ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
AIMS NEWS AND NOTES
AIMS News and Notes 4-2-2008
Arizona Irish Music Society
www.azirishmusic.com
Information Line: 602-770-8077
Signup - signup@azirishmusic.com
George L. O’Brien - george@azirishmusic.com
News - news@azirishmusic.com
Anyone interested in receiving the Directory/Calendar only version of this newsletter should e-mail us at join@azirishmusic.com. You will be able to read the entire newsletter on the web at www.azirishmusic.com/00000000.htm.
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The Expanded Irish Cultural Center Gift Shop run by Pat & Patty McCrossan, the former proprietors of Ireland's Own, is now open from 10:30 am until 6 pm Tuesday through Friday and from 10:30 am until 3 pm on Saturday. It will also be open for any ICC special events. Call (602) 254-6094.
The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Out and About
--- First Friday Seisiun At ICC To Honor Char And Jim Marquardt
--- Irish Seisiun At Brian's Pub In Prescott On Tue Apr 1
--- Vyktoria Pratt Keating Added To The Aims Directory
2. Fire & Grace2 …Strung High & Loose - Apr 4 To 6
3. Academy Of Celtic Term Begins April 7
4. Getting Ready For Zoukfest June 8 To 14
5. Memo From Paddy’s Peg Leg
6. Memo From Round The House
7. Dennis Putscher Releases Seisiun Videos
8. Memo From Colleen Collins
9. Black Velvet To Play For Scots Of West Valley On Apr 9
10. This Week In Irish Music
1. OUT AND ABOUT
--- FIRST FRIDAY SEISIUN AT ICC TO HONOR CHAR AND JIM MARQUARDT
The Irish Cultural Center wanted to honor the memory of the Marquardts, but decided to wait until all of their friends could participate. Friday should be a memorable night.
--- IRISH SEISIUN AT BRIAN'S PUB IN PRESCOTT ON TUE APR 1
Hi George!
The session at Brian's Irish Pub in Prescott has been so much fun! We've had two so far and the next one will be this coming Tuesday, April 1. We start at 7:00 and go til.... Brian offers a free drink to all players, so if you have an instrument and play (or want to learn) Irish and Scottish music, come on out!
Jan Alexander
singerdancer@cableone.net
--- VYKTORIA PRATT KEATING ADDED TO THE AIMS DIRECTORY
Vyktoria Pratt Keating has been an active performer in Northern Arizona, but last Sat. at the Verde Valley games was my first opportunity to hear her perform. Her voice reminds me of the legendary Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention). He will be in Payson this Fri. Her next visit to the Phoenix area will be at the Two Step Saloon in Fountain Hills on Apr. 11.
2. FIRE & GRACE2 …STRUNG HIGH & LOOSE - APR 4 TO 6
Tempe Center for the Arts 700 West Rio Salado * Tempe, AZ 85281
Apr 4 to 6
WHO: Laura Carruthers: Producer * Choreographer * Highland Dancer * Ballet Arizona Soloist Six-time US Champion * British Overseas Champion * Atlantic International Champion Winner of City of Edinburgh Medal * Atlantic International Champion * Western States Open Champion
Also featuring world-renowned Alasdair Fraser (violin), Natalie Haas (cello) and Mike Hoffmann (guitar)
WHAT:
Fire & Grace2
…Strung High & Loose
WHEN:
Friday, April 4, 2008 8pm
Saturday, April 5, 2008 8pm
Sunday, April 6, 2008 2pm
WHERE:
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 West Rio Salado * Tempe, AZ 85281
www.tempe.gov/tca/
Tickets: Early Purchase Tickets: Adults $42 until January 4, 2008 After
January 4, 2008: Adults $44
Other discounts are available for seniors and students. Contact the Box
Office: 480-350-2TCA (2822)
About: www.celticdance.com
www.alasdairfraser.com
www.nataliehaas.com
Tempe, AZ ~ Award-winning, multimedia producer, choreographer, and international Scottish Highland Dance Champion Laura Carruthers brings Alasdair Fraser (violin), Natalie Haas (cello), Mike Hoffmann (guitar) and other brilliant artists together for three virtuosic and electrifying performances!
Feel alive, connected and beyond ~ as this stunning “Celt-essential” blend of music and movement string together the living roots ~ the turbulent waves ~ the burning passions ~ the boundless dreams of the human experience…rich in fire & grace!
