Events in the Hokianga

Now until 18 September: Hokianga Art Gallery Exhibition: Hartland Hokianga Hartbeat
Featuring works by Hokianga artists using a range of materials including paint, cloth, wood, metal, paper mache. The Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday (Sunday by appointment). 09 405 7899

23 September: Kohukohu School Art Exhibition
To raise funds for a school trip to Auckland Zoo. 10am-6pm. Art displayed by children and local artists as well as raffles, drinks and food stalls. Local artists wishing to display their work may contact Theona on 09 405 5877.

24 - 26 September: Hokianga Country Music Festival (the Lodge is still available!)
This major annual event is organised by the Hokianga Country Music Club. Five venues, three days of music and dancing, shuttle buses, late ferries between Rawene and Kohukohu and all for a $20 a ticket. Now that's good value. Soak up the atmosphere. For more information visit: www.hokiangacountrymusic.com

16th October - 11th November: Ebb & Flow: An exhibition by Liz McAuliffe, Village Arts Gallery, Kohukohu.
Liz McAuliffe Carver and Painter of Nature's Exquisite Objects. An exhibition of Liz's close relationship with nature.
"For established patrons/collectors or first time viewers and buyers of Liz's work, this will be a great opportunity to view a wide selection - dating over the last 4 years. Featuring ... : work from 2006 - 2010 : pieces reworked : work not seen in Hokianga : and some new pieces made especially for the show." Village Arts. 1376 Kohukohu Road Kohukohu

22-24 October: Pakanae School Reunion Celebrating 100 Years
Contacts: Mark Fell - markfell@slingshot.co.nz,
Michelle Sarich - tari@kurahokianga.co.nz
Trish Vesey - trishv@kcs.school.nz
Tel: 09 4053330 (evenings), Fax: 09 4053330 Post: Pakanae School Reunion, Box 59, KAIKOHE, NZ
Website: www.pakanaeschoolreunion.com

28 October: Fiona Pears & Band, Omapere
‘Electrifying’ – ‘extraordinarily animated’ – ‘featuring rare and natural charisma’. These are words used to describe Fiona Pears, the beautiful and highly talented violinist and composer who tours the country with Arts on Tour NZ from 6 October through to 6 November with her band in the Fire and Light tour.
Describing her musical influences as Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, John Williams and Jean Luc Pointy, Pears performs Celtic, classical, tango, jazz and Gypsy with equal ease, sometimes all in the same composition! Together with her talented band, Pete Fleming on bass, Mike Ferrar on guitar, and her husband, UK pianist and musical director, Ian Tilley, Fiona will perform music from her own exciting compositions, including those on her latest CD, Fire and Light, which she recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Expect a fiery melting pot of flavours - and a thrilling, visually stunning experience.
New Zealand born and now dividing her time between London and this country, Fiona has performed and recorded with artists such as Dave Dobbyn, Hayley Westenra, Bic Runga, and has opened for Tony Bennett, Ottmar Liebert and ‘the clown prince of Denmark’, the late Victor Borge. Personal highlights include appearing at Ronnie Scott’s world famous jazz club in London and performing her own compositions and arrangements with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Copthorne Hotel, Omapere, 7:30 pm, Tickets: $20 Ring 09 4058 788

31 October: An Afternoon of Jazz with the Hokianga Jazz Club
Copthorne Hotel, Omapere, 2-5pm, $5. Their blogspot: www.hokiangajazzclub.blogspot.com

27 November: South Hokianga Art & Craft Fair
Just in time for Christmas. Only arts and crafts - -no food or second-hand goods stalls. If you would like a stall ring Ethel on 09 4058 184.

28 - 30th January 2011: Kauri Waihotanga: Indigenous Gathering, Rawene Sporting Complex
Traditional and indigenous entertainment and activities. International representatives from South Pacific, Australian and North American peoples. For more information contact:
Curtis and Katrina Kaio, 09 405 8085, kauriheritage@gmail.com