Christchurch Folk Music Club

The Muddy Mama Blues Band 26 August 2018

What a night we shared at the Folk Club on Sunday! From the moment the first few bars hit the air the audience was captivated by The Muddy Mama Blues Band. Lead singer Judi Smitheram showed great form, revelling in the mighty musicianship of her five-piece band, Mary Ruston on keys, Geoff Low on saxophone, Melanie Ross on bass, Lynden Jackson on drums and Ken Jenkins on harmonica. Together they explored the scope of the jazz/blues genre, injecting their original magic mix into what turned out to be an impressive collection of old and new classics. Drawing from Muddy Waters to Procol Harem, from Melody Gardot to Amy Winehouse, and the inimitable Aretha, the set list contained not only a favourite or two, or three, but also its fair share of funky surprises. Review by Eileen Reid

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Hobnail 25th Anniversary “Boots and All” Tour

14th July 2019 In 2019 Hobnail celebrate 25 years of touring far, wide, and tirelessly throughout New Zealand. To mark the occasion they are embarking on a national tour and releasing a “Best Of” album showcasing tracks taken from their 7 studio albums, we were lucky...

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Jed Rowe, with Monique Aiken, 30 Sept 2018

The night opened with the returned to her home city after seven years proving her guitar and singing skills in the Wellington folk scene, was Monique Aiken Monique presented confidently bringing us her own songs eloquently crafted delivered with vocal...

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Review: The Beggarmen Fundraiser Concert

Reviewed by Tony Hale     The Christchurch Folk Music Club are piecing together the history of the club and the Canterbury Folk Festival. We look forward to uncovering new information about those that have shared the...

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Best Enemies – 7 July 2019

Fellowship fostered by music has been to the fore over the past months at the Folk Cub as the club celebrated 50 years of live acoustic music in November 2018. Seeing the friendships and collaborations over that weekend was truly awe inspiring, a testimony to the...

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Waimate Folk Festival, 31 May – 3 June 2019

Waimate Folk Festival at Gunns Bush, Waimate District, Canterbury from Friday 31st May to Monday 3rd June Where musicians both experienced and new from Christchurch, Dunedin, and everywhere in between and further afield. Came together for a weekend of music, dance and...

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The Long and Short of it: Danny Tawhiti and Iain Mitchell

21st July 2019 We welcoming back Mitch (Iain Mitchell) to the Christchurch Folk Club, he has treaded our boards before, as well as being a hard working President and committee member of the club. Mitch has been singing British Celtic music semi-professionally since he...

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The Ceilidh Dance 16 Sept 2018

A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering, where dance and music is the binding factor. The dancers were certainly bound in joy for the dance and the Monday Night Session Band brought music that was dance-able and enjoyable. The delight...

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Matty Smith and Josh Braden 29 July 2018

A soft, acoustic approach for a night filled with the creativity of Matty's original songs to the fore and shining. There was contrast throughout the night. The night opened with the tones of the David Gray sound-alike Matty crooning his songs with a depth...

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