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas’ musical talent has been described as “Scottish fiddle and cello music of unrivalled beauty, eloquence, and passion!” The Scotsman
Carruthers & Co. takes you on an abounding journey of traditional and modern-day Celtic music & dance. This nearly two hour performance will have a fifteen-minute intermission, midway. The Tempe Center for the Arts opened its doors for the fist time in September 2007. TCA is your ticket to experience Fire & Grace2
… Strung High & Loose ~ one of the most exhilarating performances in the Southwest.
Enjoy your Celtic experience in a lakeside facility with views that enhance this one-of-a-kind Valley premiere performance!
3. ACADEMY OF CELTIC TERM BEGINS APRIL 7
On Monday, April 7, the Center starts Term 2 of the Academy of Irish & Celtic Studies. Classes are offered in Music (13 different instruments) and Language (Irish and Welsh) We will also be offering a music theory class which will cover all instruments. The academy classes are 50 minutes in length and meet once a week for 9 sessions. The cost for music and language classes is $90.00 per class. Private lessons are 25 minutes in length and are available on a limited basis. The cost for private lessons is $30.00 per class. The 2nd Saturday of most months, we offer Ceili dance lessons. This is a 2 hour dance-intensive workshop, geared towards both beginning and advanced dancers of all ages. Cost is $16.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12.
Classes offered: (Beginner Start Time) Day and Time may vary.
5-String Banjo (Clawhammer) Monday 6pm
5-String Banjo (Scruggs Style) Wednesday 8pm
Accordion Wednesday 8pm
Bagpipes Wednesday 6pm
Banjo (Irish Tenor) Wednesday 7pm
Bodhran Monday 5:30pm
Ceili Dance 2nd Saturday of the month 1:00pm
Fiddle Monday 5pm
Guitar Monday 7pm
Harp Wednesday Private Lessons Only
Irish Language Tuesday 6:30pm
Irish Step Dancing Monday 6:30 pm
Mandolin Wednesday 7pm
Music Theory Thursday 6:30 pm
Piano/Keyboard Wednesday 8pm
Pipe Band Drumming Wednesday 7pm
Welsh Language Tuesday 6pm
Whistle/Flute Monday 6pm
4. GETTING READY FOR ZOUKFEST JUNE 8 TO 14
"ZoukFest (the nonprofit that hosts an annual music week, coming up at the College of Santa Fe, in Santa Fe, NM, June 8-14, 2008) has announced that its 2008 Guest Artist is Andy Irvine, a seminal figure in Irish traditional music and a founder/leading member of groups like Sweeney's Men, Planxty, Patrick Street, and Mozaik. He will teach and perform at ZoukFest.
The 2008 staff also includes Irish trad mavens such as
--- Randal Bays: fiddle and DADGAD guitar accompaniment;
--- Eliot Grasso: Irish flute/whistle; Luke Plumb, Mandolin and bouzouki;
--- Roger Landes: bouzouki, mando, and bodhran;
--- Moira Smiley: Celtic song and vocal techniques;
--- Dave Cory: Irish tenor banjo, and Irish guitar accompaniment in standard tuning.
More class descriptions and staff are now up on the ZoukFest website (www.zoukfest.com).
May 1 is the deadline for registering with the dorm and meal options.
ZoukFest 2008 starts with dinner on Sunday, June 8th. Classes run Monday June 9th through Friday June 13th and the Student Concert is the afternoon of Saturday, June 14th. Staff performances will take place every evening, Monday-Friday from 7-9pm., followed by sessions (instrumental as well as song) every night."
5. MEMO FROM PADDY’S PEG LEG
Hello George,
Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that Paddy's Peg Leg will be playing at Finnegan's Irish Restaurant and Pub on Wednesday, April 9th. We will play from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. We are very excited about this opportunity and have a lot of other irons in the fire as well. So please put us in your newsletter and on the calendar so that we can get as many people there as possible. It's going to be a fun time!
