Mel Parsons visits Nelson on iconic NZ theatre tour

2015 Silver Scroll finalist and Fly My Pretties star Mel Parsons will embark on a five date tour of some of New Zealand's most beautiful and iconic theatres, including Nelson's much loved Theatre Royal, the newly refurbished Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch and historical Crystal Palace Theatre in Auckland this October.

Accompanied by a full band, Parsons will be performing songs and telling tales from her newly released and critically acclaimed third album 'Drylands'. Parsons will be joined by Kiwi music legend Julia Deans performing a rare solo set to open the show. Deans has captivated audiences throughout her career: from fronting Fur Patrol, to co-conspirator with renowned supergroup The Adults, to sultry chanteuse in Silo Theatre's Brel.

An engaging performer with a sharp wit and natural emotive voice, Parsons has a fan in Canadian songwriting maestro Ron Sexsmith, who was impressed enough with her work to lend his voice to the poignant track 'Don't Wait' from her new album. Parsons is a two-time NZ Music Award (VNZMA) finalist for Folk Album of the Year, and a current finalist for the coveted APRA Silver Scroll award.

Parsons is looking forward to returning to Nelson following a sell-out show at the Boathouse in April, and is excited to have Julia Deans along playing support.

" 'Drylands' mines a songwriting seam rich in both confidence and subtlety" 4/5 stars - Otago Daily Times, April 2015

"Parsons not only means and feels every moment here, every song, every story - her band is with her, beside her; they're all wrapped up inside this music. It's lovely. Really, really lovely." - Simon Sweetman, April 2015

"Singer-songwriter Mel Parsons held her large audience with a captivating set of recent work and impressive new material" - NZ Herald, March 2015

Take a look at Ziyana and her friends 'from all angles'.  A 'Game of Tones' -  from classical, jazz and blues, musical theatre to tap, rock and modern dance!

Ziyana Ruiz Lopez is on her way to the UK to study Musical Theatre. This may be the last chance to see her on stage in Nelson. Don't forget to bring your cellphone to grab your own selfie with Ziyana.

After successful performances in 2007, the Nelson Civic Choir is again staging a full orchestra version of Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace. The work was dedicated to victims of the Kosovo crisis. It is an anti-war piece and although it is based on the Catholic Mass, the text incorporated words from other religious and historical sources, including the Islamic Call to Prayer, the Bible and the Mahabharata as well as the works of secular writers including, for example, Sankichi Toge, who survived the Hiroshima bombing but died some years later of leukaemia. The work will be performed with a full orchestra and with a video backdrop with historic footage as well as scenes shot by a local filmmaker. This major event is intended to commemorate the centenary of World War One and the 100 year anniversary of Anzac.

The Nelson Civic Choir will be joined by singers from Motueka and the Golden Bay as well as from the Blenheim Choral Society. It will be a performance with full orchestra formed by members of the Nelson Symphony Orchestra and players from Wellington and Christchurch.

It will be more than just a concert, but a total experience not to be missed!

Please note the Theatre Royal box office is closed on Labour Day - the day of the concert. Door sales are available at the venue and tickets can be purchased online or at the Richmond Mall or Nelson iSite.

Following 'house full' performances of Elijah last year, Nelson Civic Choir returns to the stage with Motueka singers to present Haydn's Creation. The performance is conducted by Chris Lukies and accompanied on the organ by Michael Bell. The soloists are Zoe Bennett and Amanda Crehan (sopranos), Ewen Griffith (tenor) and Graham O'Brien (bass).

The Creation is one of the most lyrical pieces in the choral repertoire. Soloists and chorus present the Old Testament account of creation, with the world moving from chaos to light and the emergence of plants, fish, birds and animals - lions, tigers, cattle, sheep and the sinuous worm! We hear Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, singing of their gratitude to God and their love for each other. The well-known choruses offer joyful comment on the unfolding story: 'The heavens are telling the glory of God', 'Achieved is the glorious work', 'Sing the Lord, ye voices all'.

Celtic Pipe Band present their third annual show.

This year CPB bring you a humorous musical portrayal of Scotland - a full multi-media show.

The highland bagpipe, snare drums, tenor and bass drums are the focal point of the show. The band presents it's music around the interesting and funny anecdotes from Scotland. Interspersed between are performances from highland dancers, singers and rock music.

If you love Scotland and all things Scottish this is a must see show.

The Net Gen Live! is the brain child of Odie Stratmore-Ching, the Artistic Managing Director for Nelson Youth Theatre. Her passion is to see our young artists succeed with their chosen art forms. The event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talent and will include: bands, musicians, dancers, singers (groups and soloists) actors, stage challenge, physical theatre and work from visual artists. It’s all about our digital natives – the Net Gen and live performance!

The event’s purpose is to support and nurture the creative spirit of “I CAN” with proceeds funding youth arts programmes, tuition and travel assistance.

A fun-packed concert of foot-stamping, flag-waving, party-popping, sing-along Proms music.

Your very own Nelson City Brass and conductor Chris Lawton, invite you to join Bayleys Last Night of the Proms.

It promises to be a rousing time of audience participation, as you dress in red, white & blue and promenade through our showcase of traditional favourites. Land of Hope of Glory never felt and sounded so good.

Special guest is Kiwi star Tim Beveridge, who will sing and swing his way to your heart.

Tim was one of the youngest performers to play the Phantom in Sydney, followed on the world stage in 2000 and 2002, making the finals of the BBC Voice of Musical Theatre. Since then he has sung in the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Concert Hall, and every major venue in NZ . He has delivered seven All Black National Anthems, produced & performed concerts, recorded CDs, and starred in numerous principal musical roles including Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Evita, Me and My Girl, Anything Goes, and Carousel. Currently touring in South Pacific. "Effortless is the best way to describe Beveridge's voice, combined with a suave and sophisticated stage manner" Nelson Review.

Prom Packs of hooters, poppers and flags will be on sale for $3, and complimentary to the first 50 tickets sold.

Dance yourself dizzy with Nelson's own Sunday Star Times music writer Grant Smithies as he presents a classic disco with lots of toe-tapping reasons to get dancing and keep warm this winter.

Bar opens in the Hall at 6.30pm

Winner of the "Best Country Music Album' at the recent New Zealand Country Music Awards, with a soulful voice straight from the golden age of country and rockabilly, Tami Nelson has been described as "A red-hot honky-tonker', somewhere between Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson with perhaps just a little big of Peggy Lee sophistication.

Bar opens in the Hall at 6.30pm

A great opportunity for Old St John's to showcase the fabulous acoustics and wonderful organ with a recital of well known pieces by local performer Ga'bor Tolnay.

Tea and Cup Cakes provided.