The Club was formed in 1968 and has remained one of the most successful in the country and continues to thrive in spite of a forced change of venue due to the recent earthquakes . We feature a wide range of music - from blues to ballads, country to contemporary, Celtic to jazz, and all styles are welcomed and encouraged. We vary our concerts and encourage local performers, as well as regularly hosting International visiting artists & groups.

We are an incorporated society governed by the Incorporated Societies Act.

WHERE:

We meet at The Irish Society Hall, at 29 Domain Terrace, Spreydon, Christchurch.

WHEN:

Sunday nights at 7.00 pm. - music starts at 7.30 pm

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

The Club is usually closed for Queen's Birthday weekend, Labour weekend, and from mid-December to mid-January. At Easter, the Club (in the form of a separate incorporated entity) hosts the Canterbury Folk Festival, a most glorious and entertaining 4-day weekend of music at Waipara - North of Christchurch.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

We have a committee of 5 or 6. Every Sunday committee members host our concerts and are available to answer inquiries, welcome new people, arrange for a compere, and take care of booked performers.

BEHAVIOUR

The Folk club is an inclusive club made up of members, visitors & performers with a common appreciation and love of performing arts & music. Audiences are often prompted to participate throughout the concerts when appropriate, however, talking and other noise is to be kept to a minimum during performances.

Members who disturb performers and the audience by being consistently inappropriate may be asked to leave. The Committee reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member who is consistently disruptive.

FORMAT:

FORMAT: Our Weekly concerts consist of two 40 minute performances, with a 20 minute refreshment break in-between. This may vary from time to time, as we will often facilitate a young performer or local artist to open the night's performances, giving them an opportunity to start the evening with a 20 minute introductory spot.

We also have nights for our members to play:

1. "Open Mic Night" is a night where performers, wishing to perform, list their names on the blackboard upon entry, & have an opportunity to play two songs per group / family (thus allowing others to also have their turn). This night is attended by both amateur & professional musicians. The Club supplies professional sound equipment & our Sound Technician is there to monitor the performance, giving artists a wonderful opportunity to gain microphone & live performance experience, or just simply 'share music'.
2. "Come All Ye" nights, are concerts where the emphasis is on informality - no stage or P.A. system is used and we sit around a circle and each person has an opportunity to perform. Participation from others attending when appropriate.
3. "Blind Date" concerts are where the names of those wishing to participate are drawn out of a hat in groups of three to five. These groups are then given 2 weeks to prepare a 10-minute act which will be performed at a Sunday night 'Blind Date' event.

HEAR YE

The club distributes a regular newsletter to our members. To make a contribution, news, reviews & adverts, input and enquiries, you can contact our president, Sarah O'Brien, at: president@folkmusic.org.nz

LIBRARY

The folk club has a small library of music and song books - contact Neil Crosby if you would like to take anything out.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership fees are based on a sliding scale, and you can find more details or join up here.

ADVANTAGES & PERKS OF MEMBERSHIP:

1. Reduction on weekly concert rates
2. Frequent cheaper entry to special concerts by overseas and out-of-town artists.
3. Entry at members' rates to other Folk Clubs around NZ on presentation of your membership card.
4. 'Hear Ye' newsletter mailed to you regularly throughout the year, informing you of upcoming weekly performances & music festivals / events.
5. A register of active members (subject to the Privacy Act) for non-commercial use of members.
6. Weekly emails announcing the weekly concerts & details.

SO WHO DOES THE WORK?

The committee give their time and effort voluntarily, to run raffles, setting up the venue prior to concerts and tidying up afterward, booking weekly performers, and the MANY other tasks associated with running a successful Club. As a member of the Club, you are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting and perhaps volunteer for the committee.

A CLUB IS ABOUT ITS MEMBERS, & ALL ARE WELCOME TO BE MORE INVOLVED:

If you are interested in becoming more involved, please speak to one of the committee members. Volunteers are always needed and there are many ways that you can help!

If you have a spare bedroom and are happy to billet artists, hosting performers is a great and rewarding way to support the club. We are also looking for people who can help with advertising by putting up a poster or two. In your workplace, cafes, bookshops or wherever you can.

Members are welcome on the committee (elected annually at the AGM), and even if you can't make that commitment, smaller jobs like setting out chairs and greeting newcomers are all equally as important for keeping the club running. Your input is appreciated.

If you have any special skills that you would like to make other members aware off (eg. instrument care, tutoring, non-musical skills) let us know through the Hear Ye or website noticeboard. If you want to volunteer specific skills (eg: signwriting / stage hand experience etc), please tell a committee member.

Please phone Sarah O'Brien (027) 322 2700, or email her for more information or contact any of the committee members here or at the club.