AIMS News and Notes 7-30-2003
Arizona Irish Music Society
www.azirishmusic.com
Information Line: 602-230-4114
Signup - signup@azirishmusic.com
George L. O'Brien - obiewan@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.You can also listen to "This Week in Irish Music" by calling 602-230-4114.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Out and About--- ICC Launches New PDF Newsletter
--- Mc Teggart Feis To Be Held On Sat Aug 2nd
--- New Photos Are On The Web
--- Blackwood To Play At A Special Dinner At Fibber's On Wed2. Mc Morrows Had A Busy Weekend Preparing for the Cleveland Irish Festival
3. Contradance News
4. Flagstaff News
5. Results from the Celtic Dance Academy's First Feis
6. New Location For the McElligott School of Irish Dance
7. Memo From Acoustic Scene
8. Sad News - Mary Patricia (Pat) Binsfeld Passes Away
9. The Clare Voyants and Wild Thyme At Flagstaff SummerFest This Weekend
10. Memo From Vash
11. September Begins Busy Season For Special Events- Friday, Sept 5 - "The 1916 Easter Rebellion Commemoration"
- Fri, Sept 12 - Solas - Berger Center, Tucson
- Sat, Sept 20 - Pan Celtic Ceilidh - Irish Cultural Center
- Wed - Sept 24 - Dervish - Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix
- Sat, Oct 5 - Sun, Oct 6 - Sharlot Hall Folk Festival, Prescott
- Sat Oct 5 - Claddagh Dinner - Irish Cultural Center
- Sat Oct 12 - Arizona Irish Festival - Hance Park/ICC
- Fri Oct 17 To Sun Oct 19 - Phoenix Irish Feis - St. Paul's Church
- Sun Oct 26 - Irish Foundation Fall Picnic - Irish Cultural Center12. This Week In Irish Music
1. OUT AND ABOUT --- ICC LAUNCHES NEW PDF NEWSLETTER The Irish Cultural Center will be sending out a newsletter in PDF format called AZ Irish Weekly. It will give in depth information about the Academy and what is happening at the Center. Sign up for it at bonnie@azirish.com. --- MC TEGGART FEIS TO BE HELD ON SAT AUG 2ND The Arizona State Championship Feis (McTeggart) will be held on Saturday, Aug 2nd at Pointe South Mountain Resort Hotel, 777 South Pointe Parkway, Phoenix on Saturdy, Aug 2nd. --- NEW PHOTOS ARE ON THE WEB My Flagstaff photos and Scott Morrows pictures of Friday's McMorrows concert are on the web. Check our photo directory at www.azirishmusic.com/photo_list.htm. By the way, anyone who has photos in jpeg format that they would like included, please let me know at obiewan@azirishmusic.com. --- BLACKWOOD TO PLAY AT A SPECIAL DINNER AT FIBBER'S ON WED The dinner is already sold out, but people can still come by after dinner for the music on Wed at Fibber Magee's at 1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19 in Chandler. Their next Gourmet Night will be Aug 13th. Call 480-722-9434 for more information.
2. MC MORROWS HAD A BUSY WEEKEND PREPARING FOR THE CLEVELAND IRISH FESTIVAL The Mc Morrows performance at the Irish Cultural Center on Friday and at O'Connor's on Friday featured guest fiddler player Jerica Leathers. Jerica will be going with them to Euclid. They sounded great. [EDITOR'S NOTE: They played at the Christmas in July Party on Sunday, but I could not make it due to illness in the family. Erin Lewis was scheduled to play with them on Sunday.]The McMorrows leave in a couple of weeks to play at the Irish Summerfest of Euclid, just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It is a program that promises " 4 days of continuous live Irish Music on 4 different stages" which headlines the Saw Doctors. homepages.bw.edu/~scoyne/summerfest/.
The McMorrows being invited to play at a big festival like this is a major plus for the entire Irish music scene because it creates visibility for the Arizona musicians.
