"The Communication Cord" - Now playing at The Gladstone

The Communication Cord

An Irish Farce by Brian Friel

Directed by John P. Kelly

March 28 - April 14

Brian Friel's award-winning and hilarious farce is set in a remote cottage in Donegal which has been converted into a weekend retreat for the urban élite. Jack loans this cottage to his friend Tim for one furtive hour so as to impress his girlfriend's father. The resulting complications, cover-ups and confusions are constantly hilarious as Friel's play is virtually a send-up of the sentiments so movingly expressed in his own earlier play Translations.

Don't miss this uproarious John P. Kelly production!

Featuring:
David Whiteley, Tim Oberholzer, Janet Uren, Michelle LeBlanc, Alain Chamsi, Kat Smiley, Steve Martin and Geneviève Sirois.

Tickets
Adult: $34.51 + HST = $39
Senior (65+): $30.09 + HST = $34
Student/Artist/Unwaged: 20.35 + HST = $23
Preview performance: $10.62 + HST = $12

PRODUCED BY SEVENTHIRTY PRODUCTIONS

(When John P. Kelly stages a farce, they are incredibly well done and definitely HILARIOUS! - Craig)

Irish Language Weekend in Kingston - 13-15 April 2012

Dia daoibh. Here is an important message about the Irish Language Weekend in Kingston.

Dia duit a chairde

Our Irish Language weekend is fast approaching and we have not had a lot of confirmations yet. It would be greatly appreciated if you could circulate a brief announcement to your branch/group.

The dates are April 13 to 15 at the Kingston Seniors Centre 56 Francis Street.

Cost is $220 including hotel accommodation or $145 without accommodation. The early bird discount ended on Friday, but we are prepared to extend it to this Friday the 30th if people register by then. Early bird rates are $200 including accommodation and $135 without accommodation.

People can go to our website's Gaelic section
http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Language.htm
for more information and to pay by Paypal

Go raibh maith agaibh as ucht bhur chabhair

Stephen

Fiddler's Friends Concert - 6 May 2012 - Almonte Old Town Hall

(Ed. wow, this looks like a fantastic event...)

Fans of fiddle music in the traditional style are in for a treat coming May 6, 2012. A broad selection of amazing performers are appearing at the Almonte Old Town Hall to present a Sunday afternoon concert.

Local groups The Barley Shakers and Monday Night Fiddlers share the magical acoustic venue of the Old Town Hall with talented performers in Ottawa Valley, Cape Breton, Canadien, and Celtic styles. Look for valley celebrities and teachers Kyle Felhaver and Terri Lynn Mahusky, Mattawa native, teacher, and Celtic stylist Matt Pepin, former Riverdance soloist Alexis Mac Isaac, and eminent musical great Denis Lanctot.

These supporters of traditional fiddle will be joined by showcase recipients of the Danny O’Connell Memorial Award presented annually to a traditional fiddler under 25. These talented youngsters will delight any audience and definitely emphasize the healthy and robust fiddling tradition in the Ottawa Valley. Solo performances by Joe Gervais, Amy Felhaber, Elly Wedge, and Ellen Daly will exemplify the diversity of youthful talent encouraged by the award. Recipients are nominated by three respected organizations with enduring records of interest in the musical tradition – The Renfrew County Fiddlers, The Irish Society of the National Capital Region, and the Ottawa Traditional Fiddling and Folk Art Society. The Fund thus encourages recognition of each organization’s current youth members annually. House piano accompaniment provided by John Mitchell and dancing by assorted participants. The award is produced from capital generated by the O’Connell family and friends of traditional music , and is owned and administered by the Community Foundation of Ottawa (info@cfo-fco.ca) to insure that the award will continue in perpetuity.

Warning! There will be a high level of enthusiasm in the hall. Come and enjoy this exciting afternoon of family fun, great music, and fine refreshments supplied by the folks from Foodies Fine Food. Tickets ( $15 ) are available at Couples Corner, Mississippi Mills Musicworks, and by telephone from Mill Street Books 613 256 9090 as well as at the door. Further information 256 3786.

An Almonte music opportunity

Hello musicians,

Some details on this new music opportunity are as follows.

There will be an open Celtic jam from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. each Saturday,Sunday and holiday Monday at this new venue. The other time slots are open to any type of music and may be booked for specific acts by emailing Judith at artscourt@live.ca. Where no acts are booked they are open to anyone showing up to play.

When the Almonte farmers' market opens in May, we may change the Saturday starting time slot to accommodate. I will advise accordingly.