Thanks,
Chris, Dan & Dominick
www.paddyspegleg.com
www.myspace.com/paddyspegleg
contact: Chris Floyd 602-321-1924
6. MEMO FROM ROUND THE HOUSE
Award-winning Irish band Round the House to perform at Irish Cultural Center
Date: Friday April 11
Time: 8 PM
Contact info: (602) 564-6620 www.pfotm.org
Location: Irish Cultural Center, 1106. N. Central Ave, Phoenix 85004
Tickets $ 15 general admission, children $5, family max: $34
Discounted tickets $12 available for Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music
Round the House will be bringing a dynamic performance of Irish music to the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix on April 11. They describe their style as traditional Irish music that combines the “pure drop” with a twist of Tucson. They have captivated concert and festival audiences for over ten years with innovative arrangements of traditional songs in both English and Irish and lively medleys of dance tunes that shine with rhythm, lilt and drive. They are known for creating exceptional rapport with audiences and have an enthusiastic following that is growing every year. Their 2007 recording, “Safe Home”, is played on folk and roots radio programs throughout the U.S. and has received outstanding reviews. They recently shared stages with two Irish bands on their visits to Arizona: Danu and the Dave Munnelly Band. The last several years they have been invited to perform at the North Texas Irish Festival, Summer Solstice Festival in California, in Colorado, and at numerous other festivals, and venues a throughout Arizona and the southwest.
Round the House has been awarded the Tucson Area Musicians Award for best traditional ethnic band for six years running. In addition, individual members have won awards for best guitar, best strings, and best female vocalist.
Several dancers from the Bracken School of Irish Dance will also be featured in the concert, displaying the intricate rhythms, precise timing and complex patterns of footwork of step-dancing. Their teacher, Thomas Bracken, has inspired and trained Irish dancers in Arizona for nearly a dozen years to achieve recognition at regional, national and world competitions and championships.
This concert will appeal to audiences of all ages, and is especially family friendly, with discounted ticket prices for children under 12.
Band members:
--- Sharon Goldwasser (fiddle) leans into the melody with the accents and ornaments that infuse traditional Irish music with its lilt and lift.
--- Dave Firestine (mandolin, bouzouki, banjo) is a powerful melody player on traditional sets, but he doesn't shy away from adding spontaneous syncopation to other tunes and shows a poignant sense of timing on quiet numbers.
--- Mark Robertson-Tessi (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin) displays his exceptional technical ability as he contributes to both accompaniment and melody in the band. Mark placed in the top five in a national mandolin competition at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and has won the 4-Corners Mandolin Championship twice.
--- Claire Zucker (vocals, bodhran) has a gift for phrasing and ornamentation that breathes life into traditional songs while her drumming adds an energetic flare to the band's music. Claire has twice won the Mary Yolanda Dowling memorial trophy for traditional Irish singing at the Feis in the Desert.
A recent review published in the UK states: "if you like your Irish music handled delicately and sensitively without losing either its enthusiasm or its essential sense of momentum, Round The House will be a "safe home" for you."
Dirty Linen, the premier print resource for acoustic music in the US had this to say:
"As so many bands have proven in recent years, a setting of green hills and
cool mists is no longer a requirement for playing good Irish music. a capable
collection of lively fiddle-driven tune sets and traditional songs in English and
Irish Gaelic. ...focuses the listener's attention ... a natural unforced soprano......commendable."
--- Dirty Linen, Oct/Nov 2007
Direct contact info for performers:
Round the House
web site: www.roundthehouse.com
Phone contact: 298-3014
E-mail: roundthehouse@att.net
Bracken School
web site: www.brackenirishdance.com
Phone contact: (480) 699-2455
E-mail: tom.bracken@brackenirishdance.com
7. DENNIS PUTSCHER RELEASES SEISIUN VIDEOS
Hi George,
Sorry I've been out of touch a couple years now since leaving Blackwood. Work commitments and a need for change has led me in new directions. I've not been playing in public but I'm still playing music in the studio with some friends.
Just for fun I thought you might like to check out some of the results of a few jam sessions I held at my house. Inspired by some of the pub seisiuns we used to attend, I thought it'd be fun to host a few, but with full recording capabilities. Not very Irish in style, but fun nevertheless. Check out www.myspace.com/noisyneighbor and www.myspace.com/tesseract07”>www.myspace.com/tesseract07 for some of that stuff.
Also, before leaving Blackwood, Jerica had hosted a seisiun at her house and I videotaped it.
Though it's slow loading and the camera work is pretty amateurish, the audio is pretty good so I posted it on http://homepage.mac.com/damn_loud/iMovieTheater3.html
and called it "What's a Seisiun for?
Hope you and your readers will enjoy it. It was fun, and though not as good as being there, To my knowledge it's the only local seisiun ever
documented.
Thanks for doing this newsletter all these years,
Dennis Putscher
8. MEMO FROM COLLEEN COLLINS
Hello Mr. O'Brien,
I am a guitarist/vocalist who plays Celtic music around the Valley. Would it be possible to list my website, www.colleencollins.com on your listing of bands page within the Irish Music Society website?