3. CONTRADANCE NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 -- PRESCOTT Once again, you can make a contra dance weekend in the pines for yourself. Start with the Prescott dance, with guest caller Graham Hempel from San Diego joining the Granite Creek String Band. The dance runs 7:30-10:30 pm at the Prescott Activity Center, 824 East Gurley. Still only $5 general, $4 members and students. For info, contact rissa@cableone.net or 928-445-8823. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 -- FLAGSTAFF Continue your cool, pine-scented weekend at the Flagstaff dance, where Graham will be calling to Just Desserts at Federated Church, on the corner of Aspen and Sitgreaves, across from the Flagstaff Public Library downtown. For info, contact laurashearin@hotmail.com or 928-526-6757 or go to www.ffotm.net SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 -- TUCSON If you'd rather head south, enjoy J.P. Thom-Gronachan and the Open Band at the Tucson Contra Dance at First Church United Methodist. 915 E. 4th St. (between Park and Tyndall, just west of the UA campus. Parking on west side.) Call 520-293-3783 or e-mail office@tftm.org or go to www.tftm.org.Rissa Miller
rissa@cableone.net
4. FLAGSTAFF NEWS A GREAT FESTIVAL! Final recap later--but it looks like over 5,000 people attended the Festival, and The Celtic Heritage Society did not lose money! Thanks to every single volunteer--without you it would not have been possible!Martha Shideler
piobair@infomagic.net
5. RESULTS FROM THE CELTIC DANCE ACADEMY'S FIRST FEIS Hi George,
The Celtic Dance Academy had its very first feis as an official school this past weekend in Huntington Beach Ca. It was very exciting and all the dancers competed with the grace of seasoned champions.
The results were:Alexandria Muller (First Feis and Beginner 1 under 8)
Reel 2nd
Light Jig 2nd
Slip Jig 1st
Single Jig 1st
Treble Jig 1st
Hornpipe 2nd
St. Patrick's Day 3rdAnnette Pedersen (Beginner 1 15&O)
Reel 2nd
Light Jig 2nd
Slip Jig 1st
Single Jig 3rd
Treble Jig 2nd
St. Patrick's Day 1st
Slip Jig Special 1stEmily Chandler (Beginner 1 15&O)
Reel 1st
Light Jig 1st
Slip Jig 3rd
Single Jig 2nd
Treble Jig 1st
St. Patrick's Day 2nd
Slip Jig Special 2ndMichelle Dubow also competed in the adult beginner category and strutted her stuff like a pro.
Congrats!!!
Thanks George, I thought this was a really special event and these guys deserved a mention for all their hard work.
-Sarah Houghtelin, TCRG
sahoughtelin@yahoo.com[EDITOR'S NOTE: Sarah Houghtelin was on last Saturday's "Irish Show" (KFNX 1100 at 4:30 pm every Saturday) with guest host John Good, Kevin King of Afan, plus Patrick and Bonnie Cunningham from the Irish Cultural.]
6. NEW LOCATION FOR THE MCELLIGOTT SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE We are very excited to announce the new HOME of the MCELLIGOTT SCHOOL of IRISH DANCE and the MCELLIGOTT DANCE COMPANY.In August, we will all be moving to our studio at 13825 N. 32nd Street, which is located just North of Thunderbird on 32nd Street. This location is very conveniently located right off of the 51 which now connects to the 101 and 202.
There is a new schedule and classes are open for enrollment.
If you would like to know more about the new studio and the school, give the director, Heather McElligott Sparks T.C.R.G. a call at 480-471-3281 or e-mail her at feetofire@mindspring.com
McElligott School Dancers
"Love of the Dance"Heather Sparks
feetofire@mindspring.com
7. MEMO FROM ACOUSTIC SCENE [EDITOR'S NOTE: Acoustic Scene is part of the Southwest Acoustic Music Association (SAM), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization supporting and promoting acoustic music of many variations in the southwestern United States. Their web site is www.acousticscene.com/page1.htm and is run by Joe Bethancourt.]Got a music event, send the information to me at sfma@inficad.com and I will pass it on in my email alerts.
Are you a musician looking for air time? Well, the good news is that Gordon Smith and David Grossman are starting a Saturday afternoon (3 - 4 pm) radio show called OPEN MIC. David and Gordon hope to provide that rare oportunity for local musicians - radio air time! For more information, contact David Grossman at david@davidgrossman.com.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This program is not yet on the air.]
Every Monday, 9 pm: Walt Richardson and Hannes Kvaran at the Owl's Nest (the top floor of Hootersat 5th Street and Mill in Tempe.
