Irish music legend Ronnie Drew (1935-2008)

After a long illness with throat cancer, Ronnie Drew, a legend of Irish folk music has passed away. In my own view there was never an Irish rebel song sung as well as by Ronnie. Ronnie could really awaken your spirit with his energy and enthusiasm, and storytelling through song. You could hear him smile, or grin, as he sung the humourous classics. Many a long drive were shortened listening to the Dubliners with Ronnie at the helm. A real class act and we'll all miss him. You can read the RTE release here. R.I.P. Ronnie Drew.

Multi Open-Stage event on Saturday, September 20, 2008

I just received an email from Dan Baker. Please read it, it is included it below. Here's hoping the Irish/Celtic traditional musicians can muster a group together for a "Blazing Session" at Daniel O'Connell's Pub! Contact Dan at the phone number below as soon as possible to help him coordinate. Dan's email: Your contribution to Blaze-Aid last year helped us raise close to $5000.00 for the Somerset Booth fire victims. Now we are looking at raising funds for the Rochester Heights kids and a community centre for them and I would like to know if you would be interested in joining together again for a really worthy cause. We are planning a multi Open-Stage event on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm and so far we have the following venues: The Carleton Tavern, The Elmdale House, Daniel O’Connell’s Pub. I am looking into getting more pubs involved (suggestions would be welcome!) and there will be door-prizes, fifty-fifty draws and all that wonderful stuff that we had last year. Without all of you, we couldn’t have done it last year and without you we can’t do it this year. Please let me know if you can get involved for this one (we need hosts, players, volunteers, etc) and send this e-mail out to friends, family, strangers, whatever it takes to help us make this the biggest one yet! Again, it was because of all of you that last year was so successful. Let’s show ‘em what our local musicians can do!! I hope to hear from you soon, Dan Baker 613-796-2017 P.S. Here’s the scoop on the folks we are helping: The Rochester Heights Community House is a supervised community house where children can go for activities; help with school, community projects and learning. Similar community houses have shown that this service aids not only in building strong communities, but giving children and teens positive influences and support where and when it’s needed. Somerset West Community Health Centre were instrumental in getting the City of Ottawa to fund the location however, funds are needed to purchase supplies, renovate the house for accessibility and ensure the best programs are available for the kids.