Tim Calder

John Gardener has today launched his new ‘Dance Dunedin‘ Ballroom Dancing School website. John is a first class, certified ballroom dancing teacher and has been teaching Dancing in Dunedin for over 30 years. John’s new website will now take over the old (and inadequate) Finda.co.nz and with the ability to offer more photo images his new site will be far more interesting. I am now into my third year of dancing under John’s guidance and have learnt far more types and styles of dances than I ever thought possible.

Michael Hill has just been announced as the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and will be representing New Zealand in Monte Carlo competing with 50 other entrepreneurs for the 2009 world title. Michael Hill has featured significantly in Otago over the past 12 months as he has was responsible for hosting the highly successful New Zealand Golf Open at his newly completed course ‘The Hills‘ in Arrowtown. At the age of 70 and with a net worth of $235M up from $150M in 2006 (recognised by the New Zealand Rich List), Michael Hill is clearly worthy of this recognition and is a Kiwi to be proud of.

Dunedin Hairdresser Kylie Hayes has has just been crowned Oceania Grand Master at a competition held at the Auckland Hyatt Regency last week. Kylie and fiance Nelson Morrison are the founders of Dunedin’s top hairdressing company ‘Moha‘ which is located on the corner of St. Andrews and Great King Street.

Jonny has just release his debut self titled album. Click here to read what Shane Gilchirst from the Otago Daily Times writes

Thank you Jonny for the tribute to your friends who support you. We wish you all the very best and expect you to sign our burnt album copies when your next in town:)

Juice TV have started collecting votes for their 8th Annual Music Video Awards. Finalists include a complete who’s who of NZ music right now – Opshop, Shihad, Tiki Taane, Autozamm, Nesian Mystik, Hollie Smith, Luke Thompson, Atlas, Elemeno P, The Brunettes and so many more with All Awards decided completely by public vote. My mate Jonny Love is one of the finalists for the ‘Best Breakthru Video’ category (follow this link to vote) which is a massive achievement in such a competitive industry. The awards will be announced on Tuesday September 30th at the Stamford Plaza in Auckland, broadcast live on New Zealand’s Music Channel Free-to-air in Auckland and on Sky Digital Channel 62 across NZ.

This week Jonny will be in Dunedin, where it all began, to celebrate his 26th birthday (6th) and perform at Dunedins top bar ‘South’. I will also be amoung the cellebrations at Jonny’s album release party on the 3rd of October whereby from the 6th onwards you’ll be able to purchase a copy of Jonny Love’s new album “Last day of June” in all major music stores nationwide.

Good luck and Happy Birthday for this weekend Jonny, look forward to catching up.

Last night was The Dunedin Club’s 150th Jubilee Black Tie Ball held at the Dunedin Town Hall in the Glenroy Banquet Hall. The Dunedin Club has a distinguished history which stretches back to the pioneers of the 1850s. In 1848 the two settler ships John Wickliffe and Philip Laing berthed at Dunedin, bringing Otago’s first European migrants. Ten years later, a group of entrepreneurs founded The Dunedin Club in rented premises in Maclaggan Street. We were also very fortunate to have world famous actor Sam Neill as the key note speaker as weather diverted his flight to Christchurch where he then had to make the long drive to Dunedin. Sam spoke entertainingly about his career, the club and his families four generations of involvement. Credit needs to be paid to Humphrey Catchpole and his team of organisers as this event was very well planed and as a result an extremely enjoyable night.

My brother, Ben Calder, has this week made the Mountain Scene Magazine profiling his new Business Big Night Out which takes people on a safe, enjoyable, informative tour of bars in Queenstown. It explains how Ben came up with the idea for the Business and how he has worked hard to form strategic alliances with the bars and attract the right staff. Queenstown is the ideal town for Ben as he enjoys extreme sports and is a regular Skydiver, Rock Climber and Water Skier, all of which activities he promotes on his tours. Both of us have made Otago our home and have formed strong business contacts down here as well as making some great friends. Ben’s ‘Big Night Out‘ image is one to be watched as this is quickly becoming one of Queenstown’s more familiar brands.

Jonny Love’s much anticipated album release has been annonced for the 30th of June (”The Last Day of June“). Jonny studied with me at Otago University before moving to Auckland to make a name for himself. While studying Jonny was the most popular performer in Dunedin playing at bars such as Two Bears, Brimstone, and Soal Bar to name a few. His talent doesn’t just end with his ability to make great music, Jonny has since started his own production company Limelight Records Limited which has produced his first album. Check out Jonny’s blog and listen to his popular single “Not The First Not The Last” which is being played on MoreFM and JuiceTV. Come and share the evening with Jonny Love at the album release party on the 28th of June at The Grange on Ponsonby Road.