Local concert series Thursday @ Seven returns for 2026

A seven-week series of concerts for small musicians is returning this year at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Howick.

The 'Thursdays @ Seven' series lasts over seven weeks and happens three times a year from 7pm to 8pm.

Auckland musicians and event organizers, Peter and Katharine Watts, say their aim is to provide music opportunities in the area, especially to single artists who struggle to attract a wider audience.

“Performers really need good venues and promotion, and the local audience really wants accessible music near home. We just bring the two together”

“Established performers are often too busy promoting their own concerts, and young performers find it hard to grow an audience,” Peter says.

To combat this, they organized three concerts a year, allowing audiences to plan their attendance and enjoy a consistent weekly schedule.

“Our vision was to create quality concerts in an appealing format,” says Katharine.

Katharine says an important part of the concert series has been the venue and the time slot.

“The chosen time slot of 7pm accommodates to various lifestyles…[and] having a lovely venue with a beautiful acoustic and a piano that can be the foundation.

“It was essential because we couldn’t have people like those playing tonight if we didn’t have a decent instrument.”

Peter says the series has been successful in the community, offering a local alternative to city-based concerts.

“These days traffic is heavier and costs are higher, so for people who love music, travelling into the city and paying for parking can be a barrier, especially for those on their own. This local concert series offers all the advantages without those difficulties.”

Over the years, the series has hosted a range of performances, from solo instrumentalists to trios, quartets, and even orchestras, including the Auckland Youth Orchestra.

This year, new artists take the stage, including the New Zealand String Quartet, John Chen, Tamas Vesmas, New Zealand Trio, Tamas Vesmas, New Zealand Trio and Calico Jam.

Their current hopes for the future include continued growth, providing opportunities for people in the community, and celebrating years of successful musical concerts.

“We can serve both groups by giving them a warm audience and giving our audience a gift of music which creates a refreshing space each week. It is an open door for the community.”

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Our journalists sometimes use AI tools which are checked by humans for accuracy. 

AI was used to transcribe audio from the interview.