Christchurch Folk Music Club

James Gray

 

30 March 2025

      • Members $20
      • Non Members $25
      • Students (with ID) $5
James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured throughout Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way. A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming.
James has released three albums, the most recent in 2023 entitled “New Friends That Talk Like Old Friends.” In 2019 James won himself a spot at The Mariposa Folk Festival through their showcase auditions. James has since been invited to perform at 5 Mariposa folk events, The Northern Lights Festival Boreal, 2 Troubadour Festivals and the Muskoka Music Festival in James’ home of northern/central Ontario.
Gray has recently returned home from touring throughout Switzerland, Germany and Austria. This 2024 festival season James was invited to perform at both the Northern Lights Festival Boreal and the Mariposa Folk Festival where he had the honor of warming up the main stage for Bruce Cockburn.

Support Act: The Saffron Sisters 

The three voices of The Saffron Sisters – Kristina Godfrey, Mary Ruston and Frances Caldwell – blend in three-part acapella harmonies, and frequent accompaniment by Mary and her keyboard talents.

Their folk-inspired music ranges across covers of gospel, vintage rock, world music and bluegrass, as well as some of Kristina’s originals.

The Saffron’s harmonies and love of singing together can be infectious, inspiring glowing audience response.

Doors open 7pm. Performance starts at 7.30pm,

VENUE: Irish Society Hall, 29 Domain Terrace, Spreydon The hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking..

How do I get tickets to concerts?

In advance: Book your tickets online. Select the concert you wish to attend and click on the link to book your ticket.
On the day: Purchase tickets at the venue from 7:15pm on the day of the concert if not sold out prior.

PLEASE BRING CASH For: Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake available during the break and the club raffle. Bar facilities for cold refreshments throughout the night, Eftpos available for purchases only, no cash-out facility.
Folk Club and Irish Society members please remember to bring your membership card for licensing purposes. Non-members sign in at the bar if making purchases.

Ellen Aster & Paul Bacon
Ellen Aster & Paul Bacon

18 May 2025
These two artists first both brought their talents to The Open Mic stage at the club, where their ability stood out. We have been delighted to have Ellen and Paul as support acts at the club.
We look forward to a night where we experience more of their creativity, flair and their formula to bring us a night of awe inspiring music. We challenge you to support new local talent, as these two are!, Two young artists to watch as their careers develop.

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Sassafras
Sassafras

25 May 2025
The Sassafras Bluegrass Band invites you to a “HOOTENANNY”. What is a “HOOTENANNY”? It is a “banjo-brained hoedown-throwdown-don’t slow down until the cows come home!”

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Martin Curtis & Graham Wardrop
Martin Curtis & Graham Wardrop

15 June 2025
Martin and Graham met in 1989 and formed a close friendship, a partnership that continues to this day. With Graham’s help in 1990 Martin recorded his 3rd album “The Daisy Patch”, which was a finalist in the New Zealand music awards. Since then, Graham has been an integral part of all of Martin’s albums – 10 in total, both as musician and latterly as the sound and recording engineer. They often perform together as a duo and thoroughly enjoy each other’s company.

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Open Mic Night – 13 July 2025
Open Mic Night – 13 July 2025

13 July 2025
We provide an outlet for local acoustic performers – singers, songwriters & poets all welcome. We encourage all levels – novice or expert – to hone performance skills in front of a sympathetic audience.

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Elizabeth Braggins
Elizabeth Braggins

27 July 2025
Elizabeth is known internationally for her piano playing, singing and composition. Her self-titled album was a showcase of Christchurch and Wellington musicians which went on to become a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards.

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Open Mic Night – 13 July 2025
Open Mic Night – 21 September 2025

21 September 2025
We provide an outlet for local acoustic performers – singers, songwriters & poets all welcome. We encourage all levels – novice or expert – to hone performance skills in front of a sympathetic audience.

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Charlotte Yates + Show Pony
Charlotte Yates + Show Pony

30 November 2025
One of our most potent songwriters’, Charlotte Yates, is a singer-songwriter with a decent sized catalogue of solo and collaborative work, including four poetry-to-song projects devoted to the work of James K Baxter, Hone Tuwhare, Witi Ihimaera & Katherine Mansfield.

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