Every Friday (7:30 - 9:30) and Saturday (7 - 9 pm) in July, Rhonda Lester will be appearing at the Grapeables in Fountain Hills (480-816-5959.Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, 9 and 10 pm sets: Hannes Kvaran and son, Trevor perfotrm at Fiddler's Dream. 602-997-9795 for more info or directions.
Every Saturday, 7 - 9 pm, KJZA 89.5 FM broadcasts "The Folk Sessions" live from the Vine to Wine Cellar in the alley of the St, Michael's Hotel in Prescott. Saturday, July 26, 2003, 6 - 9 pm: The Folk Sessions will feature David whitley and Tom Agostino. For tickets or more info: thefolksessions@cableone.net.
Maxine
sfma@inficad.com
8. SAD NEWS - MARY PATRICIA (PAT) BINSFELD PASSES AWAY [EDITOR'S NOTE: Pat Binsfeld was the mother of Dave Binsfeld who has been active in E.R.I.N. for many years.] Mary Patricia (Pat) Binsfeld, 68, went to her heavenly home on July 21, 2003. She passed away at her home in Scottsdale, surrounded by her family. Born in Milwaukee, WI on April 24, 1935, Pat attended St. Bernard's Catholic Grade School and Holy Angels Catholic High School. She graduated from Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa, WI in 1957. On June 7, 1958, Pat married Joseph John (Jay) Binsfeld at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, WI. In 1974, after being a life-long resident of Wisconsin, Pat and her family moved to Scottsdale, AZ, where she became an active member of St. Theresa Catholic Church. Pat was a charter member of the Christ Child Society of Phoenix and a member of the Assistance League of Arizona. Pat was an elegant woman whose life centered around her family and her relationship with God. She was a wonderful mother, a beautiful and loving wife, and a Christian woman who always thought of others.Always a lady. Pat is survived by husband Jay Binsfeld, daughter Julie Rozwadowski (Philip) of Madison, WI., sons Joseph M. Binsfeld, John Binsfeld (Angela Garcia), Paul Binsfeld (Donna), and David Binsfeld (Lisa) all of Scottsdale, AZ, and 7 grandchildren (Dustin, Jacqueline, Janina, Paul Jr., Christopher, Samuel and Allison). Visitation will be Thursday, July 24, 2003 from 5:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. with a Scripture Service at 7:30 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, July 25, 2003 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Christ Child Society of Phoenix, 4633 N. 54th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018-1904 or Assistance League of Phoenix, 7044 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020.
9. THE CLARE VOYANTS AND WILD THYME AT FLAGSTAFF SUMMERFEST THIS WEEKEND "Escape to Flagstaff, the coolest place to be during the Arizona summer! This three day celebration features 150 juried artists and craftspeople from across the country. Musicians from around the Southwest perform continuous live music while an array of delectable fine foods tempts your senses. Flagstaff Festival in the Pines(r) SummerFest(tm) 2003 features an interactive activity area for children called "Kids Gallery" that will provide hours of entertainment for the whole family". www.888artfest.com/flagstaff/WHEN: Friday, August 1, 2003 - 11 AM to 6 PM
Saturday, August 2, 2003 - 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday, August 3, 2003 - 9 AM to 5 PMWHERE: Fort Tuthill (Coconino County Fairgrounds), part of a 350 acre wooded park operated by the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department.
08/02/2003 Sat 11:45 AM The Clare Voyants
08/03/2003 Sun 10:30 AM Wild Thyme
08/03/2003 Sun 3:30 PM Scones
10. MEMO FROM VASH Hi there, My names' Vash, you may remember me from such bands as The Bringers and The Caithers, or from my substitute teaching for Kevin King's bodhran classes at ICC.Just wanted to drop a line announcing that I am now teaching private one-on-one bodhran lessons. all the details as well as my full music resume ad contact info are available on my new website at http://www,geocities.com/bodhranai simply navigate to the "bodhran lessons" link, and your on your way to playing the bodhran.
I look forward to a whole new bunch of students. see you soon.
