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A BIT ABOUT US

Holding Space Aotearoa is a non-profit Arts Organisation with a mission to 'hold space' for our artistic community and worthy causes. Our focus is on community projects, events, workshops and open mics. We create opportunities and content for local artists to expand their careers, up skill, empower, inspire and connect with others.

SW4CA VOL. 2 ALBUM OUT NOW!

On all major streaming platforms

Holding Space are proud to share our 2nd compilation album for our Songwriters 4 Climate Action Project

Involving 12 artists from various backgrounds, perspectives and genres; we recorded 12 songs at Roundhead Studios. 

Special thanks to Waitematā Local Board for supporting this community project.

More info HERE

SW4CA Vol.3 Rangatahi - Call for Submissions

Recording Opportunity for Youth 18 & under. We are taking submissions of interest to be a part of our recording sessions at the legendary Roundhead Studios with a professional sound engineer, for our next community compilation album for the Songwriters 4 Climate Action Project. 💚 We’re looking for 12 Auckland-based artists to contribute an original song or spoken word / poetry piece to be a part of SW4CA Vol.3 - Rangatahi. Got something original with an environmental or climate conscious theme that could suit? Want to help be a part of a social movement for change? We’d love to get a range of perspectives. (For songs we are looking at striped back acoustic versions, not full band set ups.) Recording dates are weekends 9-10 & 23-24 November. Album Release early 2025.

 

Submissions close Sunday 6 October 11.59pm. PM us or Email: holdingspaceaotearoa@gmail.com with your name, age, a recording of your song/poetry and what it’s about. (It doesn’t have to be a flash demo or completely finished.) We’ll have time over the next few months to polish and workshop material. Check out SW4CA Vol.1 & Vol.2 to get an idea of what to expect.

 

**Successful applicants will need to attend at least one of our workshops in central Auckland or a 1 on 1 session with one of our Team and be available for at least 1 of the recording dates. More details to follow.** 

 

Ngā mihi to Waitematā Local Board for supporting this project.

Upcoming Events

  • Young Blood Showcase
    Young Blood Showcase
    Sat, 12 Oct
    Auckland
    12 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    12 Oct 2024, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    A slick, fun Showcase to celebrate and encourage our creative Youth in live performance (18 and under).
  • Young Blood Workshop #4 - Promotion
    Young Blood Workshop #4 - Promotion
    Sat, 28 Sept
    Auckland
    28 Sept 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    28 Sept 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    Promoting yourself as a musician and build an audience (for 18 & under)
  • Young Blood Music Series | May - October 2024
    Young Blood Music Series | May - October 2024
    Sat, 25 May
    Auckland
    25 May 2024, 12:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    25 May 2024, 12:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    A fun, slick open mic and workshop series for Youth (18 and under) at Ellen Melville Centre.
SW4CA Workshop & Showcase @ Uxbridge
02:08
Holding Space Aotearoa

SW4CA Workshop & Showcase @ Uxbridge

Some highlights from one of our Songwriters4ClimateAction workshops and performance showcase at Uxbridge Arts & Culture Centre in Howick, 2022. Special thanks to our guest speaker Ecologist: Chris Ferkins who lead a talk around the role of 'place' - something that involves a relationship between community and environment, which in turn, can be helped significantly through art and music. These events were sponsored by Howick Local Board. Videography by: Kiran Patel Films -- Songwriters 4 Climate Action is a Project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support and inspire them to develop songs, artwork and start conversations that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards live performances and record songs / creative content (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around low carbon climate action. This Project has expanded to promote the collaboration and response of artists to the work of Kaitianga, Practitioners and other experts active in the Climate Field. Through this process we hope to support dialogue and connection between many communities and learn a thing or two along the way. Parts of this project are supported by Waitematā Local Board, Waitematā Low Carbon Network, Puketāpapa Local Board, Puketāpapa Low Carbon Network, Grey Lynn 2030 and Albert/Eden Local Board. About us. Holding Space Aotearoa Charitable Trust is an Arts Organisation with a focus on community projects and audience engagement; events, open mics and workshops. We create opportunities & content for creatives and worthy causes in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland NZ. https://www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org
Puketāpapa Manu Aute Kite Day 2022 + Making A Kite
04:06
Ravi the Poet SW4CA Interview 1
01:48
Holding Space Aotearoa

