⭐️ FULL CIRCLE : MEDENA ENSEMBLE in CONCERT (21 June 2026)

Returned from the homeland of that exquisite vocal music last year, Medena Ensemble continue to integrate new ancient repertoire towards a Full Circle Concert on Sunday 21 June 2026. In honour of the magnificent and generous women who imparted treasure and nourished the river of song we serve.

🦋 Some stories and photographs of the adventure we had in Bulgaria :
https://tuimamaki.com/2025/09/22/medena-ensemble-in-bulgaria/

🦋 Footage of “Daughters of Orpheus Concert” performed June 2025 :
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLekHmAvCDikecPvRHC_UnfAuR34APDz6M&si=qIO73bO69deZxcQ7

⭐️ SLAVEYA-A-TARA : WELLINGTON WORKSHOP (29-30 August 2026)

Deepening repertoire for the Wellington based Bulgarian Folklore Vocal Ensemble “Slaveya-a-Tara”, led by Tui Mamaki. This chamber ensemble (12 women) is in sisterhood with Medena Ensemble in Tamaki Makaurau, with whom they will collaborate in Wellington, in September 2026. If you’ve just heard, and wish you could, enquiries for joining this dedicated performance ensemble to : tuimamaki@gmail.com

⭐️ ACAPOLLiNATiONS ALBUM

“A multi-lingual, compelling collection of folklore songs, where archaic musical systems are reimagined for 3 vivacious voices. In this performance, Tui Mamaki (French-Kiwi), Chelsea Prastiti (Greek-Kiwi) and Sally Howe (Cook Island-Kiwi) interweave songs from their grandmothers – both genetic and imagined – with a bespoke repertoire issue of Tui Mamaki’s love affair with Bulgarian Folklore. Evocative melodies, stirringly close harmony and stories we all know – of longing, harvest and transcendence – anew.”

RECENT PERFORMANCES:

KOPRIVSHTITSA Bulgaria, AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL, EMC, WELLINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL, WORLD CHOIR GAMES, NEWTOWN FESTIVAL, Palmerston North Festival of Cultures, AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL & WHARE FLAT FOLK FESTIVAL 2024, WOMADNZ 2023, ONEONESIX Whangarei, WHANGAREI FRINGE FESTIVAL 2022, 2021 LUNASA FESTIVAL (Takaka), NEWTOWN FESTIVAL (Wellington), EARTH BEAT FESTIVAL (Atiu Creek), 2020 WHANGAREI FRINGE FESTIVAL, SAN FRAN (Wellington), EVOLVE FESTIVAL (Nelson) 2019 AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL (w/ Chris O’Connor), NEWTOWN FESTIVAL, LUMINATE FESTIVAL (w/ Doug Brush), ARTS ON TOUR NZ, 2018 ALBUM RELEASE TOUR : AUCKLAND (Unitarian Church w/ Basant Madhur), ROTORUA (Little Theatre w/ Angela Frank), WELLINGTON (Third Eye w/ Myele Manzanza), NELSON (Fairfield House), CHCH (Blue Smoke w/ Doug Brush), DUNEDIN (Bellamy’s Gallery), WHANGAREI (w/ Steve Moase), SOFIA (Slwntse-Luna w/ Kipri), CEVENNES FRANCE (w/ Piers Faccini), MELBOURNE (Studio One w/ Matt Stonehouse), BYRON BAY (Paradise One w/ Tunji Beier, Ben Walsh & Greg Sheehan)

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: WOMADNZ 2023, Linz International Street Art Festival (AUSTRIA), Veroli Street Art Festival (ITALY), Auckland Arts Festival (NZ), Adelaide Fringe Festival (AUSTRALIA), Festival Musiques d’Ici et d’Ailleurs (FRANCE), Imst Arts Festival (AUSTRIA), Breminales Festival (GERMANY), Fusion Festival (GERMANY), Aarde Festival Amsterdam (HOLLAND), Sunfest London Ontario (CANADA), Alianait Arts Festival Nunavut (CANADA), Franco-Fete Toronto (CANADA), Gwanju World Music Festival (KOREA), World of Wearable Arts (NZ), WOMADNZ 2007 (NZ)