Sad news - No more Ruby Lounge

Just as they were coming up to Summer - the glory time for bars, the plug was pulled on Wellington's custom designed performance bar and resturaunt for the slightly older among us.

As so often is the case, it was exactly the sort of venue that people had been saying Wellington needed for so long but if you don't go out and support these ventures that people bravely put their time, money, hearts and souls into, then they're not going to last. Maybe people are happy to just know that it exists and not feel the need to actually go and visit. Sadly it doesn't work like that - and now it doesn't exist.

All the best to Alun, Laura, Tony and the team. Here's hoping for a resurection.

(Remember not to let GROOVE 107.7FM go the same way).

The Groovemiester.

Tonight on "The Adventures of the Coffeebar Kid"

Tonite and exclusive with Author Josh Easby, former Manager of Radio Hauraki and Journalist, turned publisher abot his new book "Live: Gigs that Rocked New Zealand".

Whether they played a pub or a stadium, whether small and local or a big international action "Live... " documents some of the best moments and stories from concerts perfomed in NZ over the last 30 od years from Gene Vincent to the BDO extravaganza this book covers every one and every thing - almost. No WOMAD, we commiserate. But we'll get to the bottom of that too. Check out www.fishpond.co.nz for more info.

Also, the 'Kid talks to Country/Caberet Act Jesse James and the Outlaws about her upcoming show at the San Fransciscio bathouse and her new album - "The Price of Gum".

Check out their video 'Angila' on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAQdzFc5lVE

Band members include - Ryan Prebble (Bond St Bridge), Mara TK (Fly My Pretties), Justin Firefly, Tm Prebble, James Coyle and of Course Jesse Moss

St. Peters Hall - Paekakareki - 13 November

San Franscisco Bath House - Nov 14

www.myspace.com/jessejamesandtheoutlaws

Groove 107.7FM Goes to the WOMAD LAUNCH

This is from the Dominion Post Tuesday 2 Novemenr 2010 (The Launch was Thursday 28 October) - For the complete WOMAD line Up go to http://www.womad.co.nz/artists.htm

Adventures of the Coffeebar Kid: Tonite

Hi, Groovers swing on in! Tonite we have :

The 2011 WOMAD line Up - Groove was at the official Launch last week and has all the news! (see the pic above - we made the society pages in the Dom Post!)


Also we have interviews with Emma Paki (an her new CD) and Ian Chapman - author of "Kiwi Rock Chicks, Pop Stars and Trail Blazers. "


And we also have an interview with Folk/Country Artist Eva Prowse. So tune in from 6PM tonite on Groove 107.7 FM






Links:
Eva Prowse - http://www.myspace.com/evaprowse
Download Music, Buy Album and Check gigs Dates



Emma Paki - You tube clip for 'Century Sky' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JebNIvpiKWo&feature=related

WOMAD : Link to the Artist Line Up - http://www.womad.co.nz/artists.htm

Vaughn Roberts & Tranquillo at the Groove jazz lounge this Wednesday 17 Oct

This Wed sees the return of the fabulous Vaughn Roberts and friends with some Latin Jazz spice from Tranquillo.

Vaughn Roberts - trumpet, Ben Wilcock - piano, Mostyn Cole - bass, John Rae - drums.
It was another great night last time they played and bound to be even better this week. See the calendar and more details below or go to the Ruby lounge website (link right and below).
Support The Ruby, Groove and live jazz in Wellington at the same time!

This Wednesday The Flamingo Trio at The Groove Jazz Lounge...

The Flamingo Trio - A night of classic jazz, with a light splash of blues, jazz funk and jazz R&B. No cover charge of course, from 7.30pm.

Kirsten Te Rito, James Illingworth and Rick Cranson will be mixing it up with sassy vocals, hot drum licks and retro organ styles, the Flamingo Trio combine a selection of jazz, blues, funk and R&B. Versatile vocalist Kirsten Te Rito has graced many a stage. Standout appearances include Disney's “The Lion King” in both Melbourne and Shanghai, backing vocalist for the pairing of the Little Bushman and the NZSO as well as fronting R&B/soul group Bebe Deluxe. Pianist and composer James Illingworth is a regular on the Wellington music scene and can often be found ripping it up to an appreciative audience. His recent credits include the Recloose Live Band, Iva Lamkum, Rio Hemopo, Lisa Tomlins and Bebe Deluxe. Drummer Rick Cranson from the well known Kiwi psychedelic rock group the Little Bushman exudes class, skill and talent.

