Expanding audiences

It's always a famine or a feast; there's either nothing happening or everything. The plan was to spend this week talking about the International Film Festival, which started last night and is underway at the Rialto Cinema.

But then emails started arriving from every direction and gigs began to impinge.


And here's a word to the wise: if you email or contact me in some way – sky writing is popular if less tasty than carrier pigeons – I will do my level best to include your gig in the column. Priority goes to the original and interesting so remember to mention what might be original or interesting about your band or gig.

And, yes, it really is that easy to get publicity.

It still amazes me that bands – and venues – do so little to promote themselves. Many seem to assume that a few Facebook posts are enough.

Bad news guys: You just reached your friends and family. If you want to expand your audience, expand your advertising.

There is one specific event that I had already planned to write about. But first let me mention the others, the ones that got in touch (just to prove it is worthwhile!)

Up and coming soon

This weekend there are three things: On Saturday, August 20, you can catch singer/songwriter John Michaelz down at Brew Bar on The Strand from 4pm.
John returned to town a few months back after a sojourn in Whangarei, with a bunch of new songs and a plan to assemble a new band.

That's currently underway. Meanwhile, you can hear said songs on Saturday.
(And, skipping ahead, Eastslide Blues return to Brew at the same time next Saturday, August 27. The electric blues duo from Gisborne do a chunky job on tunes from Howlin' Wolf to John Lee Hooker and beyond).

Back to this weekend: After John, head down to the Historic Village Hall where Aussie duo Wizard and Oz are back in town with their mix of popular covers and virtuoso piano. Doors open at 7pm, admission is $25 and includes light refreshments.

And to complete a full-on musical weekend, get yourselves out to The Omokoroa Boat Club on Sunday, August 21, for Kokomo's first show in the Bay since their Easter album launch. They promise songs new and old and perhaps even surprise guests.
Tickets are $22.50 (or $20 for club members) from Eventfinda or at the club. And back – or forward – to next weekend...

A little later on

On Friday, August 26, Totara Street at MauaoPAC hosts Tautoko – a benefit concert for Whare Tauranga, which itself is the first stage of Te Tuinga Whanau's ‘Whare 4 Whanau' project, catering for disadvantaged families. Even if it wasn't for a good cause the music should be wonderful, including the likes of King Kapisi, Chad Chambers, Israel Starr, Majic Paora, Nofo Lameko, TJ Taotua and a live band, Sidewalk Empire, Regan Perry and more. Great line-up! Tickets are $25 from Eventfinda, doors open 7pm.

Music and art

And, finally, the one show I started off to write about. Grant Bullot's Concerbition. The word ‘show' seems particularly appropriate here: This is both an exhibition and a concert.

As well as filling the harp slot in Kokomo, Grant is an artist of many years standing.
In one of the very final events to take place at the Te Puna Hall from 7.30pm, Saturday, August 27, Grant combines both disciplines.

There will be an exhibition of Grant's most recent paintings, a series depicting NZ musicians, many local and from the Bay, some from further afield.

Accompanying this will be an informal concert featuring a lot of the musicians in the paintings, and including Grant taking centre stage to sing, play harmonica, present videos and more.

The bulk of the music will come from Grant's friends, variously members of Brilleaux, The Packhouse Experience, Little River Boys, Kokomo and other bands. The exact line-ups are as mysterious as the concept but sound like a whole bunch of fun. Tickets for the event, and it certainly sounds like an event, are $10 from Eventfinda.

So no room for the Film Festival this week. Have a look online. Lots of good movies. More on it next week. Maybe.

watusi@thesun.co.nz


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