Irish Theatre - Upcoming by Tara Players

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme
a drama by Frank McGuinness,

Directed by Tom Taylor

Mar 15 - Apr 2, 2011.

The play centres on the experiences of eight Unionist Irishmen who volunteer to serve in the 36th (Ulster) Division at the beginning of the First World War. It reaches a climax at the start of the terrible battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916 — the actual anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 - in which the Ulster Division suffered heavy casualties. It explores how both the Somme and the Boyne have come to have a significant place in Northern Irish Unionist consciousness.

Visit the Tara Players website: http://taraplayers.ncf.ca/season.html

Some upcoming Irish social dancing (ceili)

A reminder that there is an Irish dance this Saturday Feb 26 at St Margaret Mary Church, 7 Fairbairn St, 8:00 p.m., doors open at 7:30.  *PLEASE NOTE: Change in date for the March Irish dance at St Margaret Mary Church: In March the Irish social dance (ceili) will change from March 19 to March 26.

On March 19 there will be an Irish dinner/dance at the Kanata legion, 70 Hines Rd. 613-591-5570. I will be there to teach Irish dance, there will be entertainment, and live music, and door prizes. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the Feb 26 dance or at the Kanata Legion 613-591-5570. I believe the dinner will be Irish stew.
UPDATED 14 March: Due to slow ticket sales the St. Patrick day dinner/dance ceili at the Kanata Legion on March 19 has been cancelled. The people who purchased tickets from me will get a full refund, please email me to let me who you are and see me at the ceili on March 26.

Reminder the next Irish social dance ceili will be March 26 at St Margaret Mary church, 7 Fairbairn Ave 8:00 p.m.




Brian Armstrong

Kevin Dooley: Book Reading and Signing Event

Kevin Dooley, Irish Canadian Author, will read and sign his new novel "The Angira Legacy and The Catalyst", parts 2 and 3 of the Angira Trilogy.

On: Sunday March 13th, 1-3 pm
At: Collected Works Bookstore, 1242 Wellington St. West
Info: 613-722-1265

Irish Canadian Authors & Musicians Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day with 5 Irish Canadian Authors and 5 Musicians.

Hosted by:  Kevin Dooley
On:   Wednesday March 16th, 2011 - 7PM
At:   Ottawa Main Library Auditorium
         120 Metcalfe Street
Info: 613-580-2945;   Ext. 32115

Free Admission

The Authors are:
Mike Heenan ,Poet
David Shanahan, Poet/Historian
Joan McKay, Poet
Darren Jerome, Novelist
Caroline Pignat, Novelist

Musicians are:
Janine Dudding, Harpist
Dan McHale, Guitar/Vocals
Aharon Zohar, Accordian
Deirdre Dooley, Bodhran
Al Franceour, Fiddler

Sponsored by: Ottawa Public Library

Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre 2011 Selection

Austin Comerton, President of the Rose of Tralee, Ottawa Centre says “This festival gives the hundreds of thousands of Irish descendants the opportunity to celebrate the very best of everything Irish. I am proud that Ottawa has the possibility to be represented again in Tralee in August 2011 at such a prestigious international festival.”

The Ottawa selection event is currently scheduled for Sunday March 13th. Applications need to be submitted by March 1st 2011. The entrants will participate in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Ottawa on March 12th and spend time with the judging panel over March 12th and 13th.

Time:
Sunday, March 13 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location:
Residence of the Ambassador of Ireland
291 Park Rd, Ottawa, ON

More Info:
2011 Ottawa Rose Selection. Music provided by Corkery Road. Tickets $30. Limited seating from TicketWeb or 613-800-1853.
http://www.roseoftralee.ca/
http://www.roseoftralee.ie/
TICKETWEB

Austin Comerton

The Top 30 Celtic Culture Blogs - IMO included!

I was humbled to receive the following email from a theologian in Ohio:

I just posted the article, "Tales from the Past and Dreams for the Future: The Top 30 Celtic Culture Blogs" (http://theologydegreesonline.com/tales-from-the-past-and-dreams-for-the-future-the-top-30-celtic-culture-blogs/ ) on my site. I'm happy to tell you that your website has been included in the list. I thought I'd email you about it in case you think your readers would find the article interesting enough to warrant you giving the article a quick mention on your site.

