By George L. O'Brien
(The following article was written for the Desert Shamrock. However, due to production delays, the Desert Shamrock will not be out until after mid to late February so there will be a different article at that time.)
It is hard to believe that another year has passed. Looking back on 2000 brings to mind a number of accomplishments. Many good things happened to advance the Arizona Irish music scene with only a few disappointments.
On a personal level, I never missed publishing my weekly Arizona Irish Music - News and Notes e-mail newsletters (subscribe by e-mailing aims@azirishmusic.com). This news and performance schedule is now received by more than 1000 people. When combined with my bi-monthly column in the Desert Shamrock, I am told. my work has done a lot to improve awareness of how much is going on in the Irish music scene.
The Arizona Irish Music website, www.azirishmusic.com, has attracted very favorable reviews from the local Irish community and people through out the world. The web site has schedules of the performers, a directory of performers and venues (most with map links), a directory of music instructors, a directory of Irish/Celtic organizations, dance schools, and pipe bands; articles, back News and Notes, biographies of major performers, and links to over 450 Irish and music web sites.
The Arizona Irish Music Society (AIMS) has become one of the main outreach vehicles for the Irish community with information booths at various events such as the various Highland Games, folk festivals, blue grass festivals, feisiana, and other events. In addition to information about Irish music, AIMS gave out information about Irish Foundation picnics and parties, recruited for the Colleen Pageant, distributed flyers and copies of the Desert Shamrock, and sold bricks to support the Irish Cultural and Learning Center. AIMS volunteers have been active in stage managing several events such as the AIMS Anniversary Party, the Irish Music Christmas Party, the Phoenix Irish Feis Fundraiser and their outdoor concert, as well as the St. Patrick's Fair music.
Yet this is only the start when it comes to describing the growth of Irish music in Arizona.
1. NEW VENUES:
Two regular venues were added. Griffins Pub and Grill (20th St. and Osborn) has Irish music every Saturday and an Irish seisiun every Thursday evening. Rula Bula (4th .St. and Mill in Tempe) has Irish music on Wedesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays plus a seisiun on Mondays.
Regular venues are crucial if Irish Music is to develop a strong following and provide opportunities for new performers.
2. NEW IRISH SEISIUNS.
Three new Irish seisiuns have been added: O'Connor's on Tuesdays (at 7:00 PM), Griffins on Thursdays (at 8:00 PM) and Rula Bula on Mondays at 8:30 PM). When added to the Dubliner seisiun at 9:00 on Sundays and the Bandersnatch seisiun at 9:00 PM on Wednesdays -- there is now a seisiun every day from Sunday through Thursday. Also there is an Open Mic program every Thursday at the Blarney Stone every Thrusday at 8:30 PM.
Irish seisiuns are the primary place where people interested in learning Irish music go if they want to learn the music and make connections to form new bands. For the Irish music fan, it gives a chance to
3 CD'S RELEASED
: Several bands have completed CDs (although in a couple of cases they may not yet be widely available):including The Clare Voyants, The Mollys (Tucson), Carroll MacGreggor, Wander the Earth, Rossettistone and the Amazing Ripples (Show Low). Bands with CD's completed but no released until 2001 include Round the House (Tucson) and The Bringers.
4. NEW BANDS FORMED
Probably the most prominent new Phoenix area band is Seanachie (Steve Colby, Kenny Mulqueen, and Dennis McMorrow). They quickly developed into one of the top drawing Irish bands in the Phoenix. Trinity (Rich Bailey, Caitlyn Knight, and Erin Lewis) was started as a St. Patrick's Day pickup band, but have performed at a number of pubs with good results. Afan (John Good, John Piggott, and Kevin King) does and fine job performing Welsh traditional music. CJA is a Celtic pop group that includes a mother and her daughters (Joanne Delgado, Christine Delgado, Amber Delgado, and Krystle Delgado).. The Welsh Choir, directed by John Good, had several fine performances after being formed last summer. Allanah is the new name for Molly Malone, since they added an additional player (Paul and Caitlyn Knight, Erin Lewis plus Robin Dodder).and they will perform at the Renaissance Faire.
Wild Thyme out of Prescott changed its name from Home Brew to reflect their change from blue grass/old time music to mostly Irish/Celtic. (Sheri Burmeister, Mike McKee, Robert and Adrienne Leckliter, Carl Brehmer, and Noel Elliott).
(Editor's Note: The list of new bands does not include special event "pick-up" bands that apparently only performed at a single event such as Irish Coffee (Tucson) and Celtic Spirit (Prescott) that include people from other established bands.)
