WA Folk Music and Dance Calendar

Acoustic Music, Dance & Spoken Word events
Thanks to those who contribute information for this calendar.
This calendar is a service provided by the WA Folk Federation to help promote folk events in all its variations in Western Australia.
We are a not for profit organisation. If you like our calendar and associated clubs and events please consider becoming a member.
It is inexpensive and helps to pay for this service.

If you join the WA Folk Federation you will get a weekly email with the snippets of upcoming gigs and other news and clips of interest as well as other benefits as seen on our memberships page.

Help to keep Acoustic music alive and vibrant in WA
by submitting your WA Folk or acoustic music event to this calendar.
Passing on the address for this calendar to your friends and associates
will also help promote your event to a wider audience.
If you have a web site please add a link from your page to ours.

If you want your Western Australian event to appear on this calendar email the details to:

In the following format:
Day & Date of the event (eg. Fri 18th July):
Name of performer/concert etc:
Venue:- Short description of show (please keep it to less than 100 words (include door open & start time, cost, link to ticket, etc.)
Contact name: (for info & bookings)
Phone: (land line and/or mobile) Email:       Web:      
Your Name for verification purposes (not for publication):

I cut and paste from the email body so please don’t send attachments, I can’t get text from pics & pdf’s are awkward and take extra time
and some attachments can carry nasty things that I don’t particularly want on my computer so I won’t open them.

If you send or post your acoustic gigs to Social Media such as Facebook or any of the other email based gig guides then why not “CC” them to this calendar as well. Generally the emphasis of the calendar is acoustic and/or folk roots based events and news. This covers a wide range of genre such as folk, blues, world music, country, choirs and more. Placement is at the discretion of the webmaster.


This site is edited and updated regularly with with information supplied by event and group organisers as well as other lovers of acoustic music.
When submitting information or requesting alterations
please allow time for updates to allow your prospective patrons a chance to plan their diaries.
The quicker you get it to me the more publicity you get for FREE
All information is correct to the best of my knowledge,
I cut and paste info that is either sent to me direct or from other sources,
sometimes inaccuracies may creep in.

The links below will take you direct to the sections listed.

Main Events (and more details of regulars as supplied)

If you see TBC next to an event then check with the contact before going.

Saturday 23rd March 2024
— Mandurah Soiree.
Just a reminder about our next Soiree, Saturday 23rd of March, starting as usual at 2.30p.m., break at 3.30p.m.for coffee, tea, nibbles, and if you wish, your favourite libation, then re-commencing at 4p.m., and nominally finishing about 5.00. There will of course be the opportunity to hank around for those who want to join a “Jam Session”. The theme is “There is No Theme” so the choice is yours!!. Please let us know as soon as possible if you intend coming as a performer or as part of the audience, so we can get a rough idea of seating etc. Look forward catching up with you all. By the way, if you are unsure of the address, please reply by email, and details will be provided. We have to do this because the Soiree is held in a family home, and seating is limited.
If you have any questions, please email or give me a call. We look forward to catching up with you all. email Ian ilo78333@bigpond.net.au