Cheers,
Vash
bodhranai@hotmail.com
11. SEPTEMBER BEGINS BUSY SEASON FOR SPECIAL EVENTS By George O'Brien This fall offers a number of events for people to look forward to including Arizona visits by two of finest Irish bands in the world. Special events such as the Pan Celtic Ceilidh, the Claddadh Dinner, the Arizona Irish Festival, the Phoenix Irish Feis, and the Irish Foundation Fall Picnic will offer plenty for people do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY, SEPT 5 - "THE 1916 EASTER REBELLION COMMEMORATION: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE"
IRISH CULTURAL CENTER, PHOENIX The Easter Rebellion commemoration will be a multimedia presentation including talks, slides, and music featuring Shay Veno and Jane Hilton. It will be part of the Celtic Concert Series at the Irish Cultural Center and funds raised will go to support the Phoenix Irish Feis.For more information, check www.azirish.com or e-mail jim.daugherty@gcmail.maricopa.edu.
FRI, SEPT 12 - SOLAS - BERGER CENTER, TUCSON The US based traditional band, Solas, in one of the finest Irish bands in the world. It includes an outstanding group of musicians. " Solas is an Irish band formed by All Ireland Champion Seamus Egan. After a solo album and helping produce the soundtrack of both Brothers McMullen and Dead Man Walking, Seamus started his own band Solas. The band sound is decidedly modern, although instrumentals are based on the Irish music tradition. Many of their vocals are ingenious covers, with Celtic backing, of American songs by writers such as Jesse Colin Young and Bob Dylan. And they play fresh renditions of Irish jigs, reels with fine arrangements, plus tunes they wrote themselves".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Included are Seamus Egan (flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin wistle, low whistle, guitars, bodhran), Winifred Horan on fiddle, Eamon McElholm (guitars, vocals, keyboards), Mick McAuley ( button accordion, concertina, piano accordiaon, low whistle, backing vocal), and Deirdre Scanlan (lead vocals). Each player has a strong background and have each recorded successful solo CD's.
Advance tickets are $20; $18 for senior, students with ID and In Concert! members. General admission. Tickets are available at Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Avenue, CD City, Campbelll North of Glenn, just North of Albertson's, Info: 327-4809. Door tickets $2 more
Berger Center is at W. 1200 Speedway, Tucson.
SAT, SEPT 20 - PAN CELTIC CEILIDH - IRISH CULTURAL CENTER The Caledonian Society will hold the second Pan Celtic Ceilidh at the Irish Cultural Center. This is the only event that explicitly brings together the Scots, Irish, and Welsh for an evening that celebrates their Celtic traditions.
For more information, contact In Concert at 520-327-4809 or at www.inconcerttucson.com/.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The dinner program will include bagpipes, a presentations of Scottish and Irish dancing, singing by Atlantic Crossing and music by Afan.
The Ceilidh will feature ceilidh dancing from Scotland (called by Archie Maclellan), Ireland (called by Sarah Houghtelin), and Wales (called by Pat Anderson) accompanied by Afan and guest fiddle star, Jerica Leathers. There will be instruction on each dance, with easy dances as well as more challenging ones.
There will be a reception and dinner starting at 5:30 pm with dancing starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the dinner and reception are $35 in advance. Tickets for the dance-only are $10 at the door.
The Irish Cultural Center is 1106 N. Central in Phoenix.
THUR - SEPT 25 - DERVISH - IRISH CULTURAL CENTER, PHOENIX Dervish has been in the forefront of Irish music for over twelve years. They have been captivating audiences throughout the world with dynamic instrumentals and the highly expressive vocals of Catherine Jordan. Dervish hails from Sligo and was named the "Best Overall Trad/Folk Band" in Irish Music magazine. It has shared the stage with Sting, REM, and the Buena Vista Social Club, among others. The group's instrumentation includes mandola, flute, fiddle, accordion, bodhran, guitar, fiddle and bouzouki.
Tickets are available through the Caledonian Society at 602-431-0095 or 480-926-1703 or pam@stewart-travel.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"...these wandering minstrels weave a hypnotic brand of traditional magic..." The Evening Herald (Dublin)
The band is made up of Brian McDonagh on mandola, Liam Kelly flute and whistles, Tom Morrow on fiddle, Shane Mitchell on accordion, Seamus O'Dowd in guitar, fiddle, and harmonica, Michael Holmes on bouzouki, and Cathy Jordan vocals, bodhrán and bones.
