Buskers
Kia ora whanau ❤️ exciting times!!
I have always been involved with the arts – when I think about it I didn’t stand much of a chance really, as my mum was taking me along to theatre rehearsals before I could walk! I grew up with a love for it all; theatre, film, music, visual…and forever more I will value the incredible expression of self that comes through these mediums…but how to incorporate All The Art into my Fush and Chup shop?!!
Well, I am here to share with you that it has been decided…it is officially BUSKING NIGHT at Calypso Takeaways Kerikeri every 4th Friday of the month…yusssss!!!
I am lucky enough to be connected with some of Northland’s finest musos, so the intention is to invite someone along each month to rock it out front the shop for a couple of hours during Friday Night Madness, to keep you entertained whilst your crabsticks are a-fryin’!
I’d love to see KK support our local talent. We are so very lucky to have some of the best.
See ya Friyays xx

TIHEMA RIWAI
Tihema is well known for her lead vocals for reggae dub band, 1814. She has also starred at the OneLove festival, won many Taitokerau and Online talent competitions as a solo artist, and honours her whanau band, R.D 884, where she is front lady for her fam, with backing vocals by her mum, our very own Vini 💕

DIANE BROWN
If you haven’t yet come across Diane, she has been in our community since her youth. Well known for an eclectic taste and epic repertoire of musical knowledge & performance, you might have seen One News do a spot on her out front of the Kaeo 4 Square a couple years back, with her harp, African drums, Scandinavian Lyre and a few more of the 33 instruments she plays!
It is incredible to be in her presence as she seems to almost channel the music, performing songs from around the world, aswell as some classic faves.
I got to spend the morning with Diane and her hubby Collin in their lovely little home. I decided to ask her every curious question I could think of about her life and connection with music. She shared all about it, beginning with “I can’t see through these eyes, but I see everything right here”, pointing to her third eye. I thought this really summed up the way that music resonates through Diane, the way she lives her life and the way she forms relationships. She is pure joy.
Collin and Diane have been married 15yrs, he is quite a bit her senior and they don’t care a single bit! They met over a love for author, Terry Pratchett – “back then, they didn’t send me the audiobooks in order, so I would get frustrated. Collin offered to resolve the issue, so he would call me up in the evenings and read them to me!” Love blossomed and since then he has read her over 50 books. She played me a bit of Celine Dion’s “Because you love me” and dedicated it to the man she calls, her ‘jackpot’. *Sigh* 💖

HAYLEE WILKES
If you haven’t already been graced with the dusky tones of beautiful Haylee Wilkes (nee Hoani), you are in for a total treat, as she joins us this Friday 27th October from 4:30-6:30pm at Calypso Takeaways Kerikeri .
Haylee has been a major player in the Far North muso scene for the past 12 years, as her amazing natural talent has been nurtured by her uber-talented parents, Jane and Henry Hoani who still hang out in Paihia as band, Coco. Haylee is a true blue singer-songwriter in her own right, and has graced many a stage and competition which has seen her do big things! Haylee circulates the scene, so if you see her at Calypso and love her, you’ll find her booked for gigs and events all over the shop!

ARIHIA RUWHIU
Arihia is well known about town for her entrepreneurial spirit – business owner, jewellery crafts-wahine, graphic designer, and most importantly, singer/songwriter. Having spent many years honing her musical knowledge and skill, collaborating with other musicians (our Vini being one of them, no less!) And spending time in the recording studio – Arihia is on the up-and-up, and we feel very lucky to have her bring her repertoire, street-side at Calypso.

NATASHA KINSEY
When I asked Natasha for a bio, she shared a piece of her story and I was reminded of how music is so uplifting for the soul and can save us from our darkest moments.
Natasha is a Canadian born, Tongan singer/songwriter and has graced Aotearoa’s shores for 15 years, now. She lost her eye when she was 15 from taking in stray puppies which lead to depression, launching her into music in her 20’s. After a marriage to a fellow musician whom she shared 10 years of duology, she is now an independent agent playing gigs around the North!
Natasha’s style is influenced by the acoustic arrangements of Bon Iver, Ben Howard and Laura Marling and she combines unique, minimalist, arpeggio guitar arrangements with ethereal sounding vocals.
Can’t wait to have Natasha street-side 💜

Calling All Calypso Fans & History Buffs!
Do you have a story, photo, or memory about Calypso Takeaways history that isn’t included here? We need your help to complete the full history of our beloved local spot! Got a photo from the grand opening, a fun family night out, or even that time our sign survived a cyclone? Share your snapshots and help us create a visual feast of Calypso memories. Every story counts! Help us piece together the untold tales of Calypso Takeaways. Your contributions will help paint a complete picture of our journey from the first fry to the latest catch.
Email me or drop by the shop with your stories and photos. Let’s make sure every delicious detail of Calypso Takeaways is served up for future generations to enjoy!
Thank you for being a part of our story!

