Common Folk

Auckland Céilí/Cèilidh Band - Makarau Hall Fundraiser
2025-12-06 18:30 - 21:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Makarau Hall, Makarau Road, Makarau, Kaukapakapa, New Zealand
Get ready for a foot-stomping, family-friendly night of traditional Celtic music and dancing!
The Auckland Céilí/ Cèilidh Band brings the spirit of Ireland and Scotland to the beautiful rural MAKARAU HALL. A family-friendly evening of Celtic dancing for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just curious to try, this event is all about joy, connection, and rhythm. No experience needed—just bring your energy and a smile.
This is a FUNDRAISER for the Makarau Hall. All ticket proceeds go to the hall. The live traditional Celtic band is funded by The Daphnie Stevens Community Music Scholarship. A light supper is provided in the ticket price.

Micheal Young @East Coast Folk Club
2025-12-05 20:00 - 22:30 | East Coast Folk Club, Torbay Senior Citizens Social Centre, Torbay, Auckland, New Zealand
Micheal Young became obsessed with the guitar at the age of 18, inspired by the likes of James Taylor, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Joe Walsh, Chet Atkins and the Beatles. A few years later he latched on to the progressive fusion music of The Tony Rice Unit, David Grisman Quartet, Tony Trishka with Skyline, and New Grass Revival and added a mandolin to his toolkit. His love for vocal harmonies has grown from his participation in the New Zealand bands “Wires & Wood”, “Too Far Gone”, “ReInTarNayShun” and “Rainberry Pie”, as well as his album of duets “Double Helix”. Along the way he became a successful recording engineer, producing two Tui award winning albums. After honing his skills on upright bass he became a founding member of the up and coming folk/rock/soul band “Albi & The Wolves” which is keeping him very busy at the moment.
Micheal will be joined by Ded Mackenzie on vocals, David Blackman on violin, Cathy Dyer on bass and Miles Shephard on mandolin.

Irish Set Dancing
2025-12-04 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-20 08:00 - 17:00 | Auckland Irish Club, Rocky Nook Ave, Fowlds Park, Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand
Free Irish Set Dancing session – the group goes through various traditional sets from Ireland, dances are called, all welcome.
The Auckland Irish Society Clubhouse, Rocky Nook Bowling Club, Fowlds Park, Mt. Albert – First and third Thursdays each month (except Jan.)
If you’re planning on coming contact: Sue and John Sheehan phone: (09) 445 9105 or 027 488 8733

Shanty night @ The Bunker
2025-12-01 20:00 - 23:00 | The Bunker
Shanty NIght with members of The Maritime Crew. Includes floor singers – always a rousing night.

Balfolk Auckland @ St Stephen's Church Hall
2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-24 19:00 - 20:30 | St Stephens Church Hall, 65 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay, Auckland, New Zealand
Balfolk Auckland: a weekly dance gathering in which traditional European dance forms are presented as a vibrant experience.

Bunker Hill Unplugged @ The Bunker
2025-11-30 20:00 - 23:00 | The Bunker
Four songwriters presented by Micheal Young.

Musical Sound Journey @ The Button Factory
2025-11-30 16:30 - 20:00 | The Button Factory, 2 Abbey Street, Aucklad, New Zealand
Auckland world-fusion musicians Matt Reece and John Goudge, take you on their unique Musical Sound Journey.Welcome to the Button Factory – Central Auckland’s creative space for art, music and dance. Matt and John will immerse you in a fusion of instruments from all around the world, while you are surrounded by artworks.Matt Reece is a long-time student of instruments from around the world, including overtone flutes, kalimba, ngoni (African harp), taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments), didgeridoo, and percussion.John Goudge has been a singer/songwriter, composer, and musical director for nearly four decades. As part of Musical Sound Journey, he fuses sound effects, synthesizers, guitars, and voice with world music.

Irish Session @ The Clare Inn
2025-11-30 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-23 16:00 - 19:00 | The Clare Inn, 274-278 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Irish session, 4 to 7pm every Sunday

