VAC Showcases
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VAC ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE – 1 June 2026
Our next showcase evening is on Monday 1 June 2026 at the Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead.
When: Monday 1 June 2026
Doors open from 5.00pm – Show starts 7:00pm
Where: Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead
Fabulous restaurant • Bar • Raffles
An Evening of Elegance, Talent, and Entertainment at the Birkenhead RSA
Get ready for a spectacular night of live entertainment as the Variety Artists Club proudly presents the DIVAS 26 Entertainment Showcase, produced by the talented Edwina Thorne.
This special evening brings together a diverse lineup of exceptional performers, each offering their own unique style and stage presence. Hosting the night is the highly respected MC Maggie Eyre MNZM, guiding audiences through a rich and varied programme of music and performance.
Prepare to be captivated by the soulful vocals of Maria O’Flaherty, the stunning musicality of Sarah Poppe and the String Sisters, and the enchanting stagecraft of The Magic of Felicity. The evening also features the charismatic Carleen Still and a special performance from Edwina Thorne herself, known for her striking “Trumpet Diva” style.
Set in the welcoming atmosphere of the Birkenhead RSA, this is a night designed for lovers of live performance—blending sophistication, artistry, and pure entertainment. Whether you enjoy powerful vocals, instrumental brilliance, or theatrical flair, there’s something here for everyone.
DIVAS 26 Programme
Compere – MAGGIE EYRE MNZM
7.pm Trumpet Diva EDWINA THORNE
John Davy/ guitar, Paul Nield / drums
7.25 pm FELICITY MAGIC
7.35 pm SARAH POPPE electric violin
7.45 pm string sisters
8 15 pm INTERMISSION raffles
Tribute to Julie Craft and Denise Puppyn
8.30 pm Magic of Felicity
8.40 pm Maria O’Flaherty
9.10pm Carleen Still COUNTRY LINE DANCING
Edwina Thorne, John Davy/ guitar, Paul Nield / drums
An international recording artist and entertainer with 5 albums, Edwina has a degree in composition and trumpet performance. Edwina then obtained an MBA in New York where she lived for 5 years, performing extensively in Europe and the Caribbean. She won the second highest award at the Variety Artists Awards Ceremony in 2014 for excellence in Music and is an international performer having played in Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and through out Europe. A trained teacher, Edwina has led many successful jazz bands and combos, and has been HOD of music of two schools
Felicity Rogers
New Zealander Felicity Rogers is a talented award-winning surreal conceptual artist, magician, and dancer. Felicity was born into the world of magic through her special relationship with her late father Wayne Rogers “The Amazing Chicane”, who was a professional magician and inventor of original magic effects. Felicity grew up on the stage from the age of 8 as an award-winning magician performing her own solo magic acts which combined her training as a dancer.
Felicity’s passion for the arts has spanned many genres and overlapping career paths. As a surreal artist her work as a photographer, digital artist and animated filmmaker has brought her international awards and recognition.
Felicity also graced the stage for 17 years as a professional Argentine Tango dancer. Representing NZ in the semifinals of the World Tango Championships held in Buenos Aires for 3 consecutive years. And winning the Latin Dance Cup in the category of Tango held in Miami, USA.
Now returning to her origins as a magician and also following in her late father’s footsteps by designing and building her own original magic, Felicity combines all her artistic skills to reinvent how magic as an art form can be experienced. Weaving threads of imagination together Felicity blends storytelling, magic, dance, theatre, and puppetry.
Felicity sees her role in life and through her performance art as an opportunity to challenge the status quo, inspiring others to follow their heart’s passion and stand empowered in the expression of their unique gifts.
Currently New Zealand’s leading professional female magician, Felicity uses this unique platform to promote herself as a strong female role model. Bringing beauty, grace and wonder to her performance art she works to uplift and celebrate the power of divine femininity.
