The Small Hall Sessions bring HB Music Month Porangahau Hall

Celebrating Hawke’s Bay’s locally grown music in our local halls, we bring you three extraordinary artists.

First up tonight we have Molly Pawson a 17 year old singer-songwriter from Dannevirke currently a Napier Girls’ student. Molly’s exceptional talent has already opened significant opportunities, from singing her original songs with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to winning a national TV show called “Take The Mic”. She has a country/pop edge and has been compared to songwriters such as Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell.

Lady Larisa, Jazz & Soul singer is known for her glamorous vintage style, warm engaging personality & velvety vocals. Larisa has opened for Michael Bublé and has original music on her EP Honeychild. New Zealand born of Maori & Swedish descent, her background includes living and performing in New Zealand, LA, Latin America and she’s attended jazz and blues festivals world-wide, which has had a great influence on her style. Whether it’s a Blues club in Hollywood, Jazz Club in Costa Rica, Museum or Opera House in New Zealand, with a big band, or stripped back, Lady Larisa is a consummate professional who delivers to the audience.

Project Prima Volta is a programme designed to empower rangitahi through training in vocal performance. But it is so much more than that. Its objectives of social inclusion and empowerment offer the opportunity for teenagers to find their own voices, to explore their own identity and potential. The combination of Covid & Cyclone has robbed PPV of many opportunities to perform over the last years, so they are excited to find audiences in remote halls during Music Month. Niva Savaiinaea is one of several PPV students who was mentored by Julia Deans during a songwriting project 2020-2021. Niva will join Caspian Buxton performing her own compositions and some classical repertoire. There will be guest appearances with other PPV students as well.

With three great musical acts, a bar offering local wines & beer, inexpensive wholesome meals, and the comradery of your local community, this will be a night to gather together and celebrate what is wonderful about Hawke’s Bay.