Christchurch Folk Music Club

March 2024 Recap

24 March: Unity Concert – Honouring diversity within our community

Music knows no boundaries. It transcends language, culture, and borders, weaving its way into the very fabric of our existence.

 

17 March: Celtic Music Orchestra” & “A Feast of Celtica

Join with us to celebrate St Patrick’s Day away from the maddening crowds at the home of all things Irish in Canterbury. The Irish Society Hall.

Avoid the rush, book early.

We invite you to dress in green and immerse yourselves in a night of Irish Culture.

14 March: Suzanne Lynch, Elizabeth Braggins, Graham Wardrop

The newly formed trio of three fabulous musicians in their own right combining their immaculate skills make a powerful force of dynamism and listening pleasure for the audience. With 3-part harmonies a priority backed by top-class piano and guitar by Braggins and Wardrop, this is a must see.
The song choice ranges from some nostalgic toe tappers from Suzanne’s songbook, some jazzy numbers from Elizabeth’s and some originals and covers from Graham’s.
Suzanne’s voice has led her all over the world backing world famous musicians such as Cat Stevens and Mary Hopkins.
Elizabeth’s piano playing and her caramello voice are a firm favourite for Christchurch listeners and Graham’s guitar playing and his sensitive vocals are also in high demand around the country.
Please note that this is a Thursday night concert, this was a sell out last year so we know you will be keen to hear this trio again.

10 March: Dave Flynn – Celtic Guitar Journey

Dave Flynn is an award-winning Irish composer and musician, praised as
a “masterful guitarist” in Sing Out! Magazine.

In his show ‘Celtic Guitar Journey’ he presents beautiful guitar
arrangements of Irish and Scottish traditional music, exploring the
musical connections between these ‘Celtic’ countries. His programme
goes through the history of Celtic music, from an ancient Irish battle
march, to baroque-era harp music by Turlough O’Carolan, to 19th
century reels and jigs and then some more modern compositions that he
recorded on his acclaimed albums. There’s also some new Irish-style
tunes composed in New Zealand which represent new kind of traditional
Irish-Kiwi music.
“This event is kindly supported by Culture Ireland”

3 March: Good Habits

Highly sought-after, UK folk-fusion duo Good Habits return to Aotearoa for their extensive “Quarter-Life” Album Tour, from Jan 2024 through til late March!
After two years of the formative pandemic spent ‘happily stranded’ on tour in New Zealand, Good Habits return to their Antipodean second home for a mighty tour that includes WOMAD, Port Fairy Festival, and supporting Tiki Taane (Trio’s Garden Bar, Rarotonga), in anticipation of their new album release “Quarter-Life”, due out in May 2024.

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.

Dave Flynn Celtic Guitar Journey
Dave Flynn Celtic Guitar Journey

23 March 2025
In ‘Celtic Guitar Journey‘ he presents beautiful guitar arrangements of Irish and Scottish traditional music, exploring the musical connections between these, and other, ‘Celtic’ countries.

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James Grey with support act – Saffron Sisters
James Grey with support act – Saffron Sisters

30 March 2025
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.

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Open Mic Night – 13 April 2025
Open Mic Night – 13 April 2025

13 April 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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2025 Canterbury Folk Festival
2025 Canterbury Folk Festival

18-21 April 2025
Held every Easter in the tranquil park setting, Waipara Adventure Centre, offers the opportunity to relax enjoy the music and environment. This is primarily a camping-based event and encourages full participation of attendees with additional impromptu music sessions and mini concerts outside the programmed performances of the booked artists.

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Andrew London Duo
Andrew London Duo

4 May 2025
Andrew London’s quirky songs will make you laugh out loud as you recognise yourself and everyone around you, and all the prejudices, obsessions and weird little idiosyncrasies we Kiwis put out on display every day.

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Saltwater Creek
Saltwater Creek

11 May 2024
Saltwater Creek was formed in early 2024 when a group of five long-time friends and musical collaborators – Al Mackenzie, Bruce Penno, Chris Chamberlain, Lesley Askin, and Rob Allan – decided to get together and start something new.

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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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