Auckland New Zealand
Alistair Brown has been singing the old songs, and new songs written by people who like the old songs, since he was fifteen years old. He began his career helping out in the folk clubs of his native Scotland, opening bottles (and occasionally concerts) for many of the great names in folk music.
From 1972 to 2002, he lived in Canada, where he was active in many aspects of folk song and dance, as a recording artist, radio broadcaster, reviewer, columnist, festival director, dance teacher, university lecturer, and program director at folk music and dance camps. With several visits each year, he continues to make regular appearances in North American folk clubs and festivals. In 2002, he returned to the UK, to live in Cornwall, where he calls dances and performs regularly in folk clubs, festivals, pub sessions and several ancient seasonal rituals that require the presence of accordions.
Audiences at concerts and festivals across North America and the UK have responded enthusiastically to his performances, covering the field from big ballads, comic ditties, songs of struggles (usually unsuccessful) against temptation, odes to conviviality and songs of unashamed sentimentality, to outrageously funny stories from a master of the art - all this accompanied by anglo concertina, button accordion and harmonica.
Alistair has performed in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada, as well as in clubs and festivals in the UK.
‘..replete with versatility and good humour - a true folk entertainer...’ - Living Tradition Magazine
In October 1863 the Ganges arrived in New Zealand with 203 souls on board, one of whom was Henry Atkinson. The journey to New Zealand took 103 days and was largely uneventful which was not always the case for sea voyages of the day.
Titirangi Folk Music Club, through music and songs will paint a musical picture of intrepid adventurers as they emigrate to lands unknown, entrusting their lives to the crews of the old sailing ships.
Find out how news was spread whilst at sea, learn with the new hands what it takes to become an old sea salt, meet some whalers in the Southern Ocean and hear how a sailor’s life in the early days compares to the fast technical racing ships of today.
Doors open 6.30PM
An informal ‘Singaround’ - ‘Open Mic’ without a Mic - A smaller group of people meet to share their songs and music.
There will be the traditional mixture of floor singers, interspersed with called
dances from the Maestro caller himself . . . . Noel Armstrong!
Pulling together all of their best foot-tapping music for you to dance to will be
Titirangi Folk Music Club's very own Ceidance.
Don't know how to dance? It doesn't matter! Noel will walk you through each set of steps, so all you need is a desire to have some fun! See you there!
Ceilidh 2008 was a great success, come and make Ceilidh 2010 even better.
Last Update: 2014-08-20
The Club was conceived in 1965 when the Clancy Brothers didn't come and someone had the astounding idea of having a sing-a-round thus transforming an audience into a folk group. Formally established in 1966 we're still going strong.