As always, the third set will be an open jam, so bring your instrument/voice (and maybe charts?)

At The Ruby Lounge, upstairs, 14 Bond St from 7.30 every Wednesday night, in association with Groove 107.7FM.

Tessa Quayle's Groove Jazz Lounge debut!

Another great vibe at the Ruby lounge last Wednesday with Vaughn Roberts and Tranquillo.

This Wednesday it's the first time at The Groove Jazz Lounge for Tessa Quayle.

Tessa will be performing two sets of vocal jazz, in an intimate setting of bass and piano accompaniment, with the wonderfully talented Nick Tipping and Ben Wilcock. The third set will be an open jam, so bring your instrument/voice (and maybe charts?) Tessa has just this year released her debut album ‘Whisper Not’ which has received positive and high rating reviews. This album also features the sensitive yet creative playing of Nick Tipping and Ben Wilcock, along with Reuben Bradley and Lex French. Tessa also teaches voice, both privately and at the NZSM jazz programme, and directs the NZSM Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

The Groove Jazz lounge a blast

Man, what a great vibe at the Ruby lounge last Wednesday with the Reuben Bradley Trio that became on Octet! One of the great things about the Groove jazz lounge is that you don't know quite what, who or how many you're going to get on the night. Even the band can't be sure!

Last week was a great example with Jonathan and then Terry Crayford both playing accoustic piano, up to 3 saxes at once including a visiting New york player, Paul Dyne on bass, lovely female vocals by someone who's name gone out of my head sorry! (I'll update that bit) and none other than the infamous talented street performer, Toby, beat boxing on some tunes! (Sure I've missed someone).

For the full calendar and more details go to the Ruby lounge website (link right and below).

Support The Ruby, Groove and live jazz in Wellington at the same time!

Groovemiester

The Groove Jazz lounge live every Wednesday

We've teamed up with The Ruby Lounge in Bond St to bring you the best Jazz live on stage in the great atmosphere that is the Ruby lounge.

The third set is a Jam set as always. Turn up and join the band! The Wednesday Groove Jazz Lounge in sponsored by us at Groove 107.7. No cover charge, from 7.30pm on.

Check out the details at http://www.therubylounge.co.nz/

Welcome to new Groove announcers DJ Mesala and P-Huny on Friday and Monday nights respectively. As always check our shows page on the right for more about what goes on weekly on-air.

There's a new Groove on Friday nights!

Make sure you check out the latest addition to our on-air line up:

FRIDAY NIGHTS from 6.00 - 9.00
:: The Mesala Groove Show :: BRAND NEW!!
DJ Mesala spins old school tunes and new grooves: Jazzy funk, RnB, Acid jazz, Jazz house – basically feel good music to get your vibe going for the weekend, bringing the soul groove back. The new feel of Friday night.

Email DJ Mesala with requests or feedback at djmesala@groovefm.co.nz and don't forget to check Groove's weekly program by clicking the 'Shows' link on the right.

New, improved bumper stickers and T-shirts now available!

Our new, longer lasting bumper stickers are finally here! (thanks to Manky Chops - it's hard to find a good bumper sticker in Wellington!). Give us a call if you would like some (381 GROOVE) or click here to email us.

Even better, our new, more stylie T-shirts are here in Groove go fast red or stylish chocolate mens or womens. We can rush one of these out to you with free delivery and a pack of Celcius fairtrade, organic coffee and some bumper stickers all for $30!

Again email, call or click to buy online:

Size

Small mens Medium mens Large mens XL mens XXL mens Womens 14

You'll look great, your coffee cravings will be more than satisfied and you'll be supporting your fav radio station!

Stay tuned and tell your friends!

The Groovemiester

Groove heads to the Food Show.

The Coffeebar kid with a Masterchef

Newboy Jarek on-air

The Groovemiester lays down a Groove.