Ravi the Poet SW4CA Interview 1

An interview with Ravi the Poet, talking about his song: a Bike Ride "SW4CA, Vol. 1" out now on digital platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/songwriters4climateaction/sw4ca-vol-1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action Volume #1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action (SW4CA) is a project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support, inspire and challenge them to develop songs that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards live performances and record songs / videos (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around this kaupapa. Through this process we have recorded our first compilation album at Roundhead Studios; involving 12 artists with various backgrounds, perspectives and genres. These songs are mainly striped back acoustic versions with some surprises in there. We are proud to be releasing the album digitally on May 13th and will have an album release concert on Friday 27th May at The Sustainable Coastlines Venue: The Flagship. We will be releasing videos and teasers throughout the month for each song. Parts of this project have been supported by Waitematā Local Board, Waitematā Low Carbon Network, Puketāpapa Local Board, Puketāpapa Low Carbon Network,& Grey Lynn 2030 About us. Holding Space Aotearoa is a Charitable Trust with a focus on Open Mics, workshops; creating opportunities & content for the arts community and worthy causes in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa NZ. www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org
Edwin SW4CA Interview 1
02:31
Holding Space Aotearoa

Edwin SW4CA Interview 1

An interview with Edwin Judd, talking about his song: Flaming Heart. Pre save "SW4CA, Vol. 1" on Spotify right now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/songwriters4climateaction/sw4ca-vol-1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action Volume #1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action (SW4CA) is a project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support, inspire and challenge them to develop songs that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards live performances and record songs / videos (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around this kaupapa. Through this process we have recorded our first compilation album at Roundhead Studios; involving 12 artists with various backgrounds, perspectives and genres. These songs are mainly striped back acoustic versions with some surprises in there. We are proud to be releasing the album digitally on May 13th and will have an album release concert on Friday 27th May at The Sustainable Coastlines Venue: The Flagship. We will be releasing videos and teasers throughout the month for each song. Parts of this project have been supported by Waitematā Local Board, Waitematā Low Carbon Network, Puketāpapa Local Board, Puketāpapa Low Carbon Network,& Grey Lynn 2030 About us. Holding Space Aotearoa is a Charitable Trust with a focus on Open Mics, workshops; creating opportunities & content for the arts community and worthy causes in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa NZ. www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org
An Introduction to Holding Space Aotearoa & Songwriters4ClimateAction
06:33
Holding Space Aotearoa

An Introduction to Holding Space Aotearoa & Songwriters4ClimateAction

This is a quick, casual Introduction to Holding Space Aotearoa and our current Songwriters4ClimateAction Project 2021 with Ema Barton and a snippet of her song Moving Mountains, filmed during lockdown September 2021 in Tāmaki Makaurau. First part of Intro filmed by Jono Annandale. Holding Space Aotearoa Charitable Trust is an Arts Organisation with a focus on community projects and audience engagement; events, open mics and workshops. We create opportunities & content for creatives and worthy causes in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland NZ. Songwriters 4 Climate Action is a Project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support and inspire them to develop songs, artwork and start conversations that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards live performances and record songs / creative content (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around low carbon climate action. This Project has expanded to promote the collaboration and response of artists to the work of Kaitianga, Practitioners and other experts active in the Climate Field. Through this process we hope to support dialogue and connection between many communities and learn a thing or two along the way. Special thanks to Waitematā Low Carbon Network, Waitematā Local Board, Puketāpapa Low Carbon Network, Puketāpapa Local Board and Grey Lynn 2030 for supporting parts of this project so far. Come join us :) For more info: w: https://www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org fb: https://www.facebook.com/HoldingSpaceAotearoa/ I: @holding_space_aptearoa
Sam Loveridge SW4CA Interview 1
01:22
Holding Space Aotearoa

Sam Loveridge SW4CA Interview 1

An interview with Sam Loveridge, talking about his song: The Tide. "SW4CA, Vol. 1" out now on digital platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/songwriters4climateaction/sw4ca-vol-1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action Volume #1 Songwriters 4 Climate Action (SW4CA) is a project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support, inspire and challenge them to develop songs that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards live performances and record songs / videos (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around this kaupapa. Through this process we have recorded our first compilation album at Roundhead Studios; involving 12 artists with various backgrounds, perspectives and genres. These songs are mainly striped back acoustic versions with some surprises in there. We are proud to be releasing the album digitally on May 13th and will have an album release concert on Friday 27th May at The Sustainable Coastlines Venue: The Flagship. We will be releasing videos and teasers throughout the month for each song. Parts of this project have been supported by Waitematā Local Board, Waitematā Low Carbon Network, Puketāpapa Local Board, Puketāpapa Low Carbon Network,& Grey Lynn 2030 About us. Holding Space Aotearoa is a Charitable Trust with a focus on Open Mics, workshops; creating opportunities & content for the arts community and worthy causes in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa NZ. www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org
Go Early Means Now - Climate Justice Now
02:29
Holding Space Aotearoa