Note, there is a time change for the market on Sundays. It will now be open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Original message:

Starving Artists Market Place is opening in Almonte this Saturday, March 24. They are looking for musicians to come out and play to help create a festive atmosphere.

Open Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., year round.

430 Ottawa Street, Almonte (mall with Rexall Drugs) - in the halls (outside in good weather).

It will operate as an open venue for any musicians (just show up) though you may call and book a certain time slot with Judith (contact below).

Bring your own chair. No compensation is available at this point (*) though you may put out a hat/fiddle case for donations if you wish. Compensation is possible in the future.

The Barley Shakers will be playing on opening day from 10-12. Come join in the fun.

Almonte Arts Court is on Facebook.

For more info contact Judith at artscourt@live.ca.

(* editors comment: maybe this is why the artists are starving!)

Crowfoot Concert - Friday, 30 March 2012

CROWFOOT in CONCERT

Friday, March 30th, 8pm
Old Town Hall, 61 Main St., Ottawa (at Hawthorne)
Admission $15 at door

CROWFOOT weaves musical influences from England, Ireland, Québec, and the Appalachian Mountains into a captivating fusion that delights dancers and listeners alike. In this meeting ground of traditions, they incorporate their own distinctive original compositions and songs.

NICHOLAS WILLIAMS - Flutes, Accordion, Bodhran, and Vocals
JAIGE TRUDEL - Fiddle, Cello, and Vocals
ADAM BROOME - Guitar, Cittern, and Vocals

"For a start, these three are wicked musicians...This is music steeped in tradition but pasted thick and luxuriously with oodles of attitude, charisma and showmanship...there's plenty to recommend here. These guys are on a great journey and are a pretty exciting prospect to watch."- Sing Out! Magazine

"... the trio has cultivated a new tradition of folk tunes...between rich harmonies and haunting ballads,they soar into trance-like grooves and infectious instrumentals" -Seven Days Magazine, Burlington, VT

"The feathers will fly – and so will your feet – when Crowfoot takes the stage. This spirited trio writes and plays compelling original compositions that merge the best of tradition with a youthful contemporary Celtic exuberance... "
-FootFall, Capon Bridge, WV

www.crowfootmusic.com

Info/Reservations 613 730 2137 Doors open at 7:30
An Old Sod Folk Music Society Presentation

Celtic Chair Lecture Series - 'Our Mickey': The Story of Pvt. Michael James O'Rourke (1874-1957) V.C.

CELTIC CHAIR LECTURE SERIES
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Kevin Dooley will speak on:
'Our Mickey': The Story of Pvt. Michael James O'Rourke (1874-1957) V.C.
And the Irish-born soldiers of the Canadian Army in WWI.

Where: Simard 224
When: Wednesday, March 28, 7:30pm

For further information:
Paul W Birt, Ph.D., Chair of Celtic Studies pwbirt@uottawa.ca 613-562-5800 (3767)

Ottawa Valley Step Dancing Lessons

For anyone interested in Ottawa Valley Step Dancing Lessons, there are currently spots available - Kanata, Munster, Merivale.

Also offering in-home private lessons. Please contact me for more details.

Dawn Dewar
(613) 794-3296

Celtic Cross Dancers - new local blog

I urge you to go check out the new blog from an Ottawa dance troupe who mix traditional Celtic and modern dance techniques through their years of experience. Having no shame, lifted right from their page:

Celtic Cross is a group of Ottawa dancers who perform a mix of traditional and contemporary choreographies. We have decades of experience in the Celtic dance genres of Highland, Irish, and Ottawa Valley stepdance as teachers, performers, competitors and choreographers. Our shows are a lively blend of all 3 dance styles, and our repertoire is suited to any venue or event, from festivals to pubs to live concerts to wedding receptions and anything in between.

Give them a visit, or better yet, hire them for your special occasion!
http://celticcrossdancers.com/

The Scottish Prisoner’s Ottawa connection

By way of an avid blog reader and browser of the Ottawa Citizen, an interesting story has been published recently in the Citizen about the linking of best-selling author Diana Gabaldon, living in Arizona, and two Gaelic speakers, living in Ottawa, have ensured the linguistic credibility to the book's main character. The book, The Scottish Prisoner. The locals are the Scottish singer and Scottish Gaelic speaker Catherine-Ann MacPhee, and Kevin Dooley (himself an author) also bilingual with Irish Gaelic as his first language. Here is the link to the article.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Scottish+Prisoner+Ottawa+connection/6289607/story.html

Tonight! Neil McDaniel & Kyle Felhaver CD Release Party

Friday, March 16th, starting at 8pm.

