Auckland New Zealand
Our guests this month are drawn from the rich resources of the Hamilton Acoustic Music Club.
Hosts of the famous Hamsterfest, when they are not beavering away ‘organising’ festivals, they're plucking away on their music, and tonight we'll hear a selection of the talent their club has on offer.
Floorsingers first half, beginning with a Young Persons Showcase from Shimna Higgins.
Well, they knocked our socks off when they did a guest spot at Titirangi back in August 2009, so we just had to get them back for a fully fledged concert. Fiddlelore are Grace Stevenson (19), Kathleen Wojcik (17), and Emily Roughton (21), who play Scottish fiddle with foot-stomping rhythm, style and pizzazz!
The girls got together in 2005 after discovering their mutual passion for the dancing fiddle music of Scotland and Cape Breton and have been inseparable ever since. Fiddlelore play with a joy and exuberance that has endeared them to audiences everywhere they go. With a rapidly expanding repertoire of both traditional and original material, the girls also incorporate a variety of instruments and vocal items into their fun, foot-stomping performances.
They are accompanied by award-winning singer / guitarist Penelope Foote. Penelope has been NZ’s Country Music Songwriter of the year and has won many national and international singing awards.
Also playing with them is guitarist Mark Mazengarb who joined forces with the girls after hearing them perform at the Auckland Folk Festival in January 2008. Mark (24) majored in classical performance at the Wellington Conservatorium of Music through Massey University, graduating in 2006 with the completion of his BMus degree. During the last year of his studies Mark undertook an exchange to America where he was based at the University of North Carolina, and had the opportunity to learn from a variety of esteemed guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel. In 2008 Mark was the recipient of the Frank Winter memorial award, which enabled him to travel to Nashville to attend the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention (CAAS) and several other workshops and festivals.
Together, their styles range from Scottish fiddle to gypsy swing, with Mazengarb’s superb bluegrass influence adding another level to this colourful bunch.
Fully in keeping with the incredible musical talent of our main guests tonight, the concert opens with a set from our very own Victoria Vigenser.
An informal ‘Singaround’ - ‘Open Mic’ without a Mic - A smaller group of people meet to share their songs and music.
Last Update: 2014-08-20
The Club was conceived in 1965 when the Clancy Brothers didn't come and someone had the astounding idea of having a sing-a-round thus transforming an audience into a folk group. Formally established in 1966 we're still going strong.