Monday 26 September 2011

Irish Music Ottawa presents: Paddy Keenan - 26 November 2011

Irish Music Ottawa is pleased to present the legendary uillean piper Paddy Keenan, on the evening of Saturday 26 November at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave (about 1 km west of Westboro Village).  Paddy Keenan, the renowned masterful piper in the famous Bothy Band, has for many years now been on a successful solo career, touring the world over. Originally from born in Trim, Co. Meath, Paddy now calls a farm somewhere in New Hampshire his home away from Ireland. Paddy is often backed by a guest musician to round out the piping. At this time, the guest musician is being determined.

For those that are familiar with Paddy Keenan (and MANY are) they also know that he is an amazing whistle player, and one of the earliest players of the modern Irish 'low whistle.'  Among his many accolades, Paddy was the 2002 Irish National Traditional Musician of the Year, and award winner for the 2010 Irish Musicians Association. Paddy's cds are available from Ossian USA.

Many people who attended Paddy's last show in Ottawa have since told me it was the highlight of their Irish music year. A fantastic show of masterful playing, humour, and song. Really, you won't want to miss this concert.

Final details will be posted as they become available. Mark your calendars!

Media partner: The Gaelic Hour with Austin Comerton, live and podcasted.

Irish Music Ottawa is a fully volunteer-run not-for-profit entity.

Euro-World Cultures Meetup in Ottawa

I recently received a nice email from one of the organizers of the Euro-World Cultures Meetup group in Ottawa. Here is their website:

http://www.meetup.com/Euro-World-Cultures/

They promote cultural events in Ottawa by posting them on our website whenever there is a volunteer available in our group to host the event for our members.

(Thanks to Luciana, for bringing this interesting, diverse, and dynamic group to our attention!)

Thomas D'Arcy McGee-Music and Words: The McGee Band and David Wilson

Sunday, November 6 · 2:00pm - 4:30pm, at the Almonte Old Town Hall

David A. Wilson and the McGee Band put on a show that combines the speeches, letters and poems of McGee with original music in traditional style. They have performed it to great critical acclaim in Canada and the United States, and are delighted to combine its premiere in Almonte’s wonderful Old Town Hall with the launch of McGee Volume 2 Extreme Moderate – 1857-1868.

From: http://www.mcgeemusic.ca/index.html

"Thomas D'Arcy McGee is best known for his prominent role in Irish-Canadian politics, his inspirational speeches in support of Canadian Confederation, and his assassination by an Irish revolutionary who accused him of betraying his earlier Irish nationalist principles. "..

The McGee Band play a blend of Irish, Scottish, and Québécois music. The band’s latest CD In Honour of the Life and Times of Thomas D’Arcy McGee was recorded in a style reminiscent of music which evolved in 1860’s Ottawa. This CD of original music “in traditional style” was written, recorded and produced by James Stephens and Frank Cassidy in Ottawa with financial support from Canada Arts Council and The Embassy of Ireland.

Tickets $20 advance, $22 at the door.
Available at: Mill Street Books 613-256-9090, Mississippi Mills MusicWorks. 613-256-7464, Baker Bob's 613-256-7674.

Refreshments: Naismith Pub

An Almonte Celtfest 2012 and Old Town Hall Restoration Fund-raiser.

Storytelling and Music - 13 October (scary date!)


COME LISTEN TO VISITING WELSH TELLER AND MUSICIAN CHRISTINE COOPER (Thurs. Oct. 13, 7:30pm: Westboro)

A child poet; a powerful magician; two archeologists; a 20th century writer, a young mother in labour; and YOU, the listener. Inspired by The Battle of the Trees, an ancient Welsh epic poem, storyteller and musician Christine Cooper weaves these disparate strands into a compelling story. The tale stretches from pre-historic Wales to modern-day Norfolk, takes in history, myth and personal biography as it explores humanity's deep-rooted relationship to the trees.

