Christchurch Folk Music Club

Al Park

23 August 2026

$15 – Members
$20 – Non Members
$5 – Student (with ID)

Al Park: celebrating 50 years of Christchurch Singing & Strummin’

Lyttelton based musician, Al Park, is celebrating his fiftieth year of strumming, singing and playing his music around the Canterbury region.

From the early days of his Mollet Street venue; through the 80’s at Sumners, Marine Tavern; the 90’s with the Latter Day Sinners; to Al’s bar at the start of the century; then the Harbour Union after the earthquakes and, his solo shows and the very popular, regular, Wednesday nights (Al P and his P.A.L’s) at Commoners Bar in Lyttelton.

Park has never stopped playing or writing and recording. His songwriting has always had a strong folk element- “The Vauxhalls song”, “ThePrentice Boys” through to his recent, “Lights of Lyttelton” and they will be the core of a show that covers his fifty years.

Accompanied by the superb guitar of Gordon Goodinson and, deft bass playing of Chris

Voisin, the concert will be a celebration of Park’s time through a fertile period of Canterbury music.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alparknz/

Music NZ: https://www.muzic.nz/artists/al-park/

Audio Culture: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/al-park

Rock HappeNZ: https://www.rockhappenz.com/al_park.html

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1eb73ltrZBcPbrkLnOr8gv

Bandcamp: https://alpark.bandcamp.com/

NZ Musician: https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/better-already-the-songs-of-al-park/

Media Markers over the 50 years

2015: Stuff interview: https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/a-great-place-to-be/73670785/al-park-on-jamming-and-having-a-good-time

2019 a pictorial review of Al’s performance history till then: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/al-park

2019 RNZ Interview: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2018682808/al-park-better-already

2019 Interview with Rosa Shields re venues: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/al-park-talks-venues-music-gigs

2022 Releasing tune ‘Running Away From A Broken Heart‘: https://www.flyingnun.co.nz/blogs/news/al-park-releases-new-video-single-for-running-away-from-a-broken-heart?srsltid=AfmBOopMCPc2abkLnznFhF20rDu0cf8qPjtM3YMjA3lV0OkXnq6Fz0h-

2024 Mart Duda interview: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=829013242545836

Support act is from, KAITO MASA

Al has watched and supported Kaito for many years and once you have heard his voice- definitely a touch of James Taylor and, his silky guitar playing, you will be witnessing a young man on the edge of becoming a major artist.

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.

Blair Morgan & Jessie Shanks

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9 August 2026
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Expect to see and hear Lynne Hurley, Sophia Bidwell, Simon Musgrave and David Evison, all accomplished musicians based in Otautahi.

Sacred Harp Singing Workshop

16 August 2026
This workshop will briefly cover the history of the Sacred Harp tradition, as well as how the tradition is currently observed through weekly and annual singings.

Southriver

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Pairing the heartfelt lyrics of Sarah August with the slick skills of Brendan Schenk, these two have been performing and writing together since 2021 creating a repertoire of troubled tunes for troubled times.

Saffron Sisters

20 September 2026
The three voices of the The Saffron Sisters – Kristina Godfrey, Mary Ruston and Frances Caldwell – blend in three-part acapella harmonies, and frequent accompaniment by Mary on the keyboard and Kristina’s percussion.

Kameleon

30 August 2026
With a new name, new energy, and some great new material, Kameleon are ready to share their love of music with a patiently waiting world.

Port Hillbillies

27 September 2026
Emerging from the shadows of the Port Hills, Christchurch. One American, Justin Rogers on mandolin, guitar and vocals, one Aussie Gary Elford on guitar, acoustic bass and vocals. They meet up with a six-toed Kiwi singer, banjo and guitar player Steve Stern to share their love of Bluegrass, Old Time and Americana music.

Yujing Cui

4 October 2026
Originally from China, now settled in Christchurch / Ōtautahi, Yujing presents a musical journey between East and West, between traditional and modern, between the familiar and the faraway.

Liz Braggins

11 October 2026
‘Liz Braggins’ has been a familiar name on the Christchurch music scene. She has a unique style developed from many years of immersion in the music industry. Her highly original versions of well-known songs are an eclectic mix of genres highlighting her background in most musical styles.

Celtic Caim – Pauline Vallance (Scotland) and Heather Innes

8 November 2026
Celtic Caim concerts have been described as “hauntingly beautiful harmony singing,” a capella and accompanied by clasarch, flute or bodhrán. An eclectic mix of Celtic songs, songs written by various songwriters, including Pauline & Heather, plus jigs or reels on flute and bodhrán to get your feet tapping!