Changes are afoot, but then changes are always afoot. And the more you write it, the weirder the word ‘afoot' seems...

I have a few public information announcements this week, with very little connective tissue, so I'm just going to rattle through them – a couple of gigs, and some of those changes that are currently afoot.

Incidentally, one of the joys of the internet is that you can find out quite a bit about words. For instance, the word ‘afoot' has been used for centuries, but reached the peak of its popularity in the 1930.

From then on it slowly dropped in usage. Until about 10 years ago. Since then it has been on the up and up. Who knows why.

OK, let's go. As many are by now aware, the blues jams at Drivers Bar have finished. That's because Drivers has been sold and will be morphing into something different.

The good news, which many also know, is that the blues jams will be continuing with nary a pause after almost immediately finding a new home. Jack Dusty's owner Jess Luxton and music manager Andy Craw, have stepped into the breach and will be hosting the jam at their Bureta-located venue.

Official kick-off there is the Wednesday, September 10.

Looking back

The blues jams started back in the days when local musician Chris Gunn was in charge of the music at Drivers (I think it was when he still owned the place). After Chris bowed out, they were taken on by bass player Dave Porter and the band he assembled, Chill Factor. Since then the night has built a regular following and seen most of this town's top blues players show up for sessions, as well as visiting luminaries from Hamilton, Rotorua, and elsewhere.

What with the recent demise of Croucher Basecamp, it's sad to lose yet another venue.

Drivers may be a bit small but there have been many memorable times there, from the blues jams to Brilleaux gigs, to Ritchie Pickett and Hammond Gamble, and even an extraordinary afternoon some years back when a group of local musicians jammed with Elvis's legendary bass player, Jerry Scheff.

But the only constant thing is change and Drivers is becoming a restaurant. In the meantime, there are a couple more happenings there that might be of interest.

Firstly, with the change of direction, owners Pete and Deb are taking the opportunity to auction off the memorabilia collected over the years. Drivers is, of course, a sports bar, so there is nothing remotely involving music. But if you want to recreate that sports bar look at home, get on down on August 21 for the auction.

A big finale

Then the following week is the final gig. The Sid Atwell Band are closing up the joint on August 25 with their mix of rocking blues and soul. Sid plays the guitar as does regular blues jammer Mike Everard, along with keyboard player Ken Green and a rhythm section comprising Tony (bass) and Raymon (drums) Crichton.

There'll be a cover change – dunno what yet – and I suspect it will be a wild night.

And somewhat sooner, next week to be exact, Auckland's Albi and the Wolves are back at the Katikati Folk Club (Friday, August 17).

I'd guess pretty much everyone in the Bay has seen these guys by now since they seem to have been playing here in recent months more than many local bands.

I've written about them several times so please excuse any repetition.

They are Chris Dent (Albi), Pascal Roggen, and Micheal Young, who play acoustic guitar, electric violin and double bass respectively, while Albi sings lead vocals. Their album ‘One Eye Open' won the New Zealand Music Tui award for Best Folk Artist of 2018. Yes, they are really good – great musicians and most entertaining live – and if you haven't seen them, you should. Doors open 7pm, the show starts 7.30pm at the Katikati Bowling Club. Tickets at the door cost $20 for adults, $15 for members, and are free for school children.