WA Folk Music and Dance Calendar

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

23th March 2025
–Matilda’s music.(2nd and 4th Sunday)
Matilda’s music is 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. We’ll be back 12th January
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: David Beatie davidjbt@gmail.com

21st March
— Swan Acoustic. (3rd Friday)
The next Swan Acoustic night will be Friday March 21. If you wish to perform you will be warmly welcomed, just be early so we can find a spot for you. If you are thirsty, there are refreshments available over the bar at friendly prices, served by friendly volunteers. If you are hungry, the club puts on an economical single choice meal from 6-7 pm. These can sell out quickly. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks. If you have any queries please phone Yvonne – 0417 887 835 or Phil – 0404 629 125. And remember ……Live Music Helps Keep the Community Healthy! See you there!
The bowling club is run entirely by friendly volunteers and they offer an economical single choice meal available from around 6:00pm, but be early as there only a set number of meals and they disappear quickly! You’re welcome to bring your own snacks.
Be aware that this is a licensed venue and so NO BYO drinks and any minors are to be accompanied by an adult.
Club nights will be the 3rd Friday of each month, unless otherwise advertised.
Come along and help us kick this year along the road. If you have any queries at all, call or message Phil Gray on 0404 629 125.

Saturday 22nd March
— The Grand Ball de Chidlow.(4th Saturday) TBC
We now hold the Grand Ball de Chidlow on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 5:30pm to 9pm at the Old Chidlow Hall.
We also are begging to run a bal folk (French folk dance) event in Perth, not regularly yet, but the next one will be in the 8th June, 6:30-9:30pm at the north Perth Town Hall.
We have a Facebook page called Bal Folk Perth, which has all the details for any upcoming bal folks in the Perth region.
We have an email address for the above events which is: balfolkperth@gmail.com

Monday 24th March
— Sunset Coast Shanty Crew .
the Pirate Bar, 25 Green Street, Mt Hawthorn
The next Sea Shanty Song Circle is at 7:30pm on Monday 24th March at the Pirate Bar, 25 Green Street, Mt Hawthorn. We are looking for more voices to join our Crew, and there is no cost. Come along for a meal and a pint, with singing from 7:30 onwards until we run out of voice (usually a couple of hours)!
The Sunset Coast Shanty Crew had our inaugural Sea Shanty Song Circle last Tuesday night at the Pirate Bar. This was very successful with 23 people coming along of whom 13 were singers. We had three rounds of songs, most of them using our online Shanty Book. The venue is great, with a nautical theme to help the atmosphere.
Website: www.LeeShoreSongs.com
FB @Sunset.Coast.Shanty.Crew
email: SunsetCoastShantyCrew@gmail.com

25th 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.
Also… just a reminder that our “Song Writing Workshop” will be Saturday 6 July from 1 PM until 5 PM. Mark your calendars. It will be very affordable for club members. More details will soon follow.

27th March
— Bunbury Folk Club. (4th Thursday) TBC
Bunbury Mission To Seafarers. 7-9pm
Looking forward to seeing you all. Put your name on the blackboard to perform or just come along to listen and enjoy the atmosphere.

28th March
— Folk and Shanty Club. (Monthly, last Friday) TBC
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

Saturday 29nd March
— Irish Session. (last Saturday)TBC
Tonight the best craic will be at the Best Drop Kalamunda. The start of monthly Irish sessions for the last Saturday of every month. Happy Hour 7 to 8 and great Irish tunes and ballads with Oisín McGrath, Phillip Waldron, Denis Gratton and me, Malcolm Walker. We are called ‘Saoirse,’ Gaelic for Freedom and will be joined by some of Perth’s great traditional Irish musicians. See you there. Bring your best voice and instruments of choice!!

