WA Folk Music and Dance Calendar

Friday 5th June
— Hills Folk Club.(1st Friday)
The Hills Folk Club is delighted to present a night of top-class folk music for your pleasure on Friday 5th June at Falls Farm Cottage, starting with Alan Mann & Phil Roeterdink as Stringpickers. Alan has written and played many historical & contemporary songs relating to the S.W. forest area, in particular ‘The Timber Cutter’s Song’ which he produced with Bob Rummery & the W.A. Bush Orchestra back in the day. Alan sings his songs well &plays a mean banjo & guitar.
Phil Roeterdink (vocals, guitar) was on the folk scene in the 60’s & joined Bob Rummery, Jim McGuire and Judith & Don Shaw in “Blackboy Jam” in the mid-1980’s to start the Wanneroo Folk Club. Phil & Alan then teamed up again with Bob Rummery & Phil Gray in Loaded Dog, another energetic band which produced top class Australian songs. They will pair up at the Hills for your entertainment on Friday night.
Our next special guest will be that effervescent Irishman, Seane Roche, with songs to sing & stories to tell. He settled in WA 40 years ago & was a founding member of the Settlers Band while still maintaining his career on the Australian &international stage. Another impressive & enjoyable episode of his career was the time when he & Phil Beck ran Folk Festivals in their Greenhills Pub in the wheatbelt. Sean’s powerful voice is a joy to hear at Falls Farm & his performances are proof that you can take the Boy out of Ireland but you can’t take the Irish out of the Boy.
This is a special event for the Hills Folk Club and you won’t want to miss it, especially as we will be going into winter hibernation in July & August. We will return on the 4th of September.
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

— 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

12th June
— Wanneroo Folk Club In Warwick– 40 years in the making
Feature artist is Jane Laws. Jane is a singer-songwriter who enjoys writing about the places she has been and the folks she has met along the way. Her favourite pastimes include long distance travel by motorcycle and racing her yacht, ”Ambience”, a Lotus 10.6, out of Fremantle Sailing Club. Musically Jane writes folk-roots tunes flavoured with pop, jazz, blues and a touch of comedy. Jane records her own compositions and performs occasional gigs. A major focus is songwriting and thus Jane is interested in hearing from any artists that may wish to perform or record her songs. Jane is also interested in making contact with other songwriters. More about Jane at https://janelaws.com/ Doors open 7 pm, we have to setup the room so please be patient. We have some great club nights coming in the next few months with feature artists in July Lötti’s Potion is a vibrant bluesy trio based in the Perth Hills, featuring sultry female vocals, violin, ukulele and double bass and performing a mix of originals and songs from the forties to the present. in August Craig Sinclair, is a singer song writer and amazing guitarist originally from WA but moved over East a few years ago and is now chair of the NSW Folk Federation. He has played solo and with Rod Vervest and his wife.
more info at wfc@wafolk.org.au or www.wafolk.org.au

14th & 28th June
–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

10,17,24 June (every Wednesady)
— The Black Chooks .
Come and play music with The Black Chooks A World Music Group We are a fun group who meet weekly to play traditional and modern “World” Music together. We play a variety of acoustic instruments e.g.: Accordion, Bass, Drums, Flute, Guitar, Hammered-Dulcimer, Mandolin, Recorder, Ukulele- Banjo, and Violin.
We meet on: Wednesday Evenings Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm At Falls Farm, Cagney Way, Lesmurdie
Contact Mike: 0438 718 091 theblackchooks@gmail.com Please join us or book us for community events. The Black Chooks are an initiative of Zig Zag Community Arts Inc

19th June
— 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

23rd June
— 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.

21st June — 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

22nd June
— Sunset Coast Shanty Crew .
the Pirate Bar, 25 Green Street, Mt Hawthorn
The Sunset Coast Shanty Crew meets on the 4th Monday of the month.
Format : Everybody who comes along will be given the opportunity to lead a song of their choice. You are not obliged to sing and the song does not have to be in our song book but must have 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 me back and I’ll 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
FB @Sunset.Coast.Shanty.Crew
email: SunsetCoastShantyCrew@gmail.com

25th June
— 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.

26th June
— 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

27th June
— 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: JUNE 27, JULY 25, AUGUST 29, SEPT 26, Freo 5 – 9 pm: JUNE 13

28th June
— 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

Saturday July 2026 TBC
— Mandurah Soiree.
The next Soiree will be Saturday 23rd May, usual starting time 2.30p.m., break at 3.30 for conversation and drinks etc, back again at 4.00p.m/then finishing “about”, 5.00pm, with the usual “Jam Session” for those who wish to continue for a while. No membership fees, no door charges, just an enjoyment of music is all that is required. It is probably timely to mention the aims and background to the Soiree idea. Started over 16 years ago by Iain Grassick and Tania, as a means of just having musical fun, it is a concept that Iain allowed my wife and I to pick up and carry on with, after he and Tania moved on from Mandurah. The Soiree has survived for a number of reasons: it is non-political, non-sectarian, non-religious, etc, in other words it is open to anyone with a general love of music, regardless, of race, colour, country of origin, or creed.
In the past few years, we have had performers from a number of overseas countries, all of whom have contributed to the general feeling of musical enjoyment.
If you wish to attend as a performer, or as a member of the audience, please bear in mind the sensitivities, backgrounds, and feelings of other performers, as this will contribute to the general feeling of harmony, (in more ways than one), which is the main object of the Soiree. As Bruce Woodley(Seekers) /Dobe Newton(Bushwackers), put it so eloquently in the first two lines of the chorus of “We are Australian”. “We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on Earth we come”.
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

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/

WEST AUSTRALIAN FOLK FEDERATION INC.