and that rarest of things, a woman drummer – and a very good one – Angela Jalava.

They were born out of the Drivers Bar Original Rock Jams and unveiled their blend of blues and funky soulful rock at the Marchwood Blues Picnic.

There's also a support act: duo Icarus, featuring vocals from Anna Cruz and Mike Everard's guitar.

Saturday 29 August, 8pm; tickets $15 at Drivers.

153) Miho's Jazz Orchestra at The Entertainers Club!

You may have caught her at the Jazz Festival where she's played two concerts. If not, prepare to be wowed by the astonishing flute and sax playing, and dynamic presence of Miho Wada and her quintet. Mix the odd contemporary jazz piece with her own originals and a slice of J-pop groove and you have an entertainingly unpredictable night.

Saturday September 13, 5pm, upstairs at the Citz Club; tickets $10 on the door.

154) Bay of Plenty Symphonia at Boys College!

The BOPS presents the final concert of this year's Rising Stars Competitions. Six talented young musicians from Bay of Plenty schools will perform a movement each from their chosen concerto, accompanied by the orchestra.

There's a bit of Beethoven, Grieg, Haydn and more. For the record, the six competitors are Phoebe Cho (Bethlehem College), Jessie Colbert (John Paul College, Rotorua), Soomin Kim (Tauranga Girls' College), Esther Lee (Otumoetai Intermediate School), Janet Reid (Bethlehem College) and Andrew Robinson (Tauranga
Boys' College).

There are prestigious judges and Justus Rosemond will be conducting the orchestra. Friday September 4, 7pm, Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys' College; tickets are between $10-$26 from iticket, Creative Tauranga or on the door.

155) Red Lounge Sessions at MauaoPAC!

The Red Lounge Sessions are evenings of original talent and this is the last one for the year featuring All Hail The Funkillers, Alice Sea , Tanya Horo and special guest Alegra Fantail (from Raglan) performing Burlesque.

Saturday August 29, Mauao Performing Arts Centre, 7pm – Late; $20 pre-sales/$25 on the door.

And there's a whole pile more coming to MauaoPAC in the next couple of months, including Aussie bluesman Lloyd Speigel (Sept 11), Swamp Thing (Sept 12), Sons of Zion and Tiki Taane (Sept 25), The Phoenix Foundation (Oct 3). All this is leading up to October 30 when the concert venue at MauaoPAC will be ‘officially' opened and christened with its own name: Totara Street.

156) The Arts Festival comes to town!

Get ready for the end of October and a veritable feast of music, drama, literature and visual excellence. Amongst the musical treats are Julia Deans singing the songs of Joni Mitchell accompanied by a very cool band, and Julia again, but this time in the company of singers Annie Crummer and Tama Waipara, three of New Zealand's finest singers together on stage.

Then there's the NZTrio playing very contemporary and wildly entertaining ‘modern classical' music, country music from the fabulous Tami Neilson, Aotearoa meets Ireland with the collaboration between Trinity Roots and Pauline Scanlon's band, and a pure Irish night of singing and dancing with Roesy + The Seisiun.

But wait, there's more! Warren Maxwell, Thomas Oliver and Louis Baker team up to sing together and play ‘pass the guitar', rising singer/songwriter Mel Parsons returns to town, and Praguematique promise a night of eclectic Eastern European madness. Check out online or pick up a programme in town.

watusi@thesun.co.nz