— Perth Scottish Fiddlers.(last Sunday) TBC
Formed in 2009 to give musicians the opportunity to learn and play the rich and extensive fiddle music of Scotland. We meet on the last Sunday of the month, 1.30 – 4.00pm at St Andrews Church hall, 259 Barker Road, Subiaco. All string players welcome. perthscottishfiddlers@gmail.com, www.perthscottishfiddlers.com.au

Friday 4th April
— Hills Folk Club.(1st Friday)
Hills Folk Club is held at Falls Farm Cottage on Neil Tonkin Park, Cagney Way, Lesmurdie at 8pm. Entry $10. Tea, coffee, milo & biscuits included at interval.
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: Bill Gordon billgordon1948@gmail.com Mob: 0428 651 098

11th April
— Wanneroo Folk Club In Warwick
We will be having a Come-all-Ye. These nights are a chance for new performers to play to an appreciative audience that will join in choruses and actually listen to the acts. It is also a chance for more seasoned performers to try out new material.
Performers register on arrival by putting your name on the list. Depending on number ther could be 2-4 songs each act with a max time of 15 minutes. We generally have 10-12 acts So we do ask that performers keep these to the conditions so that as many performers as possible can do their thing. This is an acoustic evening so we do not set up a PA and amps are discouraged. This way we have quick turn around between acts. If you feel you have a need to amplify please contact us beforehand with your reasons.
May: Ebb tide Men, June: City Slickers (pre booking open soon) July: Come all ye, Sept: Bluegrass Parkway.
Doors open 7 pm for a 7:30 start
Tea & coffee provided, for other refreshment bring your own
Admission: $8 ($5 WAFF Members) Cash is preferred, Card facilities will be available.
Dorchester Hall, 2 Dugdale cnr Dorchester Ave, Warwick.
If you want more info please Email: wafolk@hotmail.com or check www.wafolk.org.au

Saturday 12th of April 2025
— Mandurah Soiree.
The next Soiree will be on Saturday, 12th of April 2025, usual starting time, 2.30pm, break at 3.30 till 4.00, then on to 5.30p.m. The theme will be “Friends, Past and Present”-plenty of scope there!! One part of the Soiree that has become increasingly popular is the Jam Session at the end of the published programme, which enables performers and the audience to sing and perform together , un-rehearsed. It has been suggested that we nominate a particular item to be sung-this is a great idea, but may I carry it a bit further. What if you tell me that you would like to perform in the Jam Session, and I will pass on to other performers the item and the key etc, so they can contact you and make their own arrangements if they wish to join you in the Jam Session. The idea of the Jam Session is to invite anyone who wishes to perform with whatever musical instruments, and sing together without any formal practice-basically, come up and enjoy yourselves with music. Please let me know of your thoughts on the matter-after all, so far it has shown itself to be great fun, and totally informal.
Most of our performers come to us by word of mouth, hearing of us through the W.A.F.F., or by personal recommendation. If you wish to come along, please send us an email at ilo78333@bigpond.net.au, and we’ll send you further contact information

Saturday 20th April
— Greenbushes Acoustic.(3rd Sunday)
RSL Hall in Greenbushes 1:30 and 3:30pm
Greenbushes Acoustic is a mental health support group with an acoustic music focus in Greenbushes. The main aim is to bring people together to play, sing and listen to live acoustic music, build relationships and community, as well as skills. The inclusive Support Group is open to people of all ages, skills, and abilities. We provide a creative and mutual learning space to foster mental health maintenance and recovery. Greenbushes Acoustic started as Greenbushes Folk Club in September 2020 for an acoustic music picnic that has become a monthly event, now held regularly on the third Sunday of each month. Everyone is invited to our free events. Please bring your own picnic and chairs, as well as your family, friends and neighbours. Your donation is welcome.
Lee on 0491 009 134 or Irma on 0466 640 455
email: hello@greenbushesacoustic.club
web: greenbushesacoustic.club

