Balcairn Hall is inviting you to step into the magical realm with The Orange Box in September.

The Orange Box is the creation of Naranjarte, an extraordinary Spanish puppet theatre and circus company founded by Ana Lorite and Sergio Aguilar in 2011. The production will delight children and adults alike.

Renowned for its unique fusion of puppetry and juggling, Naranjarte’s performances aren’t just shows; they are immersive journeys challenging perceptions and transporting audiences to realms of wonder and delight.

"The Orange Box" is a visually captivating story featuring handmade puppets, of mesmerizing juggling, and enchanting circus artistry. Blending diverse puppetry styles with different types of juggling, the story follows a paper puppet stuck in the routine of a packaging office. When a map and a mysterious box appear, they spark his longing for change and set him on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Beyond entertainment, the show carries a deeper message, inviting us to step outside the box, where true magic unfolds. Join this one-of-a-kind adventure that transcends the ordinary and opens the door to the extraordinary.

At the end of the show, there will be a short Q&A session where the audience can get up close to some of the puppets and ask questions about the creative process and the company’s journey.

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Tuesday 23 September 2pm

Tickets 

• Ages 5 - 105: $10

• Aged under 5 (accompanied): Free

On sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stans 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online www.balcairnhall.com

ROAR – alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - afternoon tea - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

Naranjarte - Background

Naranjarte is a Spanish puppet theatre and circus company founded by Ana Lorite and Sergio Aguilar in 2011. Known for their dynamic fusion of puppetry and circus, they toured globally from 2017 to 2020, performing over 250 shows in 14 countries. Their educational project, Puppets and Circus: A Trip Around the World’s Schools, brought immersive performances and meaningful cultural exchange to diverse communities.

Based in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2020, they continue to share their work with audiences and learners across the country. Naranjarte also tours internationally, especially in Europe, where they enjoy reconnecting with the vibrant arts scenes of their home cultures. Their productions blend puppetry, juggling, and theatrical illusion, exploring themes of transformation, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams.

Sergio is the co-creator of Naranjarte and a professional juggler with over 20 years of experience. Trained at Carampa Circus School in Madrid, he specialises in contact juggling, poi, staff, diabolo, and buugeng. He also completed a year-long clown training with Gené and Chame in Madrid. Sergio performed in Wonderkind by Wonderlight Theatre Aotearoa and was part of Capital E’s “Bite-Size Treats” (2023).

Ana is the co-creator of Naranjarte and the maker of all its handcrafted puppets. A professional puppeteer with a Master’s-level Diploma in Puppetry (UK) and drama training from Cuarta Pared School (Madrid), she is also a qualified and registered teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ana has performed with Wonderlight Theatre at Circa Theatre (2022) and Capital E’s “Bite-Size Treats” (2023). She currently serves as General Secretary of UNIMA Aotearoa New Zealand, the local branch of the international puppetry organisation affiliated with UNESCO.

Having spent a lifetime rummaging through the drawers of 1930's - 50's music, Chuck’s songs are inspired by the sounds of the era - Blues, Early Jazz, Western Swing, Ragtime etc. and are uniquely presented in the style of street performers from those glory days. Sticking to the traditional one man band format, Chuck plays all the instruments simultaneously. Returning to Balcairn Hall for the second time, L'il Chuck will also involve the audience in his original, old fashioned singalong!

Captivating storytelling intertwines effortlessly with heart stopping harmonica. Multiple guitar styles are underpinned by his left and right feet frantically pounding the kick and hi hat. The listener is left simply wondering, "How the hell does he do that"?

Originally hailing from the UK, Li’l Chuck has been stomping his music in NZ since 2003.

In an age where we are rushing around at breakneck speed, where everything is instant, sugar coated, airbrushed and overly polished, Li’l Chuck brings us down to earth with some organic, all natural, whole grain, naked goodness.

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Saturday 30th August 2025, 7:30pm

Tickets $30 on sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stan's 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online www.balcairnhall.com

ROAR– alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - famous country supper - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

Hobnail are back with their new album "Three Part",  and a national tour.

Returning Balcairn hall favourites, Hobnail are a Wellington institution and a Kiwi icon. They have played shows everywhere from Pittsburgh to Paekakariki, New Plymouth to Norfolk Island, Auckland to Amsterdam, Germany to Gore, the Canadian Prairies to the Canterbury Plains. They are 3-time finalists at the New Zealand Music Awards (Best Folk Album and Best Country Song twice).

Hobnail celebrated 30 years of active service in 2024, and now in 2025 will be touring across New Zealand with their new album " Three Part" from core members Rob Joass (vocals, guitar, mandola), Jo Moir (vocals, violin) and Hamish Graham (vocals, guitars, percussion).