Yep another food show and we had a blast! Dean, Jarek, P Huny, Jerry and the Coffee Bar Kid were there sampling, slurping and sniffing the fantastic fare on offfer. Thanks to the wonderful ladies at Celcius Coffee who made us lovely latte's and espressos. Also thanks to Lisas, our Booth buddies opposite for appreciating our grooves. A massive hello to all the listeners who came to see us and ask about what we do. Many stickers are now plastered over walls, bumpers and text books around Wellington. Display with pride! A couple of snaps above... More at http://www.flickr.com/photos/groove1077fm/

Groove broadcasting live from the Food Show this weekend!

Come grab your longer lasting Groove bumper sticker, free Celcius coffee and say Hi to us at stands 160 & 161 at the show.

Stay tuned to Groove this week for free tickets!

Groove goes to WOMAD this weekend

Groove goes to WOMAD, Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth.
The three day Festival of World Music and Dance kicks off on Friday 12 March with a Powhiri and then the amazing US outfit Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. If you've been listening to the Adventures of the Coffee Bar Kid over the last month you would have hear them and many other WOMAD artists talking about their work and the upcoming performances.
Groove will be videoing, bloging and doing live crosses from the festival on Saturday and Sunday. Tune in for more.

WIN + WIN + WIN + WIN ON GROOVE 107.7 FM :
If you fancy a free ticket listen out all this week for a chance to win both admission to all three days AND a three day camping pass worth over $250.00!

WOMAD is not to be missed.
As family friendly event, the Coffee Bar kid will be taking everyone in his 'cafe' (family) - including Latte Girl, Moccacino (aka Groovy Bear) and Lil' Fluffy. The event is characterised by people having fun responsibly; there are viewing platforms for the seniors and wheel chair bound; plenty of Space; a dedicated kidspace and Zoo; a world of amzing food stalls; specialist shops and amazing vendors on offer.
Groovesters Dean and Tim (AKA the Coffee Bar Kid) went last year and were blown away by the event.

Tickets are still available. Check the Website for gig times, tickets, prices getting there or just to sample some of the bands: http://www.womad.co.nz/womad_index.html

Newtown Fair this Sunday!

The Wellington festival that tops them all is here!

The festival flagship is The Newtown Street fair this Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm.

• 6 Performance stages (Main, Community, Wilson St, Green St, DJ Stage, Buskers Pitch.
• 320 Stalls
• Childrens rides
• Classic cars & rides
• Street performers
• 50 000 people
• Groove playing tunes by the classic cars

The lineup includes Iva Lamkum, Sam Manzanza & the Afro beat band Good Laika, Jesse James & the outlaws, Tyson Smith, Mara TK, Olmecha Supreme, Capoiera, Monroe (heard on Groove), dance, choir and a whole heap more!

More info on the website: http://www.newtownfestival.org.nz/

See you there :)

Groovemeister

I'll have a flat white with one. This week with the Kid

This week on the Adventures of the Coffee Bar Kid (Thurs 6PM) :
We are very excited to have Sacha Vee in the house. Sacha has a Dutch West Indian background and has been singing since her early teens. She took out the prestigious Tauranga Jazz Festival 'Best Vocalist Award" at the tender age of 16. She's done her digs with P-Funk Expressway, Departure Lounge, Oval Office and Rare Shot Blue, and now Ladies and Germs, she's launching her own EP. And Joins us after 6Pm to play her favourite tunes and chat with the Kid.
Get a Taste of Vee at:
www.myspace.com/sachavee

Sasha Plays Hope Bro.s form 10PM on 20th Feb ,
and Don't miss out an in Store at Real Groovy from 1PM


Plus, we have Anna Coddington on the Phone - trailblazing pop diva appearing at WOMAD this year, that gig just gets hotter!

Jump online and check Anna at : http://www.annacoddington.com/

The Coffee Bar Kid is in the House!

This week the Kid's been super busy recording interviews with Jenny Morris, whose here for the International Festival of the Arts (Pacific Blue Lounge), Tama Waipara (Who plays the Ruby Lounge on Friday) and Andrew Spraggon of Sola Rosa (Headling One Love Festival on waitangi Day) Also there's new Music and the usual range of caffine based offerings: Get you weekly fix from 6PM every Thursday Night only on Groove 107.7 FM.

