Anna van Riel 7th studio album pre-launch concert – 3 August 2025

Celebrate the pre-launch of her 7th studio album as NZ singer-songwriter Anna van Riel joins the Christchurch Folk Club for an intimate evening of music, storytelling, and audience participation.
With a music career spanning 20 years, van Riel shares a collection of jazz, blues and folk works inspired by her adventures around the globe.

Based in a secluded valley in Lake Hāwea, near Wānaka, Anna draws inspiration from her rural homesteading lifestyle and formative vocalists across the eras. From 1930s Billie Holiday to 1980s Bonnie Tyler, Anna calls upon music from days gone by and translates the energy into works from her own adventures from growing up, and travelling around the globe.

COVID-19 spurred the launch of her 80s-inspired one-woman environmental rock opera for tamariki ‘Waste Free Wanda’, which has now reached over 20,000 Tamariki. That year also saw her launch ‘Nook Road Productions’, her vocal coaching studio and touring workshop series that tours the lower south of Aotearoa, reaching rural communities.

Deeply drawn to community connection, Anna is a serial workshop facilitator, often pairing with house concerts to build an authentic and connected audience-family.

She has sung for Prince Albert of Monaco (twice), performed at the world’s highest music festival and received no less than 3 nominations for a NZ Tūī!

Anna’s upcoming album brings together a culmination of her musical growth and passion for songwriting.

Known for her cheeky and effervescent interactions with audiences, this concert promises to be a connected and feel-good listening experience.

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Give it up for Christchurch’s own The Velvet Gloves!

Four ukuleles weaving rich harmonies, playful tunes, and a perfect dash of mischief. With charm and sparkle, they turn every song into a joyful surprise. Fresh, fun, and utterly unforgettable.

Seymour Stocks with Just Janie – 10 August 2025

A night of two halves, expect excellent entertainment.

SEYMOUR STOCKS is Porp Seymour and Genevieve Stocks, Acoustic Rock Duo.

Gentle acoustic guitar songs are balanced with edgy rock from Porp’s long history in bands and studio production.

Strong, harmonious voices and a diverse repertoire of songs that can make you laugh, cry or dance, are sure to move audiences.

Seymour Stocks are looking forward to returning to the Folk Club, and bringing their music and soulful energy for your listening pleasure.

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A Taste of ‘Cherry’ – Just Janie Celebrates ‘New Single’

Folk-rock musician Just Janie is returning for an intimate, one-night-only performance. This special show marks the release of her latest single ‘Cherry’, offering fans a first listen.

Drawing inspiration from the classic sounds of the late sixties and seventies, Just Janie’s music is a captivating and tender menagerie, weaving folk influences with hints of country and Americana. ‘I laughed, cried and fell in love on the first song’ – David Milligan, The George Foundation.

Just Janie saw success in 2024, with the release of her debut EP ‘Muse and Musician’ reaching over 1 million streams and counting. She embarked on two nationwide tours: The ‘Love Letter to Myself’ Tour & ‘The Sylvia Tour’, with performances at renowned venues including Mussel Inn (Oneka), Space Academy (Ōtautahi), Movespace (Tāmaki Makaurau), Wunderbar (Ōhinehou) Vogelmorn (Pōneke), Grainstore Gallery (Oamaru) and Ophir Hall.

Just Janie & her band have recently finished recording their first studio album ‘Mythology of the Girl’s’, tracked to analog tape at Sublime Studios (Waitaki), with the first single set to release in November and the full album coming in 2026.

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THE DAVES with support Act – Carl Bonniface – 17 August 2025

The Daves are a colourful duo who share a deep love for the endless fun and adventure of jazz. Dave Stupples and Dave Bruner met in 2022 and quickly discovered a mutual obsession with the genre — and a vision to make it more accessible and enjoyable for all music lovers. After a few jam sessions, they began serenading the Christchurch music scene,and have kept toes tapping and fingers snapping ever since with fresh takes on classic standards and jazzed-up versions of crowd favourites.

You may recognise ‘The Dave’s’ as the previous support act for ‘The Blue Sea Above’ in November last year, where the unanimous feedback from those attending was to please have these two back again.

Following such advice, we have.

They have rebranded themselves from the duo name of ‘Serenade’ to the often suggested name on that November club night, ‘The Daves’.

You won’t be disappointed.

CARL BONNIFACE

Carl has been plonking away on the ukulele for some years now in bands including the Lyttelton Short String Orchestra, Secret Lives of Ukulele and currently The Lumedillies.

Carl will be singing songs by some of his favourite artists. There is a distinct possibility that one of them will be a John Prine song

A Folky Night of Comedy, Music, and Shenanigans!- 24 August 2025

Ready to laugh, enjoy a night of comedy! This is a benefit concert to raise funds for the 50th Canterbury Folk Festival to be held on Easter weekend 2026 (3-6 April 2026)

Welcoming our compere extrordinaire for the night Big Jim Small

Christchurch comedian Big Jimmy Small loves the folky vibe and humour and is a familiar sight around folk music festivals and events.

His quirky, wry humour and personable presence will ensure the evening is up-beat and fun.

Starring:
– Big Jim Small, our comic compere

– Copper and Steel, legendary poems, songs to make you laugh out loud and the understated subtleties of Martin’s wit.

