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The Expanded Irish Cultural Center Gift Shop run by Pat
McCrossan, the former proprietor 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. Gift Shop
The IrishCulturalCenter is at 1106 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
==========================================
1.OUT AND ABOUT
---Ceili With Live Music On Fri
----Fall Tea Party At Icc On Sun Sept 20
2.Memo From
The Knockabouts
3.Memo From
Vyktoria Pratt Keating
4Cara And 2
Duoes - Aug 28 To 30
---Fri Aug 28 Cara And 2 Duos In Flagstaff
---Cara
----2duos
---Sat Aug 29 In Both In Tucson
---Sun Aug 30 - 2duos-Tubac
5.Guitar
Legend-Inventor Les Paul Dies At Age 94
6This Week In
Irish Music
=======================================
1.OUT AND ABOUT
-------------------------------------------
---CEILI WITH LIVE MUSIC ON FRI
-------------------------------------------
The Center will be presentingand on the third Friday of the month - Aug 21,
2009.. Enjoy Irish social dancing in a relaxed atmosphere with live music and
dance lessons.
The dates for the restof the 2009 year the Ceilis are: August, September 18, November 20,
December 18.Admission is $6.00 with children under 12 Free (2 with each paid
admission) Ceilis start at 7:00 pm.
Ceili dance workshops at the Center are on the third
Saturday of most months from 1:00-3:00 PM. .Dates for the Ceili workshops for 2009 are September 19, November 21,
December 19.These are two hour dance
intensive for beginning and advanced dancers. Beginners will focus on basic
footwork and simpler Ceili dances (Fairy Reel, Siege of Ennis, etc). Advanced
dancers will learn more difficult figure dances (Cross Reel, Trip To The
Cottage, etc). If you are an experienced Ceili go-er or if you have never
danced before, this is the class for you! Make new friends and learn how to
dazzle the spectators at the next ICC Ceili. Admission is $16.00 for adults and
kids under 12 $2.00 RSVP required (602) 258-0109.
----FALL TEA PARTY AT ICC ON SUN SEPT 20
_________________________________
On Sunday, September 20, 2009, The Irish Cultural Center
located at 1106 North Central
Avenue, Phoenix, AZ85004
will be presenting it's 6th Annual Fall Tea Party.
Ladies, put on your fancy hats, grab your friends and
favorite fellow and head to the Center. The party will run from 3:00 until 5:00
PM. Hostess Patricia Prior, ICC President, will provide delicious sandwiches
and desserts and maybe even some other surprises. So come join us for a fun
afternoon. Hats are optional. The cost is $10.00 per person.
For further information, please call (602) 258-0109 or check
www.azirish.org/newsletter(The Irish
Cultural Center, The Heart Of The Celtic Community, is a Division of the Irish
Cultural and Learning Foundation a 501 c (3) Not For Profit Corporation, and is
owned and maintained by the City Of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.)
2.MEMO FROM THE KNOCKABOUTS
Hey George,
The Knockabouts will be at Charly's Pub in the Hotel
Weatherford, downtown Flag this Friday (August 21)The music starts at 9 PM.
Thanks,
John
www.knockabouts.org
3.MEMO FROM VYKTORIA PRATT KEATING
Hi George,
I will be performing at Celtic Crossings in Prescott this Friday Aug 21st from 6:30-9:30pm
Thanks for adding this at the last minute!
Vyktoria Pratt Keating
www.vyktoria.com
4.CARA AND 2 DUOES - AUG 28 TO 30
---FRI AUG 28 CARA AND 2 DUOS IN FLAGSTAFF
Hello Everyone!
Here is some information about my first concert in Fall
2009, Cara and 2 Duos on August 28. Tickets should be on sale by August 17 at
the latest (NAU has changed ticketing companies, so a bit of a delay there).
I'm excited to bring these two outstanding groups to Flagstaff and hope to see you at the show!
