Gill Allen

11 October 2024 – Wandrella

11 October 2024 – Wandrella

The Levin Folk Music Club meets again Friday 11 October with special guest Wandrella.

Wandrella play a mix of clever “covers with a twist” and original songs which reflect their classical roots and eclectic musical influences.

After a chance meeting in December 2016 at a house concert in Levin, Gill Allen (keyboards & guitar) and Kate Ward (guitar, banjo and mandolin) began to create a blend of their music and vocals, to develop a style and synergy unique to Wandrella. Both being Contralto, allows either voice to cover the musical range with an interchangeable blend of vocal harmonies.

Kate has played solo Celtic and classical guitar and has opened for the Arizona Smoke Review in the UK and Paul Obana Jones in NZ. She was influenced by the finger picking styles of Stefan Grossman and Gordon Giltrap.

Gill recorded her first album “Colour Outside the Lines” in 2004. She has played and recorded several songs with local musician Kevin Watson and in 2016 teamed up with local musician Simon Burgess and formed the duo “Burgess and Allen”. Two main musical influences have been Elton John and Eva Cassidy.

Wandrella, has gone from strength to strength over the years since they began. Their harmonies are so beautiful and make your heart sing and your face smile.


Come and find out for yourself at: Levin Folk Music Club, Friday October 11th at the Horowhenua Scottish Society Hall, 155 Bartholomew Road, corner Bartholomew Road and Middlesex Street, Levin.

Doors open at 7:00 pm and the evening begins at 7:30 pm with a blackboard of performers, where there is an opportunity for musicians to put their name up for an item. The guests perform after supper and the drawing of the raffle.

Admission, which includes a light supper, is $7 for members, $12 for non-members and $3 for students. Cash only (no eftpos facilities).


Kate Ward and Gill Allen are Wandrella.
Image source: John Jenkins

 

Out of the Blue – Oct 8 and AGM News

Out of the Blue – Oct 8 and AGM News

Read our October newsletter here.   The Club offers a huge thanks to Dianne Morris-Madill and Dale Webb for their efforts over the year(s) in their committee roles and wishes them a happy future .

‘Out of the Blue’ is when something suddenly appears or  arrives in your life unexpectedly. Although not entirely  unprecedented, this grouping of experienced and talented  performers preparing a show for the post covid LFMC/Tsunami concerts is a new venture for all concerned. 

Surprise or not, we are excited to combine the instrumental  excellence of local Kevin Watson on guitar, the smooth vocals of singer/songwriter Gill Allen, the intuitive upright bass and  singing of new Kiwi Christine Lansford, with Levin’s Simon Burgess adding his troubadour skills. 

This hugely internationally experienced group are proficient in  many genres, weaving these skills into a varied program of  jazz, folk, country and originals with tasty vocals and a gypsy  flair. From ballads to gospel, raunchy to smooth, their biggest  problem is not what to play, but what not to play! 

Note: Christine is caught in the USA/MIQ Covid trap and will  not be back in New Zealand for this performance. We are lucky  to have the able assistance of Berndt Reiss to cover for her.

Evening begins with the open blackboard – one item each please – and our guests will play after supper.  Covid regulations per Level 2 will apply if required so numbers may be limited.  Entry fee is $10 public/$5 members.