Leigh News & Events

Jun
5
Sat
Eighties Forever: 1980s Dance Party @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Jun 5 @ 9:00 pm

calendar

12XU Presents:
EIGHTIES FOREVER: 1980s Dance Party
Taking place at Leigh Sawmill on the long weekend!
18+
How shall I dress on a night like this?
We strongly encourage costumes, leather, vinyl, lace, masks wigs, giant hats, overly hair-sprayed 80s hair, Bowie channeling face makeup and the weird like to make this an extra *special* night! If you have actual clothing from the 80s, dig it out!!!
But we also want you to feel (somewhat) comfortable, so dress however ya want!
What will you play?
It if came out in the 80s and you can dance to it, we might play it! Cheesy pop, synth pop hits, goth, indie, hair rock, hip hop + more!!!
ABC, A-ha, Adam + the Ants, Air Supply, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Boy George, The Cure, Cyndi Lauper, The Damned, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Dead or Alive, Devo, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Duran Duran, Electronic, Erasure, Eurythmics, Falco, Front 242, Gene Loves Jezebel, Go Gos, Human League, Laura Branigan, Lisa Lisa + Cult Jam, Pat Benetar, Pointer Sisters, Joan Jett, Madonna, Prince, Pixies, Run DMC, NWA, Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, OMD, Motley Crue, Neneh Cherry, Nitzer Ebb, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, Rick Astley, Replacements, Roxy Music, Sisters of Mercy, Sonic Youth, The Sound, Strawberry Switchblade, Talking Heads, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Wham!, Whitney Houston, Yazoo and lots more!!!
Jun
20
Sun
Leigh Midwinter Swim @ Matheson Bay
Jun 20 @ 10:15 am

Come and join us for our annual midwinter swim at Matheson Bay.

Leigh School will be selling soup and baked items and Leigh Waste Free Minimisation team will be selling items.

Swim will be on, rain or shine!

Jul
21
Wed
Courtney Barnett Solo Tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Jul 21 @ 7:30 pm

calendarHaving been grounded in 2020 care of the global pandemic, Barnett made the best of a bad situation and wrote and recorded a new record. That drops later this year, but before it does the witty maestro is touring her solo show to all corners of Aotearoa – a country she’s adored touring in the past and a place she considers herself lucky to have the opportunity to return to.
With nine dates at some of New Zealand’s favourite venues, local audiences are in for a treat as Barnett dials things right down and prepares to deliver gems from her catalogue in an intimate setting.
After years of touring with her thunderous band around the globe, the performer recently found herself craving the simplicity of her early days as a straight up singer-songwriter.
Armed with just a guitar, her renowned banter and some of the best indie folk songs of the past decade, she toured North America throughout the pre-pandemic months of 2020 like she had never done before.
Those shows saw Courtney at both her funniest and most raw and personal. She played town halls, barns, churches, dive bars, haunted hotels, ski-lodges, theatres and studios, all to enraptured audiences, who couldn’t quite believe they were witnessing the artist in this mode.
For Courtney, the simplicity and honesty of the shows was an inspirational salve; a way to fall back in love with the art and craft of song. This is the Courtney Barnett New Zealand gets to sing-along with in July, on what will be an unmissable tour.

Jul
23
Fri
Leigh Light Fiesta @ Hauraki Rd, Leigh
Jul 23 @ 6:30 pm

May be an image of ‎text that says "‎MAHURANGI WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PRESENTS 冰 Leigh Light Fiesta ة JULY 23RD 2021 HAURAKI RD, LEIGH 6:30PM‎"‎On Friday the 23rd there will be Food trucks, as well as music and Oli’s Light Show at the Leigh School car park and Netball court. Look forward to seeing you all.
We also encourage people to light up their businesses and houses as well..
Lets light up Leigh for this winter festival

Aug
8
Sun
Troy Kingi with Delaney Davidson @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm

eventthumbnailimageTroy Kingi‘s fifth instalment ‘Black Sea Golden Ladder’, in his 1O 1O 1O Series (10 albums in 10 years in 10 genres) is due for release June 18th.

A collaboration with award winning artist and producer Delaney Davidson, this album was written and recorded as part of the Matairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency in Wellington – a partnership between the Governor General and Massey University that was established in 2016 to encourage and promote the development of Māori and Pasifika visual arts and creative practices. 

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson will take to the road this August, playing the album live, in shows across the country.

