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.
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 -
Recipients of Christchurch Civic Awards 2019 – Judi Smitheram
Article care of: Christchurch City Council "Folk music is the voice of the community, the voice that traditionally comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable. It is the music that binds the generations together, the harmony that bridges ages, cultures...
Liz Nichol: A Tale of Longevity
By Tony HaleLiz Nichol is known to folk music audiences in recent times mainly from her collaborations with other musicians. But in the early days of the Folk Club she was a frequently booked solo artist at the Bedford Row Folk Centre. In fact, the records for 1972-3...
Unsung hero reflects on 40 years of recording New Zealand music
Christchurch man Arnie van Bussel has been recording New Zealand music for 40 years. Jordan Luck calls him a legend. He's worked with Flying Nun legends to chanting nuns. Now a pensioner, he's still recording folk bands and death metallers. Read more>> ---...