Amplifier

05.03.08

The idyllic West Auckland haven of Titirangi will burst alive at the end of March as a throng of music lovers descends to soak up the feel good vibes of the Titirangi Festival of Music.

Titirangi is a melting pot of musical and creative talent, which will be showcased throughout the week providing a medley of musical opportunities for all to enjoy.

From Dixieland and jazz to rock 'n roll, ska, electronica and even a ukulele concert, the Festival is specifically designed to entice people of all ages, cultures and musical preferences.

The main concerts throughout the Titirangi Festival of Music 2008 are:

Official Opening & Opening Concert

The Titirangi Festival of Music will be officially opened in exciting style by Te Kawerau a Maki, Mayor Bob Harvey and combined group powhiri led by Te Ropu Kapa Haka o Te Atatu and others. Once the formalities are complete, enjoy a relaxed afternoon of music in the sun featuring a collection of superb West Auckland musical talents: the Mamaku Project, Mahinarangi Tocker, One Million Dollars and local DJ Ropehead Riddims. Run in conjunction with the Waitakere Sounds Series.

Saturday 29th March
Official blessing and opening, 12noon
Opening concert begins from 1pm
Tangiwai Reserve, Huia Road, Titirangi (opposite Laingholm Drive and Landing Road)
FREE – no tickets required

Waitakere City Orchestra Concert

Conducted by Brigid Ursula Bisley, and featuring well-known West Auckland cellist Natarani Witten-Hannah of "Heartstrings" duo; Waitakere City Orchestra's principal cellist, the wonderful Russian-trained Ali Al-Azzawi, originally from Iraq; and virtuoso Russian violinist Elena Abramova, well known to West Auckland audiences as Concertmaster of the Waitakere City Orchestra. 

Saturday 29th March, 7.30pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
Regular $25, Concessions $15, Children $10, Family $60 (2 Adults and 2 Children), from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy Records and selected local outlets*. Door sales subject to availability.

Kids on Drums and Strings

Children from a variety of schools in the area come together as a Marimba Orchestra. The Marimba is an African percussion instrument that looks like a wooden xylophone. Ukelele bands from Kaurilands and Taupaki primary schools will also perform.

Sunday 30th March 1-3pm
Glen Eden Intermediate School Auditorium
$5 from Lopdell House Booking Office (09) 817 2797, from 3 March.

Young Guns Concert

The Titirangi Festival of Music in Association with The Waitakere City Youth Council and Greenbay High School brings you a concert with a line up of young, hot and (mostly) local young musical talent.

Sunday 30th March 4-7pm
Green Bay High School Gym
$5 from Lopdell House Booking Office (09) 817 2797, from 3 March.

John Green Memorial Concert

This concert is a fitting tribute to a much-loved and admired West Auckland personality. A unique and gifted ceramic artist, John was as much a treasure as the works he made. Also a unique and talented musician, John undertook and released a number of original recordings. Join Mayor Bob Harvey, well known singer songwriter Luke Hurley, jazz musician Dan Sperber, John's Anawhata crew and many others for a special celebration of the enigmatic spirit that was John Green.

Wednesday 2nd April, 8pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
$25 from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy Records and selected local outlets* or $30 at the door.

Jazz Extravaganza with Tama Waipara & Friends

The Titirangi Festival of Music is proud to have attracted the internationally acclaimed Tama Waipara, who has recently returned to our shores. Join this extraordinarily talented and soulful musician for a night of cool funky jazz, backed by Auckland's top jazz musicians. Also performing are The Shades and Charlotte Johansen.

Thursday 3rd April, 8pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
$25 from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy Records and selected local outlets* or $30 at the door.

A Night of Indie-Rock and Dance

Featuring the shimmering prog-rock sounds of SJD. and Lucid 3. Supported by Labretta Suede and The Motel 6 and a special guest appearance by Fagan and The People.

Friday 4th April, 8pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
$25, from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy Records and selected local outlets* or $30 at the door.

The Big Six

An afternoon with six of New Zealand's most talented bands in Indie Rock, Ska, Funk and Dub Genres: The Electric Confectionaires, The Managers, Badtown, The Kingites, The Four Mexicanos and Roofdog. Exceptional value for this fantastic line-up.

Saturday 5th April, 12pm – 5pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
$15 from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy, and selected local outlets* or $20 at the door.

Electric Finale

A fitting finale to the Festival - a fusion of electronica from Minuit and Pitch Black as well as the soulful sounds of Tahuna Breaks.

Saturday 5th April, 8pm
Titirangi War Memorial Hall
$25, from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy Records and selected local outlets* or $30 at the door.

The Artisan Wines Acoustic Cafe

For the duration of the Festival the Titirangi Theatre in Lopdell House will be transformed into the Artisan Wines Acoustic Café where you can listen to some of the finest music Titirangi has to offer. Artists include the instrumental genius of Grammy award nominee Russel Walder on oboe and guitar virtuoso Nigel Gavin, The Sami Sisters, Jonny Corker, The Hot Grits, Derek Browne, Fiona McEwen, Roger Greenaway, Victory Road, Andrea Tunks, Pauanation, The Titirangi Folk Club, Soul Sax Plus, Sol de los Andes, Jon Sanders, and the Dave Alley Band.

Every night from 7.30pm, Sunday 30th March – Saturday 5th April
Titirangi Theatre (under Lopdell House)
$15 from Ticketmaster, Real Groovy, and selected local outlets* or $20 at the door.

More music throughout the Festival can be found at:

Local bars, cafes and restaurants
• Jazz evenings hosted by Cat Tunks at the Hardware Café Toolroom Bar (Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April, 7.30pm)
• Rock 'n roll at the Titirangi RSA with the Recliner Rockers, the Lex Pistols and the Carolina Moon Quintet (Sat 29th March 8pm, Friday 4th April 7pm and Sat 5th April 8pm)
• Songwriters night hosted by Charlotte Johansen at the Flax Café, Henderson Valley Road, (Friday 4th April, 8pm)
• Gypsy Strings, Kawiti, Hayden Booth, Simon Snape and music students from Glen Eden Intermediate School at the Titirangi Village Market at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall (Sunday 30th March, from 10am to 2pm)
• Music on the streets in Titirangi Village with Swiss Carnival band Guggemusik, Dixieland jazz band Lex Pistols, the Gypsy Strings, Kawiti, Hayden Booth, Simon Snape and music students from Glen Eden Intermediate School, Rain Shirley, Westumbria (traditional celtic-folk music) and 'He said, She said' (Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th, Saturday 5th April, from 11am to 2.30pm)
• Concert in the Lopdell House Gallery with the MusicSpace Chamber Ensemble (Monday 31st March, 1.30pm)

Musical Workshops

A chance to participate and create your own music, the Festival workshops include hand-drumming for kids and adults, Marimba and Tabla percussion sessions, singing with Tui from the Mamaku Project, drumming with Fraser Bruce from the Rhythm Centre, Khathak dance with Subhash from Rajasthan, India, a ukulele workshop for kids, and how to make and play Taonga puoro (traditional Maori instruments).

Saturday 30th March and Saturday 5th April
Bookings: Visit www.tfm2008.co.nz for timetable and call the Lopdell House Booking Office (09) 817 2797 for bookings, from 3 March.