HELP!! ..... The Bombadils

I was recently reminded of a fantastically talented troupe from Montreal, The Bombadils. I should say, they are a five-piece folk band based in Montreal. They actually originate from Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Halifax. They all met McGill University in 2009 and they are presently completing their studies in jazz and classical music. These musical influences carry over into their love of folk music which includes Québecois, Irish, and bluegrass styles. While their area of study is not folk music, I am impressed by the care and attention they give to the traditional music, and they play with great feeling and vigour.

So, why do they need our help? This group is ambitious and working hard to go places. They are currently raising funds for a new CD and tour. Depending on how much you donate, you even get cool stuff, like music, house concerts, lessons, piling your wood, and all the way up to a giraffe (hey, I'm just reporting what I read!).

If you want all the details on their pitch, I suggest you go to their fund raising page, and decide for yourself. There is a deadline, they are accepting donations until midnight 23 April (Monday night).

I hope we can lure them to Ottawa some time, at least for a house concert, or a small concert someplace.  

Craig

(Note: I receive nothing for this promotion. I do not accept any funds.)

Sarah Burnell Band - 21 April 2012

Saturday, April 21, starting at 8 p.m.
at the Old Ottawa South Firehall
260 Sunnyside Avenue

With her spirited voice and fiddle playing, combined with the longer days of Spring, this would be an ideal concert to introduce her music to all family members in Old Ottawa South. Sarah is an Ottawa girl through and through, but her fiddle roots may be found in the music of the Scottish Highlands, Cape Breton, Ireland, and Québec. Her fiddle style possesses a youthful exuberance, grounded in her strong classical training. Sarah is also an accomplished young singer, and her new CD features beautiful Celtic ballads.

The Band has won major accolades for their live performances and recording - their first album, "Sarah'ndipity", winning Sarah the 2006 Canadian Folk Music Award as "Young Performer of the Year". She is backed up onstage by a very seasoned and spirited group of musicians, a good number of whom have won awards for their playing in a range of musical genres, and are brought together by a love of celtic tunes and having a great time playing.

I hope all of our past Lobster Supper participants and all Old Ottawa South music lovers come out for this fantastic finale for our series. Tickets are available at the Firehall, at the Leading Note Music Store on Elgin Street. Like every good Celtic kitchen, party drinks and snacks will be on offer.

Tickets are $25 available at the door or at (613)947-8894 or (613) 730-7813.

Westfest - 9 June - O'Connell's Session invited to play again!

Once again the session players from O'Connell's Pub (Thursday night session, 8pm, Wellington St.) have been asked to participate at All Saints/First United's stage at Westfest.  Don McVeigh is the point of contact. It will be on Saturday June 9. Exact time is currently TBD.  The O'Connell's session is a welcoming session. Hope you can join in and play! This is an opportunity to play great Irish, Quebecois, and other traditional acoustic music for the general public on a festive occasion.

Comhaltas Ottawa - April 2012 céilí and other events

There is a céilí this Saturday, April 21st at 8:00 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Ave., Ottawa. Second-last ceili of the 2011-2012 year.
Members - $10
Guests - $12
Students - $5 (with student card)
Children under 12 - free
Family rates. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Live band, it's great craic!
Also, if you are willing to help set up for the céilí, it will start at 6:00 pm.

Set Dancing Workshop!
There will be a Maureen Mulvey set dancing workshop on Saturday, April 21st, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. Maureen is a well honed and well respected set dance instructor.
Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Ave. (at Percy in the Glebe)
Lots of street parking available.
There will be a half hour break for lunch. Please bring your own lunch. We will supply water, soft drinks and fruit.
Admission for workshop and céilí that evening: $20 members, $25 non-members
Workshop only: $15 members, $20 non-members

Tulip Ball!  (see other recent posts in this blog)

Don't forget to pick up your tickets for the May Tulip Ball on Saturday, May 5th from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Residence of the Ambassador of Ireland, 291 Park Road, Rockcliffe Park.
Tickets will be on sale at the April céilí.
Or, you may purchase tickets at: http://ottawatulipball.eventbrite.com/

Ottawa Cape Breton Session Updates (attn Fiddlers!)

Mark your Calendars! May 26—Ceilidh and Square Dance: 7:30pm-midnight - Andrea Beaton with Allan Dewar and/or Troy MacGillivray. Square set instruction begins 7:30pm. Tickets: $10 in advance $15 at the door. Tickets will be available soon. All ages welcome, cash bar. Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts 310 St Patrick St, Ottawa. Call 613 244 7373 www.saintbrigidscentre.ca  . More Details Here

Pub sessions are all at 2pm-5pm Royal Oak Pub 318 Bank St. at MacLaren.
Dates: May 6, May 20, June 3, June 17.

