Ray Legere & Michael O’Reilly - House Concert

Back By Popular Demand……

The "April 28th Private House Concert" Featuring:

Ray Legere & Michael O'Reilly
(fiddle, mandolin & guitar… vocals, banjo and guitar)

Ray Legere is a Master fiddler, mandolin & guitar player as well as an award winning Bluegrass player. He is continuously recruited to play alongside major recording artists, both on recordings and on tour. He has been touring worldwide with the Bowfire show for many years. To have him play in the intimate setting of a house concert, will be a truly phenomenal experience.

Ray will be playing alongside Michael O'Reilly, who is himself, a guitar, banjo and mandolin player. His original story songs will be featured.

There is nothing like listening to fiddle music in an intimate environment like this, so please do come and join us!

· Suggested donation is $20 each, seats are very limited
· Tickets must be reserved in advance.

· For tickets and directions (east Ottawa) by emailing Don at fletchers5@rogers.com

· All proceeds go to the performers
· Concert starts at 7:30 PM, Saturday, April 28
· In the spirit of old time house concerts, bringing snacks for the "lunch" at break is much appreciated
· If you have a folding chair to bring along, please let Don know

The Bollox (!) - digitally re-releases album

Not one day from giving notice that The Mahones are playing Ottawa, do I receive yet another 'Celtic-punk' piece of news. I found this band on iTunes and gave the tune samples a listen. Actually, this band is pretty good. I recommend them to the young and the progressive out there who want another angle on the old music.

My own introduction to traditional music appreciation was through modern bands like Figgy Duff, Rawlins Cross and then, thankfully, seeing Paddy Keenan live in a St. John's pub as he was re-establshing his recording career with Na Keen Affair. In this respect, we need to accept that music which is not strictly in the tradition may be a 'gateway drug' to the harder stuff (more traditional that is) for the younger crowd. And we need the younger crowd to buy in to help keep it alive.

-Craig

- - -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Celtic punk rock band, The Bollox, digitally re-releases album.

February 5th, 2012 -- After more than a year of being unavailable for digital purchase, Celtic punk rock band The Bollox re-releases their self titled album on all major online music retailers. First released in March of 2009, the album contains 11 songs that capture the spirit and energy of Ireland through the eyes of an Irish immigrant. It received rapturous reviews and an outstanding response from the general public.

The album was co-written by members Keith Walker (also from the bands Power of Dreams and Sister Cities) and Jason Devore (also from the band Authority Zero). One year after the release of the album, members of The Bollox went their separate ways due to commitments with other music projects. As a result the album was no longer available online for purchase. Due to overwhelming demand for the album to be re-released, Walker and Devore decided it was time to make it available once again.

"Jason and I are very proud of this album and we hope it reaches fans of Celtic, folk, and punk music far and wide." says Walker.

The album is currently available for purchase on Itunes, Amazon, and other major online stores.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Keith Walker - keithwalkerireland@yahoo.com

Lá Gaeilge – One Day Irish Language Immersion Workshop

Caint is Comhrá is pleased to offer a Lá Gaeilge on Saturday, February 18th at Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa.

Beginners are welcome! Classes for beginners as well as for intermediate and advanced learners of Irish.

Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Lunch break from noon to 1:00 pm)
Fee: $25 (which includes Lunch ,Tea/coffee,snacks ,soup and sandwiches)

There will be three classes and great teachers. Please call or email to let me know you are coming. 613 233 9927. toni144@gmail.com

Montreal - Fiddle and DADGAD Workshops 22-23 Feb 2012

There are upcoming workshops (fiddle and DADGAD guitar) in Montreal on Feb 22 and 23.

DETAILS:

Jesse Smith - Fiddle
Wednesday February 22, 2012
Beginners / Intermediate 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Advanced, 7:45 to 8:45 PM

JESSE SMITH (FIDDLE), a young American musician who grew up in Baltimore immersed in the thriving Irish music tradition of that city, has lived in Ireland for over thirteen years now. Both of his parents are musicians and he started playing the fiddle at an early age, studying with the renowned teacher and player Brendan Mulvihill. In 1998 his love for the music took him to Ireland to stay, where he made his mark as a fiddler touring and recording with the great Irish band Danú.

