Saturday 21 May 2011

Emerald Evening Cocktail Reception

You are invited to take this opportunity to meet and spend some Embassy Residence, 291 Park Road, Rockcliffe Park, in the company of Ambassador Ray Bassett, Thursday June 2nd, 2011 from 6 pm – 9 pm. This event will benefit the: St. Patrick's Home Foundation, The Ireland Fund of Canada, National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre.

Tickets $125 per person (tax receipt available).

For more information please contact:
The National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre at (613) 244-7373 or (613) 222-0710
You may also e-mail mcdonald64@sympatico.ca or info@sbcottawa.ca
Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts
Home of the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre

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Last CCE Ceili for the season, Tonight! (21 May)

Just a reminder to all that the last Comhaltas ceili for the season is taking place this Sat May 21 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 4th Ave in the Glebe, 8:00 to 11:30PM Check out the CCE website for all the details! $10 members, $12 non-members. Cash Bar. Free street parking.

(editor: be there or be second sides!)

Jam Session - East Coast/Celtic/Acadian - June 2 at Hooley's Pub

Atlantic Universities Alumni Pub Night Thursday June 2, 5:30pm-10:00pm, Hooley's Pub 292 Elgin St.

Can you come to a session and help the alumni association raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank? This is an annual joint effort of several Atlantic area universities and this year the volunteers coordinating the event would like to add some live music to the evening. They are hoping that some of the area's musicians will be able to stop by for an open jam session between 7:30 and 10:00pm. You won't be expected to make a donation - your tunes are donation enough. All types of tunes will be welcome - anything representative of the traditional music of the Atlantic region. That means Cape Breton fiddle, Irish, Acadian even Don Messer tunes if you happen to know any!

Even if you can't make it that night you can help the cause by passing this note along to other people you know who may be interested.

Hooley's is one of the sponsors of the event and they go to such lengths to make it an authentic evening that the owner (a SMU alumnus from Halifax) sent his Mom to Halifax just to get donair sauce. This is the only night they ever serve that Atlantic favourite, the donair.
The Atlantic University Pub Night, a gathering for alumni and friends of Atlantic Canadian universities, will be held Thursday, June 2, 2011, from 5:30-9 p.m. at Hooley's, 292 Elgin Street, Ottawa. There will be live music, food and drink specials. Donations to the Ottawa Food Bank will be accepted. Everyone welcome!

Beth MacGillivray
Ottawa Cape Breton Session

Monday 16 May 2011

Miles of Music Summer Camp

Sarah Frank from The Bombadils is doing promo for a summer camp taking place this June (12-17). (http://www.thebombadils.com/)

It is an opportunity to work with professional musicians well-versed in Canadian and American folk music, traditional Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, old time and bluegrass styles. It's called Miles of Music camp, founded by musician/songwriters Laura Cortese (http://www.lauracortese.com/) and Kristin Andreassen (http://www.kristinandreassen.com/)

It takes place on a small island in northern New Hampshire, about a four-hour drive from Montreal. Musicians of all levels are welcome, from those who have never played before, to very advanced. More information can be found at: http://www.milesofmusiccamp.com/

Sunday 15 May 2011

And... we're back!

The IrishMusicOttawa.ca main webpage is now back in action. It's pretty darned exciting stuff kiddies. Go check it out.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

OOOPS! The main Irish Music Ottawa webpage is down

Apologies, the main IrishMusicOttawa.ca webpage is currently down. I am working with the domain provider to correct the situation. Thank you for your patience.
Craig

Sunday 8 May 2011

Fiddling and Songwriting Workshop and Concert June 11 - The Myriad Theatre Perth

Blue Skies In the Community Presents a Fiddling & Songwriting Workshop & Concert

Saturday June 11th at the Myriad Theatre in Perth 9:30am to 4pm

Fiddle Instructors: Glenn Graham & Victor Maltby

Songwriting Instructor: Jenny Whitely

Glenn Graham: One of Cape Breton's finest traditional fiddlers, is also a composer, songwriter, step-dancer, music instructor and published author. His music has been featured on the International TV hit series Dawson's Creek, multiple CD compilations, TV specials and independent films and DVD productions. With five recordings and multiple East Coast Music Award nominations to his credit, it's no surprise that Glenn Graham is one of Cape Breton's most sought-after performers and music instructors.

Victor Maltby: Victor played violin in the International Symphony Orchestra (Sarnia, ON) and The University of Guelph Symphony. He studied music performance in Saxophone at the University of Calgary. Victor was a former teacher of High School Science and Music at Bishop's College School and was director of the choir there for two years and the Junior Band for eleven years. Locally, he has participated in performances of Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah in Perth and The Ottawa Chamber Music Society's annual Brandenburg events. Victor's home is in Carleton Place, where he teaches violin/fiddle.

Jenny Whitely: Those who have heard Jenny sing know that an evening spent listening to her songs is like a long delayed meeting with a dear friend. Laughter and sorrow are shared in her finely crafted and literate songs. Jenny's musical integrity and poetic vision emanate from every syllable she sings as she shares her tales of life on the road less traveled. In 2000 Jenny won the roots album of the year award. By 2003, things really got rolling with her second Juno winning release 'Hopetown', and continued with 2006's 'Dear' and most recently reached its highest point with 'Forgive or Forget'.