Greenfield's Pub (900 Greenbank Road) Barrhaven

What to expect: An evening of great Celtic music, upbeat and tasteful, fiddles, mandolin, whistles, songs, tunes, world class dancers, special guests and more...

Cover charge: $5

*** If you have kids that are under age they are welcome also but by about 10pm they should be out of the establishment and home in bed.

***here are some links to check out the music and the musicians:

http://www.myspace.com/neilandkyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byzBFgVSJwI

Irish language gains popularity among US students

There is a nice short video on the BBC website about students in the US learning the Irish language.  If you want to learn Irish (aka Irish Gaelic) in the Ottawa region, contact the executive of the local Irish cultural organization, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Ottawa Branch), who offer classes in Irish language, dance, and host a monthly ceili (social Irish dance). Also, another group, Caint is Comhrá, offer Irish language instruction (not long ago they held a full day workshop).

The King Who Waits - 10 March

King Arthur in Music and Literature

Mary Muckle - Harp and Voice

Kirsten Carlson & Loyola Lastra - Flutes

Cantorion Cerdd Dant

Heart's Desire Harp Ensemble

Readings by Paul Birt, Olive Philips, Alan Thomas

March 10, 7:30 PM
Mennonite Church
1830 Kilborn Ave, Ottawa
Admission by Donation

Reminder to Comhaltas Members - Saint Patrick's Day Ceili

This year the March Comhaltas Céilí coincides with the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Tickets are available for members of the CCE Ottawa Branch, for $35, by contacting any member of the CCE Ottawa executive or Carol-Ann Bowers cabowers _at_ videotron _dot_ ca or 819-595-1094.  If you are not a CCE Member, you may be sponsored by a Member and sign in at the door (but get your tickets, first!).

6PM - Dinner: An absolutely sumptuous gourmet multi-course meal is served before the ceili.

8PM - Dance: After the dinner, the dance floor opens up and the ceili band will play for ceili and set dances.

Date and Location:

Saturday, March 17th

Blessed Sacrament Church Hall

194 Fourth Ave.

Street Parking (free!). Cash bar.

The dance music and entertainment will be provided by the CCE Ottawa Ceili Band and The Trillium School of Irish Dance.

The Shortest Road Home: Stories from Ireland

The Shortest Road Home: Stories from Ireland

Irish seanachie Mike Burns returns to the 4th Stage to share the tales of a country known for its warm welcomes and its storytelling.

Thursday | NAC Fourth Stage
March 15, 2012, 7:30pm

http://nac-cna.ca/en/community/event/2010 (strange link, but it's correct!)

House Concert, anyone?

Hello friends of Irish Music Ottawa!

I am interested in determining who out there in Irish Music Ottawa land would be potentially interested in hosting the extremely occasional house concert. Or maybe you know somebody who would? Preferably, the house would have to hold a minimum of 20 people in some level of comfort (not necessarily luxury). The more the better. House concerts aren't normally advertised to 'just anybody' and the attendees are usually people you know, or people your friends know. After all, it's YOUR house. There's no money in it, but you typically get to have an amazing party and get to meet and hang with the very fine musicians. These concerts typically have one or two musicians, not full bands. If you want to know more, please contact me PRIVATELY. Thank you very much for reading.

Let's support Irish music together.

Craig

Traditional Music and Copyright - Survey

There is an interesting survey on traditional music and copyright over at TradSchool.com

http://www.tradschool.com/en/irish-music-on-the-web/itm-and-copyright-survey

Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts – March Events - Requests

Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts

Home of the National Irish Canadian Culture Centre
310 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5K5
Conveniently located in Ottawa's Lowertown

Saint Brigid's Centre offers a variety of entertainment: music, arts, theatre and cultural events, check the website for upcoming events: www.saintbrigidscentre.ca

The "IRISH WEEK" will run from March 8th to March 17th 2012, it is an annual celebration of Irish and Irish-Canadian culture here in the National Capital Region.

The week long event allows residents and tourist to enjoy everything a progressive, diverse and modern Irish community has to offer: music, poetry, history, song, dance, theatre, language, sport and the annual Ottawa St. Patrick's Parade.

Everyone is especially welcome. It is in joy that we celebrate our culture and we invite all cultures to join in our celebration. Something for everyone's taste and pocket book.

