Common Folk

November Whangateau Folk Club Night with Chris Priestley and the Unsung Heroes
2025-11-24 19:00 - 22:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | 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!

Balfolk Auckland @ St Stephen's Church Hall
2025-11-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-10 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.

Irish Session @ The Clare Inn
2025-11-23 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-16 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-09 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-02 16:00 - 19:00 | The Clare Inn, 274-278 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Irish session, 4 to 7pm every Sunday

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 Set Dancing
2025-11-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-06 19:30 - 21:30 | 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

Irish Session @ The Nix
2025-11-19 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-05 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

Wayne Gillespie & Friends In Concert @ The Bunker
2025-11-17 20:00 - 23:00 | The Bunker
With long-standing musical compadres, celebrating his 40-year catalogue of songs including 2003’s “Live at the Bunker”.

Fables & Moon Goose @ Studio1 Vintage Guitars
2025-11-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Studio1 Vintage Guitars, Victoria Park Market, Auckland, 1060, New Zealand
95bFM and Studio 1 Vintage Guitars presents Border Radio with Fables & Moon Goose
Come on down to Studio 1 Vintage Guitars in Victoria Park Market for Border Radio live in-store. You’ll also be treated to live music from the lovely Fables and the gosh darn delightful Moon Goose!
Don’t worry if you can’t make it in person, you can tune in via 95.0FM or online at 95bFM.com
This is a free and all-ages event.

Free Kids' Ceilidh Dancing and Christmas Party
2025-11-16 13:30 - 16:30 | Auckland Irish Club, Rocky Nook Ave, Fowlds Park, Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand

Darren Watson @ Kumeū Arts Centre
2025-11-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Kumeu Arts, 300 Main Rd, Kumeu, Auckland
Darren Watson is heading ‘out west’ for his first Auckland region appearance in almost half a decade!
He’s promoting his brand new album of John Hiatt covers ‘Darren Watson sings John Hiatt’ with an intimate solo performance featuring his subtly astonishing acoustic guitar playing and soulful, gritty voice.
Don’t miss this powerful, intimate show! Limited tickets.
Darren Watson is a New Zealand singer, guitarist and songwriter known for his soulful blend of blues, roots and sharp-edged songwriting. After early success with Chicago Smoke Shop in the late ’80s, he built a respected solo career, most recently with powerful and original acoustic blues albums like Too Many Millionaires (2018), and the Tui-nominated Getting Sober for the End of the World (2020).

Auckland Céilí/Cèilidh Band – Celtic Dance Night @ Parāoa Brewing Co
2025-11-14 18:30 - 21:00 | Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparaoa Road, Whangaparāoa, Auckland, 0930, 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 Whangaparāoa with live tunes and easy-to-follow group dances 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.

Hosted at Parāoa Brewing Co., with local brews and refreshments available throughout the evening. Come dance, laugh, and celebrate Celtic culture in a relaxed, vibrant setting.

Folk Organiser Networking Event
2025-11-14 18:30 - 20:00 | The Nix, 6 Nixon Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Do you organise folk events? Would you like to? Come meet with other organisers in the folk scene of Auckland – let’s share ideas & strengthen the sector together.
Please RSVP to folk@commonfolk.co.nz
With huge thanks to Ockham Collective for use of The Nix for this event!

Club Night @ The Bunker
2025-11-10 20:00 - 23:00 | The Bunker
The floor is yours for two songs, tunes or poems!

Paul Ubana Jones @ Pah Homestead
2025-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 | The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead, 72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, New Zealand
A national treasure; Paul Ubana Jones is so much more than one man with a guitar. He is a conjuror of unique and original songs, rooted in primal Blues and Soul.
Winner of three New Zealand Music awards Paul Ubana Jones, born in London to a Yorkshire mother and a Nigerian father, Paul was playing guitar by the age of 11. Three decades and nine albums later, he continues to perform throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the USA.
Paul has shared the stage and toured with the best: BB King, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Norah Jones, Keb Mo, Crowded House, Tuck and Patti… He has delighted Festival audiences at the Dublin Blues Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Vancouver Island Folk Festival, Blues at Bridgetown, and many others across Europe.
Swiss-English musician Paul Ubana Jones began his music career playing the guitar at the age of 11, the beginning of a four-decade career that would see him crossing continents, recording eight albums, and settling down right here in Aotearoa.
After time spent in the US and a successful touring and teaching career in Switzerland, Paul and his family moved to New Zealand in the late eighties. As a New Zealand resident, Paul’s trajectory continued in the musical arena performing regularly throughout Australia and New Zealand building a loyal fan base and sharing the stage with other artists like Crowded House, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan and many others. Paul’s contemporary style is influenced by blues, rock, folk and jazz, and has won him three New Zealand Music awards.

