Gail Lewis reports from the Lembas Cafe
Good gorgeous Autumn morning to you all….
I will start with an apology for not getting a March newsletter sent.(I was either holidaying, sleeping or having too much fun)… I won’t tell you what you missed out on to avoid disappointment…If you are looking for something to do on a Friday night, we usually have the best talent performing so give cafe a call (9025734)……or check out posters on the window..
NEWS…. New to Front of house Samantha, Melissa, Merenia, Georgia and Jo in the kitchen……….TENNIS We had a great season, came third in a very competitive competition…Well done Raumati Beach School who won our grade and Precise Print who won A grade….also to Chris and Rosco (the organisers) and the girls in the kitchen/bar who for the first time added G&T to the choice of after tennis beverages…yeeha….start back OCTOBER…Current exhibition is Sea to Summit an photographic exhibition by Erik Westberg. His travel shots from The Catlins to Cape Reinga. On that note…We need artists to exhibit….Give me a call at the cafe…….. EASTER HOURS open Good Friday 10-3 5pm till 11pm. Open Sat/Sun normal hours. CLOSED Easter Monday….Looking at new Winter menu ideas…The wine list only needs a tweak….NEEDED Art pieces for a Garage Sale Exhibition…. I have several pieces to sell to make room for new art. Email if you interested. Exhibition will hang for 3 weeks…….Easter egg drop off for staff most welcome…..
WHAT’S ON MARCH 30 /// APRIL
Fri 30th March Wellington Heads 7:30pm $10
Hard working local band Wellington Heads take to the Lembas stage on Friday 30 March to play their blend of Louis Jordan inspired original jump blues and 50`s rhythm & blues ala Ray Charles. Lots of other styles too taking in Hawaiian guitars, calypso beats, rural blues and funky New Orleans grooves.
Featuring Neil Worboys, vocals, harmonica, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukelele, Bill Wood, guitars, vocals, Geoff Keith, upright bass, vocals and also featuring Nick van Dijk on trumpet and trombone.
APRIL
Wed 3rd Quiz Night 7:30pm $2
You know the drill. If you haven’t been before, come along,, either by yourself or make a team (max 6)… The competition has heated up with a few teams regularly contending for first place.
Fri 6th Blair Allan Set 7:30pm $10 (Good Friday)
Good Friday gets even better! Blair Allen returns with his familiar & always entertaining style of blues guitar. This Kāpiti ex-pat is a legend on the coast & well remembered for his blazing guitar riffs in Tin Pan Alley. Be there for some seriously sizzling sounds to heat up your long weekend!
Opening for Blair Allen is Steven J Hall steel guitar
Phil Aldridge Drums
Crinkly Pete Bass
Blair Allen Lead guitar/vocals
Classic Blues, New Repertoire
Sat 7th Three Amigos 7:30pm $15 (Easter Saturday)
The Three Amigos are Andrew London (guitar), James Cameron (bass) and Neil Billington (harmonica). Individually these three friends have been playing in their own bands around New Zealand for well over 30 years; London in his ‘Hot Club Sandwich’ trio and Cameron in his ‘Velox Brothers’ quartet. Both collaborate in Kāpiti country band The ‘Cattlestops’ who featured in local movie ‘Second Hand Wedding’.
Billington has been a prominent figure on the Wellington music scene for decades, sitting in with everyone from Rodger Fox to Darren Watson – and has been a frequent ‘filling’ in Hot Club Sandwich’, guesting on the trio’s first CD in 2001. A master of both the traditional diatonic blues harp and the larger chromatic, Billington covers a range of genres.
‘I enjoy the challenge of playing with these chaps – you never know whether you’re going to be playing a Charlie Parker jazz head, a Louis Jordan jump tune, a country standard, a blues or a ’70s pop song. Andrew and James love to keep me guessing and trying to catch me out.
Fri 13th Christine White 7:30pm $10
Christine White writes unforgettable songs. If you hear them once, you’re bound to walk away humming them. Her live performance has to be seen to be believed. She has the energy of a rock band and the sensitivity of a poet. Check her out www.christinewhite.co.nz
Fri 20th Loud Whisper 7:30pm $10
Loud Whisper is the musical musings of Mahesh Sukhalal (Guitar/Vocal)
and Bryan Perkins (bass).
Mahesh’s musical evolution was crafted from the street-hardening world of busking around Wellington. “It’s the best and most brutal form of entertainment”, says Mahesh;”… you have seconds to capture the attention of passers by, and they judge you in and instant! A street audience is unforgiving in giving you their opinions”. concludes Mahesh. While honing his street craft he began writing his own songs, and few of which he be playing at the Lembas Cafe.
Bryan has played in nany bands over the years, beginning with a Jimmi Hendrix tribute band ‘Shades of Hendrix’. He formed the successful U2 covers band ‘Rattle and Hum’, which ultimately became ‘Rattlers’ after he left. “I love the freedom of playing as a two piece, and locking in where ever Mahesh goes. “
Sund 22nd Sasana 4pm koha
Celtic Music – sorry no more information (watch out for posters)
Fri 27th Shawgate 7:30pm $10
Peter Shaw vocals/acoustic guitar & flute
Neha Gate vocals/acoustic guitar & banjo
Peter is a folk, country and blues singer songwriter who has released 4 albums over the last 12 years while teaching and playing music fulltime. His latest album
‘Peter Shaw & The Blue 56’ a collaboration with Neha, was completed in December 2010.
Neha Gate, winner of Wellington’s Best Guitarist for 2008 and one of six nation wide finalists to open for KISS, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne on the
Rock 2 Wellington weekend.
A graduate of the Whitireia School of Music, Neha also runs his own recording studio where he engineered and co-produced the new album.
Memorable gigs in 2011 include;
Acoustic Routes Folk Club “With a folk-blues flavour, Peter’s beautiful voice and effortless guitar playing was enhanced
by harmonies and silky guitar licks from Neha. The occasional break away to banjo or flute enhanced the duo’s set giving variety and depth to the performance”.
Mary Livingston President Acoustic Routes.
Mainly Acoustic Folk Club
The Manawhatu Blues and Jazz Festival
Southern Cross Wellington
The Empire fortnightly Thursday night residency
Cover tunes are played from artist such as;
Crowded House, Jack Johnson, Leonard Cohen, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton, Keb Moe, Eagles, America, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Seals and Croft, James Taylor and Sting.
Sun 29th Poets to the people 4pm $5
Starts with Blackboard poets, come along, bring your poem…Guest Poet @ 5sh This months guest is the lovely Richard Langston . You may also know him as TV 3 current affairs reporter.
Coming up in May…..Nice Verdes, Hobnail Boots, Hard Candy. Another Quiz night more poetry new art.
And that it for now…….clean your chimneys, put away the jandals and keep smiling….Gail
