Christchurch Folk Music Club
An open letter from Dunedin
Okay Canterbury…
Now you’ve done it.
This was supposed to be raid, for heaven’s sake! This was war. But when we crossed the border between Otago and Canterbury what met us? Nothing! Where were the barricades? There weren’t any.
We stopped off in Timaru for lunch. No sign of the armed militia, no cavalry. By the time we’d got to Ashburton we’d taken off our Viking helmets. They were really too warm and the horns kept poking through the roof of the bus.
Things got worse when we reached Christchruch. There were all these smiling hosts waiting to show us to our rooms. There were comfortable beds waiting. They took us to a barbeque!
At least the weather was inhospitable.
The element of surprise was completely ruined by all that publicity. I walked into a bar on Sunday evening and everyone shook my hand and said they hoped we’d have a good time. I was miserable.
And the venue? Talk about comfortable? I hated it.
Well we performed for you and you applauded, more than politely I’m bound to say, which some of our party appreciated. Softies. The one satisfaction I had from that evening was that nothing could have prepared you for our secret weapon: an octogenarian, deaf in one ear, accordion player with a line in antique, off colour jokes. Thank God for Cyril Sharpe.
And so a 20 year old tradition was successfully revived and a return visit is planned for May. Well let me warn you now Canterbury. When you come to Dunedin on Saturday 19 May we’ll be ready. There will be no easy rides, oh no.
BY GOD, WE’LL SHOW YOU HOSPITALITY!
Richard Dingwall
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The Grainstore Sessions Tour,The Mitchel Family
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Good Habits – 15 March 2020
There are times when with quiet dignity the unknown artists take the stage and hold my presence in the palm of their hand. Bonnie and Pete achieved this with compassionate decorum and a gentle understanding that what they were gifting us as an audience was truly...
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Open Mic No. 1 2020, Our First Face-to-Face Open Mic Event
More Reviews
Online Mini Concert -17/05/2020
This night offered another opportunity to reconnect with friends, family and fellow folkies. We were treated to three heartwarming acts that brought light to our autumnal night. Locals Rosie Laing and Martin Kraakman, shared both poetry and musical tributes. Rosie's...
Online Mini Concert – 19/04/2020
The inaugural online mini concert. As a way to continue to enjoy live music on Sunday night we will alternate with an online mini-concert 7-8.30pm and an online open mic 4-6pm. We were delighted to begin this series with three stunningly fabulous acts: SteffanyBeck,...
Molly’s Remedy -25 August 2019
25th August 2019 A night filled with vibrant and soulful music, that was awarded a standing ovation from an extremely appreciate audience. Jamie Millar, shone as the opening act. Inspiration for Jamie was fostered from his childhood, from close family: including his...
Hobnail 25th Anniversary “Boots and All” Tour
14th July 2019 In 2019 Hobnail celebrate 25 years of touring far, wide, and tirelessly throughout New Zealand. To mark the occasion they are embarking on a national tour and releasing a “Best Of” album showcasing tracks taken from their 7 studio albums, we were lucky...