Gigs a coup for Mount Maunganui venue

Miles Calder & The Rumours. Photo/supplied

Totara St venue in Mount Maunganui is for the first time hosting two Tauranga Arts Festival gigs, and manager Jay Munro is stoked.

Part of the Mauao Performing Arts Centre building, 11 Totara St has been steadily gaining a reputation as a live music venue since it opened in 2015.

"The room has a mezzanine floor covering the full length and width of the venue, and is essentially a mini version of the well-known Powerstation in Auckland," Jay says. "There's plenty of room if people want to dance and the mezzanine gives the option of a bird's eye view of the performers - and thanks to my co-manager Ross Shilling we've got a state-of-the-art sound system and great acoustics."

Jay and Ross opened 11 Totara St because of a perceived lack of affordable space that could be used by anyone and for a variety of events - it hosts everything from corporate events to birthday parties.

The Suitcase Royale. Photo/supplied

"It's been a big learning curve to figure out how to run a 400-person event centre at the Mount," Jay says, "but now there's a real community buzz around the place."

Having the festival gigs is a big deal for them. "You have to earn your stripes as a live-music venue and we've turned that corner."

Australian trio The Suitcase Royale kicks off on October 20 with Royale Riot, a modern hoe-down that updates old-time sounds for the dance floor, while the next night there's a change of pace with the earthy tones and floating harmonies of Wellington folk-rock band Miles Calder and The Rumours, music that has been described as somewhere between Ryan Adams and Neil Young. Miles Calder and The Rumours also perform at the Waihi Beach Hotel at 4pm on Sunday, October 22 (tickets from eventfinda or at the door).