Saturday Night Concert an Extravangza of Musical Talent

The activity packed day of sharing music culminates with the Saturday night concert. The doors open at 7.30pm for a night with some of New Zealand's finest folk musicians for a night of toe-tapping, or take to the dance floor and enjoy.

The Saturday night showcase features:

The Port Hillbillies, Christchurch
Playing together now for over three years they have formed into well-balanced instrumental and vocal trio, driven by Steve’s banjo playing and Justin’s sympathetic and innovative mandolin ornamentation. Gary’s contribution on guitar and bass pulls the whole thing together into the tight unit that is the Porthillbillies.
They play a range of songs and tunes from toe tapping, recognisable standards to some obscure songs from other genres that are given the Porthillbillies once over.

Elizabeth (Liz) Braggins, Christchurch
Liz is a familiar name in the New Zealand music scene, one of Christchurch's all-time favourite musicians with an international reputation. She has a unique style of piano playing and singing developed from many years of immersion in the music industry. Her highly original versions of well-known songs are an eclectic mix of genres highlighting her classical, jazz, pop and rock backgrounds. Liz has beautiful vocals that are complemented by her incredible piano skills.

EnTrada, Christchurch
If trad music makes your heart sing we have the perfect guest artist tonic for you: EnTrada, Tessa White (violin and mandolin) and Jonathan Le Cocq (guitar), playing a unique blend of music for violin, guitar and mandolin, rooted in the Celtic tradition but finding its own pathway through it.
Jonathan’s background in early music – performing with national groups like NZ Barok – New Zealand’s Baroque Orchestra on historical instruments – informs his approach to playing traditional music, and combines with Tessa’s youthful, virtuosic tune-playing for original and dynamic music making.

Melissa & the Dr, Dunedin
Take two keen country music aficionados from two different countries, generations and stylistic leanings, season with lead and harmony vocals reminiscent of Emmylou and Gram, Dolly and Porter, Tammy and George, add a dash of chemistry and you have the duo that is Melissa Partridge and Dr Twang (Hyram Twang). Both have years of performing experience under their hats, that is if they wore hats. Together they play a collection of stripped down classic country duets as well as alt-country and Americana tunes – some sweet, some bittersweet, some downright tragic – all delivered with feeling and style.

Storytelling for the children from 8.30pm
Once upon a time, we all grew up listening to stories from our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles Remember how much you enjoyed this storytime? How magical it was... and how much it made you wonder?
Our storyteller Catherine McGee will offer this chance of wonderment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, suitable for all aged children, and their supporters, with small children's stories first. Children are invited to bring their own cuddly toy if they would like.

If you are inspired after the concert, the jam sessions will go on well into the night, join in and feel the positive energy that sharing music offers.

BOOK tickets NOW – whether for the Friday and Saturday night concerts or for the whole festival, there may also be cash door sales available