Music News - A new singer-songwriter showcase launches in East Auckland
09 August 2024 - 0 Comments
A new East Auckland showcase for singer-songwriters launches on 25 August 2024 at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick Village.
Dubbed The Bridge after its stage venue, the 120-year-old converted church that is now Uxbridge’s intimate live performance venue, the new event has been developed by Auckland’s Brightside Productions in partnership with Uxbridge.
One of Auckland’s “best-kept secret” live venues, Uxbridge has expanded its theatre programme in 2024. Centre Director Paul Brobbel comments that a regular singer-songwriters showcase was “a vital element in our programme, one that celebrates contemporary songwriting as a priority”.
Producer Maddy South from Brightside Productions says, “the intention is share the love and benefits of music in each of our lives, celebrating the intrinsic value of music throughout our lives both for the artist and those sharing and listening to it.”
After a trial event in March with performances by Justin Devereux, Davey Jo South and Steve Edwards, the Sunday afternoon time and event format was deemed a hit with audiences. Uxbridge and Brightside Productions are pleased to now be working on a programme of four events per year.
South is most excited about the format which centres the stories behind the songs as much as the performance “we invite songwriters to share more about their craft, to expand upon the process that brought their art onto the stage.” Auckland musician Steve Broadbent was a fan of the format and pleased to see it continue, “Such an immersive experience brought to life with the artists explaining the back stories to their songs … they hit the nail on the head with this and great it’s will now become a regular event at Uxbridge."
In support of other musicians, 60% of proceeds from the show will go towards MusicHelps, a charity that supports an expanded role of music in society through therapy and healthcare programmes and supports musicians in times of hardship.
The upcoming edition of The Bridge, subtitled Wilde and Wilda, is double family affair with Jesse Wilde and daughter Faith Wilde on stage with siblings Mema Wilda and Michael Levin Sesega (aka Levi Lights On). Jesse Wilde is excited about the upcoming show and particularly the support it provides to MusicHelps, “This gig is to help raise money for a charity very dear to my heart, a charity that helps live performing career Kiwi musicians who fall on hard times.”
As well as a family affair, Wilde and Wilda highlights the local inflection both Uxbridge and Brightside Productions consider the heart of the programme. Brobbel stresses that “mixing performers from around Auckland and further afield with homegrown East Auckland talent motivates the programme.” Faith Wilde agrees “performing a gig where I grew up honestly feels full circle for me. I remember having dreams of going to Nashville since a young age, and I was always at Uxbridge … it feels pretty awesome doing this now that I can confidently tell little me ‘we did it!’”
Tickets for the 25 August event start at $15 and can be purchased online through www.undertheradar.co.nz
Doors will open at 3:30pm for bar service before showtime at 4:00pm. The performance will last approximately 2 hours and include an intermission.
Future editions of The Bridge will be scheduled November 2024 with the 2025 season starting in February.
Uxbridge Arts and Culture
Uxbridge Arts and Culture is East Auckland’s creative hub. Annually around 100,000 people make use of the Centre, participating in classes, workshops, programmes, events, and exhibitions or using Uxbridge as a base for community activities and hire.
Uxbridge is located just 50 meters from the centre of Howick Village on Uxbridge Road, next to the library. Howick is connected to Auckland’s CBD via bus and ferry with bus stops located on either end of Picton Street. There are also bus connections from Manukau & South Auckland and local services within East Auckland.
Photo: The Bridge 24 March 2024 with Justin Devereux, Davey Jo South and Steve Edwards.
Courtesy of Brightside Productions
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