Gore is quite rightly known as our Capital of country music. But there’s always been much more going on culturally in this East Southland town.

Gore is home to many interesting heritage buildings and one of the country’s best public galleries, the Eastern Southland Art Gallery, which has substantial temporary and permanent collection shows and a big events programme. Then there’s the innovative Hokonui Moonshine Museum, recognising an illicit side to the region’s history. 

Though, Gore is best known for the annual iconic New Zealand Golden Guitar Awards in late May. The scope of the town’s offerings and its popularity sees this as just one part of the town’s country music festival, Tussock Country, running for 10 days from Friday 24 May. 

A trustee of the festival and country music singer, Jenny Mitchell, is premiering her film Capital of Country Music, a documentary chronicling 50 years of the Gore Country Music Club and the evolution of the Gold Guitar Awards on 30 May. But there are more than 60 other events including a Whiskey Night at the Museum, a writers night at the Gallery and the Country Music Honours and awards.

Jenny Mitchell joins Culture 101 for this week’s Regional Wrap.

Reproduced with permission