Ministry of Folk ft. Ben Chevasse, Hoop, & Tweed
2025-11-08 19:30 - 23:00
The next Ministry of Folk will be Saturday 8th November featuring Ben Chevasse, Hoop and Tweed. Tickets on sale soon. P.S. All three acts have new albums due for release between now and Xmas.

The Slow Water Band @ Titirangi Folk Club
2025-11-08 19:30 - 22:30 | Titirangi Folk Club, Titirangi Beach Hall, Titirangi Beach Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Slow Water Band

The Slow Water Band – combines the sounds of guitar, fiddle, whistles, bodhran, and vocals with a touch of Celtic magic.

The band are all experienced musicians and have performed throughout New Zealand. Based on the North Shore, they play stirring music, of the type that might be heard in the pubs of Ireland. They’re equally at home on a stage, at a music festival, in someone’s front room, at special parties or at a Session in a pub. See: https://www.facebook.com/SlowWaterBand/

Alan Wagstaff and his wife, Ruth, were immersed in the English Folk music scene from a young age. As educators they brought music and the arts to their classes on a daily basis. Alan is our guitarist, lead singer and arranger; Ruth plays recorders, whistles and the bodhran. Sarah Poppe is a natural dramatic performer. She is also an educator, showing her pride in her Celtic heritage with her lively fiddle playing. Stephen Cope captivates audiences when he is playing music and is never far from his accordion.
7.30 entry for an 8 pm start.floor spots in the first half.
members $12non members $15

Jan Elliot @ East Coast Folk Club
2025-11-07 20:00 - 23:00 | East Coast Folk Club, Torbay Senior Citizens Social Centre, Torbay, Auckland, New Zealand
Experience the magic of Jan Elliott in a captivating performance with her talented and experienced musicians Cadzow Cossar and Stephen Moody. They all sing! And you will too! Renowned for her ability to evoke vivid images of time and place, Jan weaves a rich tapestry of sound influenced early on by Joni Mitchell, G Nash, Bob, Shawn and other contemporary songwriters. Let her beautiful melodies and heartfelt songs enrich your evening on an unforgettable musical journey.
Casual performers 1st half with featured guest in the 2nd half.

We Mavericks @ Harmony Hall
2025-11-04 20:00 - 22:00 | Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard St, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand
Masters in the art of connection, Victoria Vigenser (NZ) and Lindsay Martin (AU) interweave soulful vocals, effortless strings and driving rhythms into dynamic originals with roots deep in folk and alt-country. Vigenser’s penchant for turning cliches into meaningful metaphors combines beautifully with Martin’s otherworldly ability to pull a swathe of emotions out of one set of strings — add internationally renowned cellists/multi-instrumentalists Rachel Johnston (NZ) and Trent Arkleysmith (AU) and We Mavericks present a formidable package. With rave reviews across the UK, Europe, and Australia, expect laughter, tears, and soul-stirring songs with a worldly appeal.

Sammy Leary @ The Barebone Acoustic Folk Club
2025-11-02 14:30 - 18:00 | Workshop 26, 26 Donovan Street, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, New Zealand
Sammy Leary lives in Tāmaki Makaurau and now has a long history of performing around Auckland city as well as sometimes further abroad, both by his lonesome and within various groups. Sammy performs mainly traditional folk music, as well as music written within the style of the tradition, mostly with strong connections to the history of Aotearoa but not excluding the occasional song from the Irish, British and American folk traditions. Audiences can expect to hear instruments such as banjos, guitar, concertinas, bones and every now and then a musical saw.Sammy loves to get an audience involved in his performance so if you’re coming along don’t forget to bring your singing voices and pick up a chorus or two.

Entry $10.00 cash at the doorNo bar, so it’s BYOTea/Coffee/Cake at 1/2 time – Gold coin donation please

Daughters of Orpheus Return - Workshops with Tui Mamaki & Medena Ensemble
2025-11-02 10:00 - 16:00
“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
