Brave Caitlin Smith and The Imaginary Band on Tour!

Brave Caitlin Smith and her Imaginary Band will be touring, Caitlin Smith (piano and vocals), Mark Laurent (guitar) and Steve Cournane (percussion and cymbals) a dream team performing jazz and folk music.

Caitlin Smith’s latest album You Have Reached Your Destination creates a multi-sensory universe unto itself – Braille and a tactile labyrinth within the cover art, poetry and footsteps recorded between 14 originals.  A mesmerizing, prolific and passionate performer, originals are sandwiched between the tastiest overs, especially the repertoire of her spiritual parents Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.

“…a voice that imagination created” – Mike Alexander

The Caitlin Smith Trio (and earlier incarnation The Fondue Set) have held down well-loved residencies in Auckland for over two decades.  2021 marks the release of a collaboration/CD with the Auckland Jazz Orchestra ‘East of the Sun’.  Caitlin Smith’s tour in 2020 with ARO was Covid interrupted so Caitlin Smith is delighted to be able to return.

The Band

Caitlin Smith is a mesmerising performer, song-poet and story singer. Legally blind since birth, she is a tireless advocate for accessibility issues and the healing and transformative power of creativity.

A vocal and song-writing coach to many of our best known artists, Caitlin Smith combines poetry and music in unforgettable performances that include her original compositions as well as covers penned by her musical heroes.

Mark Laurent has been a professional musician for over 40 years. He plays rock, blues, reggae, alt.country, folk, soul/jazz/gospel, working solo, in bands and duos. He’s recorded many albums, written 200 songs, and worked as producer/session musician on numerous projects. He’s also an author, with 4 books of poetry published, and an illustrated children’s book.

 Steve Cournane is a drummer and composer who began playing with the Alpaca Brothers in Dunedin, in 1984.  Steve won a Tui for NZ Jazz album of the year in 2002 for the album Stereoscope by CLBob. This group released three albums and performed relentlessly around the country over a ten-year period.  In 2007 he moved to Lima, Peru, where he survived as a musician while studying the coastal Afro-Criolla music for another seven years. He moved to Auckland in 2017 and currently plays cajón with Isla Flamenca (with Ian Sinclair) and drum-kit with BOAT and Bill Direen.

Itinerary

Friday 30 April 7:30pm Whangarei   
The Riverbank Centre, Reyburn House Lane
$30 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz
Craniums, Reyburn House Lane

Sunday 2 May 7:30pm Coromandel 
Hauraki House Theatre
$20 Book: Coromandel Information Centre

Tuesday 4 May 7:30pm Thames        
Kauaeranga Hall
Pre-book $22; Door Sales $25 Book: Txt: 021912993;
Email: kauaerangahallmusic@gmail.com
Web: http://kauaerangamusic.promo.nz/; Shop: Lotus Realm, 714 Pollen St, Thames;
TXT: 021912993

Wednesday 5 May 7:30pm Te Awamutu
Highfield Country Estate Lodge Lounge
$25 Book: Eventfinda and i-Site Centres
In Association with Backstage Pass

Thursday 6 May Te Puna

Friday 7 May 7:30pm Opotiki             
Opotiki Senior Citizens Hall
$20 Book: At Library or www.trybooking

Saturday 8 May Gisborne

Wednesday 12 May 7:00pm Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Hall
$20 Book: Heartlands Fairlie; Penny Wilson in Lake Tekapo; Door Sales

Thursday 13 May 7:30pm Cromwell
The Gate Conference Centre, Barry Ave
Adults $30; Super Gold Card $25; Children $5
Book: www.artscentral.co.nz

Friday 14 May 8:00pm Arrowtown   
Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall
$20 Book: eventbrite.co.nz

Saturday 15 May 7:30pm Okarito     
Donovan’s Store
$25 Book: Richard 021 1448781

Sunday 16 May 7:30pm Hokitika      
Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street
$25 Book: Hokitika’s Regent Theatre

Monday 17 May 7:30pm Reefton     
Reefton Club
Adults $20; Student $10; Family $50
Book: Door Sales or Ph.03 7328542

Wednesday 19 May 8:00pm Lyttelton          
Loons
$20 Book: www.theloons.org.nz

Thursday 20 May 7:30pm Christchurch        
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora – Great Hall
$25 Book: https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/brave-caitlin-smiths-imaginary-band/

Friday 21 May 8:00pm Balcairn         
Balcairn Public Hall
$25 Book: Sally Mac’s Amberley; Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora; Sefton Garage,  https://sites.google.com/view/balcairn-public-hall-society/events

Saturday 22 May 7:00pm Darfield    
Trinity Church
Adults $20; Students $10
Book: Te Huanui Gallery, 03 3188 702

Sunday 23 May 7:30pm Akaroa         
The Gaiety
$25 Book: The Akaroa Museum

Monday 24 May 7:00pm Lincoln
The Laboratory, 17 West Belt
$20 ($25 Door Sales) Book: Over the bar or call 03 3253006

Thursday 27 May Nelson
Fairfield House

Friday 28 May 7:30pm Picton
Picton Little Theatre
Book: Eventfinda.co.nz & Summit Real Estate Picton

Saturday 29 May 8:00pm Onekaka  
The Mussel Inn
$15 Book: Tickets on the Door

Arts On Tour NZ (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Southland, Interislander, Otago Community Trust, Rata Foundation and the Southern Trust. AOTNZ liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and theatrical talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to their audiences rather than the reverse.