Thank you so much for the consideration,
Colleen
www.colleencollins.com
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Testimonials
Thank you so much for all the work you did to make my parents' 50th Anniversary party a huge success! The tunes you selected to perform were just right and the ones you worked up especially for them from their era were a wonderful added touch. My mom and several guests commented on how perfect the tunes were, what a great voice you have, and how all was at just the right volume for conversations. You made it easy for me to put the whole evening together by providing the equipment and the custom CD was a really cool bonus!
You did a wonderful job and I would highly recommend you to anyone looking for a talented vocalist and guitarist for their function. Feel free to pass my name along as a happy customer."
-Dave Atkinson, Marketing Director, Davis Coop, Sacramento, CA (where Colleen is originally from)
"One of the best music breaks I have had in awhile. Colleen Collins rich vocals on 'Have I Told You Lately' and soothing guitar 'Ave Maria' thoroughly captured our hearts today. We hope we get to hear more from her soon!"
-Paul Larison applekid@myway.com
9. BLACK VELVET TO PLAY FOR SCOTS OF WEST VALLEY ON APR 9
Date: Wednesday April 9
Time: No host bar 5pm. Dinner meeting at 6pm followed by the evening program
Place: Briarwood Country Club – Sun City West
Special Appearance: The Black Velvet Band
The Scots of the West Valley is pleased to bring back The Black Velvet Band for an encore appearance. SWV members and their guests are invited to enjoy the always spectacular performance of this unique group.
This talented and exciting ensemble is a women’s Celtic group that includes guitar, mandolin, fiddle, penny whistle, cello and bodhran. Along with their musical talents, they also sing old Celtic ballads. The Black Velvet Band believes that the haunting airs and lively Celtic music is the best therapy on earth. The group has performed at Fiddler’s Dream, May in the Meadows, Renaissance in the Pines and makes frequent appearances at the Irish Cultural Center.
The group name comes from an old Celtic song with the refrain
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
You'd think she was Queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band.
For dinner reservations or more information about the Scots of the West Valley and membership contact President Gordon Walls at 623-544-2547, Vice President Tom Dolan at 623-875-6891; Membership Chairman Robert Knight 623-876-9488 or email carnousie@cox.net .
The Scots of the West Valley is a non-profit social and philanthropic organization providing fellowship for people of Scottish birth or ancestry who are interested in programs and events that focus on their Scottish heritage, culture and traditions.
10. THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC
PHOENIX
Michael McClanathan will be at the Westin Kirland every evening at sunset.
WED
Paul Knight will host a seisiun at into The Bean on Wed.
Scott Jeffers will be at the Dubliner on Wed
Smoot Mahooty with Brid Dower will be at Rosie’s on Wed
Karl Jones will be at R.T. O’Sullivan’s on Wed
THUR.
Shay Veno will be at Fibber Magee’s on Thursday
FRI/SAT
There will be a seisiun at the Irish Cultural Center for First Friday.
The Knobs will be at the Dubliner on Fri and Sat.
Keltic Cowboys will be at Fibber Magee’s on Fri and Sat
Chris Alcaraz will be at Molly Brannigan’s on Fri.
Shay Veno will be at O’Connor’s on Fri and Sat
The Biffos will be at O’Donoghue’s on Fri and Sat
Smoot Mahooty will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Fri and Sat
Rula Bula will host Shawn Johnson on Fri and Sat
Blackwood will be at Seamus McCaffrey’s on Fri.
Skeptical Chymist will host the Scones on Fri and Sat
The Brazen Heads will be at Tim Finnegan’s on Fri and Sat
The performance of Fire and Grace will be at the Tempe Center for the Arts on Fri, Sat, and Sun afternoon.
TUCSON
There will be a Tartan Day Party at the Berger Center on Thur.
Dusty Buskers will be at the Auld Dubliner on Sat evening
There will be a contradance at the First Methodist Church on Sat
FLAGSTAFF
There will be a contradance at Ashurst Hall on Sat evening.
PRESCOTT
Celtic Crossings will host Karl Jones on Fri and Sengus Og on Sat.
There will be a contradance on the Fri at the Prescott Activity Center
OTHER
Vyktoria Pratt Keating will be at the Main Street Grill in Payson on Fri.
Karl Jones will be in Sedona at the Zelo Cosi on Sat afternoon and the Martini Bar on Mon evening
1. PHOENIX
Cave Creek Coffee Company
6033 E. Cave Creek
Cave Creek
480-488-0603
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4/7/2008 | Mon | 6:00 PM
| Rick Cyge
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Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.