Go Early Means Now - Climate Justice Now

Go Early Means Now - Climate Justice Now Made during Lockdown, October 2021 in Tāmaki Makaurau, NZ Lyrics / Concept by Edna Snow Song Structure & Instrumentation by Ema, Jono and the Songwriters 4 Climate Action Group hosted by Holding Space Aotearoa. Ema Barton - Vocals / Guitar / Percussion Jono - Vocals / Mandolin / Didgeridoo / Djembe Mark Farrier, Sam Loveridge, Grant Hewison - Vocals Mix and Visuals - Ema Barton This song was made to support the Climate Action - Open Letter to Jacinda - https://www.climatejusticenow.nz - "This Open Letter was written by members of Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa. We believe that these ideas also reflect the concerns of many others who want urgent and decisive action – on the climate crisis, on the damage to our land and rivers and, not least, on the inequality and human suffering that result from our GDP-obsessed economic system. We invite you to share it widely. To ensure that your signature is presented to Jacinda Ardern, please sign it by Friday 22 October 2021. We aim to present the letter to Jacinda at Parliament around 25 October – the week before James Shaw goes to Glasgow for COP26. Before this, we also hope to discuss the Letter with Jacinda informally, inviting her to make a public statement on climate action for Aotearoa." - Songwriters 4 Climate Action is a project intended to bring together community-based performers through a series of workshops and activities; to help support and inspire them to write or develop songs/ artwork / share stories that highlight the challenges and hopes for climate action. Our aim is to work towards a live performance and record songs / videos (to a professional standard) that we can share on multiple platforms to help spread awareness and positivity around low carbon climate action. Through this process we hope to build a supportive music community and learn a thing or two along the way. https://www.holdingspaceaotearoa.org

