Blues Festival brings free youth seminar

Andy Phillips

Guitar workshops and seminars for up-and-coming young "axemen" are included in the upcoming Rotorua Blues Festival.

In conjunction with New Zealand Music Month and the Rotorua District Council, the five-day festival starting on Wednesday next week will feature a free youth seminar for all school students with Australian Andy Phillips, from Cadillac Walk.

Phillips will talk to the students about a "musical journey" which began in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Festival spokesman Simon Elton said Phillips would demonstrate some guitar licks and answer questions about his musical experiences.

"The seminar has been very popular with young musicians in the past, and is freely open to Rotorua intermediate and secondary schools," Mr Elton said.

Later on a workshop will be held for students selected by their music teachers.

The workshop on Sunday June 1 from 12pm will be led by Rotorua music teacher Rob Powley, who will show the students 12 bar blues sequences and how to work together.

The students will also get a chance to play alongside headline artists Phillips and Shaun Kirk.

Mr Elton said bookings were essential.

The blues festival will also feature two afternoon Blues Cruises on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 onboard the Lakeland Queen.

Australian blues and soul troubadour Shaun Kirk will play on the first cruise.

Kirk will be joined by Wellington's Carol Bean and Ray Ahipene-Mercer, as well as former Rotorua Blues Club president Mike Garner.

On Sunday popular Australian trio, Cadillac Walk, will play classic blues influenced by the Texas and Chicago blues scene.

The trio will be joined by Ralph Bennett-Eades, of Motueka, and Hazel, a 1935 National Steel guitar. Both cruises run from 3pm-5pm, with drinks and snacks available on board.

For full details and festival programme, visit www.bopblues.com/bluesfest