ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY

AIMS NEWS AND NOTES

AIMS News and Notes 6-13-2007
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 signup@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

--- Irish Ceili On Fri. June 15
--- Bill Craig Concert At ICC On Sun June 24
--- Diana Gabaldon At ICC On Sat. June 30

2. Bloomin Beerfest On Sat 16th
3. Memo From Shay Veno
4. A Big Thank You To The Celtic Community
5. Flagstaff Folk Festival - This Weekend!
6. Contradance News
7. Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp Concert In Ca June 30
8. This Week In Irish Music

1. OUT AND ABOUT

--- IRISH CEILI AT ICC ON FRI JUNE 22

Due to the Bloomin Beerfest on Sat, the monthly ceili will be moved back to June 22nd. We’re trying to round up seisiun players for the ceili, so circle the date.

--- BILL CRAIG CONCERT AT ICC ON SUN JUNE 24

6:00 PM $10

Bill Craig is an Irish entertainer based in Toronto, Canada. Bill has been performing for over 30 years and is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist, performing all over the world. Bill has resumed his solo career after a brief spell as a member of the Irish Rovers and delights audiences with his lively performances. He continues to release collections of songs that capture the spirit of the music and the heart of the listener.

"A man with the heart, voice and spirit to do justice to the songs."
-Valerie Rogers, mother of the late Stan Rogers

--- DIANA GABALDON AT ICC ON SAT. JUNE 30

7:30 PM $5

Phoenix Arizona. Attention Outlander fans! The Arizona Celtic Cultural Association is proud to bring Diana Gabaldon to the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix Arizona. June is literary month at the Irish Cultural Center with the celebration of Bloomsday and the welcoming of best selling novelist, Diana Gabaldon. The presentation is scheduled for June 30 at 7:30 PM at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix Arizona. Admission is free; donations are being accepted to help fill the Library building fund. The Irish Cultural Center library will be Arizona’s only comprehensive learning annex of Celtic studies and Celtic literature.

Ms. Gabaldon will be speaking about her favored Outlander and Lord John series and the inspirations for which these best sellers have come. The Outlander and Lord John series, popular with the Celtic crowd, tells the story of Jamie Fraser, a Scottish Highlander from the 18th century, and his time-traveling wife, Claire. The latest book in the series is A Breath of Snow and Ashes. The Poisoned Pen will be on hand providing those missing editions for your collection.

For additional information, please contact the Irish Cultural Center at
602-258-0109 or the ACCA at 623-561-2721.

2. BLOOMIN BEERFEST ON SAT 16TH

Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org

Sat. June 16
5 PM to 10 PM

On Saturday, June 16, at 5pm, the Irish Cultural Center, in downtown Phoenix, will open its gates for Arizona's First Annual Bloomin' Beerfest, a unique event that combines the fine old Irish tradition of Bloomsday with the fine new American tradition of a beer tasting. Co-sponsored by the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, the event will mark the 103rd anniversary of Leopold Bloom's fictional journey through the streets of Dublin in the James Joyce novel novel, Ulysses . Bloom's journey included stops at more than a few pubs. At Arizona 's first Bloomin' Beerfest the available brews will originate with twenty of Arizona 's top craft brewers, rather than with the brewers of Irish beers and ales.

Bloomsday is celebrated in Ireland and throughout the world by Irish people and Joyce fans alike. The name “Bloomsday” derives from Leopold Bloom, the novel's protagonist; June 16 was the day in 1904 on which the events in Ulysses were set. In the novel, Bloom travels around Dublin meeting fascinating characters and making full use of the city's pubs. To literary and Joyce lovers around the world, Bloom represents both the Everyman of modern society and the heroic Ulysses of Homer's great epic poem, The Odyssey.

Arizona 's 2007 Bloomsday celebration will feature the talents of local actresses who will perform traditional readings from Ulysses, such as “Molly's Lament,” throughout the evening. Expect to see Molly's coffin enshrined in the stone cottage at the heart of the Irish Cultural Center . Live music will lighten the mood and traditional Irish and festival food will be available for purchase.

Music will be provided by Oceans Apart, which features Steve Colby on vocals, guitar, banjo, and Irish bouzouki and John Good on vocals, flute, whistle and Welsh bagpipes.