Sunday 24th March
— JACKADDER’S MUSIC CLUB – FINAL CONCERT 24th MARCH (4th Sunday)
On Sunday 24th March Jackadder’s Music Club will present their final concert. It has been a wonderful 20 years of presenting both established and up and coming artists.Jackadders Music Club has been a regular music event of the Folk West Australian Folk Federation Inc. since August 2003. Over the years there have been many who have gone on to form duo’s and bands after meeting other likeminded musician at the club.
Jackadders has been a financially viable self-funding event (break-even) while keeping entry fees low to encourage bigger audiences. The current entry fee is only $12 with children free. The average attendance over 20 years has been an average attendance of 43 people each month. Performing artists deserve to get paid for their entertaining skills and efforts. For many this is their livelihood so they are paid out of income. Since commencement of Jackadders this has provided over $36,000 support to artists. The concerts have also given artists an opportunity to sell their CDs. Jackadders has also purchased over $4,300 worth of artist’s CDs for monthly raffle prizes.
When we commenced Jackadders Music Club our main aims were to: Give young audiences the opportunity to experience quality traditional and contemporary folk music; Promote live music, develop performing skills and provide encouragement; Encourage new performers; especially young people; Attract new audiences to musical performances and educate and promote audience interest.
I would like to thank all those who have assisted over the years including: husband Eric with the movement of sound equipment, running the ‘door’ and keeping the books; the loyal audience and supporters who have assisted each month with setting up (chairs etc.) and clean-up; and all those performers who have contributed their talents to making the event such a long lasting success.
At this point in time unfortunately there are no volunteers to enable the event to continue and Sunday 24th March will be the final concert of Jackadders Music Club unless there is someone who thinks they would like to take on the running of Jackadder’s Muis Club. Please get in touch with me if you are interested 0412777061.
We have a great line-up on 24th March including Duality (John and Joe Ralph) who play banjo, mandolin and guitar and have a great following around town. Also performing will be the Rambling Bilbies, Warralakin, Jake and Johnny two wonderful young musicians from Wembley Downs who are only eleven years old and compose their own songs! JimJam, who played at Jackadder’s just after it started in 2003, Patrick O’Leary, Stan the Man and the Western Songbirds (Carmel and Lynda).
We’ve had great support from the West Australian Folk Federation, Ron Grim who for many years videoed all the performances and delievered them to each performer and of course the lovely audiences who enjoyed and encouraged ‘live’ music in the community. A big thank you also to the Post Newspaper who have always been willing to promote Jackadder’s in their newspaper. I’d like to spend more time on my music without the regular commitment of Jackadder’s. I’m also part of a duo called the Western Songbirds with Lynda Martin. If people are interested in my music they can visit www.carmelcharlton.com
2.30pm Wembley Downs Scout Hall, 7 Dover Cresc. Wembley Downs.
Cost: adults $12 (WAFF Members $6) children free
For more information call 0412 777 061 or carmel@carmelcharlton.com Time: 2.30pm – 5.00pm
Afternoon tea included
This is a West Australian Folk Federation Event.

–Matilda’s music.(2nd and 4th Sunday)
Matilda’s music, formerly run out of Claremont Recreation Club, is now held at Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club. It is a great venue and Matilda’s has been warmly welcomed by the Hollywood Subiaco committee. Matilda’s continues to be held on second and fourth Sunday of every month from 2-6pm.
Pay $5 at the door and share the love of making music. It’s an ‘open mike’ session, so if you fancy singing and playing to like-minded musicians, come along and put your name on the board. Or if you just like to see and hear people who love making music, please come along. Everyone is welcome.
Every Wednesday from around 4pm -6pm a group gathers for a very informal ‘jam’ session. Again, everyone is welcome.
Venue address: 42 Smyth Road, Nedlands Western Australia 6009
Enquiries: Trevor Perree 0416 968 994

29th March TBC
— Folk and Shanty Club. (Monthly, last Friday)
Albany King River Hall 7pm-10pm
“The Albany Folk & Shanty Club” is hosted by “Amity Rogues ” on the last Friday of each month. Open mic night where you are invited to sing shanties, folk, traditional, recite poetry, play some tunes…and everything in between. Admission is $5/person, $10 per family, to help pay for the hire of the hall. BYO drinks and nibbles. Free hot drinks available. Family friendly

26th March
— Merriwa Acoustic Music Club (usually monthly 4th Tuesday)
Merriwa Acoustic Music Club (MAMC) is normally held every 4th Tuesday of each month at Jenolan Way Community Centre in Merriwa (very near the end of the highway north with lots of safe parking). MAMC has a simple ‘sing around’ format with each participant getting to preform two songs (or whatever it is you do… poem, dance, etc.) each cycle through the group. Everyone from complete beginners to accomplished performers are welcome. All types of instruments are also welcomed as is almost any style of music (bluegrass, folk, pop, rock, and more). We additionally have a featured club member lead the group in trying out and learning a new song together each month. MAMC has a purpose for fun, learning, encouragement, and in it’s small way – community service. If you would like to know more write: Oakyfolky@msn.com.

28th March-1st April
— National Folk Festival.
https://www.folkfestival.org.au/

Friday 5th April
— Hills Folk Club.(1st Friday)
Falls Farm, Neil Tonkin Park, Cagney Way, Lesmurdie at 8pm . Tea, coffee, milo & biscuits included in the $10 fee as usual.
Contact Pauline Tonkin 92916026 paulinekevin@bigpond.com or Peter ‘Murph’ Murphy at murf2murf4@gmail.com

— WA Bush Poets & Yarnspinners Monthly Muster.
7 pm, TBC
The Auditorium, Swan Care Bentley Park, 26 Plantation Drive, Bentley WA
Contact: Pete Nettleton 0407770053 stinger@iinet.net.au

5-7 April 2024
— Fairbridge Festival.
this year’s festival has been cancelled
This is a very sad thing to happen but hopefully Folkworld will present a brilliant festival next year. It takes massive amount of time and energy to put on a festival of this size and it needs people to put their money up early and volunteer to help run the ship.
https://fairbridgefestival.com.au/