Check Out :
Jenny Morris : http://www.jennymorris.com/
International Festival of the Arts : http://www.nzfestival.nzpost.co.nz/
Sola Rosa http://www.solarosa.com/blog/
One Love : http://www.amplifier.co.nz/news/54094/one-love-2010-top-ranking.html

Phew! What Big Adventures!

Groove has been super busy over the last week at the launch of the Fringe Festival, arranging artist interviews with the International Festival team and camping out at the Organic River Festical in Kiberly Reserve, Levin.

Fringe Festival Opening.
On Thursday (28th) Nite hundreds of sweaty punters crammed into Mighty Mighty to witness the opening of the Fringe Festival, now in its 20th year - Happy Birthday Fringe! Highlights were Raybon Khan, who compared, insulted the crowd (in jest) and untertook a one man stand up comedy show all in one! Also The One Night Stands (Cabaret Act), who sung Jazzy Brit Spear's numbers, impressed and (Festival CEO) Zelda's School Mam act, as she demanded the crowd quieten down for the formal side of the proceedings an act to see by it self! On our Flickr page you'll see photos and a brilliant shot of a 'girl' jumping out of a rubber cake - It's the Fringe, had to be done! go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/groove1077fm/ and select the "Fringe" set.

The full Programme is on: http://www.fringe.org.nz/

Organic River Festival.
On Friday night Dean and Pam upped sticks and headed for the Organic River Festival (29-31 January 2010). The camping grounds are now spread over two distinct paddocks areas, a vast improvement from last year as the access and general layout is far more welcoming and flexible. Management of the site improved too with greater security onsite and a zero waste rubbish policy including staff on hand to advise about what is recyclable and what is not.

This 'reporter' hit the Festival on Saturday and was treated to a swim in the local river, and a fantastic day of music and food. Mike's organic Beer was a highlight. Also a number of stalls offered vegan burgers, ice cream and other treats. Despite being a carnivore I was impressed with the quality and value for money of what I ate, almost makes me give up meat - almost! Musically, headliners An emerald City, who'd just flown in from Paris, were a highlight. Their swirling East-European musical offerings were mesmeriing and hypnotic. Medicine Crow, who performed earlier, put up a brave display, despite the earlier slot, and consequential smaller crowd and Jess Chambers won over hearts with her set. Watch out for that girl, she'll go far.

Roy G and the Bivinators played a brilliant set too. Their music is similar to John Butlers, wth plenty of distorted guitars and bluesy bass at the core of each song.

The weekend turned on a stunner. At one point I measured 29 Degrees down by the river, and even after sun down we were still in our tees and shorts. this year's Organic River Festival despite a smaller, lesser known line up of guests and artists was spectacular. With a chilled relaxed family atmosphere, low achol pressense and a good security and management structure, this is a festival on the rise. the Cherry on the top was strolling back to my car, some 50 metres from the event I was offered a lift on the back of the security guards' quad bike so i would,nt have to fumble around in the dark - all class! Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/groove1077fm/ and click on the Organic River Festival Set.

Miho Wada : Interviewed on-air

Japanese Jazz Punk artist Miho Wada (who toured worldwide recently with Ska Cubano including Womad 2009) popped in to chat with the Coffee Bar Kid last night to promote the Pajama Party Concert at Watusi.

She also played inhouse at Real Groovy, PJs optional on that one.

The Return Of the Coffee Bar Kid

Yep, the Kid is back - Every Thursday on Groove from 6.

This week Punk Jazz peformer Miho Wada. Miho will be chatting about her upcoming Gig at the Watusi and playing tunes from her debut album "Postcards to your bed" available from CDbaby.com and amplifier.com .

http://www.mihowada.com/

Karen Hunter also dropped by earler in the week to chat with the Kid about her Wednesday Gig, her new Album : Words and Groove and to sing a few tunes - Live! We'll replay that interview.

Karen also wanted fans to contact her via facebook and email. Go to her site: http://www.karenhunter.com/

Photos from Karen's interview: