Ensuring the Long Term Future of Christchurch's Best Live Music Venue, A Rolling Stone

By A Rolling Stone

NZ $58,543 pledged


218 people pledged


Closed


NZ $50,000 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 31/07/2023 at 5:00 PM.

Make a Pledge

About

Ensuring The Long Term Future Of Christchurch's Best Live Music Venue, A Rolling Stone

Project 2023-06-29 17:17:52 +1200

We want to ensure the future of our music venue, A Rolling Stone, Christchurch, for the benefit of the music and arts community of Christchurch - musicians young and old, amateur and professional, community groups, diversities and fringe, NZ touring artists and international artists of all genres. We've been steadily building over five years, through the most difficult times imaginable, but we are booked solid into 2024, our business is beginning to flourish with a strong forecast for growth, and a growing reputation!

I’m Gretchen Kane, and along with my husband Mike, I’m the owner of A Rolling Stone – the best medium-sized, dedicated live music venue in Christchurch, and maybe even one of the best dedicated venues in the country.

We Need Your Help

We’ve had over five years of trading in the most difficult times imaginable but we’ve worked tirelessly to build our business and develop a solid reputation. We have national and international bookings right through till June 2024 and a strong forecast for growth. Business is flourishing. However, we need to raise funds to pay our landlord for periods during the Covid-19 Pandemic when we were unable to meet our lease obligations, and we need your help to do this.

 

Why Pledge?

We’re the last remaining medium-sized, dedicated music venue in Central Christchurch, a vital part of the music and arts community! We have some amazing rewards to offer in exchange for your pledges, everything from artist-designed T-shirts and merch packs through to professional filming of your band on our stage, plus a host of other amazing rewards, and you'll also be contributing to the long term sustainability, strength and future of the music scene in Christchurch.

 

What We Do

We created this venue and have worked without let-up for five years, steadily building it into the amazing space and inclusive community hub it is today. We’re dedicated to giving our artists, and audiences, the most amazing show experience possible.

We host so many events! Primary and high school music performances, all-ages shows, youth bands, open mics, songwriters’ nights, jazz jams, community group performances, ARA Jazz School, Hagley Jazz, Battle of the Bands, Dig the Gig, the Christchurch Big Band Festival, international touring artists, NZ tours, local bands, dance groups, drag & burlesque shows and ceilidhs and more!

Kids can experience a real stage and a sense of where they can go with music. Youth can find a supportive place to fit in, which is beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. We also proudly employ a great team of young (often musical) people in our business.

 

 

The Future

We want to continue providing a great venue for shows and touring acts and to keep growing our community, hosting even more schools, groups and artists, helping to nurture the future of NZ music. We’re excited for the future, and completely dedicated to the continued success of A Rolling Stone. We feel so lucky to be working in a field we both love so much!

Thank You!

We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us in our first five years of business. Pledge today and choose yourself a great reward which comes with our heart-felt thanks! You’ll be helping us to continue supporting the Christchurch musical community, and to grow even stronger for the future! Thank you all!

Testimonials

“We had the best concert and the best time, found a gem of a venue and made great friends with the owners - it doesn’t get better than that.”

Ben Waters, UK piano player for Jeff Beck, The Rolling Stones, Ray Davies, Chuck Berry, and many more.

 

“Best venue ever!”

The Barnstormers, Tasman Blues Club.

 

“One of the best venues we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing.”

The Barley Shakes, Australia.

 

“Many thanks to Mike and Gretchen at A Rolling Stone for providing the perfect live performance venue and hosting international troubadour Andrew White.”

Isabella Miller Bell, musician and promoter.

 

“A Rolling Stone in Christchurch is, without doubt, one of the best venues in New Zealand for musicians who want their music to be heard by an attentive and appreciative audience of music lovers.... I still remember our concert at the Rolling Stone with great fondness, probably one of the best concerts we had in NZ during that particular tour.”

Eric Bogle, internationally renowned singer/songwriter. Composer of ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘The Green Fields of France’ recorded and performed by such artists as Makem & Clancy, The Pogues, The Fureys, Dropkick Murphys, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, and more.

 

“An incredible venue, the best in town. Mike and Gretchen know how to run a perfect music venue, they’re all over it! Fantastic sound, lighting and stage set up.”

The Skeatles, New Zealand.

Comments

Updates 3

We Haven't Forgotten Your Kindness!

01/10/2023 at 10:12 PM

Hi Everyone,

An update from us here at A Rolling Stone.  You're probably wondering if we've disappeared off the face of the earth!  Sorry for the delay in getting in touch with your chosen rewards.  We've been a bit under the weather recently but we're working on the rewards right now and will be in touch very soon.  We're also working away on lots of great music events for the future and look forward to seeing you at something again soon.   

We're so grateful for all your support and feel very loved!  Bless you all!

Love from Gretchen and Mike at A Rolling Stone

T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! !

28/07/2023 at 11:08 PM

WOW!!! It's been quite a Friday!  We honestly can't thank you all enough for helping us to reach our minimum pledge goal of $50,000 today!! 

We've been so humbled by all your support and generosity.  All the beautiful things you've said to us and messaged to us.  It's clear that so many of you really value what we do here, and that A Rolling Stone is held dear in the heart of the Christchurch music and arts community.  That having a venue like ours in Christchurch is something you really care about.  

Photo:  Dave Mitchell's 2023 Annual John Prine Memorial Night

There are just 3 days of our crowdfunding campaign left - SATURDAY - SUNDAY - MONDAY till 5pm - and we're going so well, so let's smash it out of the park!  Still 3 days to pledge for a great reward - maybe our delicious crispy chicken burger and a drink - we're looking forward to serving you up the best burger in town!  Maybe even a Guinness-Lovers Merchandise Pack!  Still 3 days to share the pledge and tell your family and friends.  Everything extra pledged in those 3 days gets us further towards our goal and helps us in our mission to keep supporting the Christchurch music and arts community.  Helps us keep giving opportunities to youth musicians.  Helps us keep young people in jobs.  Helps us keep us rolling, rolling, rolling!!  We have so many plans and we're so excited for the future - so keep sharing!

Also, we're so looking forward to Sunday's All-Star Benefit Concert.  Tickets are selling fast, you can get yours for just $20 from Under The Radar Ticketing.  It's going to be a beautiful afternoon of camraderie and love through music.  Magic.

Thanks everyone, we're honestly so grateful!

Gretchen & Mike

 

 

A Huge Thanks to You All - Only 5 Days Left!

26/07/2023 at 1:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

We're writing to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who have pledged and shared our campaign.  We've been so humbled by all the amazing support and feedback so many of you have given us - all the lovely things you've said about what we do and how important this venue is to you all.  It makes us totally resolved to reach our goal and move ahead into the future.  Your support has really empowered us!!  We are so excited for the future, for what we can keep doing, and for all the amazing musical connections that we can help with.  

With just FIVE days to go on our campaign, it's never been more important to spread the word, so please keep sharing it to everyone you know, either by social media or word-of-mouth!  If we don't reach the goal, we don't get anything, so let's keep the stone rolling!

Last Friday night, Tombstone Entertainment & Martin Hornigold hosted an old-school hard rock and metal fundraiser featuring The Deadlights, Hired Guns, Lanthanum, and Damage Effect.  The music was amazing, the feeling in the room was amazing, and lots of money was raised for the campaign, which is shortly to be pledged.  A massive thanks to everyone who supported, it was such a great night!

Here's Anna from The Deadlights, looking fierce!

This Sunday, 30th July, Al Park has organised a huge benefit concert with top solo and duo artists.  All proceeds are going to our campaign, tickets are just 'twenty bucks to keep us alive'!  You can get your ticket from Under the Radar ticketing here: 

A Rolling Stone Needs You! All-Star Benefit Concert - A Rolling Stone , Christchurch - Sun, 30 July - Tickets at Undertheradar

Check out the line-up!

Thannk you all again.  Your support means so much to us, and helps us to keep supporting the Christchurch music scene.  Please keep sharing, and also grab yourself a great reward for your pledge!

Best wishes,

Gretchen, A Rolling Stone

    Pledgers 218

    Anonymous pledger
    23/07/2023 at 8:15am
    Sascha von Kaenel
    22/07/2023 at 11:02am

    "What a fantastic venue - we need you!!!"

    Claire Moloney
    21/07/2023 at 9:17pm

    "I hope your fundraising goes well. Claire. X"

    Bex
    21/07/2023 at 6:42pm

    "Behind you every step of the way x"

    Natalie
    21/07/2023 at 1:25pm
    Quentin
    21/07/2023 at 10:17am

    "All the best Mike and Gretchen, fingers crossed 🤞 Regards Quentin "

    Joanne Mitchell
    21/07/2023 at 10:11am
    Anonymous pledger
    21/07/2023 at 9:16am
    Mike Kerr
    21/07/2023 at 8:12am
    Anonymous pledger
    20/07/2023 at 6:28pm
    Anonymous pledger
    20/07/2023 at 3:46pm
    Marcus Clyne
    20/07/2023 at 7:34am
    Brendan Kelly
    19/07/2023 at 10:25pm
    Lava Gallery
    19/07/2023 at 5:18pm
    Kerry Weir
    19/07/2023 at 4:45pm

    "Thanks for looking out for the Captain."

    Christian Walsh
    19/07/2023 at 3:49pm

    "Sláinte"

    Greg Seaward-Searle
    18/07/2023 at 7:48pm
    Anonymous pledger
    18/07/2023 at 6:05pm

    "Good Luck! We love you guys! xxx"

    Andrew Featherstone
    18/07/2023 at 1:53pm

    "I Love this venue and Mike and Gretchen. I've worked with almost every live music venue in CHC for decades, This is the best ever."

    Emma Rodriguez Dos Santos
    18/07/2023 at 12:07pm

    "Had some great times here, we need A Rolling Stone to remain!"

    Musicians Club Christchurch Inc.
    18/07/2023 at 11:21am

    "The Chch Musicians Club greatly appreciates the massive contribution that Mike, Gretchen and A Rolling Stone make to the enhancement of the live music scene in Christchurch, and in particular the regular hosting of our club functions. It is imperative that this top class venue is allowed to continue."

    Lucy West
    18/07/2023 at 11:01am

    "Together we can do this!"

    Nancy Sumyla
    18/07/2023 at 10:43am

    "l am a very strong supporter of our wonderful live music scene in Melbourne Australia and the threat of any venue closing down would break my heart. l heard about this campaign through Kerryn Fields & Matt Joe Gow and know that they would never attach themselves to anything that was dodgy. lt is because of these two beautiful human beings who l trust totally that l have decided to pledge $50.00. l wish you all the best and hope that you reach your target to help you continue the great scene you started. Nancy Sumyla"

    John Arrillaga
    18/07/2023 at 10:04am

    "Hope it goes well ❤️❤️. Do the Press know about your situation?"

    Brigid Kelly
    17/07/2023 at 5:07pm
    Shane Winders
    16/07/2023 at 10:26pm
    Janice Leon
    16/07/2023 at 7:48pm
    Anonymous pledger
    16/07/2023 at 7:07pm
    Anonymous pledger
    16/07/2023 at 7:05pm
    Nick
    16/07/2023 at 5:30pm

    Followers 2

    Followers of Ensuring the Long Term Future of Christchurch's Best Live Music Venue, A Rolling Stone

    Ensuring The Long Term Future Of Christchurch's Best Live Music Venue, A Rolling Stone

    Project 2023-06-29 17:17:52 +1200

    We want to ensure the future of our music venue, A Rolling Stone, Christchurch, for the benefit of the music and arts community of Christchurch - musicians young and old, amateur and professional, community groups, diversities and fringe, NZ touring artists and international artists of all genres. We've been steadily building over five years, through the most difficult times imaginable, but we are booked solid into 2024, our business is beginning to flourish with a strong forecast for growth, and a growing reputation!

    I’m Gretchen Kane, and along with my husband Mike, I’m the owner of A Rolling Stone – the best medium-sized, dedicated live music venue in Christchurch, and maybe even one of the best dedicated venues in the country.

    We Need Your Help

    We’ve had over five years of trading in the most difficult times imaginable but we’ve worked tirelessly to build our business and develop a solid reputation. We have national and international bookings right through till June 2024 and a strong forecast for growth. Business is flourishing. However, we need to raise funds to pay our landlord for periods during the Covid-19 Pandemic when we were unable to meet our lease obligations, and we need your help to do this.

     

    Why Pledge?

    We’re the last remaining medium-sized, dedicated music venue in Central Christchurch, a vital part of the music and arts community! We have some amazing rewards to offer in exchange for your pledges, everything from artist-designed T-shirts and merch packs through to professional filming of your band on our stage, plus a host of other amazing rewards, and you'll also be contributing to the long term sustainability, strength and future of the music scene in Christchurch.

     

    What We Do

    We created this venue and have worked without let-up for five years, steadily building it into the amazing space and inclusive community hub it is today. We’re dedicated to giving our artists, and audiences, the most amazing show experience possible.

    We host so many events! Primary and high school music performances, all-ages shows, youth bands, open mics, songwriters’ nights, jazz jams, community group performances, ARA Jazz School, Hagley Jazz, Battle of the Bands, Dig the Gig, the Christchurch Big Band Festival, international touring artists, NZ tours, local bands, dance groups, drag & burlesque shows and ceilidhs and more!

    Kids can experience a real stage and a sense of where they can go with music. Youth can find a supportive place to fit in, which is beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. We also proudly employ a great team of young (often musical) people in our business.

     

     

    The Future

    We want to continue providing a great venue for shows and touring acts and to keep growing our community, hosting even more schools, groups and artists, helping to nurture the future of NZ music. We’re excited for the future, and completely dedicated to the continued success of A Rolling Stone. We feel so lucky to be working in a field we both love so much!

    Thank You!

    We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us in our first five years of business. Pledge today and choose yourself a great reward which comes with our heart-felt thanks! You’ll be helping us to continue supporting the Christchurch musical community, and to grow even stronger for the future! Thank you all!

    Testimonials

    “We had the best concert and the best time, found a gem of a venue and made great friends with the owners - it doesn’t get better than that.”

    Ben Waters, UK piano player for Jeff Beck, The Rolling Stones, Ray Davies, Chuck Berry, and many more.

     

    “Best venue ever!”

    The Barnstormers, Tasman Blues Club.

     

    “One of the best venues we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing.”

    The Barley Shakes, Australia.

     

    “Many thanks to Mike and Gretchen at A Rolling Stone for providing the perfect live performance venue and hosting international troubadour Andrew White.”

    Isabella Miller Bell, musician and promoter.

     

    “A Rolling Stone in Christchurch is, without doubt, one of the best venues in New Zealand for musicians who want their music to be heard by an attentive and appreciative audience of music lovers.... I still remember our concert at the Rolling Stone with great fondness, probably one of the best concerts we had in NZ during that particular tour.”

    Eric Bogle, internationally renowned singer/songwriter. Composer of ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘The Green Fields of France’ recorded and performed by such artists as Makem & Clancy, The Pogues, The Fureys, Dropkick Murphys, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, and more.

     

    “An incredible venue, the best in town. Mike and Gretchen know how to run a perfect music venue, they’re all over it! Fantastic sound, lighting and stage set up.”

    The Skeatles, New Zealand.

    Comments

    We Haven't Forgotten Your Kindness!

