WA Folk Music and Dance Calendar

9th October
— Wanneroo Folk Club In Warwick– 40 years in the making
October 9th features David MacConnell,
David was born in Downpatrick, Co Down. N Ireland. His father gave him a harmonica when he was 7 years old he was given piano lessons and won a prize at the Belfast Festival when he was 10. David was sent to boarding school where he played clarinet for seven years. (He wished to play a flute and 15 years later he bought a flute and taught himself). During this time at school, he taught himself the piano accordion and guitar. David went to the U.S., England, Spain and Sydney, and came to settle down in Perth These days he sticks to Guitar, ukulele, or banjo. Support for the night will be Kieran Aherne. With quite a different approach, it promises a variety of songs and stories, a night of Irish songs from the North & South and more. Doors open 7 pm for a 7:30 start, Entry -: $12 ($10 WAFF members)
More info www.wafolk.org.au or email wfc@wafolk.org.au

27th September
–Matilda’s music.(2nd and 4th Sunday)
Matilda’s provides an open-mic venue for community musicians to perform in front of an audience. The vibe is very casual and supportive
We meet in the Hollywood and Subiaco Bowling Club, 42 Smyth Road Nedlands, from 2 until 5pm on the second and fourth Sundays of each month and usually attract between 20 and 40 people, of whom 10 to 12 are performers
New players and listeners are always welcome and the players register is open from 1.45 while we’re setting up. $5 entry
Every Wednesday there’s an informal jam session from 4 to 6pm for anyone who wants to turn up and make music. No entry fee
Enquiries to David: davidjbt@gmail.com

24th September
— Bunbury Folk Club. (4th Thursday)
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.

25th September
— 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

26th September
— Bal Folk Perth.
Bal Folk Perth is a platform for all balfolk events in the Perth region.Check out our FB and Instagram pages for more info! contact balfolkperth@gmail.com Old Chidlow Hall, Saturdays 5:30-9 pm:

Saturday 26th of September TBC
— Mandurah Soiree.
Though we were originally planning to have the next Soiree later in July, we have decided it is necessary to take a break for a few weeks, and take some holidays while we can. But, never fear , the Soiree will return on Saturday, the 26th of September. The format and starting times etc. will all be the same, and we will be sending out an update mid-August. In the meantime stay safe and Best Wishes from Lusy and I.
If you wish to attend, either as performer or as a member of the audience please let’s know by email as soon as possible, as we are limited by seating. (25 Max.) Email: ilo78333@bigpond.net.au

27th September
— 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

2nd October
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 0408 092 553 or paulinekevin@bigpond.com or Peter ‘Murph’ Murphy at murf2murf4@gmail.com
Also please take this as formal notice that the Hills Folk Club will hold its AGM at 8pm on Friday 2rd October at Falls Farm. You all know by now that this is an act in its own right. Nomination forms for committee positions available from Pauline Tonkin.

2nd-4th October
— Nanga Music Festival .
This year, the Early Bird tickets open at 12:01 am on the 6th June FOR 1 WEEK ONLY! Be ready. Have a look at these options and be ready to follow the link provided in our email on the 5th June to book your tickets at the early bird price.
There is nothing better than sharing the festival with your friends and loved ones. Several cottages have already been booked and paid for. Once our Early Bird tickets go on sale, all remaining cottages and beds will be opened up for everyone to book. Now is your best chance of getting a whole cottage exclusively for yourselves. Have a look at the Fairbridge Village accommodation page to see the configurations of the available cottages. Accommodation at Fairbridge Village: Cottages Overview And it’s all about the music! Our Artistic Director, Colleen Dixon is curating a terrific program with some of Australia’s finest musicians for the 2026 festival. We can’t wait to show you the brilliant acts for the 2026 festival! Keep an eye on our socials. We know you’ll be as excited as we are! https://nangamusic.org.au/