BLOG  POSTS

Past Events

  • Grey Lynn Night Markets Open Mic
    Grey Lynn Night Markets Open Mic
    24 July 2021
    Auckland
    24 July 2021
    Auckland, 606 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
    24 July 2021
    Auckland, 606 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
    Ema is hosting an Open Mic Night as part of Grey Lynn Night Markets & Elemental Festival 2021
  • Songwriters 4 Climate Action Workshop @ Uxbridge **POSTPONED**
    Songwriters 4 Climate Action Workshop @ Uxbridge **POSTPONED**
    Time is TBD
    Auckland
    Time is TBD
    Auckland, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick, Auckland 2014, New Zealand
    Time is TBD
    Auckland, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick, Auckland 2014, New Zealand
    A Songwriting Workshop exploring Climate Action and connecting community.
  • Young Blood Workshop #3 - Stagecraft
    Young Blood Workshop #3 - Stagecraft
    Sat, 24 Aug
    Auckland
    24 Aug 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    24 Aug 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    Setting up a PA, microphone technique, stage confidence (for 18 & under)
  • Young Blood Workshop #2 - Instruments
    Young Blood Workshop #2 - Instruments
    Sat, 27 Jul
    Auckland
    27 Jul 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    27 Jul 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    Discover a variety of interesting instruments with Jono Annandale. Bring in your instrument to see how it works best with an amp / PA etc (for 18 & under)
  • Young Blood Workshop #1 - Songwriting
    Young Blood Workshop #1 - Songwriting
    Sat, 22 Jun
    Auckland
    22 Jun 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    22 Jun 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    A songwriting workshop for rangatahi (18 & under)
  • Matariki Open Mic & Community Meal
    Matariki Open Mic & Community Meal
    Fri, 21 Jun
    Auckland
    21 Jun 2024, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    21 Jun 2024, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    A community Matariki celebration with live music, poetry and shared kai.
  • SW4CA Showcase @ Ghub
    SW4CA Showcase @ Ghub
    Sun, 05 May
    Auckland
    05 May 2024, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    05 May 2024, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    Live music from a collection of local musicians involved in the Songwriters 4 Climate Action Project
  • SW4CA Workshop @ GHub
    SW4CA Workshop @ GHub
    Sun, 21 Apr
    Auckland
    21 Apr 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    21 Apr 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    Learn about the Songwriters 4 Climate Project project and share ideas for new songs over a cup of tea.
  • Earthsong Sustainable Living Festival
    Earthsong Sustainable Living Festival
    Sat, 06 Apr
    Auckland
    06 Apr 2024, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
    Auckland, 457 Swanson Road, Ranui, Auckland 0612, New Zealand
    06 Apr 2024, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
    Auckland, 457 Swanson Road, Ranui, Auckland 0612, New Zealand
    A community festival showcasing Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood and sustainability in action. Tours, workshop, markets, food & live music.
  • SW4CA Workshop - Chants & Calls To Action
    SW4CA Workshop - Chants & Calls To Action
    Wed, 27 Mar
    Auckland
    27 Mar 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
    Auckland, 55 Madden Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    27 Mar 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
    Auckland, 55 Madden Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    A brainstorming session
  • Melville Presents: Live Fridays feat. Manuela
    Melville Presents: Live Fridays feat. Manuela
    Fri, 22 Mar
    Auckland
    22 Mar 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    22 Mar 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    Live Music from talented local Wāhine in Freyberg Square
  • Melville Presents: Live Fridays feat. EMA I'U
    Melville Presents: Live Fridays feat. EMA I'U
    Fri, 08 Mar
    Auckland
    08 Mar 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    08 Mar 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Auckland, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    Live Music @ Ellen Melville Centre showcasing local Wāhine musicians.
  • SW4CA Vol.2 Album Release Concert
    SW4CA Vol.2 Album Release Concert
    Thu, 22 Feb
    Auckland
    22 Feb 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Auckland, 55 Madden Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    22 Feb 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Auckland, 55 Madden Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    Come celebrate the latest album release from The Songwriters4ClimateAction Project
  • Holding Space Creative Showcase
    Holding Space Creative Showcase
    Thu, 28 Sept
    Ellen Melville Centre
    28 Sept 2023, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
    Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    28 Sept 2023, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
    Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
    A community arts showcase: sharing songs, poetry, art, ideas and fashion developed over the span of the Auckland Climate Festival.
  • SW4CA - Songwriting Workshop (2)
    SW4CA - Songwriting Workshop (2)
    Sun, 17 Sept
    Samoa House Library
    17 Sept 2023, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Samoa House Library, level 2/283 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    17 Sept 2023, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Samoa House Library, level 2/283 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    A Songwriting workshop exploring how we can work with the theme of Wai / Water.
  • SW4CA - Songs That Changed The World - ONLINE 
    SW4CA - Songs That Changed The World - ONLINE 
    Mon, 04 Sept
    Zoom
    04 Sept 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Zoom
    04 Sept 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Zoom
    An online workshop listening to and reviewing some successful environmental / political songs (chosen by Silke Hartung) and an introduction to The Songwriters 4 Climate Action Project
  • SW4CA Workshop @ Samoa House Library
    SW4CA Workshop @ Samoa House Library
    Sun, 13 Aug
    Auckland
    13 Aug 2023, 2:00 pm – 14 Aug 2023, 4:00 pm
    Auckland, Level 2/283 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    13 Aug 2023, 2:00 pm – 14 Aug 2023, 4:00 pm
    Auckland, Level 2/283 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    A songwriting and poetry workshop. Let's get creating for The Songwriters4ClimateAction Project this year.
  • Matariki Open Mic & Community Meal
    Matariki Open Mic & Community Meal
    Sun, 16 Jul
    Auckland
    16 Jul 2023, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    16 Jul 2023, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    Auckland, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, New Zealand
    Celebrating Matariki with kai and community performances.

ACTIVITIES

Community Driven Arts

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Projects to help local artists get to the next level

Helping The Community with Workshops, Up-skilling, Networking

Gigs, Exhibitions, Open Mics
and creating Content

SPONSORS

Thank you for Supporting our Projects

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for
Songwriters 4 Climate Action

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for 
Songwriters 4 Climate Action

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Songwriters 4 Climate Action

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for 

Songwriters 4 Climate Action

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for
Young Blood Open Mic

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for
Young Blood Open Mic

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Songwriters 4 Climate Action

CONTACT HOLDING SPACE AOTEAROA

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