WA Folk Music and Dance Calendar

If you see TBC (to be confirmed) next to an event then check with the contact before going.
PLEASE NOTE A number of the clubs will be in holiday mode approaching the festive season (that’s Christmas to Australia Day for the non politically correct folk) so some may not be running in late December and/or January. Check with the contact before going.

Saturday 19th January
— 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

— Western Australia in Pictures and Songs – A visual and musical journey around Western Australia!.
Historic photographs from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries along with contemporary images will be projected to accompany original modern folk songs composed by the performers. The show will transport the imaginations of the audience members across the great state of Western Australia to places and events familiar and new.
Performances at:
Seasonal Brewing Co, Maylands on 18 Jan at 2pm & 7pm and 19 Jan at 2pm and 7pm
The Brass Monkey, Northbridge on 23 Jan at 4:45pm, 25 Jan at 2pm and 26 Jan at 2pm
Kalamunda Hotel, Kalamunda at 2pm and 7:30pm
Tickets ($20) from FRINGE WORLD: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/western-australia-in-pictures-and-songs-fw2025

23rd January
— 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.

25th January 2025
— The Hamilton Hillbillies vs The Justin Walshe Folk Machine.
Event by City of Melville, Piney Lakes Reserve
Melville Summer Music is back for its fourth annual season of free, family-friendly concerts near you! Join us beneath the trees and lush parklands of the City of Melville to enjoy lively tunes from talented local artists – all while sharing a picnic with family and friends.
Get ready to stomp your feet and sway by the lake as a bluegrass showdown comes to Melville Summer Music. Back by popular demand are the Hamilton Hillbillies, delivering knee-slapping rhythms, lightning-fast finger picking, and harmonies that will have you hooting and hollering. This powerhouse lineup features ex-members of the Sensitive New Age Cowpersons, pub rocker Jim Fisher, National banjo champion Ian Simpson, mandolinist Adam Gare, and upright bassist Tom Fisher. Get ready for some of the hardest-driving bluegrass this side of Kentucky!
Joining the Hamilton Hillbillies is The Justin Walshe Folk Machine – an acoustic storm of bluegrass instruments and wild storytelling. With nearly twenty years of touring, this Fremantle six-piece delivers their award-winning, uniquely Australian “mongrelgrass” with energy and flair.
Don’t miss this double header of bluegrass magic!
— Event Information — Arrive from 4.30pm to set up your picnic blanket. Folder chairs are welcome – please allow space for people with picnic blankets to set up in front, so everyone can see.
Food truck providers will be announced closer to the event.
Bring your own reusable plates, cups and cutlery, as we try to reduce waste at our events.
Walk, ride, bus (510) or ride share to the event.
There will limited parking available – stay tuned for more info.
The Justin Walshe Folk Machine will take the stage at 5.00pm, followed by a short break before The Hamilton Hillbillies kick off at 6.00pm. The event will finish at 7.00pm.
— Accessibility Information — Each park location includes both paths and grass. Most patrons will be required to use the paths or traverse grass to reach the audience area. Food trucks will be set up a short distance from the stage/audience area. Portable accessible event toilets will be available at each location, and ACROD parking will also be provided. Stay tuned for more details.
— Other Information — Please note, there will be a photographer and videographer capturing pictures and footage of the event, with content taken to be used for City of Melville’s promotional purposes. This event is FREE. No bookings required. Everyone is welcome. melvillecity.com.au/melvillesummermusic

— 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

— 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!!

26th January 2025
— Australia Day Bush Poets and Yarnspinners.
This is an anual event at Wireless Hill in Melville. It is a day of Bush poetry at its best with a bit of Aus music from the Rambling Bilbies. More info soon
contact billgordon1948@gmail.com or web: www.wabushpoets.asn.au

— 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

–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: Trevor Perree 0416 968 994

28th January
— 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.

31st January
— 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

Friday 7th February
— Hills Folk Club.(1st Friday)
Hills Folk Club night at 8pm on Friday December 6th will be our final gathering for the year at Falls Farm. So far, we have 4 special acts booked for your entertainment. Phil & Yvonne Gray will be performing as ‘Warralakin’ and in his own indomitable style, Phil has promised us some real ‘crackers’ for Christmas.
We also welcome a well-established band called “Moon Dog” to perform at our Club for the first time. Pat Gee, a regular member at our Club, will be playing his banjalele, Greg Cunningham on guitar & mandolin, John on Guitar with vocals, Peter on his lap steel & Grant on base. They will have your feet tapping.
We have a spot booked for Katherine Manera to sing and then Narelle Hurley, who has been involved with the folk scene since she was a youngster, will be presenting some songs from her new Album “The Treaty of the Caul”.
The rest of the night is open to performers who would like to do 2 or 3 songs, the number depending on how many people request a spot. It can be good fun as it gives performers the chance to do a new song they have been practising or revamp an old forgotten one. Please do let me know if you would like a spot as well.
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

Saturday 8th February
— Mandurah Soiree.
Well our most recent Soiree at the beginning of December, was one of the best we have ever had-many thanks to all who attended. In the second half in particular, there were many items where people sang along and joined the performers at the microphones, both singing and playing instruments-all very good fun, and emphasizing the true spirit of the Soiree-enjoying music and being involved!!
Though we were planning to try to have the first Soiree of 2025 January, due to personal commitments, we have had to put back the date so our next Soiree will be on Saturday the 8th of February 2025. Usual format, starting at 2.30p.m. with the break between 3.00 and 4.00, then continuing on to 5.00 to 5.30p.m. The suggested theme will be Flora and Fauna, Bird and Bees etc. Just remember the theme is not mandatory, so if nothing comes to mind just perform some of your favourites. If you could plan for three items per performer, that would help us plan the programme. Looking forward to catching up with you.
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

14th February
— Wanneroo Folk Club In Warwick
Valentines Day and international concertina Day, not sure how that came about on the same day. Our featured artists are The Five Star Trio who got together in 2019 and were numerically challenged from the start, but the story begins before that. There used to be a music session in the Moon and Sixpence about 10 years ago and many of Perth’s regulars would turn up. The pub got demolished, and the musicians claiming no responsibility, simply moved to another pub, then to the Irish club in Subiaco and finally to Johnny Fox’s in Northbridge .The four members of Five Star are a small selection of the group who still enjoy a great fortnightly session in Johnny Fox’s, and they comprise: Terry Sweet and Colleen Talbot on dulcet-toned melodeon, Chris Golding who knows all three chords (and a bunch more) on guitar, and Ken Kenny who admits to fiddling. Lively music with a wide range, songs old and not so, Five Star have done six festivals by now but this is their first Folk Club appearance!
We will also have a few concertina players including Yvonne Gray accompanied by Phil.
It is goinf to be a great night of Trad folk and Im sure there will be choruses to join in to.
Doors open 7 pm for a 7:30 start
Tea & coffee provided, for other refreshment bring your own
Admission: $12 ($10 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