Nelson Winter Music Festival July 6-22 2012

Nelson Winter Music Festival July 6-22 2012

The Nelson Winter Music Festival is set to brighten up the dark nights of July with 16 concerts, ranging from Graham Wardrop’s tribute to Paul Simon through to a movie night featuring Buster Keaton with live soundtrack from the Gabor Quartet.

The festival, based in the lovely heritage auditorium of the Nelson School of Music, opens on July 7 with a gala performance from soul diva Whirimako Black, and winds up with a grande finale on July 22 when the Beat Girls and the Lounge Lizards Blame it on the Bossa Nova.

The Nelson Winter Music Festival began as a celebration of the School of Music’s centennial in 1994, and is now in its 18th year.

School of Music manager Frances McElhinney says over almost two decades the festival has gained a national reputation, based not just on the programme of concerts, but also on the attractions of Nelson.

‘Nelson by day, music by night’ is our slogan and it says it all really,” she says. “It we get those frosty clear days we’re famous for Nelson is a great place for a winter holiday with biking, kayaking and skiing plus vineyards, boutiques and craft galleries, and then a lovely concert in the wonderful acoustics of the School of Music at night.”

Ms McElhinney says she’s thrilled with the range of concerts on offer this year.

“We’re bringing people to Nelson you wouldn’t usually see here and in several cases they are joining our talented local musicians in productions that are one-offs for the festival,” she says. “We have our vibrant Nelson string quartet La Vida in concert with Jon Toogood’s The Adults, local duo Miles and Margaret Jackson play gypsy flavoured jazz with bassist Mike Kime, there’s a poetry slam night with guest Penny Ashton and our famed kaumatua of Maori instruments, Richard Nunns will perform will Whirimako Black.

The festival is during the school holidays and children's favourite Kath Bee, appealing to oldies and youngies with a show called Granparents Rock.

More info & ticket bookings at www.nelsonwinterfestival.co.nz or at the School of Music booking office in Nile Street, phone 03 548 9477

Ends

© Scoop Media