News category
Steve saves the day
The last minute cancellation (due to illness) of the guest speaker didn’t derail the July meeting of the newly formed Katikati U3A.
Steve Subritzky stepped up and enthralled us all with his lively presentation, ‘’Dust, Corrugations and Flies" is a collection of stories, facts and anecdotes about his adventures and experiences in the remote outback of Australia. We were impressed by his enthusiasm and the excitement he shared. His technical skills were put to good use, in a seamless, multi media show. He transported us to fascinating places we will likely never reach.
Steve heads off yet again to repeat the fun. We look forward to hearing all about it, in a new presentation, on his safe return. He will have many more stores to tell. And fascinating photos. We wish him well.
Members were also treated to talk by Francis Young from our local Western Bays Museum and a member of the newly formed, Early NZ History group. He also had the audience spellbound. He shared his research into two local heroes (one a heroine) of early Katikati. Dave Gallaher was a local boy and captain of the Original All Blacks, the first team to tour to the UK. And Jane Foley, also known as Heni Te Kiri Karamu, or Heni Pore.
A new member, Peter Jenkins, also spoke about a World Affairs group he will convene. He shared ideas gained from a U3A group he ran in Winchester in the UK, where U3A thrives. The new group will decide how it wants to operate, when and where.
Thanks to the members of the Katikati U3A Early NZ History Group, who made sure the morning ran smoothly. It was an enjoyable morning and such a success.
Watch out for the next U3A monthly meeting, at the IT HUB near the library, on Wednesday 10th August, from 10-12am. We will have some more great speakers for you.
See http://www.u3atauranga.kiwi.nz for more details.
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Bastille Day Programme
French Composers and Music
Our meeting on the 14th July coincided with Bastille Day, the French National Day – we presented a programme of French music. We started with the National Anthem:
La Marseillaise
by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
A French army officer of the French Revolutionary Wars.
Le Concert De Paris - Bastille Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2BhWcSBJtI
Boléro
by Maurice Ravel
A one-movement orchestral piece originally composed as a ballet commissioned by Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein, the piece, which premiered in 1928, is Ravel's most
famous composition. Performed by André Rieu and his orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwLABSm0yYc
Rêverie
by Claude Debussy
Debussy's early piano work, and one of his most famous, is given a deliberate and spacious performance by Steinway artist Lang Lang in Paris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouYT5OEPfRI
The Carnival of the Animals
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Written for a private performance by two pianos and chamber ensemble, Saint-Saëns prohibited public performance of the work during his lifetime, feeling that its frivolity would damage his standing as a serious composer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obzbLu3sLyM
Orpheus in the Underworld Overture
by Jacques Offenbach
A German-born French composer, cellist and impresario of the Romantic period. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss Jr. Can Can anyone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEnW5_GTooI
Carmen Suite No. 1
by Georges Bizet
A composer of the Romantic era, best known for his operas in a career cut short by his early death, Bizet achieved few successes before his final work, Carmen, which has become one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the entire opera repertoire. Singapore National Youth Orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh7dxdlTPU8
Dolly Suite for piano four hands - Lucas & Arthur Jussen
by Gabriel Fauré
One of the foremost French composers of his generation, his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. Among his best-known works are his Pavane, Requiem, Sicilienne, nocturnes for piano and the songs 'Après un rêve' and 'Clair de lune'
The Dolly Suite is a collection of pieces to mark the birthdays and other events in the life of the daughter of the composer's friend, Emma Bardac.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KywhPwmS5Gg
Finally – not French but we loved it ....
Cavalleria Rusticana -- Italian for 'rustic chivalry'
by Pietro Mascagni
A prolific Italian composer who completed more than 15 operas in his 82 years. The most memorable of these is Cavalleria Rusticana (an opera in one act), about a tempestuous love story set in a small Sicilian town.
Played on the wonderful 2018 Zych Pipe Organ of the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy,
Krakow, Poland, a modern basilica built between 1999-2002.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw9IoA8BB24
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Volunteers Needed for House of Science Tauranga!
House of Science Tauranga are in need of volunteer drivers and resource assistants;
Drivers - pick-up and deliver science kits to school.
Resource Assistants - replenish science kits and get them ready to go back out to schools.
To know more about what we do, go to: https://houseofscience.nz/about-us/
Contact:
Melissa Hansen – Tauranga Branch Manager
Ph: 0277149880
Our branch is located in Bethlehem
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Would any of these items help make your group activities better?
U3A owns several items of equipment that may assist your group's activities – in several instances the items may be retained on a long term basis.
For displaying PowerPoint slides
• Data projector and laptop, able to display images from a memory stick on a wall or screen.
• Screen for displaying the above images, of a suitable size for homes.
• Projector/laptop stand, on which to place a data projector or laptop.
• Floor-mounted cable cover, to prevent people tripping over power leads.
For displaying maps, pictures, etc
• Framed soft-board for attaching items with drawing pins.
• Lite-weight hard-board for attaching items with ‘blu-tack’.
• Lite-weight wooden easel for elevating the above boards to eye-level.
Other items
• DVD player, 2007 vintage but in excellent condition, able to display DVD audio-visuals through a TV set.
• Radio/CD player with 2 speakers, 2008 vintage, for playing music in a hall setting.
• Public address amplifier, useful where members of a group find a speaker difficult to hear in a room or hall setting.
• Table top or stand lectern for holding speaker’s notes.
These items are all readily handled and transported.
Enquiries for them – and any other item not in stock – are welcome to Peter Simmons, 576 0952.
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Anyone for Robotics?
