Hi everyone!
Great news that most of the country is back at Level 1 and hopefully all of us will be there before Labour weekend. This means Wellington Folk Festival can almost run as normal.
The programme will be posted up on the web site soon…. but to save your suspense, this email has info about the guests we haven’t told you about yet.
You can get your tickets here:
https://wellingtonfolkfest.simpletix.com/Event/57568/WellingtonFolkFestival2020
Early bird prices are available till Sunday 4 October
Colette Rivers
An alt/indie folk-rock artist, New Zealand-American songwriter, currently based in the Wairarapa. Colette Rivers brings together an eclectic mix of guitars, drums, folk instruments and synths to create music that is both uplifting and melancholic.
Colette’s voice shivers with the raw expressiveness of greats like Bruce Springsteen or Gillian Welch and a sharp edge that evokes the likeness of Liz Phair or Aimee Mann.
She has released the EP Wandering Thoughts – a 4 track release featuring the single ‘Kamikaze Girlfriend’ written about the twisted ways people can give all to love. Colette’s debut album, “Memory Lake” is inspired by nature in its many forms – aptly named after the great Lake Taupō where she lived after moving with her family from Washington state at age 11.
There is an undeniable sense of strong melodic hook-writing, as featured in the haunting and sometimes gritty melodies of ‘Quiet Places’, ‘Out of the Cage’ and ‘Fickle Soul.’ The honesty, poeticism and depth of Colette Rivers’ lyrics reflect a fearlessness in revisiting the past, feeling the moments of the right now, considering life and death and the beauty, pain and reality of it.
Gumboot Tango
An acoustic combo from Godzone Lando celebrating New Zealand songs and songwriters with a farmyard-infectious humour guaranteed to put a smile on your feet and the swing back in a Taranaki gate.
Good-time home-grown music; from rustic roots and big-smoke blues to regional originals and classic kiwi rock; Foot-tapping ditties from the family knee and from the cowshed wireless at milking time. Songs from 78’s and sing-alongs. From back-country roads, the bush and the big smoke.
THE ROUTES TAKEN BY THE BOOTS OF THE TANGO:
Gumboot Tango was formed in 1994 when Mike Harding joined Alan Muggeridge, his wife Janet and brother Steve to assemble and record, in Alan’s Rowan Studio, a set of ten Taranaki songs and then perform them at the 1995 Taranaki Festival of the Arts. Further musical adventures followed – after the ‘Taranaki Top Ten’ cassette came ‘Rattle Yer Dags’ and appearances at many folk and music festivals including the Second Annual Great Urenui School Possum Hunt and WOMAD ’99. Along the way the addition of ‘other band’ member and friend Wayne Morris on drums for a while before Alan became ill with cancer and tragically died in 2000.
Many of you will know the enormous energy and fun Gumboot Tango bring to the many festivals they get involved in.
Raven Mavens Quartette
Raven Mavens started as a duo with Cindy Muggeridge, queen of the boogie and blues on piano and Marian Carter playing soulful clarinet. These two fun-loving, versatile performers brought sweet harmony and a sassy, happy-go-lucky slant to their music.
The duo became a trio when they added Anje Glindemann on drums. Anje has the philosophy of playing the ‘song’ and not the ‘drums’ (while actually playing the drums) sometimes light, sometimes rocking, but always with a solid feel. The trio became the ‘Quartette’ with the addition of versatile virtuoso, Kate Marshall on accordion, flute, violin and vocals. Kate started her musical life as a classically trained pianist, but had a tendency to improvise the ends of Mozart sonatas. It was decided that she should find some music to play where that was legitimate.
Each of these women is a musician worth hearing in her own right, playing and singing in other lineups, but when they get together there’s a unique and beautiful synergy. Expect this talented combination to dish up a variety of music and styles, from great divas like Bessie Smith and Nina Simone, to their own original songs. The mood will range from sensitive to burlesque, with a bit of storytelling and hilarity on the side.
Dance, dance, dance
As usual there is a full dance programme…. from modern to very traditional, there will be loads to move to. We have great tutors with long experience and passion. VicFolk will again play and call for the Saturday evening Ceilidh and there will be workshops on Advanced Ceilidh, Irish Step, Morris, Lindy Hop and Balkan / Gypsy / unusual timings
The Balladeer
So we’ve announced the booked and programmed guests. Festival regulars also know there will be lots more guests who we’ll invite to play throughout the weekend on the Balladeer Specials stage – almost a festival within the festival.
Cheers,
Gerard
for the Wellington Folk Festival Committee
We will do all we can to deliver the usual high energy and friendly festival – but we won’t risk anyone’s safety and will of course follow all government guidance. Remember if the worst happens and we have to cancel due to another Covid-19 resurgence, we will refund all tickets in full.