12th April 2024
— Wanneroo Folk Club.
This month may well be a come-all-ye where performers put there name a list and present 3 songs, tunes, poems etc to entertain you. The audience get the chance to join in the choruses and see and hear a wide variety of music for a very small cost. This is a very popular format which gives seasoned performers the just to test out new material and for for those new to performing a chance d play to a supportive audience.
We have some really good entertainment planned in coming months such as Wayne Perry & Ian Simpson and the Sea Swallows and more, so keep the 2nd Friday marked in your calendars.
Admission: Come-all-Ye nights $8 ($5 WAFF Members) Card facilities will be available.
Dorchester Hall, cnr Dugdale and Dorchester St, Warwick
If you want more info please Email: Rob Oats or wafolk@hotmail.com


Friday 12 April 2024
— Factory Concert – GORDY TENTREES & JAXON HALDANE.
We are very pleased to announce that our Factory Concert with GORDY TENTREES AND JAXON HALDANE will go ahead as planned
The cancellation of Fairbridge Festival 2024 came as quite a shock and our commiserations go to the committee and volunteers who have put so much work into the festival over the years.
You now have the opportunity to see Gordy and Jaxon at their only available Perth performance!
Check out their websites here: https://www.tentrees.ca/about https://jaxonhaldane.wordpress.com
ticket sales are now open: https://www.littlefolkinc.com
Venue: The Big Picture Factory, 119 Campbell Street, Rivervale
Tickets: $30
Doors open: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
Please don’t turn up before 7.00pm. We need the time to convert from working factory to concert venue i.e. setting up stage, seating, sound system and finally, sound check with performers.
A light supper will be provided during the break. BYOG
We look forward to seeing you there.

Sunday 14th April
–Matilda’s music.(2nd and 4th Sunday)
Matilda’s music is now held at Hollywood Subiaco Bowling Club. It is a great venue and Matilda’s has been warmly welcomed by the Hollywood Subiaco committee.
Matilda’s continues to be held on second and fourth Sunday of every month from 2-6pm.
Pay $5 at the door and share the love of making music. It’s an ‘open mike’ session, so if you fancy singing and playing to like-minded musicians, come along and put your name on the board. Or if you just like to see and hear people who love making music, please come along. Everyone is welcome.
Every Wednesday from around 4pm -6pm a group gathers for a very informal ‘jam’ session. Again, everyone is welcome.
Venue address: 42 Smyth Road, Nedlands Western Australia 6009
Enquiries: Trevor Perree 0416 968 994

19th April
— Mundaring Folk n Blues Club.(3rd Friday) TBC
The cost for entry is $10.
Doors open at 6.45pm Show begins at 7.30pm and will usually finish around 10.30pm.
MENU : TBA $12.00 cash only. Correct change appreciated. Bar has card payment options.
For more information, please contact mundaringfolknblues@gmail.com

21st Aprilh
— Greenbushes Acoustic. (3rd Sunday) TBC
Greenbushes Acoustic has been operating since September 2020. We aim to bring more live acoustic music to Greenbushes in Western Australia.
This is a free acoustic music event with open mic opportunities. From October, during the warmer months, the group meets from 2:30-4:30 at Thomson Park in Greenbushes. Ring Lee on 0491 009 134 or Irma on 0466 640 455 for more information.

Regular Song & Spoken Word Events
(for more club details visit:The Club and Dance page)
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Fridays

1st of Month

Hills Folk Club contact: paulinekevin@bigpond.com
Bush Poets & Yarnspinners

2nd of

Wanneroo Folk Music Club contact: johndralph@Hotmail.com
Toodyay Music Club

3rd of

Mundaring Folk’n’Blues

4th of

Sundays

2nd of

Mid West Folk & Blues Club – 2pm-6pm. 99233707
Unplugged Acoustic Folk and Blues (no plug-ins), 3pm Roleystone Country Club. Mel 9399 8493

3rd of

1pm-4pm Mandurah Bluegrass Club join the Jam Session kayj4u@gmail.com

4th of

2:30pm-5pm Jackadderscarmel@carmelcharlton.com2-6pm
2pm-6pm Matilda’s Music Club Trevor Perree 0416 968 994

Last of

2-5pm Margaret River Music Club – unplugged acoustic music forum.
3-5pm Perth Scottish Fiddlers group, Woodlands Reserve Hall, Teakwood Avenue. (Margaret 9445 1727)

