Horowhenua StarA Levin church is booking top-class entertainment to ensure its stunning venue is shared widely with the community.
The acoustics inside the Levin Uniting church means it lends itself brilliantly to music.
Jazz musicians from left, Nick Granville, Lance Phillip, and Rory Macartney performed a candlelit inside Levin Uniting Church recently. Photo Paul Williams
Earlier this month the talented Wellington-based jazz trio Nick Granville, Lance Phillip, and Rory Macartney delivered a toe-tapping 75-minute set to packed pews in the church, in front of a crowd of nearly 100, who were treated to a night of world-class acoustic jazz surrounded by 800 flickering candles.
More concerts are planned.
The church is planning strategically for the future. Minister Sandra Williams says it’s not just the church space itself, but the massive community centre behind that can lend itself to a variety of activities.
The approach has seen significant growth in the past 18 months, with more than 50 organisations and groups having used the space in that time.
“We’re holding these concerts because we want our beautiful venue to be available for all,” Sandra says.
“As well, with community funding becoming increasingly competitive, we’re taking steps to build long-term sustainability for our work. This concert series is a key part of that effort, with all proceeds and sponsorship supporting our community centre activities with direct benefit to Horowhenua residents.
“To that end, we want to thank all who bought tickets and gave donations, and our two great sponsors, Suzanne Cottle from Wilton and Co. and Sally Duxfield from Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
“Beyond fundraising, the series aims to enrich our community by offering opportunities for cultural connection through music, and promoting our beautiful but underutilised church as a versatile space for arts, culture, and events in our district.
“We want to be a place of connection.”
The jazz concert is the first in a series of seasonal concerts designed to bring people together through high-quality acoustic music, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and a shared sense of community.
If the first candlelit concert is anything to go by, the church is on a winner.
Nick is one of New Zealand’s top jazz guitarists and has performed at iconic venues, including the Monterey Jazz Festival and London’s O2 Arena, and toured with artists like Dave Dobbyn, Ronan Keating, Delta Goodrem, and the Rodger Fox Big Band, while Lance and Rory are brilliant in their own right.
The next candlelit concert is planned for August 29.
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