Chris's blog

A couple of Waiheke Radio's regular shows will be taking a break over the next couple of weeks. Island Life will return on Sat 7 Jan with local people, events and issues, and our news service will be on hold 24-27 Dec and 31 Dec - 3 Jan.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we have a whole host of special Christmas programmes.

Christmas Eve - Sat 24 Dec:

6pm - Folk Routes Christmas

7pm - A Christmas Carol, from our very own Neptune Radio Theatre

8pm - The Messiah - performed by Waiheke Choral Society

Christmas Day:

Christmas Music all day from 5am

7am - Mr Fox Christmas Special

8.10am - Grinches Christmas Brekky with Trevor and Seth

11am - Variations on a Theme - A festival of nine lessons and carols by the Choir of Kings College

12.30 pm - Celtic meets Country Traditional Charols special

2pm - The Messiah - Waiheke Choral Society

3.10pm Counting The Beat - NZ Christmas songs

4pm - A Christmas Carol

6-9pm - The Navigator

9pm Comedy Hour - Crisp & Even Brightly
In this popular seasonal comedy by Alick Rowe, we find out what is the
true story behind the story of Good King Wenceslas - was it really a
PR stunt?

The 2nd Annual Waiheke Radio Record Fair is coming up on the 22nd of January as part of the Waiheke Resource Trust EnviroFair. We'll be selling records, CDs, DVDs, music and film books and memorabilia. We're currently looking for contributions of unwanted music, films, stereo equipment or other items that we can sell at the fair. If have anything to contribute please get in touch at admin@waihekeradio.org.nz. We can arrange pick up of any donated items. If you would like to sell your own items we will also be hiring stall spaces for a small fee.

Photo credit: blog.casseybunn.com

Tune in to Waiheke Community Radio this Halloween to hear a remixed
interpretation of Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds, mixed by our very own Jabsco Sounds, based on the Science fiction story that was originally written in 1895 by H.G. Wells.

This new version is packed with extra dialogue not used in the original 1979 version, as well as new scenes and remixed versions of classic songs such as ‘The Eve Of War’ and ‘Forever Autumn’. Also included will be live instrumentation from local guitarists Ben Blackman and Ben Martens from the band Feral Vessel.

The whole broadcast will be performed and mixed live on Monday evening 31st October from 8pm till 9.15pm on Waiheke Community Radio 88.3/107.4FM or live stream at www.waihekeradio.org.nz

We're sad to announce that former Waiheke Radio announcer Arthur (Piers Hayman) has passed away. Arthur presented his show Arthur's Round Table on both Waiheke Radio and former island radio station, The Beach. Arthur had a good rapport with listeners and was always eager to connect with the community.

Arthur was also an author and in the 1970s a member of Piers Hayman and John Kuiper, an English/Dutch folk duo who worked out of Haarlem. Storm To The East is the title track of their third album, recorded with CBS in 1980.

We were sad to hear the news that Basil Holmes passed away late last week. Basil was well known on the island for his community activism and strongly held, well articulated views on art and politics. Friends of Basil have asked us to pass on the following message,

"Basil didn't want a funeral but those who would like to remember him over a cup of tea are welcome at the Surfdale Hall from 2pm onSaturday 17th Sept."

Basil was interviewed twice on Waiheke Radio - an extended interview on Vocal Local in 2009 and as a guest on Island Life in 2010 - both of those interviews are available online here. Also, on Island Life this coming Saturday Shirin Brown will talk to a range of locals who will share their memories of Basil.

Photo credit: Waiheke Gulf News