Daughters of Orpheus Return - Workshops with Tui Mamaki & Medena Ensemble
2025-11-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 16:00 | Auckland
“Daughters of Orpheus Return”
Freshly returned from the homeland of the music, Tui Mamaki is offering a Series of Open Workshops with Medena Ensemble:
4 OCT : NEDELINO village
= Potent diphonic mountain song, learned with Aneta Emilova
5 OCT : BISTRITSA village
= Driving diphonic trance-lore, learned with Dina Koleva
1 NOV : PLEVEN region
= Swift ornamented 7 rhythm, for trio, learned with Gergana Dimitrova
2 NOV : PIRIN region
= Beautiful slow 7 rhythm, for trio, learned with Gergana Dimitrova
29 NOV : RODOPA mountains
= Uplifting frolic song, for trio, learned with Elichka Krastanova
30 NOV : RODOPA mountains
= Langourous ornamented solo, learned with Elichka Krastanova
LOGISTICAL
Location: Auckland
Times : 10am-4pm
Cost : $125-150 single day / $225-275 weekend
Requires : Previous folklore vocal experience OR an individual introduction session to acquire appropriate voice production basics.
ENQUIRIES : tuimamaki@gmail.com / 021 155 55 82

Piping of the Haggis @ RSA Birkenhead
2025-11-29 19:00 - 22:00 | RSA Birkenhead, 1 Recreation Drive, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand
Join us and the music of Dave Ewart for the Piping of the Haggis! A long held tradition in Scotland. Come listen to the Bagpiper and taste the Haggis!

Celtic Christmas Celebration @ Red Beach Church
2025-11-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Red Beach Church, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
Celebrate the season with a concert full of energy, colour and Celtic spirit. Enjoy a vibrant mix of traditional carols and songs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and Cornwall, along with familiar Christmas favourites.
Experience the warmth of choral harmony, the joy of the season and a touch of Celtic charm. The perfect way to begin your Christmas celebrations.

Rod MacKinnon @ Pah Homestead
2025-11-29 12:00 - 13:00 | The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead, 72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, New Zealand
Rod MacKinnon is a singer/songwriter with a varied original repertoire. His roots are in folk music, which he has developed eclectically over the years, reflecting on life, frequently with quirky observations. His music covers a range of genres from folksy blues to jazzy ballads.

Schools' Cultural Festival 2025 @ Rocket Park, Mt Albert
2025-11-29 10:00 - 16:00 | Rocket Park, 751 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand
Celebrate Auckland’s unique culture with the Albert-Eden Schools Cultural Festival 2024 and enjoy performances, food trucks, activations and more. This year there are 13 schools participating with 34 performances.

Donnybrook Fair @ Grey Lynn RSA
2025-11-28 19:30 - 23:00 | Grey Lynn Returned Services Club
Join Donnybrook Fair for a night of singing and dancing at Grey Lynn RSA!
English/Irish folk-punk, reminiscent of The Pogues. High-energy fusion of traditional Irish melodies and fast-paced rhythms. The songs, filled with stories of love, rebellion, and celebration.

Hillsborough Ceilidh
2025-11-28 19:30 - 21:30 | St David’s in the Fields, 202 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough, Auckland, 1042, New Zealand
Come join the Hillsborough Ceilidh!
Everyone is welcome; our friendly caller will explain everything and our live band will get you on your feet and dancing.Our ceilidh dances are alcohol-free and family friendly.
Funded by the Puketāpapa Local Board.

Friday Folk'n'Jam
2025-11-28 19:30 - 21:30 | Titirangi Folk Club, Titirangi Beach Hall, Titirangi Beach Road, Auckland, New Zealand
An evening of taking turns to share music and songs around the circle, joining in when you can, with harmonies on your instrument or voice. Participate or listen. The choice is yours.
We’re a totally informal, small friendly group of people who like to sing and play music. This is a good place for experienced musicians to meet up and enjoy playing together.
If you do not sing or play and would like to then here you’ll find encouragement. There is never any pressure and you may wish to visit a few times to get confidence or you may already be confident, it does not matter, no one will criticise, only support.

David Shanhun + Adam & Marika @ Whangateau Hall
2025-11-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Whangateau Hall, 533 Leigh Road, Leigh, New Zealand
New Zealand’s premier folk duo combine with one of NZ’s finest singer/songwriters to bring you a short series of intimate concerts, featuring favourite folk melodies, gypsy jazz, and a series of original compositions!
After performing with Ms Lauryn Hill, Jordan Luck, and many other NZ artists, this is a rare chance to see Marika in an intimate duo show, with none other than the talented Adam Ogle. Adam has performed with best-selling Irish musician Sharon Shannon and toured with Manus McGuire, and is part of NZ’s own folk band Roughtown.
David Shanhun has opened for Rock legends Foreigner, & Heart, and has toured NZ, Japan, and the UK. His exquisite guitar work shines under his superb storytelling and songwriting. He’s performed with Grammy Award winner Bryan White, and you may remember him from previous performances at the Whangteau Hall with Shimna!

