Christchurch Folk Music Club
About
What Are We?
The Club was formed in 1968 and has remained one of the most successful in the country and continues to thrive in spite of setbacks such as the 2011 earthquake or the recent pandemic.
We feature a wide range of music – from blues to ballads, country to contemporary, Celtic to jazz, and all styles are welcomed and encouraged. We vary our concerts and encourage local performers, as well as regularly hosting International visiting artists & groups.
We are an incorporated society governed by the Incorporated Societies Act. We are also registered as a Charity with the New Zealand Charities Commission.
The club hosts events every Sunday at the Irish Society Hall in Spreydon. The hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking. Doors open at 7pm, and events will start at 7:30pm.
Where Are We?
We meet at The Irish Society Hall, at 29 Domain Terrace, Spreydon, Christchurch.
What Do We Do?
Concerts are hosted almost every Sunday, with an occasional open mic night for artists with any level of experience to come play in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere!
The Club is usually closed for Queen’s Birthday weekend, Labour weekend, and from mid-December to mid-January. Our first event for the year is the Waimate Summer Folk Festival, and then club nights resume the following sunday. At Easter, the Club (in the form of a separate incorporated entity) hosts the Canterbury Folk Festival, a most glorious and entertaining 4-day weekend of music at Waipara – North of Christchurch.
Who Are We?
A committee made up of 5 or 6 of our members helps run the club. Every Sunday, the committee host our concerts and are available to answer inquiries, welcome newcomers, and arrange for a compere. They are the point of contact with the performers and help make sure the event runs smoothly.
The committee give their time and effort voluntarily, to run raffles, setting up the venue prior to concerts and tidying up afterward, booking weekly performers, and the MANY other tasks associated with running a successful Club. As a member of the Club, you are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting and perhaps volunteer for the committee.
We also have volunteers who are not committee members who help with many roles, such as hosting, door, compere, sound, help setting up and packing down the room etc, please talk to a committee member if you would like to assist your help will be genuinely appreciated.
How Do I Get Involved?
You can become a member by accessing our “Join” page for more information. Membership fees are based on a sliding scale.
Volunteers are always needed, and there are many ways that you can help! If you have a spare bedroom and are happy to billet artists, hosting performers is a great and rewarding way to support the club. We are also looking for people who can help with advertising by putting up a poster or two in your workplace, cafes, bookshops or wherever you can. If you have any special skills, such as instrument care, tutoring, sound and lighting skills, signwriting, let us know!
Please speak to one of the committee members if you would like to volunteer for the club!