5. IRISH BANDS AT SPECIAL EVENTS
Probably the largest scale example Irish participation at other organizations events was the AZMFest (Arizona Music Forum) where the Irish had one stage out of a total of five stages and a number of Irish groups participated. Other events included the Highland Library World event that included One Eyed Fiona, some Bracken dancers and John Good on the whistle. Seanachie performed at a major fund raising event in October at Tempe Town Lake in October and The Clare Voyants were part of the Tempe Town Lake New Year's Eve Party. The Clare Voyants opened for three out of town Celtic acts at the Cajun House: Brother, the Young Dubliners, and the Fenians. CJA performed at the Arizona State Fair and were shown on ESPN doing the national anthum for the boat races.
It is now quite common for AIMS to receive requests for suggestions about reaching Irish bands by outside organizations.
COMING UP FOR EARLY 2001
2001 looks to be just as active for the Irish/Celtic music scene in Arizona. Here are some of the events already scheduled.
RIVERDANCE: JAN 5th - JAN 14th
The world famous Riverdance touring company will be at Gamage Gammage Auditorium - Arizona State Univ., Main Campus, Mill Avenue at Apache Bld. Jan 5-14 $21.75 to $69.00. 480-965-3434
MESA CALEDONIA PIPE BAND CONCERT:JAN 13th
Mesa Caledonia is one of the top pipe bands in Arizona and will have a special concert at Shrine Auditorium -El Zaribah, 552 N 40 St in Phoenix. Ticket information at 602-231-0300.
FATHER GILLESPIE RETIREMENT DINNER.JAN 13th
The dinner for Father Gillespie will be at St. Jame's Church (35th Ave just south of the 101) on Saturday, January 13th. Featured performers include members of the McMorrows who will come out of retirement for this special event. Tickets are $30 and are available by calling 602-992-1535.
CHIEFTAINS. JAN 23th
The Chieftains will be at Scottsdale Center for the Arts for two performances on Tuesday, January 23rd at 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Tickets are $42.00 and are available by calling 480-994-2787.
ROBERT BURNS DINNER:JAN 27th
This is the 17th annual event sponsored by the Caledonian Society to be held at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel, 263 N. Center in Mesa. Call for information at (480)832-0243.
RENAISANCE FAIRE: FEB 3th - MAR 27th
This annual event runs from the first weekend in February to the last weekend in March. It is held at 12601 E. Highway 60, Apache Junction. Generally, the entertainment includes a number of Irish/Celtic groups including the Bringers, Allanah, and Rossettistone.
FEIS IN THE DESERT: FEB 3th - 4th
On the weekend of February 2rd through 4th, Feis in the Desert will be held at the AZ Golf Resort, 425 S. Power Rd. in Mesa. This Irish dance competition is hosted by the Bracken School of Irish Dance and will start at 9:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday. For information call Pat Prior at 480-961-4276.
COLLEEN PAGEANT: FEB 10th
The winner of this competition is honored as the Phoenix "Colleen" and represents Phoenix in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and in Ireland. The pageant will be held at the YWCA Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Ave, Phoenix on Saturday, February 10th and begins on at 6:00 PM The price is $40.
MESA HIGHLAND GAMES: FEB 23rd - 25th
This festival includes pipe bands, Scotish games, music, a fair, and representatives of the various clans. It will be held at the Mesa Community College at 1833 W Southern Avenue, in Mesa on February Friday, Saturday and Sunday February 23 - 25, 2001. 480-832-0243.
EMERALD BALL: MAR 3rd
This annual event features dance music by the Dez Regan Show Band to be held at the YWCA Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Ave, Phoenix starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, March 3rd. Call for tickets at 602-992-1535.
GAELIC STORM: MAR 10th
Gaelic Storm was featured in the hit movie, Titanic. They will be at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler on Saturday, March 10th at 7:00 PM.. Tickets are $16. $20, and $24. Call 480-786-2680.
ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND IRISH FAIRE: MAR 17th
This year the annual parade and faire will be March 17th. The Parade will start at 10:00 PM at Park Central and go across Hance Park. The Irish Faire will feature two stages, a children's faire, with a lot more seating.
ENCANTO PARK FOLK FESTIVAL: MAR 24th - 25th
This music festival regularly includes a number of Irish/Celtic performers. To be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 24th and 25th. For more information call 602-262-3562
DANU: APR 14th
The traditional Irish group Danu will be visiting Tucson on April 14th at the Berger Center, 1200 W. Speedway (1/2 mile W. of I-10) at 8:00 PM. For tickets call (520)327-4809.
AIMS ANNIVERSARY PARTY: MAY 5th
May 5th at O'Connor's Pub (I-17 and Dulap). This program showcases a number of Irish bands and dancers, food, and raffles. For more information, call 602-770-8077.
FEILE RINCE TUCSON (TUCSON FEIS): MAY 18th - 20th
This dance competition will be held at InnSuites Hotel 475 North Granada, Tucson, Arizona 85701 Hotel Reservations: 1-800-446-6589 520-622-3000.
In order to stay on top of everything that is happening, send a e-mail to the Arizona Irish Music Society at aims@azirishmusic.com to receive a weekly News and Notes/Calendar or check out www.azirishmusic.com.
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