Name: An Evening With the Modern Maori Quartet
Start: 2017-05-06 19:30
End: 2017-05-06 22:00
Location: Putaruru

An Evening With the Modern Maori Quartet

Sat 6 May 2017 @ 7:30 PM – @ 10:00 PM

Putaruru

The Plaza, 50-59 Kensington St, Putaruru, South Waikato

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The suave crooners from the award-winning Modern Māori Quartet (MMQ) invite you to enjoy a fresh take on the classic Māori showbands of yesteryear. Their signature cabaret style show, An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet, promises a trip down memory lane as this multi-talented foursome bring a fresh twist to Kiwi golden oldies and a unique spin on recent international hits.

With sublime harmonies and universal humour, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School graduates James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora mix old school charm with modern quirk, spiced with Māori culture for an unforgettable evening of waiata (song), stories and fun.

So suit ’em up in their number ones, shine their shoes, hand them a guitar or two and they’ll have you melting like golden syrup on a piece of fresh hot fried bread with their signature brand of hearty Māori entertainment.

James Tito

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Kuki Airani

James trained at UCOL (Advanced Certificate in Performing Arts) and Toi Whakaari. He has acted in theatre productions including Awhi Tapu, Tu, The Māori Troilus and Cressida and Sydney Bridge Upside Down and on screen including Awhi Tapu, When We Go To War and The Kick. He was nominated as Most Promising Male Newcomer at the 2011 Chapman Tripp Awards. James had the inspiration to establish the Modern Māori Quartet and revive the showbands of yesteryears because of the talented people he has worked with.

Maaka Pohatu

Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

A graduate of Toi Whakaari, Maaka has performed in numerous productions such as the critically acclaimed Strange Resting Places and The Māori Troilus and Cressida, which featured at the prestigious Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. He made his film debut in the feature Two Little Boys. Maaka is also a professional musician and proud member of the Modern Māori Quartet.

Matariki Whatarau

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tamaterā

Since graduating from Toi Whakaari, Matariki has appeared in various theatre productions including Awhi Tapu, Tu and Paper Sky. His screen credits include The Almighty Johnsons, Go Girls and The Pā Boys. Matariki has always loved playing music, singing and acting so being a part of the Modern Māori Quartet is his dream job.

Francis Kora

Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko

Francis is a new member to the Modern Māori Quartet. He is also a graduate of Toi Whakaari. For the last decade, Francis has been a musician with (and now the frontman of) iconic NZ band KORA. He had his debut film role in The Pā Boys and was a presenter on Māori Television’s Code. Francis has a passion for telling Aotearoa’s stories through film and theatre.