Christchurch Folk Music Club
Irish Society Backdrop
Showing an artistic talent few expected, commercial painter Nicky McMullan created this widely admired painted scene on canvas in late 1961 from his imagination. The castle does not exist but the skilful composition evokes mystique. It consists of four canvas panels stitched together and measures 6.5 metres wide by 3.2 metres in height. Notes from the author’s interview with Nicky’s daughter Maureen Bonham, dated 31.12.2021, state that Nicky ‘developed artistic painting skills from his uncle, but was never formally trained.’ The notes further state that smaller, framed paintings were donated to Nazareth House. The backdrop was a feature at 363 St Asaph Street until the Hall’s sale in 1987, then hung at 29 Domain Terrace for the visit of the Irish President Mrs Robinson before being rolled up and stored in the upstairs committee room. From 2019 it has graced the hall again. It is beautifully illuminated now by four white flood lights and serves as a worthy backdrop for the stage.
In Search of Native Song: Traditional Folksong Collecting in New Zealand
During the last few years I've undertaken research into traditional folk music in New Zealand. In light of recent correspondence posted at Musical Traditions I thought it would be worth sharing what I've discovered about the history of collecting in this country. ...
Highlights from the final concert of the 7th New Zealand National Folk Festival – 1971
Highlights from the final concert of the 7th New Zealand National Folk Festival held on 6th June 1971 at St James Theatre, Wellington, broadcast on 2ZB 3rd October 1971. The Rocky Road To Dublin – Bill TaylorFrankie And Johnny – Mitch ParkThe Lady Came From Baltimore...
Remembering Christchurch hangouts of the 80s and 90s
Recently, an academic friend pointed me towards the word solastalgia. Solastalgia is a kind of homesickness for a place that no longer exists, a "place that you did not leave but that somehow left you". Finally, a word for the Christchurch spaces, hangouts and quirky...
Father of NZ folk music – Otago Daily Times
8 April 2017, Dave Cannan/contributed folk musician. Phil Garland may have been a born and bred, TrueBlue Cantabrian, but as the self-styled 'father of New Zealand folk music' his huge influence was felt nationwide, especially in Central Otago, for which he...
March 2020 – Folk Club Goes Online
21 March 2020 - New Zealand went into Level 4 Lockdown - People were instructed to stay at home in their bubble and leave their residence only for essential travel. This meant the Club had to innovate -