The price of Bloomin' Beerfest tickets includes admission to the event, 16 tickets which can be presented to taste the wares of participating craft brewers, and a souvenir beer mug. Presale tickets can be purchased online for $25 from May 24 through June 14 at www.azbrewguild.com ($35 at the door). Beer tasting ticket sales are limited to 750 persons. “ Readings only” tickets are offered at $5 and can be purchased online, at the Irish Cultural Center and at the gate. Children under 6 years of age will be admitted free of charge.

The Proceeds of this event benefit the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation (ICLF), the 501(c)3 corporation that operates the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix in partnership with the City of Phoenix. The ICLF operates the Center and its educational and cultural programs to preserve and showcase Irish culture for the education and enjoyment of the people of Arizona.

ICLF's partner in this event, the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, is a statewide organization of small brewers dedicated to producing quality ales and lagers. They also produce events to familiarize the public with the fine brews produced by their members.

For tickets, to www.azbrewguild.com/content/festivals.php

3. MEMO FROM SHAY VENO

It was nice to see you Sunday. While taken by surprise, it actually was fun to be able to be a slightly larger part of the event...

I'm able to take a breath today and so have finally sat down to tell you more about my schedule.

Though too late to be listed: I'm at the Celtic Curtain this week and next weekend. I'll be playing the 22nd at Brian's Pub in Prescott. I'll be out of town 22nd through the 25th, playing a function in California. I'll round out the month back at O'Connor's.

July:
13+14th Celtic Curtain
20th and 21st -- O'Connor's
27th and 28 -- Celtic Curtain

Aug:
10th 11th, 17th and 18th Celtic Curtain
24th and 25th O'Connor's.

Please keep me posted on things. I should have a new website up shortly. Much depends on how quickly I acclaimate to my new schedule.

Cheers,

Shay
mimeonfire@yahoo.com

4. A BIG THANK YOU TO THE CELTIC COMMUNITY

The Irish Foundation of Arizona would like to thank EVERYONE who was connected with the very successful Irish Gates Fundraiser which took place on June 3rd. Jimmy O'Connor spearheaded the event which was held at O'Connor's Pub. John Good and George O'Brien were the co-chairs and did a brilliant job lining up the outstanding entertainment.

John McMorrow of the Firefighter's Emerald Society and Harry Carroll of the Law Enforcement Emerald Society brought their members out in full force. Jimmy's staff were efficent and friendly as ever.

The Firefighter's provided their world famous delicious green chilli, bean and rice and every bit of it was consumed by the end of the day. Brian and Siobhan Tobin handled numerous tasks and kept everything from the food to the silent auction running smoothly.

The day will filled with music and merriment from the moment Owen Keating played the Irish National Anthem to Pat McCrossan singing and conducting everyone on and off the stage. It was great hearing Oceans Apart and watching the McTaggert and Celtic Dance Academy Dancers.

Galway Bridge rocked the house and Shay Veno and Billy Brett delighted their fans as usual.

The Limerick Contest was great fun and Patty McCrossan brought down the house with her ditty about Jimmy O. and his sheep!! For those who left early, you missed an outrageous performance by Declan Fox.

The Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band rounded out the wonderful afternoon with their moving performance. Then everyone joined in the Irish Sing-A-Long.

A special thanks also goes to everyone who donated to the silent auction and everyone who bought everything in sight. There were numerous generous financial contributors and those folks will be receiving letters from the Foundation.

Because there was such an outpouring of the Celtic Community, the Irish Foundation Gate at the Irish Cultural Center will soon be a reality. We are eternally grateful for everyone's support.

Glenda Walker
Auntguck@webtv.net

5. FLAGSTAFF FOLK FESTIVAL - THIS WEEKEND!

Saturday 6/16/07 & Sunday 6/17/07
10 am - 6 pm both days
held at the Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 N Fort Valley Road
Flagstaff, AZ
Admission: $3 per person
$9 per family

Live music on four stages
over 100 musicians
old time fiddlers
string bands
cowboy singers
singer/songwriters
A preliminary schedule of performances is available
www.ffotm.net/folkfest/sched2007.htm.
http://ffotm.net/images/Folkfest_poster_2007.pdf.

There are some Celtic performers on Sun: Laurie Riley, Malcom Harris, and Connie Fisher.

6. CONTRADANCE NEWS

4th Sunday, June 24th
“Potpourri” Contra Dance at the Gentle Shepherd MCC (formally named Augustana Church)
Caller/Band: Seth Levine will teach Square Dancing for contra dancers.
Location: 2604 N. 14th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006, map:
http://ffotm.net/images/Folkfest_poster_2007.pdf
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Cost: Free!