Aug
28
Sat
White Chapel Jak – Good Time tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 28 @ 7:30 pm

A3 WCJ Good Time Poster.jpg

“One of the hottest and exciting acts to emerge in NZ in the last 18 months” – Paul Ellis, NZ Idol_NZ Got Talent Judge, Former Sony Music Executive.

Who’s ready for a bloody good time?! Hugely-popular White Chapel Jak are here for a good time, and you don’t have to wait for a long time! Their Good Time Tour 2021 is set to be the most epic run of shows yet.

White Chapel Jak have opened for Ben Harper and Alanis Morissette, and entertained more than 15,000 people at the SeePort Festival in Auckland performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra two years in a row. Many of their 2020 shows sold out as their reputation and following grew.

Nailing ballads through to bangers that span decades of hits and have everyone dancing, the trio’s playlist is now peppered with their original music, to create high-energy shows.

Super star leading lady Bonnie Hurunui has a powerhouse voice and charisma ready to dazzle with her magnetic energy. The beautiful and talented Viking drummer, Dean Tinning holds the beat with heart and soul, and the charming and fiery, Nathan Boston is locked and loaded with his catchy riffs and flawless flourishes. The band will be joined by special guest artists.

“We love the energy and vibe of our people having a good time,” Bonnie says. “So that’s what our shows and music are all about – the best that life has to offer, good tunes, good people and good times.”

The Good Time Tour kicks off on August 28 and plays out in their favourite spots including Leigh, where it all began for the band seven years ago, as well as Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui, Napier, Gisborne, New Plymouth and Wellington.

Mar
20
Sun
Families in Parks at Leigh School @ Leigh School
Mar 20 @ 10:00 am
Apr
25
Mon
Anzac Day Service @ Leigh Cemetery
Apr 25 @ 11:00 am
Jun
19
Sun
Leigh Midwinter Swim 2022 @ Matheson Bay, Leigh
Jun 19 @ 10:15 pm
Jul
22
Fri
CoHousing for Leigh @ Leigh Hall
Jul 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Have you ever wondered how it would be to live lightly on the earth and not have to own and do everything yourself?
Find out more here …CoHousing Flyer
Aug
11
Thu
SWING AND SOUL featuring Toni Swain & Big Daddy Roy @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 11 @ 7:00 pm
calendarIt’s a double header and what a night this will be!
Touted as “Australia’s best blues singer” Toni Swain returns to The Sawmill with her 5 piece band. From groovin’ soul to latin infused toe tappers, Toni’s eclectic original style is stylishly carried through with her big, bold and beautiful soulful voice.
Big Daddy Roy Payne brings Hot licks n Cool guitar tricks…
The sizzling strings of Big Daddy Roy on his custom twin neck guitar; from retro rockers and sophisticated swings to jumping blues and reverb soaked surf n safari’s
Roy’s juke joint style live show will lead you along the path of old school Americana roots music, combining the steel guitar twang neck with the blues bopping standard guitar neck.
With the hottest band third rock from the sun, we are delighted to have on board Australia’s #1 drummer to the stars Hamish Stuart, cosmic on keys George Bibicos and off the charts bassist Auckland’s own Hal Tupaea.
Aug
13
Sat
ARAHI, There’s nothing like a Piano Tour @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 13 @ 7:30 pm

calendar
Those in the know will know an 
Arahi show is much more than mere music. Arahi creates immersive experiences to speak to your tender soul and linger round the corners of your mind long after he’s skipped town. This latest offering is a chance for you to grasp at an elusive moment in time, an intimate audience with the man and his piano. 

In collaboration with Undergrand, Arahi comes to the stage paired back, pouring heart and soul over the keys of this exquisite snow white baby grand piano. This show promises a delicate and insightful look at Arahi, his songs and their many facets.  In his words, “it’s a chance to really get to know the songs and the meaning behind them, because we’re in such an intimate setting, which doesn’t happen too often.”

With a reputation for being a bona fide artistic soul, presented as a master of his craft, Arahi juxtaposes classic and contemporary sound with an eclectic, eccentric style. Arahi calls on theatrics and grandiose displays of sound and vision, meticulously crafted, together with a flair for showmanship, constantly pushing the boundaries of Indie music.