Fiddle workshops will be taught at an advanced beginner and at an intermediate level, open to players age 10 to 75+. Fiddlers will have the opportunity to learn from both teachers.

The Song- Writing workshop is open to ages 13 to 75+. Writers are encouraged to bring work in to be listened to and polished during a "speed dating" segment of the workshop. We will have a question and answer session, a "dealing with your inner critic" discussion and, depending on interest, try writing a simple song as a group, to be performed at the show. Instruments are not required, but encouraged.

Following the workshops, there will be a Concert at the Myriad Theatre,
from 2:30 till 4pm, which is open to the public, admission is by donation.
The Concert will feature the instructors, the workshop participants,
and a special appearance by The Blue Skies Community Fiddle Orchestra.
This event is sponsored by: The Ontario Arts Council, Blue Skies in the Community,
The Myriad Theatre, and The Perth School of Dance.

Fiddle workshops will be held at the old shoe factory Sherbrooke St. upstairs in the Perth School of Dance studios. Song-writing workshop and Concert will be held in the Myriad Theatre downstairs. Lunch is available for purchase at the Factory Grind(next door) or bring a bag lunch.

Cost for the workshop is $25.
Choose 1 workshop you would like to participate in.
Maximum 15 participants in each workshop.

Questions? Call 613-278-2448 or E-mail: cindy.fiddlemusic.mccall@gmail.com

Friday 6 May 2011

Book Launch - Death of a Lesser Man, by Thomas Rendell Curran

Book Launch for:
DEATH OF A LESSER MAN
An Inspector Stride Mystery, by Thomas Rendell Curran

Collected Works Bookstore
1242 Wellington Street West
Wednesday May 18th, 7-9 pm.

Bonnie, a local, originally from Newfoundland speaks on Tom's writing . . . . "I highly recommend his writing style. It's intelligent and entertaining at the same time. His stories are historically accurate and reveal a side of post war North America you will not find in typical Hollywood or Boob-tube drama. His novels are murder mysteries but unlike the modern day blood, guts and gore his works engross you in the characters and the plot. If you've never been to the "Rock" Tom Curran's imagery of St. John's, of fog and drizzle, and Newfoundland will make you want to go. His novels will entertain you, educate you and make you laugh. They will not give you nightmares! Hope to see you there!"

Tuesday 3 May 2011

La Grande Rencontre (& volunteer request)

La Grande Rencontre is looking for volunteers to help with their traditional music
and dance festival (May 12 – May 15 , 2011).

Looking for a stimulating, enriching, cultural experience? Love trad music? Here's your chance to be a member of their team, support traditional music and dance and see it all, up close and personal!

If interested, please contact
Nathalie Loiselle vent-polaire@hotmail.com
More information : http://granderencontre.com/benevoles-volunteers/

Artists include: Liz Doherty, Paddy Keenan, and more!
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La Grande Rencontre recherche des bénévoles qui aiment la musique et la danse trad (12 -15 mai 2011). Vous êtes dynamique et vous avez envie de vivre une expérience stimulante et enrichissante en appuyant le milieu trad? Vous êtes amateur de musique et de danse trad et aimeriez soutenir le patrimoine vivant? Joignez-vous à l'une des équipes du festival !

Contactez Nathalie Loiselle vent-polaire@hotmail.com
Plus d'informations http://granderencontre.com/benevoles-volunteers/

Main site http://granderencontre.com/

Monday 2 May 2011

Ottawa Celtic Choir - seeking an accompanist!

The Ottawa Celtic Choir is seeking an accompanist!

The Ottawa Celtic Choir is seeking a pianist to accompany them during rehearsals and performances. The choir performs pieces from all seven Celtic nations, both accapella and accompanied. We are looking for a piano player who could both assist us during rehearsals while learning and polishing pieces, and to accompany us in performance. If you are interested, please contact Ellen MacIsaac at 613-552-3964 for further details.

Thanks a million,
Ellen

Swan Session in Osgoode - 1st Wednesdays each month

I thought I'd post up a reminder for one of the slightly more rural sessions taking place in the region. Thanks to Janice for sending these out.

Just a reminder about the next celtic session at the Swan on the Rideau Pub, Wednesday, May 4th, at 8PM, Town of Osgoode (at the junction of River Road and Roger Stevens Drive), open Irish/celtic session; the first Wednesday of every month. Friendly, relaxed session. Generally no sheet music. Free and guests are welcome. Contact John Henderson at 613-489-0773.
And just a reminder about the new policy of one free pint to musicians that participate - but don't forget to tip!

(editor: that's Swan 'Session', not Swan 'Season' ! Leave your rifles at home.)

The Celts: Rather Stylish!

German experts are carefully taking apart a complete Celtic grave an aristocratic Celtic lady in the hope of finding out more about the Celts' way of life, 2,600 years ago, in their Danube heartland.

Read more about this incredible archaeological find here at the BBC website.

The Celts, rather stylish? Was there ever any doubt? (!)