"Absolutely mesmerizing and beautiful, and so original. Thank you, thank you."
"A spell-binding, evening – a journey through many emotions – very inspiring!"
"Amazing! I was completely drawn into the world you created."
- audience comments, The Battle of the Trees

Thursday 22 September 2011

The Bb Sisters - Performance and Workshops

Saturday, October 1. The Bb Sisters are performing October 1st at ECOTAY in Perth, ON!

Fiddle & Piano workshop: 2:00-4:00pm, Kimberley will be teaching piano; Sherryl will be teaching fiddle.

Concert: 7:00pm. Appearing with the Bb Sisters will be the McTavish twins (Ann Campbell and Linda Allen) Ticket info: Contact michaelglover@ecotay.com or (613) 267-6391. www.ecotay.com Hope to see you there!

If you are not able to make and know someone who might be interested, feel free to pass this information along! Thank you!!

Sherryl

Friday 16 September 2011

New Jam in Perth, Saturday 2-5

The owners at The Shark and Bull are opening their doors to the possibility of having a regular jam at their establishment. Every Saturday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Jams are a good opportunity to share original works, learn to play with others and learn so much.

The Shark & Bull are willing to make home made food such as soups and chile and welcome the idea that kids could come and listen to music as well.

I would like you to respond to let me know if this would appeal to you or not. If there is enough interest, this could be fun!

Details:
Time: Saturday, September 17 · 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location : Shark and Bull, 41 North Street
Perth, Ontario
Contact: gonpickn@netscape.ca


ps - not sure what kind of jam this is, but live music is good, so check it out - Craig

Violin Master Class soon soon soon !

ATTENTION : You have until Tuesday, September 20th to make your registration !!!

Violon Trad Québec offers a master class in a weekend format for his first time! On September 23rd, 24th and 25th 2011, renowned Irish fiddle master Patrick Ourceau will come teach, share his knowledge and passion in Quebec.

Patrick Ourceau was born in France, where he discovered and started to play Irish music. In 1989 he emigrated to NYC and since 2005 has been living in Toronto. Mostly self-taught, Patrick's style was influenced early on by the discovery of the music of the legendary fiddle players Paddy Canny, Bobby Casey and Paddy Fahey.

Since the mid-eighties, Patrick has been regularly visiting Ireland and especially County Clare where he had the honor of learning directly from the masters Paddy Canny and Peter O'Loughlin. Since the mid-nineties Patrick has toured extensively and has been featured on a host of recordings.

He is in great demand as a teacher and regularly teaches both privately and at various festivals and summer schools across North America, Ireland and Mainland Europe.

For registration details and any additional information, please visit the website at ViolonTradQuebec.com

You can also contact Véronic Massé: (450) 883-3256.

Hurry! Space is limited to 25 entries! 25 lucky fiddlers!!!

Through a unique partnership with Culture Lanaudière, if you're a professional musician in the Lanaudière region, you are eligible for a grant program that allows you to participate in training at a special price. Get in touch with us to verify your eligibility!

Véronic Massé

CVTQL

camp@violontradquebec.com
violontradquebec.com
ps - sorry for the short notice folks, only received this communication tonight!

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Why We’re In Love With Celtic Music - article from UnFolding

Check out this wonderful article, 'Why We’re In Love With Celtic Music,' by Mike Levin over at the local blog UnFolding, a web magazine about the arts in Ottawa. ALL the arts. In this recent article Mike explores why the Celtic music scene is so active in the Ottawa region and a little further afield in the region.  To assist Mike's research, he found Ottawa's own Irish import, author and musician Kevin Dooley for what appears to be a pint down at a pub well known for a lively and entertaining Irish traditional music session, Daniel O'Connell's Pub on Wellington St., Well, if you know him, Kevin's always one for a good story, or ten!