Arahi released ‘The Best Thing I’ve Ever Seen’ a blissful, hazy tune, in April, which as Arahi aptly sums up, feels “like a red hot 80s sun setting on roller-skating silhouettes along a golden boulevard.” The track was released with a bonus B-side – a mesmerizing dance remix of Arahi’s 2020 single ‘Searching In The Sun’

Arahi will release new single ‘There’s Nothing Like It’  this Matariki, which breezes past your ears to the depths of your soul like a long awaited exhale.  This sound is a chance for people to relinquish themselves of the weight on their shoulders, really dive into the music and allow themselves to believe that some things can’t be explained in words.

Arahi recently played alongside iconic NZ artists; The Veils, Bic Runga, Nadia Reid to a sold out audience at Auckland Stadium’s Lilypad concert. Arahi is looking forward to connecting and creating memorable live experiences with his fans in six different regions of Aotearoa this winter.

Aug
16
Tue
Leigh Business Community AGM @ 15B Wonderview Road
Aug 16 @ 7:00 pm

Prospective members welcome.

Aug
27
Sat
BRIAN BAKER LIVE with special guest Coda Muso & Street Georges @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Aug 27 @ 7:30 pm

Due to the positive mediacalendar press “Open Up Your Heart” has received,  Brian has taken the opportunity to design a show around the message his songs represent, showcasing his guitar and performance skills.  Not only will his songs have you tapping and grooving but they may also “ Open Up Your Heart” in some way.

 Brian has spent a large part of his life in the music industry, performing at countless shows in Australia and New Zealand.  His performance and impeccable song writing is at the highest level of professionalism.   As a solo artist he demonstrates formidable guitar skills live on stage, coupled with uplifting vocals and originally produced electro rhythm dubs. 

Sep
17
Sat
Pest Free Leigh Open Day @ Leigh Hall
Sep 17 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
YOU AM I @ LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE
Sep 17 @ 8:00 pm
calendarLed by charismatic frontman Tim Rogers, You Am I are one of the most successful and internationally heralded Australian bands. They’ve scored three number one albums, while Sonic Youth and Soundgarden are amongst the band’s admirers.
Their influences combine the Who, Small Faces, the Jam, Clash, and Replacements – creating their own spin of kick-arse rock, striking melodies and razor sharp lyrics.
Their 11th studio album The Lives Of Others was recently released to rave reviews around the world and it debuted at No 2 in the Australian album charts.
Look forward to a night of great songs from classic You Am I albums like Hi Fi Way and Hourly, Daily, plus new tunes from the new album.
Sep
26
Mon
Folk Club Night with special guest host Andy Hamilton and second half artist Jemilah Ross-Hayes. @ Whangateau Hall
Sep 26 @ 7:00 pm

Jemilah Ross-Hayes: Jemilah will entrance you with honest lyricism that seeks to
unravel the tough truths, deep doubts and soft soul within her experiences.

Oct
23
Sun
The Goat Swim @ Goat Island Marine Reserve
Oct 23 @ 9:00 am
Leigh Swimmers and Samoa Swim are proud to co-host The Goat Island swim on Labour Weekend Sunday 23 October 2022. Continuing the tradition of the event launched by NZ Swim Safaris, there’s a timed race around the island followed by a safari lap (ca. 2km each).
Swim one, swim both!
Make a day of it and bring a picnic lunch for afterwards. Check out the entry criteria and details on:
www.oswim.co.nz/the-goat
The Snugleigh Community Scarf Event @ Leigh Hall
Oct 23 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Oct
31
Mon
Folk Club Night with special guest Dave Flynn @ Whangateau Hall
Oct 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

About Dave Flynn: Celebrated by the New York Times for the “power and grittiness” of
his music, virtuoso guitarist and composer Dave Flynn is a musician to take note of.
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he redefined orchestral music by creating the cross-genre
Irish Memory Orchestra: a “formidable collective of musicians.”

Light Up Leigh

  • Scavenger Hunt & Face Painting (see events)
  • Night market at beautiful Leigh Central, so you can shop with stunning views of the ocean. Market from 4pm until 8pm.
  • Light Up Competition (see below)
  • Places to eat;
    – Leigh Bar: Light Up Leigh Special – Homemade soup, mulled wine and much more
    – Leigh Eats 
    – Amaranto Pasta and Cucina Food truck

For more information please email Michelle on 1805michelle@gmail.com

Leigh Midwinter Swim

at Matheson Bay

Sunday 23rd June 2019 – meet at 10:15am to take the plunge.

Leigh Midwinter Swim