SARAH POPPE electric violin
Plays Epic Celtic Romantic Jazz all genres on violin and cello as a solo performer
Has 2 children both in their 20’s
Is a teacher at Wentworth College in Gulf Harbour
Has been playing since she was 10yrs old
Favorite violinist is Vanessa May
L.T.C.L. music diploma
Loves to create atmosphere in a room
Involved in the Phantom of the opera and is a trained ballerina
String Sisters
String Sisters NZ with brilliant arrangements of modern songs à la Bridgeton for any special occasion.
Maria O’Flaherty
Maria O’Flaherty is a vibrant jazz vocalist with a unique sound and wonderful stage presence. Her repertoire is impressive as she seamlessly flits in and out of jazz, blues, latin, funk, pop, with the occasional folk ballad thrown into the mix.
An Aucklander by birth yet with a rich flow of Irish through both sides of her family, Maria has grown up with music and has been enchanting listeners with her vocals and endearing performances for many years. A regular at jazz festivals throughout NZ, Maria is also a favourite staple on Auckland’s wine and dine circuit.
Maria has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the New Zealand School of Music and Victoria University. She spends her time on both sides of the microphone, trading the spotlight for the whiteboard when teaching music at schools, and from her home studio in Hatfields Beach. Maria works with some of New Zealand’s most respected Jazz musicians, performing in a number of settings, from a duo, trio, quartet, quintet to a larger ensemble.
Versatility is Maria’s calling card so it comes as no surprise she sings in French, Spanish and Portuguese. One of her delights is putting together memorable sets for auspicious occasions. “St Patrick’s Day is very dear to my family roots, and a time to keep my Dad’s spirit alive,” she says. Maria’s annual Irish Band – St Patrick’s Day Live! does just that. An extended OE punctuated by several sojourns in Paris has inevitably led to a French set too. “Bastille Day is another fab time. It’s an excuse to polish up the classics of Charles Trenet, Edith Piaf, to the more contemporary French chanson for a Kiwi audience not so familiar with these gems.”
Similarly, the festive season brings a mouth-watering treat – the Christmas Tarts. Maria joins Trudy Lile and Julie Mason every December as three of New Zealand’s foremost jazz divas give everyone’s favourite carols and Christmas tunes a glorious blend of harmony.
Carleen Still COUNTRY LINE DANCING
Carleen has been singing for a number of years and has been a part of several festivals and shows.
Carleen is married with 2 adult children, plays bass guitar, is the General Manager for Inspire Real Estate.
She is one of the organisers for the highly successful Wai Worri Country Muster that is held annually. Proceeds from these fundraisers are distributed back into charities in the local community.
Carleen has 5 successful CDs, with number 6 in the process of being recorded and is hoping to released later in 2026.
Carleen has had several songs promoted by Hillcrest Music – Ontario, Canada and this has provided an international platform for radio exposure.
Carleen has been a regular entertainer at the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival, Hokianga Festival and enjoys doing fundraisers and charity work.
Join us on Monday 1st June for an unforgettable showcase of talent, passion, and performance.
Doors open early with the restaurant available from 5:00pm, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal before settling in for the show.
Entry is cash at the door, with tickets priced at:
- $5 for VAC members
- $10 for Birkenhead RSA members
- $15 for the general public
Please note: Our entry conditions apply – see details below.
This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a relaxed evening of quality live entertainment in a welcoming community setting. Bring your friends, come early for dinner, and settle in for a great night out.
Entry conditions:
-A CASH door charge applies of VAC members $5 / Birkenhead RSA members $10 / Non-members (Public) $15. Please bring CASH for entry charge. Eftpos and credit card payment is not available. (Want to save money on our door charges? Join The VAC to keep your door charges LOW).
-Standard RSA entry conditions apply (i.e. you must present either a current RSA, Chartered Clubs, or VAC membership card. Current card-holders may bring in one guest).
-Photography you take (from your chair / on phone) is for your personal use only. Footage should only be published online with the express permission of the artist(s) you have recorded performing. No charges should be made for recording / editing. Any commercial usage should only be by the artists themselves.