Matariki community celebrations at the Old School

from Jacqueline Anderson

Jazmine Mary is the 2022 winner of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award. Recently they have opened in New Zealand for Kurt Vile, Billy Bragg, Gang Of Youths, and toured the country in support of Reb Fountain.

They make music not to earn a living, but to survive, and it’s through their song writing that Jazmine Mary feels tethered to something tangible, a constant. It’s the action of translating their experiences into poetic folk compositions that helps in “understanding parts of the beauty and ugliness of the world”, and which might help listeners do so too.

On their second album, Jazmine Mary has created an unlikely space for despair and joy to cohabit. Far more than gutpunch poetry and dark truths, Jazmine Mary flaunts their penchant for finding hopefulness in an oft cruel world.

Your new best friend. The neighbour’s kind-eyed bitzer. An adolescent pup that hasn’t yet learned not to bite. This album has nothing to do with dogs.

As with the rest of their sophomore collection Dog, first single ‘Seagull’ emerged in the months following Jazmine’s highly lauded 2021 debut The Licking of a Tangerine.

Despite, or perhaps in spite of, the grief and tragedy woven through their music, anyone who’s had the chance to see them live has likely been disarmed by their wry stage chatter and magnetic vulnerability, a virtue just as present in the likes of ‘Seagull’ and what’s to come.

Jazmine Mary won’t tell you what the album is about or why this album is called Dog. They could well be hiding something from us, but the more probable reason is that they are a responsible artist and know it’s not for them to tell you how to experience what they already have.

The Raglan show is on July 28th at The Yard and is set to be an amazing night with these two very talented musicians on stage! Tickets from Undertheradar.co.nz.

Matariki festivities at the Old School will combine Art, Kapa Haka, Kai, Mau Rakau and Waiata to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future.

The celebrations will include a gallery installation featuring seven art works to represent the history and teachings of seven of the Whetū of the Matariki constellation with all art pieces available for sale as a silent auction.

The evening celebrations have been organised by Dallas Mihinui and will be hosted by MC Gavin Dempsey beginning with a mihi whakatau at 5pm. Throughout the evening there will be face painting, a Raglan Kindergarten kai fundraiser will be selling mussel fritters, seafood chowder and sweet treats. There will be Raglan Area School kapa haka performance and a Mau rākau (weapons) demonstration facilitated by Jeremy Murray who has been teaching Mau Rakau for the better part of 15 years.

Also performing will be local Raglan musician, singer and songwriter Wiremu McCarthy blending elements of soul, reggae, funk and folk to bring his own original sound and style through his guitar and vocals. Mau rakau specialist and youth consultant Jeremy Murray, who has been passionate about traditional Māori forms of healing and medicine along with traditional forms of exercise and Māori weaponry for the better part of 15 years, will be providing interactive demonstrations for everyone to participate.

This is an evening of celebrating Matariki and Te Tau Hou Māori (Māori New Year). Come along and participate in some or all of the celebrations, there is something for everyone of all ages. Koha entry.

Thanks for funding support from WDC Creative Communities Scheme and Whāingaroa Raglan Naturally.

Matariki Community Celebrations : 5pm –9pm Friday 21st July @ Raglan Old School Arts Centre

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