    01/10/2023 at 10:12 PM

    Hi Everyone,

    An update from us here at A Rolling Stone.  You're probably wondering if we've disappeared off the face of the earth!  Sorry for the delay in getting in touch with your chosen rewards.  We've been a bit under the weather recently but we're working on the rewards right now and will be in touch very soon.  We're also working away on lots of great music events for the future and look forward to seeing you at something again soon.   

    We're so grateful for all your support and feel very loved!  Bless you all!

    Love from Gretchen and Mike at A Rolling Stone

    T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! !

    28/07/2023 at 11:08 PM

    WOW!!! It's been quite a Friday!  We honestly can't thank you all enough for helping us to reach our minimum pledge goal of $50,000 today!! 

    We've been so humbled by all your support and generosity.  All the beautiful things you've said to us and messaged to us.  It's clear that so many of you really value what we do here, and that A Rolling Stone is held dear in the heart of the Christchurch music and arts community.  That having a venue like ours in Christchurch is something you really care about.  

    Photo:  Dave Mitchell's 2023 Annual John Prine Memorial Night

    There are just 3 days of our crowdfunding campaign left - SATURDAY - SUNDAY - MONDAY till 5pm - and we're going so well, so let's smash it out of the park!  Still 3 days to pledge for a great reward - maybe our delicious crispy chicken burger and a drink - we're looking forward to serving you up the best burger in town!  Maybe even a Guinness-Lovers Merchandise Pack!  Still 3 days to share the pledge and tell your family and friends.  Everything extra pledged in those 3 days gets us further towards our goal and helps us in our mission to keep supporting the Christchurch music and arts community.  Helps us keep giving opportunities to youth musicians.  Helps us keep young people in jobs.  Helps us keep us rolling, rolling, rolling!!  We have so many plans and we're so excited for the future - so keep sharing!

    Also, we're so looking forward to Sunday's All-Star Benefit Concert.  Tickets are selling fast, you can get yours for just $20 from Under The Radar Ticketing.  It's going to be a beautiful afternoon of camraderie and love through music.  Magic.

    Thanks everyone, we're honestly so grateful!

    Gretchen & Mike

     

     

    A Huge Thanks to You All - Only 5 Days Left!

    26/07/2023 at 1:43 PM

    Hi Everyone,

    We're writing to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who have pledged and shared our campaign.  We've been so humbled by all the amazing support and feedback so many of you have given us - all the lovely things you've said about what we do and how important this venue is to you all.  It makes us totally resolved to reach our goal and move ahead into the future.  Your support has really empowered us!!  We are so excited for the future, for what we can keep doing, and for all the amazing musical connections that we can help with.  

    With just FIVE days to go on our campaign, it's never been more important to spread the word, so please keep sharing it to everyone you know, either by social media or word-of-mouth!  If we don't reach the goal, we don't get anything, so let's keep the stone rolling!

    Last Friday night, Tombstone Entertainment & Martin Hornigold hosted an old-school hard rock and metal fundraiser featuring The Deadlights, Hired Guns, Lanthanum, and Damage Effect.  The music was amazing, the feeling in the room was amazing, and lots of money was raised for the campaign, which is shortly to be pledged.  A massive thanks to everyone who supported, it was such a great night!

    Here's Anna from The Deadlights, looking fierce!

    This Sunday, 30th July, Al Park has organised a huge benefit concert with top solo and duo artists.  All proceeds are going to our campaign, tickets are just 'twenty bucks to keep us alive'!  You can get your ticket from Under the Radar ticketing here: 

    A Rolling Stone Needs You! All-Star Benefit Concert - A Rolling Stone , Christchurch - Sun, 30 July - Tickets at Undertheradar

    Check out the line-up!

    Thannk you all again.  Your support means so much to us, and helps us to keep supporting the Christchurch music scene.  Please keep sharing, and also grab yourself a great reward for your pledge!