Thank you very much for your support of live music performance in Flagstaff! I've attached
some photos for your use if needed. Don't hesitate to contact me for any
further information or questions. Thanks again!
Keep your eyes out for Jim Malcolm in late October, Munnelly
in late February, and maybe Mickey Dunne (piper) in the fall and Kevin Burke in
the spring. Slainte!
Kari
Cara and 2 Duos to perform in Flagstaff - August 28, 2009, 7:30pm at Cline
Library Auditorium.
---CARA
You might not expect Germany to be a
powerhouse of Celtic music. In fact, CARA can hold their heads up very high to
any band from Ireland,
or any other Celtic nation. They can handle traditional styles perfectly, while
at the same time adding a nicely updated “now” sound to the music. Their female
lead singers are perfectly matched to each other, and the fresh original
material is unique while at the same time “stay in your mind catchy”. The band
magically weaves together flute, guitar, piano, fiddle, pipes and bodhrán.
Cara is a
quintet and plays a well-balanced mix of songs and tunes, of traditional and
newly composed material, most of which is written by the band members
themselves.
The two female
lead singers are surely a hallmark of the band, but the quality standard for
instrumentals and arrangements is equally high. Cara combines their mastery of
vocals, piano, fiddle, flute, guitar, bodhrán, uilleann pipes, accordion and
concertina with a dry-witted and very entertaining stage presence.
"Now here's a
band determined to take the Irish music world by storm! CARA’s blend of styles
and sounds is unique and refreshing."
Kevin Crawford,
Lunasa
"When I first
heard the CD of CARA it was for me the most interesting sound of Celtic Music
that I had ever heard - and god knows I had heard many before!"
Pat Garrett, RGM
----2DUOS
So how did two Scottish and two German musicians end up
playing music together? A session on the vibrant traditional music scene and a
shared passion and love for traditional music was where it all started. Over
several years as friends, and with that continued love and passion for the
music, we have nurtured and developed a unique and exciting musical
relationship. The result is the 2Duos...
"Throughout our material we have always tried to focus
on the group sound and atmosphere of each tune and song, never on the
virtuosity of a single performance.. On a foundation of the traditions from Scotland, Ireland
and Germany,
The 2Duos has become one band and a common musical language has emerged between
us." - 2Duos
"This year our festival audience was treated to a
spectacular headlining band ‘2Duos’ whose superb musicianship, wonderful tunes
& songs and great stage presence made them one of the hits of the weekend.
An inspired combination!" - Wimborne Folk Festival
Cara and 2Duos
will be performing August 28, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Cline Library Auditorium on
the NAU Campus. Tickets are $22 each with a $2 discount to members of NACHS,
FFOTM, NAU/CCC Faculty/Staff, and
Seniors. Student tickets are $12. Tickets are available at NAU Central
Ticketing, and Cedar Music. ALL tickets are $24 at the door.For more information, please email
Kari@LivingTraditionsPresentations.com, call 928-600-1365, or visit
www.livingtraditionspresentations.com.
---SAT AUG 29 IN BOTH IN TUCSON
Sat , Aug 29,
8:00 PM
Temple
of Music and Art
330 S. Scott
Ave.
Tucson, AZ
520-981-1475.
520-622-2823
www.inconcerttucson.com
$20; $18 seniors
Door price $3 more
---SUN AUG 30 - 2DUOS-TUBAC
Sun, Aug 30th,
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The concert and workshop both take place at the Tubac Plaza
Main Stage next to the “Out Of The Way Galleria” at 29 Tubac Plaza in Tubac,
Arizona. In case of rain, events will be held indoors at 26 Tubac Plaza across
the street from the “Out Of The Way Galleria”.
(520) 398-2542 or visit www.GlobalChangeMultiMedia.org
CONCERT ADMISSION: $15- ages 12 & up; ˝ price – ages 6
to 11; 5 & under – free.
