Mt Eden, New Zealand

The steady trickle of hazy rain seemed quite normal to me. After all, it was the middle of winter and I was in the huddle of shops in Auckland called Mt Eden, snuggled at the base of the ancient volcanic peak with the same name. In Maori it is called 'Mangawhau' which means 'hill of the whau tree'.

A whau tree in flower Mt Eden/Mangawhau volcanic peak, Auckland, New Zealand

 

I often used to pass through Mt Eden village when I worked in Auckland some years ago. It was nice, and charming, and what I expected from a lovely suburb. But in 2012 I have to say that it is gorgeous, and delightful, and quirky, and full of Really Interesting Shops! I was so impressed.

These are the four stand outs for me:

1. Black Sheep Books (formerly Dymocks). It has become an independent bookseller with the former staff and the same location, but now it has added a bit more space, has increased the range of goodies for the kids, and has an enormous black sheep sitting in the window. Really Enormous (left over from the Rugby World Cup). I could have stayed there all day. www.blacksheepbooks.co.nz 

2. Dream of Italy (Exquisite Pieces of Italy). In fact the goodies are in four main categories: firstly glass treasures from Murano (an island's jump from Venice) where a particular style of glass treasures have been made for centuries; secondly, gorgeous Venetian masks (think 'masquerade balls'), thirdly, a wide range of Italian ceramics, and fourthly, particularly lovely paper products. I can still see the bridge where I bought some Italian stationery in 1993 and have longed to have again. Well, here it is in Mt Eden! www.dreamofitaly.co.nz

3. Mozaik Caffé. Corner location, sophisticated contemporary decor, a tasty array of snacky treats and more, glasses of water on the table without asking, great coffee and hot chocolates (for the kids - including a smiley face design on the frothy top and marshmallows), and Excellent Attentive Service! The owner/manager arrived while we were there and warmly embraced his staff, and he then showered us with personal thanks for coming to his café. Nice. It seems there are other Mozaik cafés around NZ - Mairangi Bay, New Lynn, Takapuna, Orewa, Parnell, Grafton and Hamilton. www.mozaik.co.nz

4. The Hospice Shop ('turning second hand goods into first class care'). I LOVE second hand shops. Highlights here were good prices (you can find a bargain), clean (washed (spit?)-polished), nicely displayed ceramics, glassware and trinkets, colour-coordinated clothing hung on uncluttered racks around the shop, and a tea trolley of special bargains on the pavement at the front door where I found some glass tea light holders for our candle-dining hosts here ($4 NZ - total!). The little place was buzzing with activity and browsers, and I was really happy to drop my coinage in Hospice donation box. All funds from the shop support the Mercy Hospice Auckland in the care of their patients. 453 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden.

Music for kids in France

We went to a free concert last night at the Cultural Centre in Ramonville St-Agne, France. It was an evening’s entertainment where various young and progressively older keyboardists, bass players, drummers, electric guitarists, singers, trumpeters and saxophonists had a chance to perform in a band and do their thang, all in front of a real live, incredibly appreciative, vocally lively and spontaneously engaged audience. It was IMPRESSIVE, and almost as good as the percussion group STRIKE from New Zealand www.strike.co.nz.

The evening started with a crowd of parents, friends, aunts, uncles, kids, brothers, sisters, grannies and grandpas at the doors waiting to enter the theatre. We found our seats (saving nine other seats for soon-to-arrive friends), and took a quiet breath or two when we saw the images on the stage screen displayed for the amusement/enjoyment of the waiting audience: a naked man, appendages swinging, running along a path with his body leaning on a curiously back-angled slant. All in the name of art and no one blinked an eye. Would this be acceptable in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, UK???? I think not! But art is waaaay more open here. It was a great way to start and it just got better!

Our son’s friend, Arthur, drummed to Cold Play (The Scientist), once he realised that his band was on stage and waiting for him (he was still sitting next to us in the seats), his brother, Felix, gamely electric-guitared to another song, while Pierre, another friend, electric-guitared his heart out to two other songs, including the finale Aretha Franklin’s Think (Freedom). 

Finale - Think (Freedom)

The musicians all took turns playing in various combinations, and some of the results where simply stunning. Let’s just especially mention Carol, who drummed and sang to ACDC (Back in Black) and rocked the house down. We were All Screaming For More. Apparently the young fellas of Ramonville St-Agne quite like learning music here because Carol learns music too. In the words of Jemaine Clement from the Flight of the Conchords’ song Business Time, “Well, I’m not surprised.” She’s hot! 

Carol the singer/drummer and the Andy Warhol-hair bassist

Carol (ACDC Back in Black)

And then there was keyboardist Chloe who was an all-out rocking chick, a tall, smooth bassist (Nathan?), a brass section wearing makeup and doing the cool moves, a quartet of singers including a wheelchair-bound girl who was having the time of her life, an awesome looking albino bassist with Andy Warhol hair, etc, etc. The teachers - a woman and two men - were clearly extremely talented, and performed along with the kids, encouraging and aiding where necessary.

Chloe and her teacher

I wish my kids wanted to learn music but they like sport. I learnt piano when I was young. The most I had to look forward to were exams, which I hated. I think it’s so great that these kids get to play with other musicians, they play music that rocks, and they have a great time with an audience to cheer them on.

Yay to the Cultural Centre of Ramonville St-Agne and the amazing teachers. Yay to the kids who are learning music and loving it. And yay for a great evening!

Guitar teacher, punk bassist and Felix

Arthur, Cold Play's The Scientist

 

Pierre!