Robots are becoming a big part of our economy, so would you like to learn about the subject from experts? If so there is an opportunity for a group of a minimum of 6 U3A members to attend a weekly 2-hour session for 8 sessions at:
• STEAM-ED Charitable Trust (formerly the educational class wing of House of Science).
• 671 Cameron Road, opposite Tauranga Boys College.
The course includes how to build a basic robot and how to design robots to carry out a particular task. There is a $30 fee for each session to cover the cost of the educators and other expenses, including morning tea/coffee/biscuits.
After the robotics have been designed and built, there would be opportunities to ‘compete’ with the Trust’s robotics club youngsters and do some mentoring.
If you think you may be interested, contact Peter Simmons on phone 576 0952, who will arrange an exploratory meeting with the Trust.
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U3A Acoustic Music Performers Group
We meet at St Enochs Church hall, 16th Ave at 1.15pm until 3.30pm, each Tuesday.
Our group is open to all players of acoustic instruments who want to sing and play. We do have a few members who are just there for the singing and don't play an instrument, so strong singers are welcome.
We play pop music from the 50's on, The Beatles, The Eagles, country classics, ballads, there's something for everyone. We perform at rest homes, retirement villages, and on the odd occasion at club functions.
Our focus is on sharing our love of music and having great time each time we meet.
Reg Clothier, Convener
Ph: 022 011 4776
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Classical Music Lovers B - News March 2022
We held our inaugural meeting on the 24 March with 14 members present in the beautiful 35 seat theatre at Bethlehem Shores Retirement Village - an excellent venue for our new group and we are looking for new members. After introductions, our programme for the meeting was as follows:
1. Last Night of the Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London.
Land of Hope and Glory. Composer: Edward Elgar (1901)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKSDT_2zPA
2. The Second Waltz
Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich (1938)
From the 1997 movie Anna Karenina.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOK8Jb76ibc
It was recorded in performance by the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, in The St Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, under the baton of Sir Georg Solti. The film's score was composed by Stewart Copeland. The clip uses scenes from a number of movies: 1963-The Leopard, 1993-Fanfan & Alexandre, 1997-Anna Karenina, 2007-War and Peace-TV series, and 2013-Anna Karenina.
3. The Flight of the Bumble Bee (The Tale of Tsar Sultan opera)
Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1900)
Cello Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdatnwBYHTc
Played on Organ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHZvMAJUN5g
4. Fingals Cave Overture
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn (1830)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdQyN7MYSN8
5. Fur Elise
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1810)
Played on the Lang Lang Steinway Black Diamond Limited Edition
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s71I_EWJk7I
6. The Dying Swan from The Carnival of the Animals
Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns (1886)
Complete programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBGEf4urGNo
7. The Flying Dutchman Overture
Composer: Richard Wagner (1843)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7QhNRBCci0
8. The Clog Dance
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT9naCq0fdE
Performed by The Royal Ballet, Frederick Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardée (The Poorly Guarded Girl or The Wayward Daughter) is based on a 1789 French ballet originally created by Jean Dauberval. Widow Simone is danced by Will Tuckett.
9. The Mystery Piece (Can you guess?)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zTc2hD2npA
Yes, it's the Pirates of the Caribbean. Composed by Klaus Badelt and performed by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gary Daverne. Recorded November 2012 at the Auckland Town Hall. Can you see Jack Sparrow swinging from the yardarm?
10. And finally a Flash Mob rendering of Ode to Joy
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1824)
On the 130th anniversary of the founding of Bank Sabadell we wanted to pay homage to our city Barcelona, Spain. This flashmob was arranged with the participation of 100 people from the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l'Òpera and Coral Belles Arts choirs.
Classical Music Lovers B.
Convener: Vaughan Chetwynd, 027 565 7724.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
Venue: Bethlehem Shores Retirement Village.
Next meeting: Thursday, 14th April 2022, 2-4 pm.
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This is the Karangahake Gorge to Dickey Flat walk. This walk can be done via the Windows walk or both ways on the Pipeline track.
Tap or click on the first image to view it full size and get the option to proceed through all the images.
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Suspension Bridge
Suspension Bridge
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Cliffside track
Cliffside track
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Into the unknown
Into the unknown
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Tunneling
Tunneling
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Out
Out
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Back into the void
Back into the void
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River
River
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Riverside walk
Riverside walk
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Under the bluff
Under the bluff
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Almost Out
Almost Out
http://u3atauranga.kiwi.nz/index.php/2016-03-23-07-41-28.html?start=60#sigProId5ef384f2bb
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http://u3atauranga.kiwi.nz/index.php/2016-03-23-07-41-28.html?start=60#sigProIdf9fab9c8bd
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We recently received the following , If you are interested in us following up with this opportunity, please email the webmaster,
Good afternoon
STEAM-ED traditionally provides beginner robotics classes for children aged 8-13yrs. However, we are wondering whether there would be any interest from your members in setting up a weekly session for them here at our venue at 671 Cameron Rd, Tauranga (just opposite Tauranga Boys College).
Our facility is currently not being used at all between 9am-3pm on a Friday, so a 1-2 hour session sometime during this timespan could be made available.
I imagine there may be quite a few of your members who would love to understand a bit more about robots, how they work, very basic programming and how they are becoming such a big part of our economy.
We would need to ask for a fee of $30 per person for 2 hours to cover our Educators wages and other expenses but would provide tea/coffee/biscuits as part of the deal.
Do you think there would be enough interest to get a group of 10-12 people together?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Toni de Rijk
General Manager
STEAM-ED Charitable Trust
Ph 07 5710711 | Mob 022 377 3209
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