Songs for Social Justice: A weekend in central Sydney of singing together for change. 24 – 26 August. More details later. Meantime, email, web or phone for more info. Paul (02) 4952 5889, Margaret (02) 9698 2206.

BMC Dance Workshop. Contras & more.  Pennant Hills Community Centre, Yarrara Rd.  7.30-9.30pm.  $7.  Felicity 9456 2860

French Canadian Folk Dance.  Wongawilli Hall.  8pm.  $3 (children free), includes a light supper with tea & coffee. Acoustic musicians welcome to join in, sheet music provided.  David De Santi,  0409 57 1788.

The Unfinished Spelling Errors of Bolkien is a lovingly irreverent re-telling of The Lord of the Rings, interspersed with songs performed by Martin Pearson. If you are a 'Lord of the Rings' fan and/or Martin Pearson fan & haven't yet caught his famous 'Bolkien Show' then here is your chance! He is a very funny satirical performer.  Humph Hall, 85 Allambie Rd, Allambie Heights.  7pm.  Due to newly imposed Council restrictions, audience numbers limited to 50 so book early!  Wayne Richmond (02) 9939 8802.

Martin Pearson. Comedian with keen eye for making everyday events so mundane they are laughable. Parody writer of renown & singer of some notes. As a folk singer, he longs for serious recognition in much the same way as a flatworm longs for reeboks.  +Chris Maltby. He went to concerts, festivals etc for years, never putting himself forward except to help. Then, one day, out he comes with a traditional song, & knows it thoroughly. Courted by Ecopella Choir & Roaring Forties, he amazes them with the songs he knows & can learn.  The Loaded Dog, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, upstairs, 79 Johnston St.  8pm.  $15, $13.  BYO, supper available.  Sandra (02) 9358 4886.

The Australian Bush Orchestra, with Elsen Price (acoustic bass), Clare O'Meara (violin, accordion), Garry Steel (keyboard), Peter Kennard (percussion), Marcus Holden (Stroh violin, mandolin, guitar), Ian 'The Pump' MacIntosh (melodeon), Mark Oats (fiddle) & Warren Fahey (concertina, jaw harp, bulldust). Celebrating the launch of their new ABC album with colonial music for bush dance & campfire. A fun afternoon. Bookings are already excellent. Concrete Blonde, a fantastic restaurant at 33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross, is allowing Warren to host real music every Sunday. 'They also serve a terrific Sunday roast with all the trimmings (2 courses $40).' No cover charge. Music from around 1pm-4pm. Bookings advised: (02) 9380 8307.

Afternoon tea with Martin Pearson.  +Rusty Hinges.  +Mystery act.  Wongawilli Community Hall.  2pm.  $20, $15, Youth (12-16) $5, under-12 free.  Includes afternoon tea!  Performer details.

BMC Dance Workshop. Contras & more. Pennant Hills Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. 7.30-9.30pm. $7. Felicity 9456 2860

Song Session Night - Theme: Songs of The Dubliners with special guest singer Danny Priestley (dancers welcome but no walk-throughs).   Wongawilli Hall.  8pm.  $3.  David De Santi,  0409 57 1788.

The Popes (Ireland).  The Vanguard, 42 King St, Newtown.  $48.80 (incl. bf), meal & show $83.80 (incl. bf).  Bookings, 9557 9409.

Kim Sanders & Friends: Gypsy Madness! Special guest, Boyd, who performed with Kim in legendary Gypsy-World band Brassov in the '90s. Plus the return of Bobby Singh on tabla. Kim Sanders (goat bag, breath tubes, medium-sized saxofon); Boyd (big saxofon, maybe big clarinet too); Llew Kiek (string things); Sam Golding (sousaphone honkenblurter); Bobby Singh (those little Indian bongo things). Camelot Lounge, 19 Marrickville Rd (cnr Railway Pde, 2 mins walk from Sydenham station), Marrickville. Fully licensed. Pizzas, mezzes, snacks, sorbets available. 9pm (doors 7.30). $25, $20. (02) 9550 3777. Info.  Bookings.

RFDS Contra Dance with Pastrami on Ryebuck, caller Julie Bishop.  *Note NEW VENUE & times.  Ermington Community Centre, 10 River Rd.  7-11pm.  $17, $14, under-18 (with an adult) free.  John 9623 7551, Leila 9896 8992.

The Popes (Ireland), featuring Paul 'Mad Dog' McGuinness, Will Morrison, 'Whiskey Mick' Rowan & Dave Allen.  +Dubliners 50th Anniversary Tribute.   Illawarra Folk Club, City Diggers Wollongong, cnr Church & Burelli Sts. 7.30pm. For info email or call 1300 887 034.

Engadine House Concert, with Mary-Jane Field, still singing & writing songs. Some personal favourites from her days singing at the Harbourtown Lounge in South Carolina, USA, plus songs from South America (with maracas & goats’ toenails!); some of her most loved Australian ballads, & songs related to issues that concern her; & a cheeky surprise or two. She has invited the composer of an entry in last year’s SydneyVision contest to sing her song - along with a taste of this year's entry. Mary-Jane has played on the Opera House stage, in Martin Place & Darling Harbour, twice as a guest at an International Folkloric Festival in Argentina, & in restaurants, folk clubs & festivals - but loves the intimacy of a house concert. Yummy home-made afternoon tea. 2pm. Suggested donation  $15, $20. Booking essential: Email or phone Margaret (02) 9520 6180, 0403 936 785.

BALRANALD:  The Davidson Brothers.  Balranald Royal Theatre.  7pm.  South West Arts (03) 5881 7749 or South West Music (03) 5881 4736

SOUTH DURRAS:  Monaro Folk Society Bush Dance Group - Bush Dancers Weekend Away. Why not join the bush dancers at Lakesea Park, between the lake & the sea? Bring your dancing shoes & musical instruments. All welcome. Email for more info.

CANBERRA:  The Popes (Ireland).  Polish White Eagle Club, 38 David St, Turner.  From 7.30pm.  $30 online, $35, $25 at door.  Bookings.

BOOROORBAN:  The Davidson Brothers.  Booroorban Hall.  6.30pm. South West Arts (03) 5881 7749 or South West Music (03) 5881 4736

KATOOMBA: Winter Magic Festival. Blue Mountains Folk, all day, Carrington Ballroom stage - 9.30am Nick Szentkuti, 10.15 Paper & String, 11 Buck; 11.30 PARADE; 12 Chris Gillespie, 1pm Green Tea Serenade, 2 The Spouse Girls, 3 Manzanita, 4 Anne Ridgeway, Rosie McDonald, Ann Palumbo, 5-5.40pm Cello Kate & Martijn. Carrington Hotel, 15-47 Katoomba St. Email or phone Nick Szentkuti (02) 4758 7953.

GOOLGOWI:  The Davidson Brothers.  Goolgowi Community Hall.  2pm.  South West Arts (03) 5881 7749 or South West Music (03) 5881 4736.

NEWCASTLE:  The Popes (Ireland).  Great Northern Hotel.

CANBERRA:  Peter Woodley 'Flute Tunes' CD Launch.  The Merry Muse (Monaro Folk Society), Canberra Southern Cross Club (The Bowlo), McCaughey St (cnr Condamine St), Turner.  7.30pm.  $17, $14, MFS $12, under-16 free.  Eileen 0412 127 882.