Here is my version of the night (better late than never!

A Private Evening with Neil Finn - In support of Medicine Mondiale

The night began long before 7pm (the official start time) There was the showering, the dressing, the squabbles over the mirror as we each tried to look our best for this grand affair! It all took a bit of work!

After a quick ride up the elevator to the new (Fijian kauri) part of the museum; we landed excitedly amongst hundreds of beautifully dressed people sipping champagne and noisily chatting.

Meandering through the crowd with me trying to walk daintily in an unfamiliar long dress, we headed straight for the auction display tables. Here we hovered, admiring the variety of items and enjoying a birds eye view of the rich and famous including Sam Morgan of 'Trade Me' fame, Oscar Kightley our M.C.and of TV series Brotown fame, Key Music Industry people and many others.

Into the dining room and to our table where out of ten people, there were only three of us kiwis! The rest were English, Scottish and South African. Of course our table had to be right at the very back of the room but this made no difference to the enjoyment of the night. Everyone was very polite as we introduced ourselves to each other and began chatting away.

Soon Oscar our M.C. took the stage making everyone laugh and introducing Ray Avery who gave a brief yet effective speech on the reason for the evening ' to fundraise for the ongoing product development to build a cancer hospital and a high tech manufacturing facility in Napal'. After this we launched straight into the Auction with one item 'a painting gifted to Ray from the King of Nepal' going for $12,500.

Around 10pm Oscar welcomed Neil to the stage and the magic really began, as Private Universe rang out loud and clear inside the Museum walls.

The songs played were:

Private Universe
4 Seasons in 1 day
Don't dream its over
Anytime (Nice surprise- Oscar played 3 notes on the piano
Fall at your feet (:
Better be home soon (which he ended on)
Something so strong
A song written by Chris Williams who came and played the piano and expertly sang with Neil (I think he was a Te Awamutu boy too)
Distant Sun /7 Worlds Collide
Message to my Girl
Weather with You
Happy Birthday to our Birthday 'Message Girl'

Most were played on his acoustic with some on the piano.( I may have missed one or two)

A few songs into the set, Oscar propped himself comfortably into an old leather armchair (with Neil at the piano)and began asking him questions about his childhood.

This section was very special and we heard tales of Neils earliest memory at the age of 3, late night parties when the children roamed free,Neil burrowing into a rabbit cage and almost being eaten by a giant rabbit (luckily for us his Mum did come and rescue him!) Neil being support for Split Enz at the age of 14 and music always music........

During these stories Neil would share and play the 'appropriate' song for us e.g.
Late in Rome (which was the second song that he ever wrote)
and You've Got a Friend (by James Taylor)

It was a wonderful night with a brilliant entertainer and a well thought out and executed fundraiser. Go Nepal!
P.S. Worth every borrowed cent. Thanks Neil, I had a ball :-)

thanks so much for the reviews, sounded like such an amazing, spacial night

Correction - the painting sold during the Auction was given to Rod Avery by the King of Thailand.

marylou,
I think you were right the first time, it was a gift from the king of Nepal. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you. I'm happy to hear you were wearing a long dress too - in the US, black tie means tuxes for men and long gowns for the women so I felt a little out of place with all the women in their flashy short dresses. I am so happy you wrote a report since I'm still using internet cafes and have limited time. I'll be printing out your post for posterity! I actually got a copy of the song list (thank you again, CK!) so I'll post what was written vs what he actually performed.

The Neil item I felt was a bit of a disappointment. It was a signed box set of the Great Kiwi Songbook. Neil and Tim signed it plus the author and someone a fellow kiwi will have to identify. It went for quite a bit of money as was billed as the only copy with the signatures.

Neil actually sang happy birthday to a guy named Simon. Then he said hi to me after Oscar said there was a special announcement about someone who had come all the way from California, thanks to the ingenuity of CK! It was quite cool because then later on people came up to me to wish me a good trip and Neil recognized me! I have always wanted to do something to make Neil remember me so now, due to CK, he will!

I spent a lovely few hours in Te Awamutu yesterday. When I told Neil I was going there, he said, "You know there's nothing there," but I beg to differ! Those home movies at the museum were worth traveling so far! I had to laugh at Neil playing the baby Jesus and the little girls genuflecting at the manger. Aren't we doing that still, ladies?! Or am I alone at worshipping at the altar of Mr. Finn?

I will write more as time goes on and post some photos when I'm able.

Wow Message Girl!
What a night huh!
Great hearing your thoughts and it will be awesome to see your photos when you have a chance!
Already the night seems so long ago.
Safe travels xx