Free spirited musician tours New Zealand – March 2012
Tuesday 31 January 2012, 7:25PM
By Oamaru Opera House
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Audiences loved her when she toured with Arts On Tour NZ in 2010. Now Fiona Pears is back again, taking her violin and talented band to small towns and out of the way gigs across both islands.
A consummate artist who wears her heart on her violin strings, Fiona’s unaffected pleasure in music making is readily transferred to audiences who enjoy her exuberance as much as her musicianship.
With performances described as ‘electrifying’, Fiona could have enjoyed a highly successful career as a classical violin player. Instead she enjoys the freedom of composing and playing according to her own rules – calling upon tango, jazz, gypsy, Celtic and classical styles, some times all in the same piece of music!
New Zealand born and now dividing her time between London and Lyttelton, Fiona will tour with her husband, UK pianist and musical director, Ian Tilley (formerly music director for Hayley Westenra and Aled Jones) on piano, Pete Fleming on bass and Mike Ferrar on guitar.
Fiona has performed and recorded with artists such as Dave Dobbyn, Hayley Westenra and Bic Runga, as well as opening for Tony Bennett, Ottmar Liebert and ‘the crown prince of Denmark”, the late Victor Borge. Personal highlights include appearing at Ronnie Scott’s world famous jazz club in London and performing her own compositions and arrangements with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
She has been a spokesperson for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), and appeared in Bear Sanctuary, a film about her life as a concert violinist and her 2009 visit to the Romanian Bear Sanctuary on the outskirts of Brasov.
During her tour, Fiona will play from her latest CD, Feeling, to be launched on 2 March.
‘Sheer vibrancy, a sense of fun and pure pleasure’ Peter Bills, NZ Herald 9 Jan2012
Itinerary
Thursday 8 March 7.30pm Ashburton
Trust Event Centre
$25 each, $20 each for 2 or 3, $15 each for 4 or more
Book: Ashburton Trust Event Centre Box Office Or www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Friday 9 March 7.30pm Geraldine
St Mary’s Church
Adults $20, Students $12, under 12s Free
Book: Tresjoli Giftware 03 693 9339 $5 surcharge on door sales
Saturday 10 March 7.30pm Oamaru
Opera House
$25 pp Book www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 08004ticket
Sunday 11 March 7.30pm Cromwell
Memorial Hall
Adults $25;SuperGold $20;Student/child $5 Book: Cromwell Information Centre
Tuesday 13 March 7.30pm Okarito
Donovan’s
$25 book: Debbie 03 753 4017 Edwina 03 753 4014
Thurs 15 March 8pm Hokitika
Regent Theatre
$25 Book: Regent Theatre or www.hokitikaregent.com
Sunday 18 March 8pm Onekaka
Mussel Inn - $25
Tuesday 20 March 7.30pm Carterton
Events Centre, Holloway St
$25 Book: Carterton Information Centre
Masterton I-site at Aratoi, Greytown Library, Martinborough I-site
This concert organised by Vibe Promotions Inc
Wednesday 21 March 7.30pm Opunake
Sandfords Event Centre
$25 Book: Pastimes 06 761 8151 or Egmont CAC member 06 761 8789
Friday 23 March 7.30pm Whakatane
Little Theatre
Book: ‘The Good Life’ the Strand
Saturday 24 March 7.30pm Thames
Kauaeranga Hall
$20 Book: Nancy 868 9664 or Lisa 868 5999
Sunday 25 March 7.30pm Whangarei
Old Library Community Arts Centre
$20 Book: Old Library Community arts Centre
Or http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/old-libary-building-whangarei