Cool cat soul on East FM tomorrow Saturday arvo...
Sound the alarm! It’s 77th birthday week for one of the all-time greats of rock n’ roll and soul, as we celebrate the awesome talents of Booker T. Jones on tomorrow arvo’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, 3-7pm (NZ time) on East FM.
Following on from our recent featuring of Jones’ lifetime music friend and colleague, Steve Cropper, on the occasion of his 80th, it’s only fitting we pay our respects to one of the coolest musician cats there has been.
Jones and Cropper, with the late-great Donald Duck Dunn and Al Jackson, formed the legendary force that was the house band at Stax Records, Memphis, 60 years ago (when Green Onions came out), either releasing instrumental soul classics as Booker T. and the MGs or backing vocal legends such as Otis Redding live and on tape.
One of Duck Dunn’s great lines in The Blues Brothers is: “We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.” Same could be said of the MGs.
Booker T. Jones put out a tight n’ groovy classic album in 2013, Sound The Alarm, with collaborations with a dynamic cast of artists, so we’ll feature it at 5pm in entirety, as well as spinning Booker T. and the MGs gems.
Had the absolute pleasure to see Booker T. and the MGs live in London 30 years ago, almost three decades after Green Onions, with guest vocalist, Eddie ‘Knock on Wood’ Floyd at the Town and Country Club (later the Forum) in Kentish Town. That’s also a reflection of Jones’ and Cropper’s enduring relevance and longevity over six decades – they’ve always produced music that is timeless and can be played anywhere, anytime.
We’ll also take our usual tour of other musical neighbourhoods on the She’ll Be Right Show with PJ on East FM, East Auckland’s soulful community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally on www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
Looking forward to being locked down in the East FM studio from 3pm Saturday – it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. – PJ, haircut on the horizon...
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025
Please help me find other light shows and updating this list!
Times when the lights turn on/off is helpful.
Last updated: 19 December 2025 18:47.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
Add a display: [Google forms] forms.gle... , or comment: [Location], [Lights on/off times], [Other features].
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronized to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm[?] to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakaranga Heights.
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FEEDBACK REQUIRED FOR 2025.
These were confirmed in 2024:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Trains/miniature displays in the garage Wednesday to Sunday.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Sommerville. Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2025:
<none added so far>
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Please help find more houses and update this list!
Comment on this post.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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