Anchored by the duo ImaginaryFreNZ, this series of performances will be entertaining around the South Island this summer from October 2021 through till May 2022. Each show will feature up to six acts in a 2 hour performance, of different music styles with local and when available international guest artists.

Live Music at Kinross is held in their covered outdoor Wine Garden.

Wine & Food will be available during our show. Wine tasting and accommodation can also be arranged directly with the Kinross team for those wanting to make it into a full winery experience.

For our Summer Vineyard Series ‘Live at Kinross’ on Friday January 21st 2022, the following artists will be performing:

ImaginaryFreNZ: This duo started performing together late 2020, and last summer completed 30 gigs. They are Susan Brady and Simon Gomez.

Susan (Sooz) is a NZ actress who has performed in theatre, musicals, TV and film since 1989, appearing in many different television shows including Shortland Street, Marlin Bay and Hercules the Legendary Journeys, and most recently, the second season of One Lane Bridge, filmed in Queenstown. She once toured a One Woman Cabaret called "My Mother Made Me Do it" for the Comedy Festival. She is also a voice actress with one of her notable roles being the voice of the Mystic Mother in the finale of Power Rangers. Susan spent several years living in New York City where she did two short films and met her husband, before returning to NZ to live in Tarras. Sooz also recently completed filming in a TV Movie to be released in the USA. ImaginaryFreNZ is Sooz’s first time singing professionally other than in theatre.

Simon’s talent has been shaped by many influences including his professional career in NZ and overseas, including working with international artists including the Monkees, Ringo Star, The Three Degrees and Eddie Calvert. Add to that he played at the pre-wedding party for the second nuptials of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Johannesburg South Africa prior to their wedding in neighbouring Botswana. Simon has kept his love of music alive by playing gigs with friends in venues from The Far North to Stewart Island over the past few years.

Will Northcoat

Will has been involved in the music industry both as a performer and a producer over the last few years. He produced a CD “That’s Way’tis” for former ‘Peddlars’ singer/leader Roy Phillips and has produced CD’s for musicians, bands and singers. Will’s involvement in the music industry includes Creative work, product production and sales in media, particularly Radio throughout the South Island. Recently Will has been working as a Solo singer and guitarist, playing Keyboards, guitar and vocals in the local band ‘Werewolves of Lumsden" as well as playing Munkstrap in a production of “Cats”.

He is owner producer of Beyond Sound Ltd Recording Studios, and is a winner of the MLT songwriters prize at the Gold Guitars awards in Gore. Will has also been active in music education and theatre in the Central Otago/Lakes area. With his experience, Will has taken on the role of sound engineer for the 2021 Summer Vineyard Series project as well as being one of the performers.

Elizabeth Braggins

After completing her degree in music at University of Canterbury, Elizabeth earned a post-graduate degree at Teachers’ College and taught music in a number of high schools including an HOD position at the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. She was also a tutor and programme Leader at the Jazz School (Ara Institute of Canterbury). She now teaches piano, vocals, performance and music theory from her studio a few afternoons a week.

‘Liz Braggins’ has been a familiar name on the Christchurch music scene. She has a unique style developed from many years of immersion in the music industry. Her highly original versions of well-known songs are an eclectic mix of genres highlighting her background in most musical styles.

Elizabeth is also known internationally for her piano playing, singing and composition. Her self-titled album which was produced by Nigel Stone and Malcolm McNeill was a showcase of Christchurch and Wellington musicians which went on to become a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards. Other albums include an album with Graham Wardrop, two albums with Janice Gray and one album with her vocal trio group ‘Volare’. She is currently completing a second solo album that was recorded on the Steinway piano at St Margaret’s College in the Charles Luney Auditorium.

Her recordings feature frequently on National Radio and she has appeared at many live events including the Christchurch International Jazz Festival, the Christchurch Arts Festival, the Waipara Wine and Food Celebration, the Wanganui Arts Festival and Toast Martinborough. Elizabeth has worked alongside some of New Zealand’s greatest musicians such as Nathan Haines, Caitlyn Smith, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, The Nairobi Trio, Ali Harper, The Warratahs, Beaver, Suzanne Lynch, Murray Wood, Tom Rainey, Malcolm McNeill, Stu Buchanan, Hayley Westernra, Don McGlashan, Midge Marsden and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She is currently rehearsing a show with a new trio called “Braggins and Wardrop and Dunne”.

Contact the host of The Summer Vineyard Series "Live at Kinross" 21st January 2022 with ImaginaryFreNZ & friends