Christchurch Folk Music Club
Women of Folk Concert 23-09-2018
A special concert to celebrate the important contribution that the women of folk have achieved. Music permeates our hearts carrying a strong message that has both challenged for change and acknowledged achievements to coincide with the Suffrage 125 commemorations.
This night was no exception where music was to the fore and crafted and carried to us by talented local women, a real honour to be part of a celebrating of the significant impact the music of women and the women of music have made in so many lives. The concert will featured: Hiakatea Bull opened the night with a traditional karanga, supported by Women in Harmony. Nancy McShane compered the night in the guise of Kate Sheppard who herself was an acknowledged musician and actor.
Kate brought us her ‘Is it right?’ speech and a challenge by Kate and Nancy to consider have we fulfilled the goals set by the Suffragettes 125 years ago. Cathy Sweet and Lisa Tui shared waiata from Aotearoa’s wahine toa songwriters, Moana and the Moahunters and Princess Te Rangi Pai. Kristina Godfrey supported on guitar by Tony Hale and then keys by Mary Ruston, brought us two doyennes, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, who have strummed their way through the golden age of the peaceniks, preaching love and tolerance. ‘Gospel Select’ will share 3 songs from folk women committed to messages of love and empowerment.
Lead by Lisa Tui and Jillie Toogood this group of women; Jo Fife, Wendy Kington, Mana Fleming, Emma Rodregues Dos Santos and Lynda Delaney, have banded together in the spirit of the tribute from gospel choirs Bright on Vibes and Jabulani Choir. A refreshment break gave opportunity for the full house to talk to each other, the room was vibrant. ‘Woman’s Heart’, featured trobairses’ Mary Ruston, keys; Liz Nichol banjo and guitar, Argene Flack boodhran and low whistle, Judi Smitheram vocals, and Kirsten Bone violin bringing tunes from Wailin’ Jennys, Linda Ronstadt and Sandy Denny. Mary Dunne paying tribute to Maire Brennan, the first Lady of Celtic music and her favourite singer Cara Dillon, joined by Argene Flack on bodhran. Women have lent their incredibly important voices in the struggle for their own rights, civil rights, human rights, and the movement for peace. The Women of Folk concert were no exception.
This concert acknowledged the passionate women of folk who have made a difference through their musicianship.
More Reviews
Andrew White, supported by Isabella Miller Bell – 7 May 2023
A night where travel and love were the themes of the original music ably shared by both Andrew and Izzy. The concert was appealing, full of musical maestro thrills, spectacular finger style sequencing on the guitar by Andrew who could make this instrument sing,...
Suzanne Lynch, Graham Wardrop and Liz Braggins – 21 May. 2023
The first show for the newly formed trio of Suzanne Lynch, Graham Wardrop and Liz Braggins. What a successful night it was, a sold-out audience, three fabulous musicians in their own right combining their immaculate skills to make a powerful force of dynamism and...
Ngā pou taonga puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music landmarks: special songs – 28 May 2023
Music taonga was promised and that is what was surely delivered. A night where the performers made passionate choices of their favourite songs and gave passionate performances. Winning local talent, award winning songs, all made this a winning night. Opening the night...
The Ferris & Guest Musos Show 5 – 2nd April 2023
A night of music gifted to a responsive, engaged audience filled with supporters and family. There were ten musicians gracing the stage with their sizable talents, sharing the limelight, in a well planned and themed series of memories that played out on instruments...
The Wax Birds: beautiful harmonies and songs, 5 March 2023
From their opening lines, The Wax birds, a couple in music and life, engaged, both with the audience and between each other there was chemistry of enjoyment and trust. A delight to see this energy shine onstage, giving them an air of allegiance, which gives those...
Braggins & Wardrop & Dunne, alas last show Sunday 12th March 2023
All the feedback heard last night was positive, the concert was so enthusiastically enjoyed and treasured. The audience was buzzing after the music finished, the room was alive and contagious for the passion shared by the performers, telltale signs of a fabulous...
The Ferris & Fellow Muso Show 4: Sunday 29th May
The Ferris Blarney Band passionately performed tunes from their Irish heritage from traditional footstompers to classics from the Pogues & Dubliners and many other Irish favourites. The show is the first of a series of 'unplugged performances' put together by...
Wahine Auaha Celebrating Creative Women, Music & Art
Wahine Auaha Whakanui: Celebrating Creative Women 18 Sept 2022 This event celebrated creative women’s artistic achievements with a concert, art show, and video. Offering entertainment that highlighted women artists, both in musical and visual arts. The Folk Club...
Braggins and Wardrop and Dunne 15 May 2022
Three highly regarded musicians Elizabeth Braggins - piano, vocals Graham Wardrop - guitar, vocals Mary Dunne - guitar, vocals formed the trio "Braggins and Wardrop and Dunne " Exuberance and joy come together when this trio performs, from the beautiful close...
Two’s Company, twice the value with two sets of performers
Two couples, two eclectic sets, twice the enjoyment and diversity. Christchurch duo Anna and James Cull opened the night with smooth harmonies, covers and original songs that showed their years of performing together and knowledge of the songs shone a bright beacon of...