Irish Traditional Music House Concert - July 13, 2007

IrishMusicOttawa.ca is sponsoring a a house concert with Dr. Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin and local guitarist Ian Clark, in Nepean on July 13, 2007. Simply due to the non-enourmous size of the house I have to make this by invitation only, HOWEVER, please send me an email (or leave a message at 613 727 3192) if you want to attend as there are definitely seats available. Tickets are $15. A door prize of the DVD "Come West Along the Road" will be given out. It is a lengthy, and fantastic collection of Irish traditional music from the RTE TV archives. Bring your instrument as I expect there will a great house session afterwards! Proceeds will go towards covering the traveling musician's costs, and to run the event (some food, chairs). If you have a portable chair that WILL NOT DAMAGE my hardwood floor bring please bring it along and let me know. BYOB and please drink responsibly. 8pm Update: 17 June 'Secrets and Lies About Irish Traditional Music': An Insider's View of the Living Tradition Despite its global popularity, Irish traditional music is often a remote and inaccessible genre for many of its fans and devotees. For musicians, singers and dancers born outside the so-called 'living tradition,' getting a grasp of the basics of the music and understanding its cultural world is often as insurmountable as it is mysterious. Irish music historian and concertina player Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin who grew up in the 'home of the music' in Co. Clare will take a number of key session tunes and use them to explore the traditional process of transmission and learning in Irish music communities. This workshop forum is open to musicians, singers and dancers of all levels and persuasions. Fee: $ 20 (separate from house concert); 5:30-6:45 pm Update: 30 June Two weeks away . . . For the concert we are at 10 paid guests, and another 8 'strong promises' so assuming the promises shop up, we are approaching a full house. Unfortunately, several local musicians cannot make the show due to vacation and other commitments. For the Workshop the response has been disappointing, and it is likely to be canceled unless there is a surge in the interest. Just this week I received, from Amazon.ca, a book entitled The Rough Guide to Irish Music. It would nearly fit into your pocket if it weren't an inch thick (literally). Gearoid is one of only ten concertina players profiled in the book, where we are reminded of his 5 All-Ireland Championships on concertina! Finally, I have been actively promoting the evening by visiting local jams, two of which I should start frequenting as a new/learning player. It's been a pleasure to get out and hear all of you play.