Upcoming community events

Although some observers are predicting that classical music is losing popularity, the Mulled Wine Concerts organisation in Paekakariki is finding exactly the opposite. Its 2025 season has produced several sell-out events in Kapiti and the organiser, Mary Gow is in a upbeat mood about the next concert in the series. She notes "The Elouan Quartet who will be appearing at Paekakariki's iconic St Peter's Hall on Sunday July 20th features an outstanding chamber music quartet of principal players from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra who will be accompanied by the very popular principal flautist, Bridget Douglas". The Elouan Quartet with Bridget Douglas will present a captivating programme of music for flute and string quartet. Highlights include works by Mozart, Beethoven, Ginastera, Amy Beach, and Selina Fisher.These works are paired together in such a way as to compliment and contrast each other. Many of the works have a strong connection to the natural world, especially water, this most essential and beautiful compound that is our very lifeblood. The quartet comprises Jessica Oddie (violin), Anna Van der Zee (violin), Alexander McFarlane (viola} and Ken Ichinose (cello), names that will be familiar to followers of the NZSO. Bridget Douglas (flute) is also a well-known principal member of the orchestra Almost every organisation involved in the arts in New Zealand is finding it tough going in 2025. Commercial sponsorship is very difficult to come by, and the grant-funding bodies are all facing cutbacks. But the demand is still there and Mulled Wine Concerts has found that their policy of presenting top-quality music in local venues and keeping ticket costs down as far as possible, is the right way to go. "We have had good audiences for our recent events" says Gow. "People who think twice about going into the capital and paying high prices for travel and tickets like the idea that they can have good music locally". With its popular combination of a string quartet and flute, presented by world-class musicians, Kapiti audiences will certainly appreciate the latest event in the series and it is likely to sell out quickly. =======ENDS====== Mulled Wine Concerts present: The Elouan Quartet with Bridget Douglas Sunday July 20, 2025 at 2:30PM at St Peter's Community Hall, Beach Road Paekakariki. Tickets $35 (Student under 16, $15). Online Sales: [email protected] Shop outlets: Magpie Paremata, 99 Mana Esplanade; Finn's Hotel, Paekakariki; Moby Dickens Bookshop, Paraparaumu Beach; Jenoa, 2 Mahara Place, Waikanae. Info: www.mulledwineconcerts.com