New takes on traditional music, on East FM, Saturday from 3pm
It’s all about the strings, as we feature traditional Irish music (2023 style) of Gráda, and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra principal harp Ingrid Bauer, on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, 3pm to 7pm (NZ time, Sept 30) on East FM.
There’s also new tracks recently released around the world - all forms - that need airing, as well as concert news and all-time favourites.
Gráda has two Kiwis – Gerry Paul and Andrew Laking – and we’re talking live with Gerry at 5pm about their upcoming NZ tour that brings the lads together again with Irish musicians Nicola Joyce, Alan Doherty and Tola Custy after a dozen years.
We’ll also chat with Ingrid Bauer at 4pm, as she’ll be in the spotlight when the APO stages In Your Neighbourhood: Queen of Harps, in Howick at All Saints Church on Tuesday, October 10.
Gráda had a great run touring internationally from 2001-2011, performing in more than 1000 cities in 30 countries. Highlights: concerts at Sydney Opera House, Royal Glasgow Concert Hall, Ireland’s National Concert Hall, and headlining multiple European and American folk festivals.
Gráda’s most recent work Natural Angle was voted a top folk album in the USA by NPR / Folk Alley and the IMA music awards. The previous album, Cloudy Day Navigation, appeared multiple times in Irish Music's Top 10 charts, and there’s been glowing reviews.
Their sound is rooted in Irish trad, drawing in folk, jazz, world music, and Americana, while live shows are described as energetic, with an improvisation element that makes them unique in the trad music world.
Gràda 2023 Aotearoa Reunion Tour dates in October: 18 - San Fran, Wellington; 19 - Theatre Royal, New Plymouth; 20 - John Gallagher Academy, Hamilton; 21 - Tuning Fork, Auckland; 22 - Turner Centre, Kerikeri; 26 - Tauranga Arts Festival; 27 – TBA, Hawkes Bay; 29 – TBA, Nelson; 28 - Little Theatre, Lower Hutt. Tickets online at gradamusic.ie
The APO says principal harp Ingrid Bauer “has brought together a wildly diverse group of composers to show off the huge range of her instrument. There’s more to the harp than angel wings. The cool breeziness of Ibert’s Trio is juxtaposed with Gubaidulina’s mystical spirituality, and if you didn’t think the harp could do the rumba, think again!”
In Your Neighbourhood: Queen of Harps: 6.30pm, Tues, Oct 10 at All Saints Church, Howick. Tickets online at apo.co.nz/queen-of-harps - $28 adult/senior, $15 student/child.
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday, we’re hearing new spins on old music. – PJ
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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80.9% Same!
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19.1% Would have liked to try something different
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.
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