Lucky stars play hand in great night out

By Joel Ford
Pat Mitchell was thanking her lucky stars last night she got tickets to one of the most popular concerts in the Bay.
The Papamoa resident and her friend, Janice Bertera, initially thought they would miss out on seeing the Stars Under the Stars show at Mills Reef Winery.
However, a stroke of good fortune meant the pair were able to enjoy an evening of music, wine and dancing with about 5000 other sun-soaked concert-goers yesterday.
"We missed out on tickets but my daughter had some and she couldn't go so we took them off her. I don't normally get a chance to come to these events.
It's the perfect night and the perfect setting," she said after taking a breather from dancing.
This year's event featured three international touring tribute groups from Australia - The Eagles Experience, Neil Diamond All the Hits featuring Steve Cummins, and The Bee Gees Stayin' Alive Show.
Ms Mitchell was in no doubt who she was looking forward to hearing the most.
"The Neil Diamond act - I'm an old fan," she said.
Tickets for the event sold out in advance for the first in its five-year history.
The show's promoter, Craig Wilson, puts the sellout down to great acts and a great venue.
"It's such a relaxed atmosphere. We have three great tribute bands from Aussie - where else can you go out for four hours of entertainment for $35?" he said.
Mr Wilson, who has put on all the Mills Reef concerts, was also happy the weather co-operated after a wet start to the day. Apparently good weather was just something Mills Reef concerts seemed to be blessed with. "It was supposed to rain tonight, but this happens every year - we get smiled on. It's awesome really," he said.
Wayne Hosking, keyboard player and guitarist with both the The Eagles Experience and the The Bee Gees Stayin' Alive Show, said the trip from Australia was worth it. He and his band mates hadn't performed as The Eagles Experience for some time. They have only been performing as a Bee Gees tribute band in recent years but pulled out their Eagles stuff especially for the occasion.
"This is the first time in three years we have played it and we are glad we did. It was good fun and a great crowd," he said.
Neville August couldn't have agreed more. He was fourth in line when tickets went on sale for the event and for him the music of the Eagles brought back some special memories.
"They made an impact on me way back in the 70s - when I was starting to get out and about a bit," he said.