Best,
Tim Dalton

- - - - - - - - - - -  

Many sincere thanks to Tim for his generous words. My initial glance at his list of top blogs appears to show at least 29 great blogs on Irish culture. Please check out his informative article, and explore Irish culture via his linked blogs. Unrelated to Irish culture, I really enjoyed this piece of research on Tim's blog. : )

Two gigs in Quebec: 16 March and 2 April

Wednesday March 16 2011: 9:00 p.m. Celebrate the eve of St Patrick's Day with the Irish Bastards; $10 at Les Brasseurs du temps
170 rue Montclam, Gatineau, Quebec
Reservations: 819-205-4999 ext. 1
www.brasseursdutemps.com
www.myspace.com/irishbastardsmtl

Saturday April 2, 2011; 8:00 p.m. Searson at La grange de La Gatineau
80 Summer Road, Cantley, Quebec
Reservations required: 819-827-3164; e-mail:info@grange.ca
www.grange.ca
www.searson.org

Jean Pierre Moisan

www.productionscaravane.com

The Toronto Irish Film Festival announces 2011 programming

TORONTO, ON (February 15, 2011) – The inaugural year of The Toronto Irish Film Festival (TIRFF) will feature the critically acclaimed documentary His and Hers, as well as The Secret of the Kells and two animated Oscar nominated shorts Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty and Give Up Yer Aul Sins on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

"TIRFF aims to showcase the very best of Ireland's vibrant cinema to film lovers of all backgrounds," says Michael Barry, TIRFF co-founder. "With the strong program of films we're announcing today, TIRFF offers a unique cultural destination for Toronto's Irish community to connect with the culture and language of back home through the magic of cinema."

A critical success at Sundance, the Dublin International Film Fest, London Film Festival and Galway Film Fleadh, Ken Wardrop's documentary His and Hers combines observation and charm to tell a 90-year-old love story through the voices of 70 women.

"We couldn't be more pleased to present His and Hers. TIRFF's programming reflects the variety of unique films that are coming out Ireland," notes John Galway, TIRFF co-founder.

TIRFF's family screening is from the producers of the Oscar nominated The Secret of the Kells. Transporting viewers to a remote medieval outpost of Ireland, young Brendan (Evan McGuire) embarks on a forbidden adventure telling the story of the mystical Book of Kells.

TIRFF will also be presenting two unique shorts by internationally-recognized Irish animation studio, Brown Bag Films. A character in Irish writer Kathleen O'Rourke's stand-up comedy show inspires the first, Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty. The second, Give Up Yer Aul Sins, re-imagines the story of John the Baptist from 1960s interviews with Dublin school children.

Tickets are now available online through the TIFF box office.

A post-screening reception will follow the festival at Gracie O'Malley's on March 6th starting at 6:00 pm.

Stay connected with TIRFF on Twitter and Facebook or visit torontoirishfilmfestival.com

Submitted by Michael A Barry

Comhaltas Concert (Montreal) - Lavoie and O'Regan, 26 Feb 2011

Comhaltas Montreal presents SOPHIE LAVOIE and FIACHRA O'REGAN

Traditional Irish & Québecois Music on Uilleann Pipes & Fiddle
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Tickets: $12 Comhaltas Members
$15 Non-Members
Place: ATWATER LIBRARY, 1200 avenue Atwater
Westmount, QC
H3Z 1X4 (Near the Atwater Metro)

More info:

http://www.siamsa.org/news/Fiachra_en.htm

Concert - Aylmer United Church Food Fair and Concert, 19 March 2011

Hello folks, we are having our annual Food Fair and Concert at the Aylmer United Church on March 19th.

This is a popular event and usually sells out quickly. There will be 80 tickets available for the Dinner/Concert. There is room for about 200 for the concert. Check out the poster for details. Please feel free to post or forward it to your friends.

Hope you can make it.

Dennis

Concert - 'The Magic of Ireland' , 9 March 2011, offers traditional authenticity

This show brings to the stage traditional Irish and Celtic music in an evening filled with fast and graceful dance steps, authentic live music and enchanting songs, enhanced with traditional Irish and Celtic instruments.

This production is comprised of a young and talented group of dancers and musicians dedicated to re-creating the ambiance, moods and emotions associated with this Irish and Celtic music. Cast members include the winner of the 2009 Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year, Troy MacGillivray, and Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion of 2009/2010, Julie Fitzgerald. Also appearing as story tellers, are two very accomplished actors from the Toronto Irish Players, Jonathan Lynn and Kevin Kennedy.

The troupe's energy, enthusiasm and precision have drawn praise from audiences across North America and in Europe. One reviewer commented on how the energy of the performers seemed to be driven by the audience participation, which "grew as the evening progressed." The most exciting thing about the show is the spontaneity the performers bring to the stage.
The Magic of Ireland truly reflects the Celtic spirit in an evening filled with traditional Irish dance, music and song enhanced by costumes, lighting and sound and brought to life by a group of dedicated talented dancers, singers and musicians.

The Magic of Ireland is coming to Perth, about an hour west of Ottawa, on Wednesday March 9 at 8:00 at the Mason Theatre, Perth and District Collegiate Institute. Tickets are $33, and available from Tickets Please in Jo's Clothes at 39 Foster St. Perth. Call 613 485 6434, or book online at www.ticketsplease.ca. Discounts are available for children and groups. Book early for best seat selection.