His debut solo fiddle CD Jigs and Reels was among the top ten Irish traditional music CDs cited by music columnist Earle Hitchner in America's largest Irish weekly, "The Irish Echo". This was followed by a collaborative release (with Belfast flute player Harry Bradley and London guitarist/pianist John Blake) entitled The Tap Room Trio, simply one of the best recordings of Irish traditional music in recent years.

Praise is now being garnered by his recent release, The Ewe With The Crooked Horn (2010), recorded with button-accordionist Colm Gannon.

Ryan McGiver - DADGAD Guitar
Wednesday February 22, 2012
Fingerstyle and pickpicking guitar in DADGAD tuning (various styles), 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Accompanying traditional Irish music in DADGAD tuning, 7:45 - 8:45 PM

Singer/Guitarist Ryan McGiver has toured extensively throughout the US, Asia, Australia and Europe over the past decade playing a mixture of traditional Irish and American music.

In addition to performing across the globe, Ryan has taught traditional guitar workshops domestically and internationally including the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia.

He has recorded and shared stages with a diverse and eclectic mix of traditional, folk and rock musicians including Kevin Crawford, Liz and Yvonne Kane, Doug Wieselman, Edel Fox, Jolie Holland and Shahzad Ismaily to name a few.

Ryan is the guitarist for Grammy award-winning singer, Susan McKeown and is currently touring with Lunasa's uilleann piper, Cillian Vallely.

His debut solo album of ballads, Troubled In Mind, is garnishing critical acclaim in both the traditional and Indie-folk communities world-wide and is set to release in spring 2012.

All workshops are an hour long and $20 per participant.

Location: 2309 Oxford Avenue, H4A 2X7
Please contact Kelly Symons with any questions and for registration
(ambrosemoloney@gmail.com).

Payment due upon attending.

'Traddy punk' group The Mahones to play Ottawa, 17 Feb 2012

This gig will more than likely appeal more to the younger crowd in Ottawa. I gather from my Twitter feed that Canadian Celtic-Punk sensation The Mahones are playing on Friday 17 Feb at Mavericks Bar on Rideau St., although the gig does not appear yet on their event listing, it does appear on the Mahones Tour Schedule.  Digging into their tour listing, the band certainly gets around the world and obviously have a huge following. I myself haven't owned any of their music, and I always have a hard time listening to most 'Celtic-punk' bands that aren't The Pogues. But that's just ME. I should probably go through their back catalog and give them a solid chance. Only fair huh?  Anyways, if you want a rollicking jolly time rocking out to Irish influenced punk rock, Mavericks will be THE place to be on 17 Feb.

Wanted: traditional musicians, Ottawa Heritage Day at City Hall

This is a request for Irish/Celtic traditional musicians to play for the City of Ottawa Heritage Day Proceedings:

• Feb 21st, City Hall - 11:30 gathering time
• This year a stage will be set up in the Main Hall
• They will have all the proceedings out there..so the Mayor will give a short speech..and then play from the stage
• Lunch is provided
• If you can make it please contact Jim to let him know if you can make it

Jim.Mountain@ottawa.ca

The Ottawa Traditional Fiddling & Folk Art Society 24TH ANNUAL Fiddle Workshop - Saturday, 28 April 2012

Instructors: Ray Legere and Shane Cook

Ray Legere – Sackville, NB
BLUEGRASS FIDDLER AND MANDOLINIST:
Ray Legere is one of today's most honored Bluegrass fiddlers. His many awards include five-time winner of the Eastern and Central Division Bluegrass Awards in the categories of Mandolin and Fiddle, winner of two Open Mandolin Championships and finalist in the Canadian and Nashville's Grand Masters Fiddle Championships. Ray's extensive tour schedule includes backing artists like Michelle Shocked, Tony Rice, John McDermott, Alison Brown, Rita McNeil and finding time to be “house fiddler” for a popular French Canadian music TV series. He has recorded for hundreds of sessions and graced world-renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry.

For more info: http:// http://www.raylegere.com/.