"With her very individualistic sense of dress and ebulliant personality, not to mention her wonderful penetrating voice, she remains one of the great lead singers on the Irish scene.Where others experiment Dervish prefer to hone their edge and stick to a fast sweet rendition of jigs and reels.This is a reflection of their background in Sligo one of the great sources of the Irish music tradition." FolkWorld Live Review by Eugene Graham, from www.folkworld.de
The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central, Phoenix. Tickets can be ordered by calling 602-819-6400 or by contacting the Irish Cultural Center at www.azirish.com.
SAT, OCT 4 - SUN, OCT 5 - SHARLOT HALL FOLK FESTIVAL, PRESCOTT The Sharlot Hall Folk Festival is one of the top folk festivals in Arizona and always includes a large number of Irish/Celtic musicians. The performances go from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The festival includes performances on six stages, workshops, and jam seisiuns. The "Irish Jam" is routinely one of the best attended events at the festival.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sharlot Hall is at 415 W. Gurley in Prescott.
SAT OCT 4 - CLADDAGH DINNER - IRISH CULTURAL CENTER The Claddagh Dinner is a benefit fundraiser for the Irish Cultural Center endowment fund. The event will feature Irish music and dancing.
For more information, call 928-445-3122 or check their web site at www.sharlot.org.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Claddagh dinner will kick off a week long Irish Culture week with activities being held every day at the Irish Cultural Center.
The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central, Phoenix.
SAT OCT 11 - ARIZONA IRISH FESTIVAL - HANCE PARK/IRISH CULTURAL CENTER The third annual Arizona Irish Festival will be held on the west side of Hance Park and at the Irish Cultural Center. The event will include music, dancing, a massed pipe band performance, a craft fair, a children's fair, craft demonstrations, music workshops, a ceili, and other events. There will be a raffle for a trip to Ireland.
Tickets can be ordered by calling 602-819-6400 or by contacting the Irish Cultural Center at www.azirish.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The gates will open at 10:00 AM and the festival will run until 6:00 PM. Admission will be $8. Funds raised will go to support the Irish Cultural Center.
The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central, Phoenix.
FRI OCT 17 TO SUN OCT 19 - PHOENIX IRISH FEIS - ST. PAUL'S CHURCH The Phoenix Irish Feis is the original Irish step dance competition in Arizona. The event will begin with an adult competition at the Irish Cultural Center on Friday the 17th followed by step dance competitions at St. Pauls Church on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am. On Saturday evening at St. Paul's Church., there will be a dinner and open ceili featuring music by the McMorrows
Information is at www.azirish.com or 602-819-6400.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central, Phoenix.
St. Paul's Church is at 330 W. Coral Gables, PhoenixInformation is at 623-846-0137 or e-mail jim.daugherty@gcmail.maricopa.edu.
SUN OCT 26 - IRISH FOUNDATION FALL PICNIC - IRISH CULTURAL CENTER The Irish Foundation picnics are family events that include entertainment for the children and usually have a seisiun. They will sell hamburgers and hotdogs. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central, Phoenix.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There is plenty to keep people busy.
12. THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC Blackwood will be at Fibber Magee's on Wednesday.The Scones Trio will be at Rosie McCaffrey's on Thursday.
Tony Cummins will be at the Dubliner on Friday while Pat McCrossan will play on Saturday.
O'Carroll's Gate will be at Rosie McCaffrey's on Friday and Saturday.
Pat McCrossan will be at Rula Bula on Thursday. Rula Bula will host Red Shifters on Friday and Desert Heat on Saturday.
Blackwood will be at Seamus McCaffrey's on Friday and Saturday.
TUCSON There will be at contradance at the First Methodist Church on Saturday. FLAGSTAFF The SummerFest program at Coconino County Fairgrounds will have The Clare Voyants at 11:45 am on Saturday, Wild Thyme at 10:30 pm at 10:30 am on Sunday, and the Scones at 3:30 pm on Sunday. Just Deserts will play for the contradancers at the Federated Church on Saturday evening. PRESCOTT The Granite Creek String band will play at the Prescott Activity Center for the contradancers on Saturday.
1. PHOENIX AREA
Bandersnatch Brew Pub
125 E. 5th St. Tempe 480-966-4438
