Don’t stay stuck inside on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon. Come along to the Centre for the Child this Sunday, 23 May and make some noise! Watch the awesome percussion group Pandemonium make weird and wonderful music from recycled junk. You can even make your own music and join in with a group jam as instruments are supplied by Pandemonium.
Come along and join us at Central Library, 2-3pm this Sunday, 23 May.
If you thought our renovations in Central library were pandemonium wait until you see who we have in Central Library this Sunday. The fabulous Christchurch percussion group, Pandemonium, are going to join us in the Centre for the Child for a musical spectacular, especially for families, to celebrate NZ Music Month.
You can bring the whole family for this interactive Junk Jam concert where you can listen to Pandemonium perform some weird and wonderful music on their recycled instruments and then you can have the chance to join them in bashing and clanking some junk. They supply all the instruments and will teach you how to use them so you can help create a musical masterpiece and try to bring down the library roof.
This is a free event so just come down to the Centre for the Child in Central Library, this Sunday 23 May from 2-3pm.
Lindon Puffin is one of those names that’s hard to forget. It has a great ring to it and it’s totally unique, much like the man himself. Lindon Puffin, for those who haven’t heard of him, is a local lad who calls Lyttelton home. He’s been part of the Christchurch music scene for years, starting off in the glam rock band The Puffins, before starting a solo career and releasing Stuff Like That in 2003. His music is described as ‘a blend of heartfelt acoustic, country, rock and folk music,’ and his performances are always entertaining.
If you want to catch Lindon Puffin you can see him this Wednesday (12 May) with performances in Central Library at 12:30pm and the Christchurch Art Gallery from 7-8pm. You can find out more about Lindon by reading his profile on the library website which also has links to his website and MySpace page.
NZ Music Month was launched in Christchurch on Saturday night at the Art Gallery with a great line-up of local artists. The night kicked off with the duo of Kim K and Tim Chesney and their laid back, folk sound that got toes tapping.
The 40-strong barbershop group, The Canterbury Plainsmen were a real crowd pleaser, starting off with some classic barbershop harmonies then switching to some upbeat New Zealand pop hits, including Dave Dobbyn’s Slice of Heaven. The audience didn’t want them to leave and so we were treated to one final number before they left the stage to a huge round of applause.
Steve Abel, a singer-songwriter from Auckland who’s been compared to Tom Waits and Nick Cave, was one of my favourites of the night. His songs are kind of dark and gloomy, but he has a great voice and I really enjoyed his set. I was inspired to find his album in the library so I could hear more of his music.
Sacha Vee, a fantastic up-and-coming soul/funk artist from Christchurch, was the perfect end to the evening and had the audience swaying and toe-tapping to her funky sound. Her music reminds me of a great group called Zero 7 and one of their lead vocalists, Sia.
We have many more fantastic music acts for you to listen to throughout May so check out the programme and get down to your local library today.
Musica Balkanica are looking forward to treating you to a the variety of uplifting and rhythmical songs from the Balkans from sacred music to folk songs in a variety of languages. There will be some magnificent harmonies and a different slice of culture from this dedicated local choir.
The Society, formed in February 2004, includes members from around the Balkan region, as well as Kiwis. When we think of Balkan music we think of accordions and gypsy music, Musica Balkanica exposes us to much more. This dedicated group sings many challenging traditional works of spiritual and cultural significance in various local Baltic languages. Their repertoire includes both sacred songs from the Christian Orthodox Liturgy and Old Slavonic and folk songs from the Balkans region sung a cappella.
A cappella in the modern sense is vocal music without instrumental accompaniment, we often associate it with barbershop, doo wop but it is so much more. The historical meaning of the name a cappella is Italian for “in the manner of the church”. Performing as part of New Zealand Music Month Musica Balkanica’s aim is to broaden Kiwis exposure to Balkan music and its significance.
To further explore the joys of Balkan music:
During May Christchurch City Libraries brings you a variety of musical performances for New Zealand Music Month.
How are you celebrating New Zealand Music Month?
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 