Shane Cook – London, Ontario
FIDDLE: Shane Cook "rates at the top of the short list of the finest fiddlers in the world today," says the Canadian Fiddlers' Hall of Fame. Shane has distinguished himself as a master of an array of fiddle styles ranging from Irish and Scottish to French-Canadian, Texan, and Bluegrass. He is one of Canada's most highly awarded Canadian Old-Time fiddlers, a three-time Canadian Open National Fiddle Champion, a three-time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, a Grand North American Fiddle Champion and is the only Canadian to have ever won the US Grand National Fiddle Championship.

In concert, Shane captivates audiences with his danceable playing that is as adventurous as it is technically thrilling. He has toured Canada, United States, Germany, England, China and Taiwan, and has performed with several orchestras. Shane is a member of The Brian Pickell Band - a collection of Canadian virtuosos of traditional music. Shane also leads his own band with whom he has recently released his fourth solo CD. This self-titled CD is a collection of hot and swinging standards from the Canadian Old-Time fiddle tradition that the London Free Press describes as "Relaxed, sprightly…and brilliantly played."

Nepean Creative Arts Centre – 35 Stafford Road, Nepean
Saturday, April 28, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost for all participants (includes lunch): $45.00
Registration Form – 24th OTFFAS Fiddle Workshop

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: (Day) ________________(Evening) _________________

E-mail address: ____________________________________________________

Make your cheque or money order payable to: OTFFAS

Send your registration to: Don Fletcher
56 Stonepath Cres.
Stittsville, ON K2S 1S4

Questions?
• E-mail: fletchers5@rogers.com
• Home: 613-836-9410
• Cell: 613-227-1859

Ottawa Celtic Choir Recital at St. Luke's Anglican Church

The Ottawa Celtic Choir (Ellen MacIsaac, conductor) presents a concert as part of St. Luke's 2011-2012 Recital Series.

SUNDAY, MARCH 18th - 7:30 p.m.

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, a concert of Celtic music from around the Celtic Nations and the Celtic Diaspora in North America.

ADMISSION BY DONATION

Location: St. Luke's Anglican Church
760 Somerset St. West,
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 235-3416

music@stlukesottawa.ca

www.stlukesottawa.ca

For further details, contact Ellen MacIsaac at ellen@laughingbrook.ca

Thanks,
Ellen

(ed. They also have a concert Feb 4 in North Bay! http://ottawacelticchoir.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcoming-concert-in-north-bay.html)

Naismith Pub Session - Wednesdays - Almonte, ON

Charlie Kitts, Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Famer welcomes all visitors - regular and those passing through the Valley's friendly and picturesque Almonte to this unique pub. The atmosphere is set with local and Valley sport memorabilia adorning the walls. Charlie has an excellent selection of beers on tap and in the cooler from over 100 countries, and of course the Naismith Pub serves up some great pub fare.

Every Wednesday night the Valley's celtic music comes alive with the Naismith Pub Celtic Session. Anywhere from 6 - 10 musicians show up and share time-honored tunes around the session circle that have resonated within the Ottawa Valley's logging camp walls, farmsteads, taverns and churches for generations. 

The Naismith Pub's name is inspired by Dr James Naismith, graduate of Almonte High School who went on to invent the sport of basketball in 1893 at the YMCA College in Springfield, Mass.

Announcing the new Ottawa Celtic Choir blog!

Seems Ellen McIsaac, creator and leader of the the Ottawa Celtic Choir, has been busy since New Year's. After some badgering from me to do such a thing, Ellen has created a new blog for the Ottawa Celtic Choir! The Ottawa Celtic Choir is a very unique choir and well deserving its own web presence. I know this based not only on the merit of the choir, but also because the Ottawa Celtic Choir has consistently been the most popular topic on the Irish Music Ottawa blog!

Please make a bookmark for the Ottawa Celtic Choir, and check there often. Here is the link:
http://ottawacelticchoir.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to Ellen and the voices at the Ottawa Celtic Choir!

Patrick Ourceau in Kingston - 27-29 January

Patrick Ourceau Fiddle Immersion Weekend and Concert

• Irish Fiddle immersion weekend - January 27-29,  $125 (includes concert)
• House Concert - Saturday, January 28. 8:00 p.m: Concert: $20 advance, $25 at the door 

Patrick Ourceau is a virtuoso on the fiddle, an avid student of the old masters, and a particular specialist in the style and repertoire of Clare and East Galway.

The usual reminder, a house is just a house and only holds so many (about 45, with many seats taken by the workshop musicians) and our house concerts normally sell out - reserve early.

