Christchurch Folk Music Club
July 2024 Recap
28 July: Just Janie
Just Janie is a folk musician born and raised in the heart of Central Otago, and currently residing in Ōtautahi, Christchurch where she is pursuing music and art full time. Janie’s lyrical landscapes offer
an intimately raw window into her experiences of the world around her, love and loss, the disillusion of rose-tinted memories, and what it means to write and perform her music.
In the winter of 2023, Janie travelled to the Blue Mountains, NSW to record with producers Rick Turnock and Abby Smith (Smith and Jones). The trio worked on three live recordings for an EP
surrounded by bird song in their studio, backing into the Australian Bush. The summer months saw Janie embark on her first nationwide tour promoting her debut single ‘Love Letter to Myself’ from her
up and coming EP. Her second track ‘Nostalgia’ came out on March 29 and the third and final single from the EP ‘Muse and Musician’ is set to be released July 5th, 2024.
Drawing inspiration from the folk scene of the late sixties and early seventies, Janie’s music can be described as captivating and tender.
‘I laughed, cried and fell in love on the first song’ – David Milligan, The George Foundation.
21 July:Open Mic Night
We provide an outlet for local acoustic performers – singers, songwriters & poets all welcome. We encourage all levels – novice or expert – to hone performance skills in front of a sympathetic audience
14 July: Ceilidh
“Theo and G” are the next barndance band! Theo on accordion with Gary on guitar and calling. They are known for their nights filled with fun, great music and most of all, exceptional dancing. Bring your dancing shoes and smiles, all that is needed for an evening of merriment and “the best fun to be had with your clothes on”.
A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering. In its most basic form, it simply means a social visit. In contemporary usage, it usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing, either at a house party or a larger concert at a social hall or other community gathering place.
7 July: Suss4
A group of four friends (with an occasional ‘augmented 5th’!) who play and sing an eclectic mix of jazz standards, Cuban and Brazilian classics, R&B, blues, rock & pop – and even some actual ‘folk’!
Jane Hobson, David Gibb, Stuart Lowe and Tony Worrall sang together for years in world music choir A Capellago, and with their common choral background, the emphasis is strongly on vocal harmony, whatever the genre.
Doors open 7pm. Performance starts at 7.30pm,
VENUE: Irish Society Hall, 29 Domain Terrace, Spreydon The hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking..
How do I get tickets to concerts?
In advance: Book your tickets online. Select the concert you wish to attend and click on the link to book your ticket.
On the day: Purchase tickets at the venue from 7:15pm on the day of the concert if not sold out prior.
PLEASE BRING CASH For: Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake available during the break and the club raffle. Bar facilities for cold refreshments throughout the night, Eftpos available for purchases only, no cash-out facility.
Folk Club and Irish Society members please remember to bring your membership card for licensing purposes. Non-members sign in at the bar if making purchases.
Half Light: Rennie Pearson and Bob McNeill
19 January 2025
Soaring flute melodies, mesmerizing guitar work, award winning songs. A journey of Celtic music with two masters. Driving, hypnotic Celtic music from two of New Zealand’s top players.
Waimate Summer Folk Festival 2025
6-9 February 2025
Our guests are Blue Sea Above, a duo comprising Dean Hollebon and Tom Bolton.Their work “combines energetic violin improvisation with solidly crafted and strongly melodic songwriting”. The beautiful classical/folk fusion sound created by these two talented musicians is a whole new experience, not to be missed.
Andrew Lockwood
23 February 2025
Andrew is a traveling journeyman and songwriter from the UK, performing acoustic originals alongside other artists’ work; sharing and celebrating the healing joy of music.
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin and Michael O’Connor
2 March 2025
Úna Ní Fhlannagáin is a harper and singer based in Galway, Ireland. Rooted in the jigs and reels of North Clare and the sean-nós singing of Connemara, she is also influenced by American post-minimalists and free jazz.
Dave Flynn Celtic Guitar Journey
23 March 2025
In ‘Celtic Guitar Journey‘ he presents beautiful guitar arrangements of Irish and Scottish traditional music, exploring the musical connections between these, and other, ‘Celtic’ countries.
Andrew London Duo
4 May 2025
Andrew London’s quirky songs will make you laugh out loud as you recognise yourself and everyone around you, and all the prejudices, obsessions and weird little idiosyncrasies we Kiwis put out on display every day.
Saltwater Creek
11 May 2024
Saltwater Creek was formed in early 2024 when a group of five long-time friends and musical collaborators – Al Mackenzie, Bruce Penno, Chris Chamberlain, Lesley Askin, and Rob Allan – decided to get together and start something new.