Folk music is noticeably popular in the Tauranga area. It's been that way since I started writing for The Weekend Sun and doesn't seem in any danger of dying out.

A lot of that has, of course, got to do with the Katikati Folk Club (KKFC) - an institution I have happily plugged and raved about for well over a decade.

And at the end of this month, the Folk Club holds yet another concert with yet another top-flight act – and it's yet another I am happy to recommend.

I realise I repeat this around every six months, but the KKFC is, I believe, one of the area's great cultural treasures; a warm environment where prices are reasonable and the focus is the music.

Musicians and audiences alike are welcomed and the little personal touches – unique stage decoration for each concert, for instance – make it something really special.

They also have an ability to attract top acts, be it Scotland's Dick Gaughan, Ireland's Andy Irvine, New Zealand's Tami Neilson or dozens of other high-profile artists who seem unlikely visitors to cheerful little Katikati.

But before a little rant about The Helen Dorothy Project, who will be performing next Friday (June 29), I wonder if I might punt a suggestion towards the many folk-music loving event organisers and bookers for local clubs.

New opportunities

I can't help wondering if we're missing an opportunity when the KKFC books artists. Surely the Bay's population has now grown sufficiently for visiting acts to play two shows - one at the KKFC and one in town, perhaps for the Tauranga Acoustic Music Club (TAMC), The Incubator, The Entertainers Club or any of the organisations featuring regular music?

I haven't done a headcount as to how many of the Folk Club audience travels to Katikati from Tauranga, but my guess would be not a lot. Most people attending are from Katikati. So perhaps that means there is room for someone in town to put on a second gig.

The advantage to this, obviously, is that it would make it easier to attract top acts to the area. If you're a travelling musician then two shows in an area is much better than one. It could mean more money for the musicians with each venue actually paying a little less.

Everybody wins.

Now I'm aware that the TAMC has morphed somewhat since the days it held regular concerts of touring artists.

Currently it is primarily a vehicle for members to get together and play, and their regular Tuesday nights at the RSA mainly comprise performances from members with and for other members.

Perhaps they're not the right group for this, but I can't help thinking that with a little co-ordination we can get even better acts to the Bay.

The Helen Dorothy Project

On to next Friday. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Helen Dorothy is well-respected on the folk scene and regularly pops up at events such as the Nelson Arts Festival and Wellington Folk Festival.

She's also made a couple of impressive albums.

Watching Ghosts... and Other Songs, was selected as a favourite by UK magazine fRoots in 2014 and her collection from last year, Light Time & Sound, features Paul Symons, Lott, and virtuoso blues harp player Neil Billington.

Some of you might know Neil from his gigs here with bluesman Mike Garner, but sadly Neil's not on the bill. The good news is that the other two, Paul Symons and Lott, are.

Both are superb musicians in their own right - Paul a very good guitarist and singer/songwriter with albums under his own name who famously travelled the country in an old Bedford school-bus.

The singularly-named Lott is also something unique - a multi-instrumentalist who has played jazz, blues and folk festivals worldwide (including Tauranga!).

He plays guitar in his own avant-garde jazz trio, Slippery Noodle, but here will be providing upright bass.

There's a new venue for the KKFC this time - the Katikati Resource Centre on Beach Road, where doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm.

Adults are $20, members $15 and school-aged children go free.