The new album features their interpretation of some favourite Kiwi and Australian songs. These songs highlight the vocal and instrumental interplay between these 3 exceptional musicians. With “Jo Moir's barnstorming fiddle”, great songs and spectacular harmonies, Hobnail's live show will make your feet move and your heart sing.

"Refreshingly down-to-earth and lovely with vocals so tightly knit they could be family." Mike Alexander, NZ Herald.

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Saturday 5th July 2025, 7:30pm

Tickets $30 on sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stan's 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online www.balcairnhall.com

ROAR– alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - famous country supper - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

Fiona Pears is a dynamic violinist renowned for her diverse musical style and captivating performances. With an extensive career that has taken her to concert halls across Asia, Europe, the UK, Ireland, and the US, she has connected with audiences through her unique sound.

Known for her unique fusion of genres, she draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of musical influences, including Irish, Gypsy Jazz, Classical, Tango, and more. This “melting pot” of flavours creates her distinctive sound.

Currently, she is creating "For the Love of Music," a collection of original compositions that blend her classical and jazz backgrounds into a personal fusion. Based in New Zealand, Fiona remains dedicated to sharing her passion for music and connecting with audiences everywhere.

A Balcairn Hall favourite, Fiona returns this time accompanied by celebrated Jazz musician, Richie Pickard on Double Bass, Bass and internationally renowned pianist, Dan Robertson. 

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Sunday 8th June, 7:30pm

Tickets $30 on sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stan's 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online www.balcairnhall.com

ROAR– alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - famous country supper - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

More biographical info:

Fiona Pears is a dynamic violinist renowned for her diverse musical style and captivating performances. With an extensive career that has taken her to concert halls across Asia, Europe, the UK, Ireland, and the US, she has connected with audiences through her unique sound.

She has composed and performed solo with renowned orchestras, including the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. As a composer, Fiona creates most of her own work and has arranged pieces for esteemed record labels such as Universal and EMI.

Fiona has also had the pleasure of performing at iconic venues such as Ronnie Scott's in London and Joe's Pub in New York.

Known for her unique fusion of genres, she draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of musical influences, including Irish, Gypsy Jazz, Classical, Tango, and more. This “melting pot” of flavours creates her distinctive sound.

Richie Pickard – Double Bass

Richie graduated with Honours in Jazz performance from the University of Canterbury in 2005 and has played extensively throughout New Zealand and globally in a range of formats

As both an electric and double bass player he has performed with international artists including Josh Groban, Elaine Paige and Mary Coughlan and with some of New Zealand’s top musicians, bands, and songwriters including Breaks Co-op, Julia Deans, Dave Dobbyn, Sol3mio, Kevin Field, Anika Moa and Annie Crummer.

Richie’s recording credits include work with Julia Deans, The Eastern, Hawkins, Paul McLaney, Ed Waaka, Oval Office and, most extensively, with songwriter, Nadia Reid, whom he has recorded and performed with for the past decade and recently toured with through Europe and the UK.  

Other performance credits include work on ‘Mahana’ film soundtrack, X Factor NZ, Dancing with the Stars and the  World of Wearable Arts Festival. 

Most recently Richie has performed in the Court Theatre’s season of ‘Strictly Ballroom’  and the New Zealand premiere season of ‘Come from Away’ with Showbiz Christchurch. 

Dan Robertson  - Pianist

For the last 20 years pianist Dan Robertson has been performing both in New Zealand and internationally. He has performed at the New Zealand Arts Festival, with his own trio at the Christchurch jazz festival and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra for the Last Night of the Proms series. 

Other performances include Dizzy’s Jazz Bar, The Paris Cat, The Melbourne International  Jazz Festival, The Eltham Jazz Festival, and the Castlemain Jazz Festival. Dan has also performed with Trio’s in Seoul, The United States, and with a jazz quintet at the Aurillac Jazz Festival in France.

He is a Fellow of both Trinity College London and Royal Schools of Music, London.

Back by popular demand - all the way from the USA - Sassafras is bringing you a "HOOTENANNY" in Balcairn!

What is a "HOOTENANNY"? It is a "banjo-brained hoedown-throwdown-don't slow down until the cows come home!" 

Balcairn Hall is excited to be hosting again the very cool, very fun, very fast-paced bluegrass band, Sassafras, straight from the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA. Their repertoire includes a range of musical styles including Ole-time, Country, Folk, Western Swing and originals. 

Sassafras is made up of 4 professional and very talented musicians, Wes Tuttle (Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals), Randy Gambill (Guitar, Vocals), Gray Tuttle (Banjo, Vocals) & Josh Scott (Bass, Guitar, Vocals). They have played with an incredible range of prominent Bluegrass and Americana artists and at a very large list of festivals in the USA and internationally. 