The $125 immersion covers classes all day Saturday, concert and session Saturday night, and a half-day class on Sunday.

Since moving to North America, Patrick Ourceau has performed with many U.S.-based musicians, including the legendary accordion players James Keane and Paddy O'Brien, concertina wizard John Williams, and the band Celtic Thunder. In June 1999, Patrick joined the Tulla Céilí Band on their last U.S. tour, and for the three years performed regularly with former Tulla Céilí Band accordion player Andrew McNamara. In recent years, however, Patrick's main concert partner was Gearóid ÓhAllmhuráin, a renowned County Clare concertina player now living in Montreal. Together with Gearóid, Patrick performed in concert and at festivals all across Europe and North America. In 1999, they released Tracin', a critically acclaimed duet recording faithful to the style and repertoire of the older generation of traditional musicians in Clare and East Galway. Patrick now plays in the band 'Chulrua' with Paddy O'Brien and Pat Egan. More at http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_SpecialEvents.htm

Reservations
Reservations can be made by e-mailing rmacdiar@gmail.com

Payments can be made at any of the Kingston sessions or Harp of Tara events or by Interac e-mail money transfer to harpoftara@gmail.comif you have internet banking.

Almonte Celtfest Fundraiser and Good time - Curling Bonspiel - Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Almonte Celtfest Committee is sponsoring a fundraiser bonspiel on January 14 to support the Almonte Celtfest. This is a fun curling event that is limited to 16 teams. The cost is $80 / team or $20 per player. If you do not have a team, let us know and we can slot you into a team.

The location is the Almonte Curling Rink. It starts at 10:30 am and ends about 6:00pm. Each team is guaranteed 3 games. All skill level are welcome! The event will also include Celtic entertainment, so if you are musician, bring your instrument(s).

Registration forms can be picked up at Baker Bob's or downloaded off the Celtfest webpage - almonteceltfest.com or they can send me an e-mail and I will forward it to them. (cdunlap@xplornet.com)

All registration forms can be submitted to almonteceltfest@hotmail.com or dropped off at Baker Bob's in Almonte.

There will some prizes and for sure, a chilli lunch. The curling lounge bar will be open.

Spots will be limited! It was hugely popular last time. Many of the teams last year, wore incredible costumes and other fun team paraphernalia. You may want to do the same this year. You will want to put January 14, 2012 in your calendar of necessary things to do.

Stairwell Carollers - Great blog for Christmas in Ottawa

Of course, it's a great blog at all times of the year, but particularly now as we approach Christmas it should be on your blog reading list.

Here is some key information to whet your appetite, before you go and devour their blog with your reading senses:

The Stairwell Carollers are a charitable a cappella Ottawa choir, who sing sacred and secular renaissance music, as well as settings of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols.

Winner of the 2010 OMFA provincial competition, this non-profit group has raised over $40,000 for local Ottawa/Gatineau charities,through the sale of concert tickets, CDs and cookbooks.

Recently winning 2nd place in the National Music Festival 2010, they are now ranked amongst the best of Canada's choirs.

Written by Holly Massie, one of the founding members, this Blog trains a magnifying glass on the 35 year life of our charitable choir, The Stairwell Carollers.

Occasional posts will be on related topics and local events, but most content is original -- focused on the Stairwell Carollers genesis and continuity.

It is a lovely looking blog with all sorts of videos, and information on their cds.

http://stairwellcarollers.blogspot.com/

You can also follow them on Twitter: @StairwellChoir

or RSS feed, or Podcast....!

Irish Music Awards - Voting will close on January 12th

Dia daoibh. For those of you who are members of the Irish Music Association, here is a notice of voting for the Irish Music Awards.
-Chris G.

Irish Music Awards voting is open until January 12th.

Voting for the 2011 Irish Music Awards will be open until January 12th. If you have still not placed your vote please go to:

http://www.irishmusicassociation.com/phpBB3 and login with your username and password. If you have forgotten your username or password you can recover it at:
http://irishmusicassociation.com/phpBB3/ucp.php?mode=sendpassword.

Public voting is at:
http://irishmusicassociation.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=16

Full Member voting is at:
http://irishmusicassociation.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=17

Remember that Full Member votes are weighted. If you have not yet joined the Irish Music Association click here.

