Featuring a line-up of Wellington’s best female musicians, last week’s Safe and Sound concert at San Francisco Bathhouse was a delightful and laidback affair for a good cause – Family Planning International’s work in the Pacific.

Family Planning’s website tells me a woman in New Zealand faces a 1 in 2,800 chance of dying in pregnancy or delivery, while the risk in developing countries, which include most islands in the Pacific region, is 1 in 61. Most of these deaths are preventable.

It was Family Planning’s first fundraising concert and, judging by its success, won’t be their last. The seated show was packed, largely by women (and a few cute couples), and Tessa Rain commented that the audience was so good, and so quiet, she could have heard a pin drop. She also told a story about sneans (sneakers and jeans combo, bleurgh) – a woman after my own heart.

The evening was hosted by the lovely Lisa Tomlins, who’s worked with Kiwi acts from Little Bushman to Fat Freddy’s Drop to Trinity Roots. Durex and Madame Fancy Pants were among the raffle sponsors, to raise extra money for maternal health (I <3 Madame Fancy Pants!).

Iva Lankum and DJ Ayesha were also on the bill, with Jess Chambers having to pull out at the last minute, but the ladies kept the crowd entertained with their mix of soul and folk – including some of Tessa’s best known work from Fly My Pretties.

Perhaps the menu and drinks list behind the counter is new, or I always go to San Fran blind drunk, but they now have a food list including pizza (we got the vegetarian option, om nom nom) and, amusingly, the cocktails list just says ‘cock’, followed by ‘Passion’, which probably means a passionfruit cocktail, although other meanings can certainly be drawn from it.

All in all, a fantastic night and a great fundraising idea from an organisation doing much-needed work for our Pacific sisters.

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Laura McQuillan is a Wellington journalist and blogger , with an opinion on everything from fashion to politics. Her one true love is shoes.