They will be paying homage to the origins of Bluegrass music - the Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs era - while also pushing the edges of progressive "Newgrass" music as well. 

Bluegrass music is the toe-tapping, fast paced music associated with the Appalchian region of the USA. It has its roots in traditional English, Scottish, and Irish ballads and dance tunes, mixed up with blues and jazz. 

If you love good quality music, excellent talent and of course the best of Bluegrass, then this band is surely one not to be missed.

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Friday 16th May 2025, 7:30pm

Tickets $30 on sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stan's 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online here

ROAR – alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - famous country supper - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

Back by popular demand! Homegrown chanteuse Jackie Clarke turns her powerhouse vocals, wicked humour and maverick entertainment style to the songs of the 20th and 21st Centuries most legendary divas.

Ms Clarke pays homage to Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Streisand and more! From Alison Durbin to Dolly Parton, from Kate Bush to Gaga, Jackie lets her diva flag fly, while playfully engaging the audience with her trademark witty panache. Accompanied by the splendid Karl Benton on piano (Ardijah, Che Fu, Annie Crummer), expect iconic  songs performed with tender soul and gleeful virtuosity.

Jackie was awarded an MNZM for services to entertainment (2018) and the Variety Artists life time achievement award The Benny (2024). She has lived 40 years in theatre, (Mamma Mia, Shirley Valentine) music (When The Cat’s Been Spayed, The Lady Killers) and TV (NZ Idol, The Semisis).

Don’t miss this rollicking show of bravura song styling, dazzling frockage, pin-drop moments and plenty of laughs from a NZ dairy-fed diva with her feet on the ground and her head in the stars. She’s been captivating audiences for over 40 years and was recognised with an MNZM for services to the entertainment industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018 and a lifetime achievement award ‘The Benny’ from The Variety Artist Club in 2024. In 2016 Jackie was named Top Female Artist by the Variety Artists Club of NZ and in 2017 received the Variety Artists Club Top Group Award, for The Lady Killers. 

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashbys Road, Balcairn

One night only - Wednesday 7th May 2025 7:30pm

Tickets $30 from

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Stan's 7-Dday Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Sefton Garage

• Online: https://events.humanitix.com/jackie-clarke-goes-prima-diva-at-balcairn-hall

ROAR – alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - Famous Country Supper - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

Birdlife Productions are back at Balcairn Hall with a new puppet and music show for all the family, featuring plenty of magical puppetry, music and songs, and lots of giant caterpillar fun!

'Aya and the Butterfly' is a heart-warming, joyful story about a little girl who finds happiness through her experience of the metamorphosis of the Monarch Butterfly. Designed for families and ideal for children aged 3 to 9 years, Aya’s story encourages compassion and empathy for different cultures, and helps us all become part of an important movement of change towards living together in peace, and all the while featuring plenty of magical puppet moments, music and songs, and lots of joining in!

Birdlife Productions (aka Bridget and Roger Sanders), are an award-winning professional theatre partnership with a passion for communicating a greater dimension of the world through Puppetry, Masks, Music and Storytelling. They produce original high-quality theatre using a hand-made low-tech aesthetic and intimate, sophisticated storytelling techniques, and are committed to creating shows for Schools, Kindergartens, Theatres and Festivals. 

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashby's Road, Balcairn

Monday 14th April 2pm

Tickets: 

• Ages 5 - 105: $10

• Aged under 5 (accompanied): Free

On sale at:

• Sally Mac's, Amberley

• Sefton Garage

• Stan's 7 Day Pharmacy, Rangiora

• Online Here

ROAR – alcohol free – raffles – CD sales - afternoon tea - bring a cushion!

Funds raised from all performances go back to maintaining our local and historic Balcairn Hall.

Brought to you with the support of Mike Greer Homes NC.

BALCAIRN HALL welcomes the return of Mundi Trio!

Filled with joy and exuberant energy, Mundi trio have captured hearts across the land and far-flung seas. 

“I don’t think anyone wanted the music to end and thus an encore was demanded and happily delivered with as much energy, skill and joy as the Mundi Trio had shown throughout.” - Reefton 

Mundi trio comprises Brazilian percussionist Ricardo Stuani, guitarist and dancer Chris Dabinett and flautist, vocalist, percussionist, dancer and composer Tamara Smith. In this Arts on Tour performance Mundi perform a new series of compositions that weave together the two oldest instruments in human’s history – flutes and percussion- into a sizzling array of duelling Brazilian/African percussion with vocal melodies soaring above. With dances, choreographed by Tamara intertwined, these exciting new compositions lure people into an ancient memory of the pulse of life and awaken our dancing selves lurking beneath.

Balcairn Hall, 4 Ashbys Road, Balcairn

Friday 28 February 2025, 7:30pm

Tickets  $30