9th October
— Wanneroo Folk Club In Warwick– 40 years in the making
October 9th features David MacConnell,
David was born in Downpatrick, Co Down. N Ireland. His father gave him a harmonica when he was 7 years old he was given piano lessons and won a prize at the Belfast Festival when he was 10. David was sent to boarding school where he played clarinet for seven years. (He wished to play a flute and 15 years later he bought a flute and taught himself). During this time at school, he taught himself the piano accordion and guitar. David went to the U.S., England, Spain and Sydney, and came to settle down in Perth These days he sticks to Guitar, ukulele, or banjo. Support for the night will be Kieran Aherne. With quite a different approach, it promises a variety of songs and stories, a night of Irish songs from the North & South and more. Doors open 7 pm for a 7:30 start, Entry -: $12 ($10 WAFF members)
More info www.wafolk.org.au or email wfc@wafolk.org.au

16th October
— Swan Acoustic.(3rd Friday of the month)
The next normal Club night will be June at The Swan Bowling Club in Attfield St Guildford.
3rd Friday of the month doors open 7-10 pm
This is a licensed premise so under 18 must have a parent or guardian present.
contact: phone Yvonne – 0417 887 835 or Phil – 0404 629 125

18th October — Greenbushes Acoustic.(3rd Sunday) TBC
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

— SOUTHWEST & BUNBURY UKULELE PLAYERS — TIME’S ALMOST UP! .
The Lake Clifton Ukulele Jam — Sunday 18 October — is filling fast. Mandurah, Rockingham and even Perth players are jumping in like it’s the last bus home. If you’re from Bunbury and you’ve been thinking, “Yeah, I’ll book later”… Later has officially arrived.
Booking is required, and spots are disappearing quicker than a G string in a hot jam.
Don’t miss out — lock in your place and come strum with the happiest mob in WA. SEND EMAIL with Full Name and Group. to: musfunby@gmail.com

19th October(3rd Monday)
— Sunset Coast Shanty Crew .
Perth Sea Shanty Song Circle — hosted by Sunset Coast Shanty Crew Bassendean Hotel, 25 Old Perth Rd, Bassendean, Upstairs in the Swan Room 3rd Monday of the month. Format : Everybody who comes along will be asked if they would like to lead a song of their choice. You are not obliged to sing. The song can be from our song book or your own choice, preferably with a nautical theme. Song Book : Link to the SCSC Song Book Drive, Please download the song book to your phone, this way the links in the PDF song book will work. Or you can email us and we will send you a copy 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)! Website: www.LeeShoreSongs.com or contact Lee.Shore.songs@gmail.com FB @Sunset.Coast.Shanty.Crew email: SunsetCoastShantyCrew@gmail.com

27th October
— 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.

14th November
— West Australian Mandolin Orchestra 50th Anniversary Concert .
Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre
Excitement is building and tickets are moving for this late spring concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The West Australian Mandolin Orchestra. Buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment! This concert features the full orchestra conducted by Ana Milas, performing “5 Decades – 5 Moods”, which was written specially for this event by Robert Shulz, as well as a brilliant performance by Masataka Hori, a true virtuoso on the mandolin. WAMO is divided into sections similar in structure to the string section of a symphony orchestra – 1st Mandolins, 2nd Mandolins, Mandolas, Classical Guitar and Bass Guitar. West Australian luthier, Scott Wise, was commissioned to make nine mandolins, three mandolas and one bass guitar currently played in the orchestra, all crafted from a seasoned log of Sitka spruce sourced from Alaska. These beautiful instruments help to give the orchestra it’s characteristic, warm sound.
The mandolin is a fine instrument. It is unique: tuned the same as a violin but with frets and four double courses of steel strings which are played with a plectrum. When compared with other instruments such as a violin (four synthetic strings played with a horsehair bow) and a classical guitar (six synthetic strings played with the performer’s fingers) it has a unique sound which has its place in the broad spectrum of music. Audience: Family friendly
In accordance with the venue’s liquor licensing regulations:
Juveniles aged 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old
Juveniles aged 16 and 17 years old may attend the event unaccompanied (photo ID recommended)
Juveniles of any age are not permitted at the Theatre Bar, but can purchase non-alcoholic drinks & snacks from the KPAC Kiosk
Tickets cick here

WEST AUSTRALIAN FOLK FEDERATION INC.