Craig

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Learn to Waltz (Ottawa Contra Dance) - 1 October 2011

Learn to waltz!! We’ve just confirmed a Waltz Workshop for Saturday 1 October, 3:30 to 5:30 will be held at Ottawa’s Churchill Community Centre. Perfect for people new to contra dancing and waltzing! We’ll be teaching the basics, and some fancy moves as well. Live music by Ian and Emily. Join us for dinner afterwards at The Table, followed by the evening’s contra dance. Not just for beginners, though – everyone should come on out! $8 (Ottawa Contra Dance link)

Monday 12 September 2011

Celtic Harmonies International Festival - Eastern Townships, Quebec, 1-9 October 2011

Please check out the amazing lineup of 17 artists (en francais) for the the Celtic Harmonies International Festival, 1-9 October, 2011. The festival is held in a variety of locations within the the Eastern townships of Quebec (Lac-Brome/Knowlton, Cowansville, Waterloo, North Hatley). The Festival includes concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and a marketplace. The festival website is very well presented, the musical lineup is spectacular (includes Ottawa's Scottish Cathy-Ann MacPhee), and festival locations are beautiful. The website describes not only the festival details, but the entire philosophy behind the festival setting in the Townships, and also the festival's history, originating from the Montreal International Celtic Festival. You owe it to yourself to check out this website, and then if at all possible, to go to the festival!

Friday 9 September 2011

Natalie MacMaster playing NAC March 22-24, 2012

A Celtic Celebration with Natalie MacMaster

Thursday - Saturday, NAC Southam Hall
March 22 - 24, 2012

For further details and tickets:
http://www2.nac-cna.ca/en/orchestra/event/314

St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts - 3rd Fall Celtic Festival


On September 18, join us at St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, for a Fall Celtic Festival and enteratinment with a host of local musicians and dancers on stage, from noon to 6:00 pm

Admission: Free
Information: 613-244-7373 or www.saintbrigidscentre.com

Brian's Ceili resumes Sept 17, 2011.

Brian Armstrong's Irish dances will be starting again soon, dates as follows:

Sept 17, Oct 22, Nov 26, Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 31, Apr 28.

St. Margaret Mary Church, 7 Fairbairn Ave, corner of Sunnyside Ave, 2 blocks east of Bank St.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., admission by donation includes free dance lessons, munchies/desserts, tea.

Great for singles and couples of all ages. For info contact brian 613-523-9702, bmjarmstrong@hotmail.com

Thank you,
Brian

Naismith Pub Open Celtic Jam - Now on Wednesdays

Starting September 07, the Naismith jam is no longer on Thursday night but is now on Wednesdays.

Charles Dunlap

Monday 5 September 2011

Deireadh Seachtaine Lán Gaeilge / Irish Language Weekend

Deireadh Seachtaine Lán Gaeilge /Irish Language Weekend sponsored by Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch

Dé hAoine, 23ú Meán Fómhair go Dé Domhnaigh, 25ú Meán Fómhair, 2011
Friday, September 23rd til Sunday, September 25th, 2011

Galilee Centre, 398 John Street, Arnprior, Ontario
Costas / Cost: $200. (Gach rud san áireamh / Everything included)

Tuilleadh eolais agus le clárú: For further information and to register:
Bridget Guglich: briguglich935@rogers.com (613) 834-0387

Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra News

BLUES SKIES COMMUNITY FIDDLE ORCHESTRA begins it's 13th season on Sat. Sept 10th, 10 am at the Maberly Hall. A dedicated, all ages community group, the members meet to learn a wide range of fiddle tunes in a fun environment. Currently recruiting fiddlers, mandolin players, and percussionists. Those interested in joining should have a couple years of study to feel comfortable. Beginners can join the "Prep Orchestra" to learn the repertoire of the Blue Skies Orchestra at a learning speed. Prep orchestra begins Sat October 15th 12:30 to 2pm Maberly Hall. Cost is $45 per term. Sponsored by Blue Skies in the Community. Some violins are available for rent. Contact: Cindy McCall 613 278-2448 cindy.fiddlemusic.mccall@gmail.com

Friday 2 September 2011

A tongue-twisting labour of love in Canada's Gaelic-speaking community

To avoid monstrously huge lawsuits for copyright infringement and the like, I'll just point you to this grand wee article on the Canadian Gaeltacht in today's The Globe and Mail. The article is credited to  SUSAN KRASHINSKY.  Nifty, it even includes photos and videos, and a little language lesson.