Connections

Linden Chuang
Public relations editorial assistant

Midweek. Usually, I would be sitting happily in the Chan Shan Auditorium watching basketball, but not this past Wednesday (April 16). I sat in Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church listening to a man with long, curly, black hair, and I felt happy, peaceful even.

Steve Apirana (pictured), a singer and songwriter from Rotorua, New Zealand, is an entertainer with simplicity and a comedian with humility. He does not demand your attention, but something about him draws you in.

His set list included a blues song that reminded those in the audience no matter how bad things get, "it's OK; it's alright." The audience also got a kick out of his rendition of Bob Dylan's "Knocking on heaven's door." But the soothing "Something beautiful" served as the emotional core of the concert. Steve used the song to tell the story of his conversion from street kid to Christian.

More than 100 people attended the concert--it was a pity there were not more. The problem seemed to be the time. A 7.30 pm start clashed with sporting events in the auditorium. Perhaps starting an hour earlier--during worship--would have been more appropriate.

But those who did attend enjoyed the concert. The church's senior minister, Dr Bruce Manners, described it as "terrific." It was not spectacular--mostly one man and a guitar--but it was, like Steve's story, something beautiful.

Credit: Ann Stafford