– Sue Galvin, infectious humour overflows when Sue is onstage.
– Tony Kiesanowski, with a dry humour and tremendous storytelling

Local stand-up comedians: one being Damon Brady, who will be sharing his music-focused entertainment.

There will be entertainment to fill the night with assured laughter.

Join the fun

Whether you’re looking for a fantastic work outing or simply a fun night out with friends, A Folky Night of Comedy, Music, & Shenanigans is the place to be. Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure yours soon and join us for a night of comedy, community, and charity.

On Sunday 8th March 2026, there will be another fundraising concert for the 50th Canterbury Folk Festival.

The Dee Street Band – with Support Act Yujing & Ariel – 31 August 2025

The Dee Street Band is a Dunedin-based band who play original folk, blues, rock, and protest music. The band first formed when Richard and Michelle Jackson lived on Doon Street in Dunedin. The band’s songs cross a variety of related genres and styles, and reflect a life-long passion for social and environmental justice and making a better world.

For this performance, they are joined by well-known Christchurch musicians, Rob Allan and Bruce Penno, of the Remnants and Saltwater Creek, among others.

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Yujing and Ariel are a mother-daughter duo. They write their own songs and perform covers that inspire them. Their music blends Eastern and Western influences, creating a unique indie folk sound.

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Port Hillbillies with opening act The Squirrelly Bills – 14 September 2025

Emerging from the shadows of the Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand. 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.

Playing together now for over five years they have formed into a well-balanced instrumental and vocal trio, driven by Steve’s banjo playing and Justin’s sympathetic and innovative mandolin ornamentation. Gary’s contribution on guitar and bass pulls the whole thing together into the tight unit that is the Port Hillbillies. They play a range of songs and tunes from toe tapping recognisable standards to obscure songs from neighbouring genres that are given the Port Hillbillies once over.

The Squirrelly Bills:

Consisting of Liam Mckenny on fiddle, Abie Horrocks on banjo and Malcolm Locke on Guitar and Mandolin. They perform an eclectic mix of tunes, ballads and toe tappers with that true fundamental sound cultivated in the Appalachian region of America.

Muddy Mama’s Blues Band – 21 September 2025

Sprinkling Our Magic On Our Favourite Songs
Live & Bluesy Seasoned with Jazz

Judi Smitheram -Vocals
Mary Ruston – Piano & backing vocals
Cyril Hector – Saxophone & backing vocals
Tim Wilkinson, Dr Tim – Bass strings
Lynden Jackson – Drums & backing vocals
Davey Backyard- Harmonica

A Christchurch band made up of some of the best blues musicians around, and led by the inimitable Judi Smitheram – Mama Judi with her powerful bluesy vocals bringing the magic, with support from the epic keys talent of Mary Ruston, with bass and groove being driven by Tim, drums from the consistent Lynden, and the saxophone and harmonica (shout out to Davey Backyard!) in the mix.

You are invited to lose yourself in some wondrous blues and jazz rhythms, the aim is simple: great music, great fun.

Join us as the band holds down a smouldering groove behind Judi’s sultry, bluesy voice and passionate stage presence, for this concert designed to showcase talents and the love of song in a sincere spirit of musical expression.

‘The Muddy Mama’s are one of the best discoveries Swingtown has made in recent years’

‘They wowed us on the dance floor most recently at last year’s PCX Saturday late night’. Swingtown Rebels 2024.

Graham Wardrop – 28 September 2025

Sharing songs, creativity and exceptional musicianship. Supporting Graham’s concert will be Alex Kilday.

Graham has been playing guitar and singing professionally for over fifty years. He mainly plays as a soloist, but he has also accompanied many artists and played in countless bands. Recently, he has performed with several orchestras around the country.
His talent and passion for music are evident through his extensive experience as a professional fingerstyle guitarist. His versatility in various music genres has allowed him to work with a diverse range of artists and to perform in concerts and festivals around New Zealand and overseas.

Highlights:

Playing alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor, Michael Fix, Gray Bartlett and many other international artists; 11 tours of concerts and festivals in Canada, 2 tours in the UK. Countless tours in Australia, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and around Aotearoa New Zealand. Backing Slim Dusty, Anne Kirkpatrick, Suzanne Lynch.

Opening shows for Gerry and the Pacemakers, Michael Crawford, Vanessa Mae, Icehouse… the list goes on. And, of course playing concerts and gigs with Elizabeth Braggins, Rosa Shiels, Tom Rainey and many other great musicians.

It has been a great honour to be invited to play concerts of original music. With seven albums of his compositions having been released on CD and over 80 streaming sites, it’s a thrill to be asked to play a concert of original music at the Christchurch Folk Club.

Graham is a unique and notable musician, songwriter and composer in New Zealand and beyond.

See Rosa Shiel’s excellent article about Graham here:

Alex Kilday is a guitarist from Christchurch.
While studying a Bachelor of Music Arts from Jazz School (ARA), he fell in love with fingerstyle acoustic guitar and decided to become a soloist. Alex plays various styles but is most comfortable playing jazz and country.
He recently founded ‘Good Guitars Christchurch’ – a charitable organisation providing instruments and tuition to those who don’t have access to it, with the goal of giving everyone the chance to make music.
Alex regularly performs around Christchurch and is an enthusiastic tutor as well as a guitar technician.