    Best wishes,

    Gretchen, A Rolling Stone

      Anonymous pledger
      23/07/2023 at 8:15am
      Sascha von Kaenel
      22/07/2023 at 11:02am

      "What a fantastic venue - we need you!!!"

      Claire Moloney
      21/07/2023 at 9:17pm

      "I hope your fundraising goes well. Claire. X"

      Bex
      21/07/2023 at 6:42pm

      "Behind you every step of the way x"

      Natalie
      21/07/2023 at 1:25pm
      Quentin
      21/07/2023 at 10:17am

      "All the best Mike and Gretchen, fingers crossed 🤞 Regards Quentin "

      Joanne Mitchell
      21/07/2023 at 10:11am
      Anonymous pledger
      21/07/2023 at 9:16am
      Mike Kerr
      21/07/2023 at 8:12am
      Anonymous pledger
      20/07/2023 at 6:28pm
      Anonymous pledger
      20/07/2023 at 3:46pm
      Marcus Clyne
      20/07/2023 at 7:34am
      Brendan Kelly
      19/07/2023 at 10:25pm
      Lava Gallery
      19/07/2023 at 5:18pm
      Kerry Weir
      19/07/2023 at 4:45pm

      "Thanks for looking out for the Captain."

      Christian Walsh
      19/07/2023 at 3:49pm

      "Sláinte"

      Greg Seaward-Searle
      18/07/2023 at 7:48pm
      Anonymous pledger
      18/07/2023 at 6:05pm

      "Good Luck! We love you guys! xxx"

      Andrew Featherstone
      18/07/2023 at 1:53pm

      "I Love this venue and Mike and Gretchen. I've worked with almost every live music venue in CHC for decades, This is the best ever."

      Emma Rodriguez Dos Santos
      18/07/2023 at 12:07pm

      "Had some great times here, we need A Rolling Stone to remain!"

      Musicians Club Christchurch Inc.
      18/07/2023 at 11:21am

      "The Chch Musicians Club greatly appreciates the massive contribution that Mike, Gretchen and A Rolling Stone make to the enhancement of the live music scene in Christchurch, and in particular the regular hosting of our club functions. It is imperative that this top class venue is allowed to continue."

      Lucy West
      18/07/2023 at 11:01am

      "Together we can do this!"

      Nancy Sumyla
      18/07/2023 at 10:43am

      "l am a very strong supporter of our wonderful live music scene in Melbourne Australia and the threat of any venue closing down would break my heart. l heard about this campaign through Kerryn Fields & Matt Joe Gow and know that they would never attach themselves to anything that was dodgy. lt is because of these two beautiful human beings who l trust totally that l have decided to pledge $50.00. l wish you all the best and hope that you reach your target to help you continue the great scene you started. Nancy Sumyla"

      John Arrillaga
      18/07/2023 at 10:04am

      "Hope it goes well ❤️❤️. Do the Press know about your situation?"

      Brigid Kelly
      17/07/2023 at 5:07pm
      Shane Winders
      16/07/2023 at 10:26pm
      Janice Leon
      16/07/2023 at 7:48pm
      Anonymous pledger
      16/07/2023 at 7:07pm
      Anonymous pledger
      16/07/2023 at 7:05pm
      Nick
      16/07/2023 at 5:30pm

      Followers of Ensuring the Long Term Future of Christchurch's Best Live Music Venue, A Rolling Stone

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 31/07/2023 at 5:00 PM.
      A Delicious Burger And A Drink
      A Sweet Late Starters Pack
      Artist-Designed Rolling Stone Merchandise Pack
      Harry Harrison One-On-One Master Guitar Session
      Cool Tints Vehicle Tinting
      Guinness-Lovers Merchandise Pack
      Board Of Honour - Bronze Level
      Date Or Mate's Night Show Package
      Original Song Package
      Board Of Honour - Silver Level
      The Eastern - House Concert At Your Place!
      Professional Live Music Video Package
      Board Of Honour - Gold Level
      Board Of Honour - Platinum Level