4th Wednesday, June 27th Contra Dance at the Irish Cultural Center
Caller/Band: Peg Hesley with music by the PFOTM Open Band
Location: 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, map:
http://www.pfotm.org/irishmap.h
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 pm (No Lesson)
Cost: $7 all dancers
Note: Snacks provided by dancers. Parents are responsible for childcare.

There will be no contradances in July.

7. ALASDAIR FRASER'S SIERRA FIDDLE CAMP CONCERT IN CA JUNE 30

Fiddlers at the Fairgrounds - Saturday June 30

Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp will celebrate the fiddle music of Scotland, Denmark and Quebec with their 2nd annual Fiddlers at the Fairgrounds picnic concert. Over 100 musicians, singers and dancers will join Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and the world-class faculty of camp instructors to celebrate the completion of their week of intensive study and revelry. This picnic concert will be held amid the beautiful pines on the green at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

This year's concert combines the music of Scotland, Quebec and Denmark with host Alasdair Fraser and special guest instructors Pascal Gemme and Marie-Soleil Pilette from Quebec and Harald Haugard from Denmark.

Camp Faculty and featured performers include:
Fiddle: Alasdair Fraser, Harald Haugard, Pascal Gemme, Laura Risk, Hanneke
Cassel, Deby Grosjean, Ethan Lewis, Liana Campus
Guitar: Tony Mcmanus
Piano: Cali McKasson
Cello: Natalie Haas, Renata Bratt, Aria Di Salvio
Dance: Marie-Soeil Pilette
Percussion: Gary Campus
Song: Laura Cortese

Alasdair Fraser is in demand as a concert artist, dance fiddler and fiddle teacher throughout his native Scotland, Spain and the United States. Founder of three highly influencial fiddle schools in both the US and Scotland, he was also 'Artist in Residence' at the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow for many years. Alasdair excels in expressing the beauty and energy of traditional Scottish fiddling and in creating exciting new music that remains true to that tradition. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage.

Quebecois fiddler Pascal Gemme has been searching for seldom heard songs and melodies and interpreting his own compositions with a unique, unmistakable style. Inspired to take up the fiddle by the playing of his grandfather, he developed a solid technique and acquired a wide repertoire through the years. He has played with and has been inspired by many great Québécois singers and fiddlers. Pascal is also a great singer of Quebec folk songs with a rich and interesting style and repertoire, mostly learned from older singers.

After some heavy flirtation with other instruments - drums, bass & piano - and with genres as various as Renaissance, classical, and hard rock, Harald Haugard was accepted at the Carl Nielsen Academy in Odense, Denmark in 1994. During the education Harald was uniquely allowed to exchange classical teachers with traditional folk music fiddlers, and that way - as the first ever - he got an education as a folk fiddler at the Carl Nielsen Academy of Odense. This experiment gave him important experience when later the folk music department of the Carl Nielsen Academy was established and the first folk music curriculum was created in 1997. During the years 1994 to 1998 Harald performed extensively with the progressive Danish folk music band, Dug. The band toured all over Europe and released two CDs.

This will be a rollicking celebration of music, song and dance on the green with over 100 gifted revelers.

8. THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC

PHOENIX

Michael McClanathan will be at the Westin Kirland every evening at sunset.

WED

Paul Knight will be at into The Bean on Wed.
Scott Jeffers will be at into The Dubliner on Wed.
Smoot Mahooty with Brid Dower will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Wed

THUR

Celtica will be at Rula Bula on Thur.

FRI

Oceans Apart will be at the Goelet a Beuf center on Fri afternoon

FRI/SAT

Shay Veno will be at Celtic Curtain on Fri and Sat

The Rakes will be at the Dubliner on Fri and Sat

The Brazen Heads will be at Fibber Magee’s on Fri and Sat

Biffos will be at O’Connor’s on Fri and Sat

Rosie McCaffrey’s will host Motel on Fri and Krystal Baker on Sat

Love Brokers will be at Rula Bula on Fri and Sat

Tell Me Ma will be at Skeptical Chymist on Fri and Sat

SAT

Oceans Apart will perform at the Bloomin’ Beer Fest on Sat Rick Cyge will be at the Blue Sky Coffeehouse in Carefree on Sat

SUN

Oceans Apart will be at Molly Brannigan’s on Sun at noon Paddy’s Peg Leg will be at R.T. O’Sullivan’s on Sun evening

TUCSON

There will be contradance at the First Methodist Church on Sat

FLAGSTAFF

The Flagstaff Folk Festival will be at the Coconino Center for the Arts on Sat and Sun. On Sunday, Celtic performers will include Laurie Riley, Malcom Harris, and Connie Fisher.

