Christchurch Folk Music Club
Waimate Winter Folk Festival
Waimate Winter Folk Festival
Kings Birthday Weekend Fri 31st May – Monday 3rd June
Gunns Bush Camp, 36 Gunns Bush Road, Hunter, Waimate
The Waimate Winter Folk Festival is a folk music festival held every King’s Birthday Weekend
(to include the first Monday in June). It is a great, homely musical gathering for performers and enjoyers of folk music of all ages and levels of skill, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Due to the cold climate and remote location, the winter festival attracts a loyal and hardy type who enjoy huddling together around the fire or kitchen table, having a yarn, performing and listening to ballads, tales and tunes and playing (mostly) acoustic instruments. There are many beards and woolly jumpers and much porridge and knitting.
Unlike most music festivals, we don’t employ professionals to entertain us, rather we have the opportunity to create our own entertainment (not compulsory!). Pretty much anyone that wants to get on stage can do so at some point over the weekend. Take your spot as our special guest! Bring an act or a poem prepared as a group or solo and fill a short slot, or devise something with others at the festival.
A great way of getting involved and meeting people is to put your name into the hat for the blind date concert.
It’s also fine to enjoy the music from the comfort of the audience.
The choir, beginners jam and evening play-arounds are open to everyone.
For more information visit the festival website: https://waimatefolkfestival.
or check out the facebook event: https://facebook.com/
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.
Open Mic Night
5 May 2024
Perform to an appreciative audience, who will listen, engage and respect your performance. You will be amongst friends.
Isabelle Wolff
12 May 2024
Isabelle Wolff is a German singer/songwriter playing gypsy jazz pop with German and English lyrics
6th Ferris Show
19 May 2024
As in all previous Ferris shows, Robin selects a variety of top tier musicians to perform with this year’s lineup a blend of multiple bands with distinct styles.
My Back Pages
26 May 2024
Isabella (Izzy) Miller Bell Aka Ma Bell “My Back Pages”. Up close and personal with one of the country’s finest acoustic folk blues jazz Celtic soul singer-songwriters.
July Ceilidh
14 July 2024
Known for their nights filled with fun, great music and most of all, exceptional dancing. Bring your dancing shoes and smiles, all that is needed for an evening of merriment and “the best fun to be had with your clothes on”.
Muddy Mama’s Blues Band Live & Bluesy Seasoned with Jazz
4 August 2024
You are invited to lose yourself in some wondrous blues and jazz rhythms, the aim is simple: great music, great fun. Join us as the band holds down a smouldering groove behind Judi’s sultry, bluesy voice and passionate stage presence, for this concert designed to showcase talents and the love of song in a sincere spirit of musical expression.
Gary Elford
8 September 2024
This folk club concert will be 2 small shows. The first “Coming of Age” is a collection of Gary’s works in both verse and song The second is “From Paterson to Prine”.
This features Gary reciting his favorite Banjo Paterson poems which tell the stories of Aussie bush characters and display his love of the genre; Bush Poetry.
Nick Smith
15 September 2024
Nick has a long standing interest in British folk music, attending folk clubs and festivals back in the U.K. before emigrating to NZ 20 years ago. Nick and his family settled in Gisborne for 12 years, where he was an active participant on the local music scene, performing in an acoustic duo and forming a folk / Irish band called Barleycorn.
September Open Mic Night
29 September 2024
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.
October Ceilidh
6 October 2024
Known for their nights filled with fun, great music and most of all, exceptional dancing. Bring your dancing shoes and smiles, all that is needed for an evening of merriment and “the best fun to be had with your clothes on”.