Every

2pm and 5pmYa Ya’s, Northbridge present an Acoustic Open Mic session

Monday

1st.of

  Tuesday

Every

Wax Lyrical, Leederville

Wednesday

Every

Tunesmiths Cafe Songwriters Club. Legends Bar 6 Hislop Road, Attadale. Makk – email phone-9258 4465 or Mike – email phone – 0413 677 084

Thursday

every

Beaufort St Songwriters Club, Defectors Bar (above The Flying Scotsman) $5 entry

1st of month

Wax Lyrical, Rosie O’Grady, South Perth

Regular Dance Events
(for more details about the groups visit:The Club and Dance page)

MONDAY
Perth International Folk Dance Group,East Fremantle Lawn Tennis Club, Jerrat Drive, East Fremantle, Easy Dance, Mondays 12:30 pm, Jenny 9381 5235
Tartan Dancers, 1.30 pm. Dawn Cromb 0414 859 393
Tartan Dancers, 7.45 pm. Dawn Cromb 0414 859 393

TUESDAY
Mad Tatters Morris, 7.00-9.00 pm Guildford Town Hall, Guildford. (Please ring first),
9279 8778, email: madtattersmorris@iinet.id.au

WEDNESDAY
Marlee Morris 7–9 PM (1st and 3rd of the Month)
Contact email: marleemorris@morris.org.au
Rose and Wattle English Country Dancers: 2nd and 4th Wednesday 7 – 9pm
reefm@iinet.net.au Karen 0439 844 024 https://www.facebook.com.roseandwattle

THURSDAY
Kalamunda SCDC: 7.30 pm at Jack Healey Centre. Bill Head 0417 963 058
Rockingham SCDC: 7.30 pm Gale Tamplin 9593 5738
St Stephens SCDC: 7.30 pm Carol Phillips 0408 629 571

FRIDAY
Perth International Folk Dance Group, Glen Forrest Hall, cnr Statham St and Marnie Rd, Glen Forrest, Regular Dance 9.30-11am
www.perthinternationaldance.org.au

SATURDAY
Perth International Folk Dance Group, Dalkeith Hall, 99 Waratah Dalkeith, 1:45pm easy dance, 2:45 regular dance at Jenny 9381 5235
Royal Scottish Country Dance Soc: Monthly “Hop” 1st Sat monthly
Grand Bal de Chidlow on the second Saturday of every second month 5pm

SUNDAY
Marlee Morris 9am-noon (3rd & 4th of the Month)
Contact email: marleemorris@morris.org.au
Fair Maids of Perth North-West Morris dancing.
Meet fortnightly 1.30 to 3.30pm on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Seaward Guide Hall, 121 Monash Ave, Nedlands
Email: fantasia66@hotmail.com Phone No: 9228 4962 Web: http://fairmaidsofperth.dance
Irish Set Dancing: Last Sunday monthly, 6 pm Ken and Connie 9274 5170

Folk On Radio and TV

Mon-Fri

2:20pm & 11:20pm

The Planet

Radio National

810 am

Sat & Sun

10 pm

The Weekend Planet

Radio National

810 am

Monday

9-11 pm

Folking Around

Radio Fremantle

107.9 fm

Tuesday

1 – 3pm

Celtic Music Show

6CRA Albany

100.9 fm

9-11 pm

Roots & Branches

Radio Fremantle

107.9 fm

Wednesday

6-8pm

Folk n Stuff

KCR fm

102.5 fm

8-10pm

Beneath the Southern Cross

KCR fm

102.5 fm

8-10pm

Acoustic Cafe

RTR FM

92.1 fm

Friday

12 – 2 pm

The Friday Folk Fest

Hope FM

103.9 fm

12:30-1 pm

The Scottish Half Hour

Curtin Radio

100.1 fm

Saturday

5-8 am

Telling Tales (fortnightly)

Curtin Radio

100.1 fm

6-9 am

Irish Beakfast

Radio Fremantle

107.9 fm

11am-1 pm

Global Rhythm Pot

RTRfm

92.1 fm

12-2 pm

Only Folking

Heritage FM

107.3 fm

5-6 pm

You Don’t Have To Be Irish

Curtin Radio

100.1 fm

7:30-9:30pm

Music Deli

ABC National

810 am

Sunday

7 – 8:30pm

Heritage Ireland

6EBA

95.3fm

WEST AUSTRALIAN FOLK FEDERATION INC.

Postal Address:
PO Box 328
INGLEWOOD WA 6932

EMAIL: wafolk@hotmail.com

WEBSITE: www.wafolk.org.au

ABN: 23 052 531 632