26th April
— Here’s to the West Concert – History & Heritage in Song
Welcome to Australia’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage. As part of this festival the WAFF will be putting on a concert to celebrate our WA Heritage.
Here’s to the West Concert – History and Heritage in Song
Come and Join performers from the West Australian Folk Federation for an afternoon of Western Australian original and traditional music, bringing to light lesser known stories through song. Performed in the Heritage Listed Christ Church in Claremont.
Come and Join performers from the West Australian Folk Federation for an afternoon of Original and Traditional music, bringing to light lesser known stories of our history through song. Featuring the songwriting talents of: Bernard Carney. OAM, Warralakin, Carmel Charlton, The Rambling Bilbies, John Ralph.
Performed in the Heritage listed Christ Church Claremont, one of the oldest suburban parish Churches in Perth. Built of locally quarried Cottesloe limestone the foundation stone was laid on the 10th September.1892. This combination of Folk music in a beautiful heritage building is not to be missed.
Artist info:
Bernard Carney is an accomplished craftsman in song, a master guitarist and a fine versatile entertainer, celebrating 50 years working full time in the Australian entertainment industry. Bernard’s songs tell of Australia, its people, and its history, interwoven with story , humour and his deep connection to family. He is a past Artist of the Year at the Port Fairy Folk Festival , is thoroughly involved in community cohesion through music , and received the Order of Australia Medal in 2019 for services to music. He currently coordinates and hosts the weekly Holly Wood Tuesday Morning Show at the Perth Town Hall , is the musical director of the Spirit of the Streets choir which he founded 18 years ago , and also directs the St John of God Hospital Choir.
Warralakin Hear the Music, Smell the Dust, Listen to the Stories. Phil and Yvonne Gray are Warralakin, have lived and worked in the places less travelled and have a lifetime of Story, Song and Verse that reflect an Australian way of life. Warralakin will take you with them on an authentic Australian Folk journey. Songs, verse and stories of seafarers, pirates, whalers, shearers, drovers, farmers and many other Australians (with the occasional song from foreign parts). Much of Warralakin Music is their original material, and paints a picture of our Western Australia ….. Please climb on board.
The Western Songbirds are Carmel Charlton & Lynda Martin. Carmel is a singer, songwriter and musician with a fine voice. She grew up on a farm in the Central Wheatbelt of W.A. Her songs reflect the unique history and heritage that we share in Western Australia. Songs of the West, an album of Carmel’s songs is a favourite with travellers when driving throughout Western Australia and many have been sent overseas to remind expatriates of home. Songs you’ll hear at the concert include C.Y. O’Connor I Wish You Were Here, Up, Down South about the wonderful First Nation place names ending with ‘up’. Also Carmel’s composition Spirit of Mokare, a song about Noongar Aboriginal man Mokare from the south-west corner of Australia, who was pivotal in aiding European exploration of the area. Here’s to the West is a catchy song Carmel wrote with Ruth Marchant James a well – known West Australian historian. www.carmelcharlton.com Carmel will be joined by Lynda Martin a singer guitarist with many years playing and writing songs.
John Ralph’s songs and tunes reflect the diversity of music influences from a lifetime of playing in Folk and Irish Country and Rock, Bands. He has played at Cambridge Folk Festival and Ely Folk Festival UK and Fairbridge, Denmark, Folk in the Forest, Albany Folk festivals, Illawarra, Kiama and the Wintermoon Festivals in Australia. He writes songs influenced by Western Australian History played with a contemporary feel but with roots firmly in the tradition. He is currently researching the Music of the Swan River Colony for a Master’s degree in Musicology at WAAPA.
The Rambling Bilbies are a Western Australian based duo of Rob & Jill Oats. We have burrowed through the music archives to present a variety of unplugged style of music genre hopping from self penned contemporary ballads through to almost all styles including acoustic folk/rock, blues, celtic, ballads, Oz, Country/folk etc. Some are well known favourites, others are obscure songs from our varied background and strange listening habits combining original material with classics and modern songs as well as a wide range of instrumentals. We have been performing together around WA for many years at clubs, festivals, schools, dances, concerts, birthday parties. We have both played extensively in various bands over the years www.thebilbies.com.au
Tickets are $20 (WAFF and National Trust members $15). To purchase tickets in advance email to wafolk@hotmail.com with you name, number of tickets and tell us if you are a member of the national trust or WAFF to recieve the discount. We will reply with bank details for EFT payment, when the money is recieved we will add you name to the list which will be held at the door.
More info at wafolk.org.au & https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/

WEST AUSTRALIAN FOLK FEDERATION INC.