the WBS Home page

Concerts, Society Nights, Jam Sessions and Workshops

  • Wednesday 29th October 7:30pm – concert featuring Dusty Lands
  • Saturday 1st November – Triple bill featuring Hihi and The Stitchbirds and more
  • Sunday 9th November – Old Time and Bluegrass Music (see below for new venue)
  • Sunday 9th November – Banjo Workshop (bookings essential)
  • Saturday 29th November – concert featuring Chris Priestley, Angela Fox and Julian McKean 

for further details on these future WBS events go to the Coming Events page.

for past events for this year to date see 2025 Past Events page.

for details on all documented WBS events go to the Past Events page.
This section covers details of all events from the beginning of 2010.

for posters from some of the events prior to 2010 go to the Old Posters page.
This section includes some older event posters.

Recent News:

> Concerts and Society Night Venues
During this temporary period of venue disruption, events may take place elsewhere from the Petone community room, especially those where performers need to be booked months in advance. 
>> Please refer to each event listing and take note of where it is taking place.

> Old time and bluegrass music jam sessions and banjo workshops
(are run on the second Sunday of each month, year-round)
the venue for jam sessions and workshops is now:
Alicetown Community House
38 Victoria Street (corner of Victoria and Buckley Streets)
Alicetown, Lower Hutt

> WBS National Treasures
for the growing list of WBS National Treasures go to the National Treasures page.

> 30th Anniversary of the WBS

The Society Night August 21st, 2020 marked the 30th Anniversary of the Wellington Bluegrass Society.

This picture (courtesy of Hans Weston Films) shows Andrew Bicknell, the Founder and President of the WBS, holding a celebratory cake.

The first three decades of the WBS have provided much varied musical entertainment.   For indication of the vast variety of music for the last decade go to the Past Events page

.

> Queen’s Service Medal

The Founder and President of the Society is Andrew Bicknell.   Announced in the Queens Birthday Honours on Monday 3rd June 2019, Andrew was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for thirty years of services to music! The Medal was awarded at Government House on 17th September 2019. See the About WBS page for further detail.

Mr Andrew Paul Bicknell: For services to music

Mr Andrew Bicknell has run the Wellington Bluegrass Society since establishing it in 1990.

Over the last 29 years Mr Bicknell has established an internationally recognised venue and following for performers to showcase their music. He has organised at least two concerts every month featuring local, national and international performers. Whilst having bluegrass as a base, his stage has extended to a wide range of high calibre performers of music genres. He has coordinated all bookings and negotiations with artists and service providers alike, then for each show has handled all bookings and ticketing himself. All profits for every show have been given to the performers concerned, to recognise each with the maximum return possible. On top of this, he also writes and sends regular newsletters, creates the graphic design needs for every aspect of the Society, creates website content, organises workshops and music camps for the teaching of instruments and voice, has helped connect those who need tuition or instrument repairs, and has been a point of contact for those wanting information or assistance with the music. Mr Bicknell has encouraged many others to take up instruments, develop their voices, form bands and helped to give them the chance to perform.

and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events !!

Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music !