PRESCOTT

Celtic Crossings will host Aengus Og on Fri and Sat evenings and Tom Watts on Sun afternoon.

Meadowlark will be at the Prescott Valley Civic Center on Thur evening

1. PHOENIX

 

Blue Sky Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
34 Easy Street    Carefree    480-595-9909

6/16/2007

Sat

7:00 PM

Rick Cyge

Celtic Curtain
3128 E. Cactus Rd    Phoenix   

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Shay Veno

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Shay Veno

Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.    Phoenix    602-867-0984

6/13/2007

Wed

9:00 PM

Scott Jeffers

 

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Rakes / Nightshift

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Rakes / Nightshift

Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19    Chandler    480-722-9434

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Brazen Heads

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Brazen Heads

 

6/17/2007

Sun

3:00 PM

Fibber Magee's Sunday Afternoon Seisiun

Goelet A Beuf Community Center
3435 W Pinnacle Peak    Phoenix    602-534-4754

6/15/2007

Fri

1:00 PM

Oceans Apart

Into the Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave    Mesa    480-890-0579

6/13/2007

Wed

7:00 PM

Paul Knight

Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue    Phoenix    602-392-7850

6/15/2007

Fri

7:00 PM

Irish Ceili

 

6/16/2007

Sat

5:00 PM

Oceans Apart

Molly Brannigan's Irish Pub
1744 S. Val Vista Dr -    Mesa    480-507-7827

6/17/2007

Sun

12:00

Oceans Apart

O'Connor's Pub
2601 W. Dunlap    Phoenix    602-997-7714

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)

R.T. O'Sullivans (Glendale)
5830 W. Bell Rd.    Glendale    602-938-5300

6/17/2007

Sun

7:00 PM

Paddy's Peg Leg

Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback    Phoenix    602-241-1916

6/13/2007

Wed

7:30 PM

Smoot Mahooty With Brid Dower

 

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Motel

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Krystal Baker

Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave    Tempe    480-929-9500

6/14/2007

Thu

9:00 PM

Celtica

 

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Love Brokers

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Love Brokers

Seamus Mc Caffrey's
18 W. Monroe    Phoenix    602-253-6081

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Krystal Baker

 

6/17/2007

Sun

7:00 PM

Seisiun with Sven Henrich

Skeptical Chymist
15688 N. Pima Ftw    Scottsdale    480-609-8677

6/15/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Tell Me Ma

 

6/16/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Tell Me Ma

Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway    Phoenix    480-624-1030

6/13/2007

Wed

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/14/2007

Thu

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/15/2007

Fri

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/16/2007

Sat

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/17/2007

Sun

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/18/2007

Mon

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

6/19/2007

Tue

6:00 PM

Michael McClanathan

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2. TUCSON

 

Auld Dubliner
800 East University    Tucson    520-206-0323

6/17/2007

Sun

4:00 PM

Tucson Irish Seisiun

Ceoiltais - House Seisiun
Wilmot/Grant area /    Tucson    520-722-9485

6/13/2007

Wed

7:00 PM

Ceoiltais (Traditional Irish tune-seisiun)

First Methodist Church - Tucson
915 E. 4th Street    Tucson    520-293-3783

6/14/2007

Thu

7:30 PM

Scottish Country Dancing

 

6/16/2007

Sat

7:30 PM

Tucson Contradance

Rincon Market
2513 East Sixth St.    Tucson   

6/19/2007

Tue

7:00 PM

Tucson Slow Seisiun

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3. FLAGSTAFF

 

Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 North Fort Valley    Flagstaff    928-774-7261

6/17/2007

Sun

10:40

Laurie Riley

 

6/17/2007

Sun

12:30

Malcom Harris

 

6/17/2007

Sun

5:20 PM

Connie Fisher

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4. PRESCOTT

 

Celtic Crossings
3250 Gateway Blvd,    Prescott    928-443-8454

6/15/2007

Fri

7:00 PM

Aengus Og

 

6/16/2007

Sat

7:00 PM

Aengus Og

 

6/17/2007

Sun

3:00 PM

Tom Watts

Prescott Valley Civic Center
7501 E. Civic Center Dr.    Prescott Valley    928-759-3105

6/14/2007

Thu

7:00 PM

Meadowlark

 

 

 

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Arizona Irish Music Society
Info Line: 602-770-8077