Stars shine at Woodlands

The stars were out in full force at Woodlands on Saturday night.

It was a full house of more than 160 people for the second-ever Woodlands Idol, the first taking place in 2011.

Seven talented contestants from the greater Waikato took to the stage to raise more than $4000 for a new visitor centre and archives room at the homestead.

 

 

First place went to St Paul’s Collegiate student Henry Crawford, who wowed the audience with an Ed Sheeran-inspired guitar medley.

Second place was awarded to 17-year-old Katie Trigg, a high-school student from Ngahinapouri for her rendition of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love.

And primary school teacher Sacha Elizabeth, accompanied by Lance Knight, came third.

 

Rose Kirkham, from Taupo, listens to feedback from the four judges.

Jeffery Hawkes is a contaminated land specialist (by day) who plays a mean guitar.  He was also a hobbit in The Lord of the Rings.

Thirteen-year-old Verity Skoludek from Hamilton performs Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

And Tina Haakma from Thames rounds off the musical contest with a cunningly concocted tale built around Elvis songs.

The judges at work.

And while the judges deliberated, other musical guests entertained.  Iris Riddell, born and bred in Gordonton, performing Riptide with friend Ramari Rakuraku-Foster.

 

Then to show he could walk the walk, Judge Possum sang like a lark.

 

An auction and raffle helped raise more funds.  Here Gordonton’s Betty Anderson receives a prize.

Andy Bramwell worked hard as the sound man again – he performed in the first Woodlands Idol – and tonight was his wedding anniversary!  (Congratulations you two!)

It was a magical, enchanting evening…

 

…and the real star on the night was this gracious lady, Judy Cole, who organised the event.

Thank-you Judy!

Click here for photographs from the first Woodlands Idol.

 

Photos: David Riddell