If you need any help please feel free to contact us at rtreeder@irishmusicassociation.com.

Irish Music Awards 519 Brookside Independence, MO 64053
Copyright (C) 2011 Irish Music Awards All rights reserved.

Ottawa Celtic Choir - A Tribute To The Extraordinary Women Of The Celtic World

Saturday 28th January, 2012
Saint Brigid's Eve

An Evening Of Music And Song - Music And Songs In Irish, Scots, Welsh And Manx

The Ottawa Celtic Choir under the direction of Ellen MacIsaac.
Mary Muckle Voice & Harp.
Kirsten Carlson, Flute And The Welsh Penillion Singers, Cantorion Cerdd Dant.
Also Featuring Musical Group, Daughters Of Brien.

TIME: 7:30 p.m - CASH BAR

Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Call (613) 244-7373 or (613) 222-0710

Meet the Master - Paddy Keenan Whistle and Piping Workshop

Irish Music Ottawa offers an opportunity for musicians of ALL levels of proficiency on the Irish tin whistle, including low whistles, and/or uilleann pipes, to meet and learn from Paddy Keenan. 

I've heard that you should never meet your heros, as you'll only be disappointed. Come meet Paddy Keenan in person and find out why that doesn't apply to him. You will not be disappointed!

This workshop is offered on the day after the Paddy Keenan concert (26 Nov) at the organiser's house (Nepean, 27 Nov). Based on the workshop Paddy gave in 2008, the atmosphere is very relaxed and it was a lot of fun. The people at the last workshop really enjoyed themselves as Paddy is tremendously supportive and respectful of musicians at ALL levels. He is simply one of the most genuine guys you will ever meet. He will work with you at your level.

The cost for the workshop is $30 for 2-3 hrs (we're casual!) with Paddy Keenan, his and your instruments! Limited to FIRST TEN registrants. Target start time is 2pm. Location details etc will be confirmed with registrants in advance.  Your registration includes light refreshments and a memorable experience with the living legend!

Registration: Via http://paddykeenan.eventbrite.com/, or by cash at the concert. 

Cash payment on the same day of the workshop has to be arranged in advance.

Questions? Email ballyfingers@gmail.com

CCE Ottawa Branch Céilí this Saturday, November 19th

Dia daoibh.

This is just a reminder that there is a céilí this Saturday, November 19th at Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Ave., Ottawa.

Admission:
Members - $10
Guests - $12
Students - $5 (with student card)
Children under 12 - free
Family rates

Music by the Ottawa Céilí Band
Entertainment provided by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Demonstration Team, under the direction of Phyllis MacCulloch

Start your Christmas shopping early with Blakey Designs, who will have a booth set up at the céilí.

Don't forget to bring along your donations of warm outer winter wear, mitts, gloves, hats, scarves and socks too for our annual Toques and Toes drive, which will be distributed to the area's needy.  These items must be new.

Go raibh maith agaibh.

Cape Cod Ceili Weekend IX

For those that have a little more spare time, and don't mind the drive...

Cape Cod Ceili Weekend #9 will be held from January 27-29 at the Cape Cod Irish Village. Guest musician with the Northeast Ceili Band will be accordion virtuoso John Whelan.

The home page for the event is www.capeirish.com/cccw9/homepage.html. There's a flyer at www.capeirish.com/cccw9/flyer.pdf.

Each year we get dancers from further and further afield. Everybody's welcome - we think it's well worth the trip!

Please let your members and friends know about this and get back to me if there are any questions (note that questions regarding the accommodations should go directly to the Irish Village).

Bill Black
NECB

Mòd Canada - 20 Nov 2011, Stittsville

Mòd Canada 2010 - A premier music event in the National Capital Region Hello fellow pipers, whistlers, fiddlers, harpists, highland dancers, and Gaelic supporters.

As you may be aware, Comunn Gàidhlig Ottawa's annual Mòd Canada competition is coming up quickly. I will include specific details about the event and some links for your to look at.

What is Mòd Canada:
A very special day of activity packed full of talent and special performances.

* Scottish Gaelic speaking, singing, poetry, story telling and drama competitions.
* Instrumental playing: Small pipes, Celtic whistle, Harp and Bagpipe practice chanter.
* Highlang dancing, group and solo.
* Celtic Art.
* And special performances by world class performers.

