Music … and dancing

It was a packed day today.  We drove down to the Farmers’ Market late morning, did a little bit of shopping, bumped into some friends, went for coffee with them at The Collective Café, crossed Harbour Street to the Grainstore and watched some of the performance by The Curio Club.  Their bio sounded promising but, although musically they were very good, it wasn’t our sort of music.  Back at The Collective Café we shared a muffin, the walked outside into the sunshine and watched The Foxy Tones for a few minutes, then The Travelling Blueburys (I know, unusual spelling), who “wander around the streets of Oamaru popping up in places for a quick set, gathering wayward musks as they go”, before joining our friends in The Craftwork Brewery to watch Don’s Boyz.  They were excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed their performance.  Back at the Grainstore we watched Swing 42 for a while but, once again, it wasn’t our sort of music, so drove home.  We quickly shared a slice of bread, tomato and cheese, then it was a quick shower and change into our glad rags before driving back to town.  We arrived at The Collective Café just after Dee May and The Saints had started their performance.  The café was packed but someone offered me a seat - MrMacD had to stand.  The music was our sort of music and eventually some of the audience (including us) got up and danced.  Such fun.  Afterwards we quickly walked around to The Criterion Hotel to watch Dr Blue, who had invited someone we know to join him.  Their music was such fun and, once again, we managed to do a spot of dancing before we walked back along Harbour Street to The Loan and Merc for the Grand Finale Fundraiser Dinner.  Stevie Rice’s music was good and some people even danced to it, but the band that played after the meal was so unbelievably loud that it hurt our ears and it certainly wasn’t dancing music, and it was virtually impossible to talk to people.  Such a shame as I’m sure they were all good. We left soon afterwards and returned home.

It’s been a great weekend for Oamaru, with the hospitality venues full to overflowing and doing great business, lots of people wandering around, and lots of excellent music.  Basically, something for everyone.  We’ll definitely join in again next year.