Other events:
April 22 — Blue Skies Community Fiddle Orchestra Jam-a-thon: 1pm-7pm The Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra is hosting an open jam session to raise funds to support the orchestra. The orchestra is inviting any musicians and groups who might want to play and enjoy playing with others to come have fun and help support our efforts too. There will be food supplied by the orchestra. For more info email cindy.fiddlemusic.mccall@gmail.com.

April 28—Ottawa Traditional Fiddling and Folk Art Society: 9am-4pm - 24th Annual Fiddle Workshop Instructors: Ray Legere and Shane Cook $45.00 includes lunch. Nepean Creative Arts Centre – 35 Stafford Road, Nepean. More information: Don Fletcher fletchers5@rogers.com 613-836-9410 Cell: 613-227-1859Details and registration form.

May 26—Square Dance: 7:30pm-midnight - Andrea Beaton with Allan Dewar and/or Troy MacGillivray. Square set instruction begins 7:30pm. Tickets: $10 in advance $15 at the door. Tickets will be available soon. All ages welcome, cash bar. Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts 310 St Patrick St, Ottawa.613 244 7373 www.saintbrigidscentre.ca More Details Here

June 1 to 3 —Ottawa Valley Fiddle Camp - For registration information: sherryl@sherrylfitzpatrick.com (613) 440-4343. Fiddle: André Brunet (Advanced) Gordon Stobbe (Advanced Intermediate) Sherryl Fitzpatrick (Intermediate) Stéphanie Lépine (Intermediate Québecois /Irish) Kimberley Holmes (Beginner Fiddle) Piano: Julie Schryer Guitar: Skip Holmes. Friday, June 1st - Sunday, June 3rd 2012 RCMP Campsite, Long Island Locks, Manotick, ON. For those wishing to register, a non-refundable deposit of $75.00 is required.

CCE Youth Tulip Ball tickets - now also available online!

For those not wanting to track down members of the Comhaltas executive, or other persons selling hard tickets, you may now purchase tickets to this gala fundraiser online from the luxury of your own home or office, using Eventbrite.  Prices are $30 (Adults); $25 (Youth Members and students); and $20 for Under 18.  A small fee is added to the sale to cover Eventbrite's service.

For more information on Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Youth - Tulip Ball 2012

The Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ottawa Youth present:

Saturday, May 5, 2012 

From 8:oo pm to 11:oo pm 

The Residence of the Irish Ambassador 

291 Park Road

Ottawa, Ontario 

Ever wanted to attend a formal ball? Here is your opportunity to dress up and spend time with other Irish people (even if you’re only Irish on the inside).
Join us for music, dancing, chatter and craic!

** Formal Dress only, please ** 

Tickets: 18 and under: $20 ($25 at the door) 

Students, Youth, Members: $25 ($30 at the door) 

Adults: $30 ($35 at the door)

Purchase Online:
http://ottawatulipball.eventbrite.com/

Also see Facebook page for details.

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann - Ottawa, Ontario Branch

6th Annual Russell CelticFest - 16 June 2012

This event is happening on June 16th 2012 from 2:00pm until 11:00pm.

Place: Russell Fair grounds which is directly north of the Russell Curling Club. 

1076 Concession Russell, ON K4R 1C8 - LOCATION MAP

This is a full day of entertainment. 6 or 7 live bands.

Check out the festival website at http://celticfest.ca/

Glengarry Strathspey and Reel Society Annual Workshop - 15 April

Apr 15 - Fiddle Workshop : 1:30pm-6pm Glengarry Strathspey and Reel Society Annual Workshop. Alexandria Curling Club, 138 Main St. N, Alexandria, Ontario. 

This year we are pleased to have Ashley MacLeod as our guest fiddler for the workshop. Ashley, a talented fiddler and pianist, has a very busy career as musician, teacher and more recently, mother. Ashley has two CD's to her credit and demonstrating her ability to adapt to different genres, she has played with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band on tour, on their CD, performed with the Ottawa Police Band at Carnegie Hall and toured Europe with The Paper Boys. During this time she successfully completed her degree from Carlton University, played locally and beyond at gigs on a regular basis and continued to teach both fiddle and piano privately. There will be a small admission charge of $5.00 to help cover the cost of the afternoon. Students will be admitted free. More information is available here (http://www.cbsession.com/docs/Workshop_Letter_2012.pdf). Contact: David MacPhee 528 - 4892 or Email:lochieler@yahoo.ca