Events include: A multitude of Gaelic speaking and singing competitions, Gaelic art, Highland Dancing, and Instrumental competitions in: Practice Chanter, Small Pipes, Celtic Whistle, Fiddle, Harp...
Come and spectate or compete, or both...

When: Saturday, November 20th from 8:30am - 5:30pm

Where: Community Bible Church, 1600 Main Street, Stittsville, Ontario

Cost: Most competitions are $5/per competition, or an annual membership gives you entry to the Mòd and unlimited competition.
GENERAL ADMISSION
Family - 25$
Adults - 10$
Children 11-18 - 5$
Children 10 and under - free
Senior Citizens and military veterans – Freewill donation
CGO and Ar n-Òran members – Free

Source: http://www.acgmod.org/news/acgdetail/mod-canada-2010

Almonte Celtfest joins Irish Music Ottawa supporters for Paddy Keenan Concert!

I would like to catch up on some recent news that the Almonte Celtfest has agreed to come on board for promotion of the Paddy Keenan concert, 26 November 2011. The Almonte Celtfest has earned credibility as a professionally organised showcase for Celtic music, dance, and craft, sourced mainly from talent within the Ottawa Valley and its environs. They also bring in 'outside' talent which only adds to the excitement. Admission to the Celtfest is by donation, and this makes it an incredible family-oriented event suitable for all budgets. Located in the beautiful Gemmill Park in Almonte, Ontario, the park provides an incredible naturally amphitheatre giving good acoustics and sightlines. It's a festival that you don't want to miss, and I am incredibly pleased that they are supporting the Paddy Keenan concert.

Not only does the Almonte Celtfest put on the annual festival, but throughout the year they host concerts within Almonte in support of their community activities. This last weekend I joined a full house of enthusiastic music and storytelling fans for the McGee Band's accompaniment for professor David Wilson's presentation of his latest book , Vol 2 in a series, on the life and time of the famous Irish-Canadian parliamentarian, "Thomas D'arcy McGee, the Extreme Moderate." This show exceeded my already heightened expectations in terms of an interweaving of new traditional music written in the traditional Irish style (James Stephens and Frank Cassidy, composers) and in-character readings from professor Wilson's book. Canadian history never sounded so good, EVER!

The McGee Band is comprised of James Stephens (fiddle), Frank Cassidy (whistles, banjo), Greg T. Brown (concertina, fiddle, banjo, vocals, accordion), Jeff McClintock (piano, harmonium, guitar) and for this performance Alistair Dennett (bodhran, snare drum). David Wilson played whistle as well!

Thank you to Jim Mountain and the Almonte Celtfest for helping to spread the word and keeping the music alive!

 - - - - - 

The Gaelic Hour, heard Sundays 8-10AM, on 97.9 CHIN FM, is the official media supporter for the Irish Music Ottawa Paddy Keenan concert.

Click here for further information and a link to online ticket purchase.

Music Session in Orleans - Fiddle Night(s)

Fiddle Night - All ages and abilities welcome.

The last Fiddle night was Friday Nov 4 from 7:30-9:30 at the Roy Hobbs Community Centre on the corner of Champlain and Larch Street (yours truly forget to get it posted in time). They meet once a month with many fiddlers, guitar players, Irish drums and more. There is no registration fee; donations towards the room rental are appreciated but not mandatory. For more information please contact Denise at 613-830-3856.

My Favourite Tragedy to play Café DeKcuf, 19 November 2011

The band 'My Favourite Tragedy' is a folk-rock act, but many of their songs have a celtic influence, and you may be interested in their upcoming show on the 19th of November at Café DeKcuf.

In case you've never heard them, here is a link to their new video, which I thought was very professional and I love the song. (Btw, I'm not paid to write this stuff! It's a good tune!).

Here is the official press release:

Ottawa, ON - Three-piece acoustic-influenced ensemble My Favourite Tragedy is set to play in their hometown of Ottawa, Ontario on November 19th at Café DeKcuf. Since winning top prize in Canadaʼs biggest band competition Newcap Radio's LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot last November, the band has just completed a Northern Canadian tour, the release of their most recent album A World Of Quiet Talk, and the debut of their debut music video for their Celtic inspired single Like This. My Favourite Tragedy is North Easton, John-Marc Desmarais and Phil Desmarais. With upright bass, percussions and the intense vocal styling's of lead singer North Easton, their live show is a journey of emotion that contains passionate storytelling, show-stopping moments and heartfelt melodies.