Regards,
Ann Godbold (volunteer)
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REQUEST FOR COPIES OF THE ST.BRIGID MESSENGER
Simon Jolivet and is a part-time professor and postdoctoral researcher at University of Ottawa.
Simon worked for many years on the French and Irish Canadians relationships in Québec. Last year Simon published a book called Le vert et le bleu, which is shorlisted for this 2012 prestigious Prix du Canada. See : http://fedcan.ca/content/en/725/Canada_Prizes_short_list_highlights_excellence_in_humanities_and_social_science_research.html
This year, Simon is starting a new research on the Irish & French relations in Ottawa's Lower Town (circa 1920-1980). Recently Simon was able to have a look at some very interesting archives on the St. Brigid's parish has found some copies of the St. Brigid's Messenger (two issues published in 1944). Simon wonders if he can find other issues of it somewhere. As far as he knows, none are available at Morisset Library of University of Ottawa nor at Library and Archives Canada. Maybe you could check for these treasures in those boxes in your basement or attic?

Simon would like to know if someone in the community knows something about this bulletin or would be able to share his/her knowledge with him on the parish itself or on anything related to the Irish in Ottawa. If you can assist Simon his e-mail address sjolivet@uottawa.ca and his phone number at Ottawa 562-5800 ext.4002 . He would be grateful.
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SUNDAY 11th March, 2012
PANCAKE BREAKFAST – IRSIH MUSIC - LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
IF YOU ENJOY IRISH MUSIC THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
Real toe-tapping, knee slapping, singing and dancing.
Featuring some of the best musical entertainment by our very talented and dedicated volunteer musicians from the Irish community.
Pancakes, Ham, Home Fries, Juice, Fruit, Tea/Coffee
COST: Adults: $5, Children $3. TIME: 10 am – NOON
Live music, good food, good company at affordable price.
IRISH SODA BREAD for sale.
Shopping available from the 'IRISH EYES' gift shop. (Get your gear for St. Patrick's Day).
Info: 613-225-1830. Entrance to Kildare Room on Cumberland Street

SUNDAY MARCH 11TH 2012

OTTAWA ROSE OF TRALEE 2012 OTTAWA SELECTION.
Residence of Irish Ambassador
291 Park Road,
Rockcliffe Park.
TIME: 3:00 pm.
ADMISSION: Adults $25.00, Seniors/Students $20.00 (ID required),
Under 12 Free with adult supervision. 

Buy your tickets online: ottawaroseoftralee.eventbrite.com or 613-800-1853


Friday 16th March, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Luncheon - Ottawa
Location: Lago, Dows Lake Pavillion, Ottawa, ON
The World's Largest Annual St. Patrick's Day Lunch
There will be fabulous entertainment throughout the event featuring and the complimentary bar featuring Ireland's best beer, wine and spirits.
Corporate Sponsor: $1,750.00
Including a reserved table for 8 and a personalized engraved bottle of Vintage Veuve Clicquot
Corporate Sponsor (8 tickets): $1,400.00
Individual tickets: $175.00
Pre-lunch reception: 11:00 am–12:00 pm Lunch: 12:30 pm–2:00 pm
Post lunch reception: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
For more information about this event, please contact:
Jane Noonan
Executive Director
67 Yonge St., Suite 401
Toronto, Ontario
M5E-1J8, Canada
T - 416-367-8311
F - 416-367-5931
jnoonan@irlfunds.org

Saturday 17th March, 2012
ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHEON <<>> SAINT BRIGID'S CENTRE
FOR THE ARTS
Come and celebrate St.Patrick's Day with the ghosts and spirits of our ancestors in this beautiful structure, built by the Irish 130 years ago and now owned by their decedents.
Great food - Live entertainment by Dan McHale & Friends, music, song and dance!!!!
Limited seating - Advanced tickets only. TICKETS: $35:00
TIME: NOON – 3:00 pm
Call (613) 244-7373 or (613) 222-0710 or (613) 225-1830
Entrance to Kildare Room on Cumberland Street

For further information on the following events for IRISH WEEK
please visit http://www.irishsocietyncr.com or contact:
communications@irishsocietyncr.com or 613-591-9194

Thursday March 8th 2012 Everyone welcome to attend this event
Proclamation of Irish Week 2012 by City of Ottawa
Ottawa Police Service HQ (Elgin St. at Catherine Street) 10:00 am

Thursday March 8th 2012
An Irish Wake for last year's Parade Grand Marshall – Larry Bradley and the introduction of the 2012 Parade Grand Marshall. Heart & Crown Irish Pub

Friday March 9th 2012
The Erin Luncheon Give your gift to St. Pat's! 11:30 am.- 2:30 pm
For more information, or to purchase your ticket please contact 613-260-2738, or email foundation@stpats.ca.
Entertainment by Gail Gavan and friends Seamus Costello, Dave Ryan and Ellen Daly - Live Auction - Fabulous Irish Repast - St. Pat's Lottery Draw Celebration ~ Fun with Family & Friends.
Tickets: $45 Only 200 tickets, don't delay!