Phoenix
602-867-0984
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 9:00 PM
| Scott Jeffers
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Knobs
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Knobs
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Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19
Chandler
480-722-9434
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4/3/2008 | Thu | 9:00 PM
| Shay Veno
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Keltic Cowboys
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Keltic Cowboys
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 3:00 PM
| Fibber Magee's Sunday Afternoon Seisiun
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Into the Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave
Mesa
480-890-0579
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 7:00 PM
| Irish Seisiun with Paul Knight
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Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix
602-392-7850
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 7:00 PM
| Irish Foundation - Monthly Meeting
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 7:00 PM
| First Friday Art Walk and Seisiun
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 12:00
| Welsh League Meeting
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Molly Brannigan's Irish Pub
1744 S. Val Vista Dr -
Mesa
480-507-7827
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Chris Alcaraz
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O'Connor's Pub
2601 W. Dunlap
Phoenix
602-997-7714
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4/7/2008 | Mon | 9:00 PM
| Shay Veno
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4/8/2008 | Tue | 9:00 PM
| Shay Veno
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O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
20469 N. Hayden Rd.
Scottsdale
480-585-6329
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)
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R.T. O'Sullivans (Glendale)
5830 W. Bell Rd.
Glendale
602-938-5300
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 8:00 PM
| Karl Jones - Irish Rover
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Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback
Phoenix
602-241-1916
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 9:00 PM
| Smoot Mahooty With Brid Dower
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Smoot Mahooty
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Smoot Mahooty
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Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave
Tempe
480-929-9500
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4/3/2008 | Thu | 9:00 PM
| Celtica
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Shawn Johnson
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Shawn Johnson
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Seamus Mc Caffrey's
18 W. Monroe
Phoenix
602-253-6081
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Blackwood
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 7:00 PM
| Seisiun with Sven Henrich
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Skeptical Chymist
15688 N. Pima Ftw
Scottsdale
480-609-8677
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Scones
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Scones
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Tempe Center for the Arts
700 West Rio Salado
Tempe
480-350-2822
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 8:00 PM
| Fire and Grace
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 8:00 PM
| Fire and Grace
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 2:00 PM
| Fire and Grace
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Tim Finnegans
9201 N. 29th Ave. #52
Phoenix
602-997-2323
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Brazen Heads
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Brazen Heads
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Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway
Phoenix
480-624-1030
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4/2/2008 | Wed | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/3/2008 | Thu | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/7/2008 | Mon | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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4/8/2008 | Tue | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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2. TUCSON
Auld Dubliner
800 East University
Tucson
520-206-0323
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Dusty Buskers
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 7:00 PM
| Tucson Irish Seisiun
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Berger PCA - Seven Piper
1200 W. Speedway
Tucson
520-299-0701
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4/3/2008 | Thu | 6:00 PM
| Tucson Tartan Day Party
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First Methodist Church - Tucson
915 E. 4th Street
Tucson
520-293-3783
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4/3/2008 | Thu | 7:00 PM
| Seven Pipers Country Dances
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 7:30 PM
| Tucson Contradance
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3. FLAGSTAFF
Ashurst Hall - NAU
Creative & Comm Arts
Flagstaff
928-523-1889
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 7:30 PM
| Flagstaff Contradance
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Uptown Billiards
114 N Leroux St
Flagstaff
928-773-0551
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4/6/2008 | Sun | 7:00 PM
| Flagstaff Irish Jam
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4. PRESCOTT
Celtic Crossings
3250 Gateway Blvd -
Prescott
928-443-8454
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 7:00 PM
| Karl Jones - Irish Rover
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 7:00 PM
| Aengus Og
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Prescott Activity Center
824 E. Gurley St.
Prescott
928-445-8823
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 7:30 PM
| Prescott Contradance
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5. REST OF AZ
Main Street Grille
202 West Main Street
Payson
928-472-6246
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4/4/2008 | Fri | 7:00 PM
| Vyktoria Pratt Keating
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Martini Bar
89A at New Frontiers
Sedona
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4/7/2008 | Mon | 9:00 PM
| Karl Jones - Irish Rover
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Zelo Cosi
671 Highway 179
Sedona
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4/5/2008 | Sat | 1:00 PM
| Karl Jones - Irish Rover
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This site © 2005
Arizona Irish Music Society
Info Line: 602-770-8077
