Porirua’s much-loved Friends of Pātaka Winter Music Series returns this month, marking 20 years of bringing warmth, music, and community spirit to the heart of winter.
The popular series, held at Pātaka Art + Museum, features four consecutive Sunday afternoon concerts, offering a mix of musical styles in the beautiful setting of one of Porirua’s cultural treasures. The concerts are free for Friends of Pātaka members and children, with a $5 door charge for others.
Designed as the perfect winter outing, many attendees pair the one-hour concerts with a visit to Pātaka’s galleries, the library, or the Toi Store’s collection of art, books, and crafts, followed by coffee and treats at Café Kaizen.
The Winter Music Series has built its reputation on an eclectic programme, and this year is no exception. Over the past three years, audiences have enjoyed everything from opera to jazz, Kapa Haka to klezmer, and indie folk to reggae.
This year’s line-up kicks off on Sunday, 20 July with the Papaioea Piano Trio, performing works including Beethoven’s celebrated “Ghost” trio. On 27 July, singer Fran Barton and pianist Kevin Clark take the stage with a show promising “jazz to pop to razzmatazz, humour and everything in between.”
On 3 August, Wellington favourites Hobnail bring their unique blend of Celtic, folk, country, and rock, known for dazzling instrumentation and harmonies “so tightly knit they could be family.”
The series wraps up on 10 August with a showcase of young talent from Mana College, featuring a vocal duo and a drum and guitar duo—continuing the tradition of supporting and celebrating Porirua’s emerging musicians.
For more details, visit friendsofpataka.org.nz/friends-winter-music-series-2025.
