The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra - Mangawhai Tavern

Closing: 4/7/2010

Highly recommend checking these guys out! We've got two double passes to win for the Mangawhai Tavern show.

The entertainment force that is the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is coming to the Whangarei region for the first time, playing the Mangawhai Tavern on Friday 9th April.

The band is packing its ukuleles, vocal chords and vintage threads for an autumn tour of New Zealand.

Hailed recently as “New Zealand’s hottest music/comedy ensemble”, the orchestra is stoked to be coming to Mangawhai with its signature sound, performing harmonious and hilarious renditions of modern and traditional tunes.

With three CDs, a vinyl release and soundtrack work under their belts, the members of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra are at the forefront of a ukulele wave sweeping the country.

The band say they have a big place in their collective heart for the Whangarei area, as many of their ukuleles were made by local luthier Steve Evans, of Beltona.

“Steve’s resonator ukuleles are incredibly special, beautifully crafted and pretty much indestructible,” says orchestra member Steve Jessup.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra’s not-to-be-missed stage show is a contemporary take on the New Zealand show-band tradition, harking back to the heady days of dancehall bands.

So what can Mangawhai audiences expect? The orchestra’s show generally starts out as a standard seated concert, but neither band nor audience can ever predict how it will end.

“We’ve heard that we knocked the socks off one audience member. So, probably, don’t wear socks to our show,” advises orchestra member Carmel Russell. Another review said the band “blew the roof off” the venue. “So it’s safest not to bring your roof to our show, either.” But do bring the rest of the family – they’ll love it.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra plays the Mangawhai Tavern on Friday 9th April. All ticket info is at www.ukulele.co.nz along with the rest of the tour dates