Saturday March 10th 2012
30th Annual St. Patrick's Parade starting at 11:00 AM at Ottawa City Hall and finishing by 1:00 PM at Lansdowne Park. 

Ottawa Food Bank will be collecting non-perishable food and cash along the parade route. Your generosity is appreciated. 



Saturday March 10th 2012
A Grand Irish Parade Party Civic Centre Salons
12 noon - 4:00 pm.


Live entertainment with Gail Gavan, Mountain Tay, Sue Fay Healy Irish Traditional Dancers and others.

Tuesday March 13th 2012

Authors/Public Reading:
Caroline Pignat winner of Governor General's Literary Award for her book "Greener Grass", Paul Kitchen, author of Win, Tie or Wrangle: The Inside Story of the Old Ottawa Senators, 1883-1935 and John J. Heney, author of John Heney & Son: The Canadian Saga of an Ottawa Irish Family.

Margaret Mary's Church
7 Fairbairn Street at Sunnyside Ave., 
Ottawa South
11:00 am to 2:00 pm. 
Lunch will be served. 
Parking: Streets surrounding the church (three (3) hours maximum)
Admission: $2.00 for members of the Irish Society Drop-In Centre and $5.00 for non-members.

Thursday March 15th 2012
Irish Society Comedy Night Featuring Comedians Jennifer Hayward, Mike Lynch, Geoff MacKay, Colin O'Brien, Jim Robinson (Irish Society member). Food and bar including variety of Irish Whiskey!
Admission $20; ISNCR Members: $15. tasting.
SAINT BRIGID'S CENTRE
FOR THE ARTS TIME: 7:00 -10:00

FRIDAY MARCH 23rd 2012
CALADH NUA IN CONCERT.
Traditional Irish band from County Waterford, Ireland.
Hosted by Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre
SAINT BRIGID'S CENTRE
FOR THE ARTS TIME: 8:00
TICKETS: $30. Students/Seniors $22.50.
Online: http://www.caladhnuaottawa.eventbrite.com

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM ARTISTS
Artists are invited to participate in an art exhibition and fundraising event* to support the development of a permanent North American Irish Language Gaeltacht.
*This Gaeltacht – a centre for Irish language and culture - represents the first of its kind outside of Ireland.
This fundraising exhibition is being organized by a group of local artists, and will be held at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts from June 21 – 24, 2012.
This call for expression of interest is open to individuals who engage in any of the visual and sculptural arts. Artists answering this call are invited to submit work reflecting the theme "Our Roots". Submissions will be juried.
Help us make this event a success by indicating your interest by the end of March, 2012. If you are interested in participating, please call Toni Forsythe at 613·233·9927 or email toni144@gmail.com
Additional details, registration, etc. forthcoming.

Saturday 16th JUNE, 2012
An "international celebration of Irish author James Joyce and his groundbreaking novel Ulysses, which follows Leopold Bloom through a single day, June 16, 1904." Bloomsday vintage attire is optional, but encouraged.
Reserve this date on your calendar – more details available later.

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
4th Annual Fall Celtic Festival - Sunday, 16th September 2012
Reserve this date on your calendar – more details available later.

- - - 

PARKING: Ample street parking and city parking lot on 141 Clarence St (between Dalhousie and Cumberland streets). Two open parking lots on Dalhousie at St Patrick Street.

Please help us to spread the word by forwarding this message to your email contacts or share this notice with your friends and relatives who do not have email.

Saint Brigid's Centre - a few blocks from the National Gallery of Canada, Notre Dame Basilica, US Embassy, Major's Hill Park, National War Museum, Lester Pearson Building, Chateau Laurier and the Parliament - near the Byward Market and Rideau Shopping Centre - Irish Village - accessible from Hull thru MacDonald Cartier Bridge. With its proximity to Ottawa's vibrant ByWard Market, the centre adds another element to the downtown entertainment district.

Caladh Nua, in concert 23 March!

A fundraiser for the Rose of Tralee, Caladh Nua are appearing at Saint Brigid's Kildare Room, 302 St. Patrick's Street, Ottawa (near Byward Market) on March 23, 8PM.

"Solid traditional music with plenty of flair and lots of musical imagination"
- Irish Music Magazine

“A highly proficient five-piece band whose 2nd album showcases a dozen tracks packed with adept arrangements”
- The Irish Times

"What a terrific, young band! We suspect they are going to be around a long time!"
- American Public Radio

"What a quintet! Fab songs meet wonderful, wonderful tunes"
- The Chicago Irish American News

For online ticket purchase:
http://www.roseoftralee.ca/buy.php