My Favourite Tragedy caught the interest of 6-time Grammy award winning producer Steve Thompson (Guns N Roses, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, John Lennon) and 2-time Juno award winning engineer Hayward Parrott (Bryan Adams, Great Big Sea, K.D Lang) who both contributed to A World Of Quiet Talk. The most recent single from the album, Like This, is a high energy tune that has a strong Celtic flavored acoustic opening, upright bass being pounded on with intricate precision, and drums that leave marks in your melodic memory forever.

In 2010 My Favourite Tragedy entered Newcap Radio's LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot competition where they were one of 40 bands chosen from over 200 submissions. From there, they competed on a number of nights against other bands and secured their spot at the Grand Finals taking home $80,000 in development money. "They effortlessly earned their spot in the 2010 LiVE 88.5's Big Money Shot Grand Final with their talented song-writing skills and pro-live performances," Noah Sabourin, Music Director of LiVE 88.5.

A World Of Quiet Talk can be purchased on iTunes. The video for Like This can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bss-Y89D9Yo

About My Favourite Tragedy:
My Favourite Tragedy, a three-piece acoustic-influenced ensemble, takes their name from the shifts in thinking that people experience in life's most challenging conditions. The band was formed in Rockland, Ontario, summer of 2009 by founder North Easton whose music experience to date is well seasoned. With radio success in previous project Garrity, including 7 radio releases and 4 music videos all receiving airplay and written by North Easton, he infuses his creativity and originality in a timeless form that pulls people through a roller coaster of emotions. With vocal comparisons to Dave Matthews, Phil Collins and Cat Stevens and his dynamic acoustic flavor, listening and watching him perform is hypnotic and an experience not soon forgotten.

Tour dates:
November 11 – La Maison Tavern – Cornwall, ON
November 19 – Café DeKcuf – Ottawa, ON
November 23 – Horseshoe Tavern – Toronto, ON
December 9 – Black Sheep Inn – Wakefield, QC

http://www.myfavouritetragedy.com
For more information or interview requests, please contact: Amber Bell Dale Speaking Ltd. amber@dalespeaking.com 416.861.8111
Dale Speaking Ltd. 84 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R 2H2 info@dalespeaking.com www.dalespeaking.com

Paddy Keenan Concert tickets - Ottawa Folklore Centre

For some people are may not want to purchase tickets for the 26 November Paddy Keenan and Andy Hillhouse concert, online via Eventbrite (http://paddykeenan.eventbrite.com/) as of Monday Nov 7 you will be able to purchase them at the Ottawa Folklore Centre (http://www.ottawafolklore.com/) located at 1111 Bank St., just down the hill from the Mayfair Theatre.

Thank you.

Ottawa Folklore Centre 35th Anniversary Concert! - 13 Nov 2011

Wow, 35 years! It's way before I got to Ottawa, so I'm afraid I don't have any comedic stories about the first time I walked in to the OFC and accidentally stepped on Bruce Cockburn's toes, but any business that lasts 35 years is obviously doing something right.

The concert is a celebration of music and community with an all-star lineup including Terry Gillespie, Ana Miura, Sheesham and Lotus, Jesse Greene and harp sensation Marc Seguin, Folk legend Doug McArthur, Alicia Borisonik, Don Gibbons, Missy Burgess, the Bytown Ukulele Group (BUG), local clawhammer banjo legends Mary Gick, Paul Hornbeck and Anne Downey, the OFC Choir "Folka Voca", OFC Jazz Bands, Arthur McGregor and Wendy Moore, Piping celebrity Ross Davison, Sarah Ross and several special guest appearances. The whole evening is a fundraiser for the Hospice at Maycourt. As an added bonus, the gig is licensed for serving.

Find out more crucial details by visiting the Mayfair Theatre website:
http://mayfairtheatre.ca/movies/Ottawa-Folklore-35th-Anniversary-Concert/

Congratulations OFC!