Old Time Session @ Auckland Bluegrass Club
2025-11-26 19:30 - 22:00 | The Nix, 6 Nixon Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Join the Old-Time session with Auckland Bluegrass Club! 4th Wednesday of each month at the NIX in Grey Lynn

Last Wednesdays Club @ Movespace
2025-11-26 19:00 - 22:00 | Movespace, 473 Dominion Road, Auckland, 1024, New Zealand
An intimate night featuring some of Auckland’s top singer/songwriters, in a cosy lounge setting at Movespace, Dominion Road. Limited seating available!
Featuring:
Baylie Vinson: After returning from the USA, Christchurch-born singer-songwriter Baylie Vinson is steadily building her presence in New Zealand’s indie folk scene. Drawing from her own lived experiences, her music offers heartfelt and honest storytelling that reflects on life’s complexities and the depths of human thought and emotion.
Tim Prier: Tim Prier is a troubadour of heartfelt Indie-Folk, weaving stories through soulful melodies, connecting emotions with audiences across New Zealand’s landscapes. Either as a solo artist, trio, or with his band, Tim has built a reputation for his evocative lyrics and captivating performances.
Adam & Marika: Adam and Marika are in hot demand as one of New Zealand’s premier folk duo’s – featured at Wellyfest and the upcoming Auckland Folk Festival. Performing everything from Gypsy Jazz, your favourite folk melodies, plus a series of sizzling original compositions!

Club Night @ The Bunker
2025-11-24 20:00 - 23:00 | The Bunker
The floor is yours for two songs, tunes or poems!

November Whangateau Folk Club Night with Chris Priestley and the Unsung Heroes
2025-11-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Whangateau Hall, 533 Leigh Road, Leigh, New Zealand
Folk music legend Chris Priestley is bringing his Unsung Heroes show to Whangateau! The show, supported by full band consisting of the equally legendary Nigel Gavin, Cameron Bennett and Sonia Wilson, is also including a video component that illustrates this story-based show all about characters from New Zealand History. This show is going to be absolutely outstanding!

Club night featuring Neal Ghoshal @ Ōmiha Folk Club
2025-11-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Ōmiha Memorial Hall, 2 Glen Brook Rd, Omiha, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Neal has been inspired by music for as long as he can remember, growing up on the best of bluesy rock, he later found a love of more roots-based music, contemporary folk, soul, jazz, and world music. Playing guitar since his teenage years, he’ll be bringing his favourite covers along with a selection of original songs. You’ll hear the influence of John Martyn in his soulful, roots inspired style. The yoga teacher and musician will be joined for his folk club performance by his musical besties the talented Kelly Watkin and Andy Lewis.

Please add your name to the list at the door if you’d like to do a floor spot in the first half.

The Ministry of Folk @ Grey Lynn Park Festival
2025-11-22 | Grey Lynn Park Festival, Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand
The Ministry of Folk will be returning to Grey Lynn Park festival this year with a lineup packed with local talent you won’t want to miss!

Tamlin @ Rafters Music Club
2025-11-21 20:00 - 23:00 | Rafters Music Club, 1a Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Tamlin

The last club night of the year for Rafters!

Tamlin these days comprises the combined talents of Greg & Linda Whitcombe performing a range of mainly Celtic tunes & unusual songs, which lean towards the humorous rather than the historic.Greg & Linda have been playing for festivals, dances, concerts & workshops for some 20 years or so. Linda is recognised for her superb fiddle playing, and Greg for his abilities on accordion, guitar, cittern & for his dubious sense of humour.

Programme
The first half of the evening brings musicians old and new to warm us up before supper and our main guest/s. We welcome new performers. See Graham at the door if you want to perform, but you will need to be there before the 8pm start.

David Shanhun + Adam & Marika @ Orewa Community Centre
2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Orewa Community Centre
New Zealand’s premier folk duo combine with one of NZ’s finest singer/songwriters to bring you a concert featuring favourite folk melodies, gypsy jazz, and a series of original compositions.
After performing with Ms Lauryn Hill, Jordan Luck, and many other NZ artists, this is a rare chance to see Marika in an intimate duo show, with none other than the talented Adam Ogle. Adam has performed with best-selling Irish musician Sharon Shannon and toured with Manus McGuire, and is part of NZ’s own folk band Roughtown.
David Shanhun has opened for Rock legends Foreigner, & Heart, and has toured NZ, Japan, and the UK. His exquisite guitar work shines under his superb storytelling and songwriting. He’s performed with Grammy Award winner Bryan White, and will open with an acoustic set.

Irish Session @ The Nix
2025-11-19 19:30 - 22:00 | The Nix, 6 Nixon Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Trad Irish Session held at The Nix on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. BYO venue, all welcome
