June’s midday concert – again a midevening performance – promises both a performer of widespread acclaim and opportunity to attend a Celtic music workshop.
Both are open to all, with koha appreciated but not mandatory.
Acclaimed composer and master guitarist Dave Flynn who is returning to Aotearoa in 2026 with his new show “Flynn’s Celtic Strings” is the billing for both concert and workshop.
Flynn comes fresh from a highly successful 34-date European tour, and is joined by Wellington-based fiddle player/vocalist Em Griffiths and Kawerau mandolin player/vocalist Lee Corbett Barton for the concert of Celtic songs, tunes and tales.
Hailed for working “effortlessly across musical boundaries” (Radio NZ) and giving “Irish music a classical twist” (NZ Listener), Dave Flynn directs performances that are “played with intoxicating verve” (Elizabeth Kerr, Five Lines).
Dave’s prior New Zealand tours have won widespread acclaim, including sold-out shows with the NZ String Quartet at the 2025 Wanaka Festival of Colour and collaborating with Dunedin legend Robert Scott (The Bats, The Clean) at Dunedin Folk Club.
He was last in Taupō in March 2025 with his ‘Celtic Guitar Journey’.
Flynn is a musician of many hats: orchestra conductor, guitar virtuoso and award-winning composer who is as renowned for his collaborations with Irish fiddle star Martin Hayes as he is for his own ensemble the Irish Memory Orchestra.
With Flynn’s Celtic Strings he has formed his first ever New Zealand-based group and this show is part of a series of Creative Communities-funded events around the North Island.
Expect a Celtic celebration of the 20th anniversary of Flynn’s groundbreaking debut album Draíocht– a magical mix of songs and instrumentals. Be immersed in the Kiwi-Celtic suite “Sketches of Aotearoa”, alongside rich vocal harmonies, stirring reels and jigs, and the occasional tin whistle!
Flynn says the concert is a must for lovers of Celtic songcraft and inventive instrumental interplay.
The concert on Friday, June 5 runs from 5.30-6.30pm at St Andrew’s Anglican Church.
Ahead of their performance, Flynn’s Celtic Strings will be giving a free workshop on the art of Celtic music on Thursday (June 4) at 7pm also at St Andrew’s. Open to those who play an instrument, sing or just have an interest in Celtic music, participants will learn about the essentials of Celtic music, demonstrated on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, mandola and harmony vocals.
Participants will also be encouraged to learn to sing part of the songs the trio will be performing in the concert the next day.
Both the workshop and concert are open to all, koha appreciated but not mandatory as Flynn’s Celtic Strings are supported by Taupō District Council and Creative Taupō through Creative Communities funding.