WORKSHOP ADMISSION: $40
Proceeds benefit teen & young adult rehabilitation
programs and AvalonGardens internships
---WORKSHOPS
I am sending one more round of emails to let people know of
the opportunity to take private lessons and/or workshops with the
internationally renowned, award-winning musicians who make up the groups Cara
and 2duos. Please feel free to forward this email and/or the attached flyer to
anyone who might be interested.
More information about the workshops is below (and in the
attached flyer).If you are interested
in registering for a workshop or a private lesson, we would as that you do so
by Friday, August 21.Registrations are
running very light and if enrollment does not pick up by the end of the week,
we will be forced the cancel the workshops.
The bands are performing on Saturday August 29, at the Temple of Music and Art (for ticket information,
see www.inconcerttucson.com). The bands are arriving in town early and will be
available to teach private lessons and workshops on Wednesday August 26 and
Thursday August 27. Private lessons are $40/hr and workshops are $30 each. For
more information, or to register, contact Melissa at melissaltatum@yahoo.com or
520.275.3811.
Please note these are not beginner workshops - students are
expected to provide their own instruments and know how to play them. Whistles
should be in the key of D.
Wednesday Aug 26 (Cara only): Private lessons available from
10am - 12:00noon and from 2:00-4:00pm on bodhran, fiddle, guitar, flute &
whistle
Thursday Aug 27 (Cara + 2duos): private lessons and
workshops
Private lessons available from 10am - 9pm on bodhran,
fiddle, guitar, bouzouki, vocals, flute & whistle
Thursday workshop schedule (note: for fiddle, flute,
guitar,and whistle, two teachers are available and the workshops will be divided
into two skill levels where necessary)
4:30-5:45pm fiddle
4:30-5:45pm flute
6:00-7:15pm guitar
6:00-7:15pm bodhran
7:30-8:45 pm whistle
All events will be
held at Rountree Hall on The University of Arizona campus.
5.GUITAR LEGEND-INVENTOR LES PAUL DIES AT AGE 94
From Brian and Ann: “Not enough people realize the
tremendous influence Les Paul had! Check out some of his stuff on YouTube: On
top of designing the Les Paul Gibson guitar, and pioneering multi-track recording,
the guy was a damn good guitar-player!”
From Rick Boyle:
“Thanks for the heads-up, Brian. I always liked the story about him getting his
crushed arm (I think from a car accident) set permanently at an angle that
would allow him to continue playing guitar. Now that's dedication!”
APNEW YORK – Les Paul, the guitar virtuoso and
inventor who revolutionized music and created rock 'n' roll as surely as Elvis
Presley and the Beatles by developing the solid-body electric guitar and
multitrack recording, died Thursday at age 94.
Known for his lightning-fast riffs, Paul performed with some
of early pop's biggest names and produced a slew of hits, many with wife Mary
Ford. But it was his inventive streak that made him universally revered by
guitar gods as their original ancestor and earned his induction into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the most important forces in popular music.
Paul, who died in White
Plains, N.Y., of
complications from pneumonia, was a tireless tinkerer, whose quest for a
particular sound led him to create the first solid-body electric guitar, a
departure from the hollow-body guitars of the time. His invention paved the way
for modern rock 'n' roll and became the standard instrument for legends like
Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.
He also developed technology that would become hallmarks of
rock and pop recordings, from multitrack recording that allowed for layers and
layers of "overdubs" to guitar reverb and other sound effects.
"He was truly the cornerstone of popular music,"
said Henry Juskiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, which mass produced
Paul's original invention. "He was a futurist, and unlike some futurists
who write about it and predict things, he was a guy who actually did
things."
Paul remained an active performer until his last months: He
put out his very first rock album just four years ago, and up until recently
played every week at a New York
jazz club.
The news of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes
from the music world.
"Les lived a very long life and he got to a lot of his
goals, so I'm happy for him in that respect. ... At least he realized that he was
a legend in his own time while he was alive," said Richie Sambora, Bon
Jovi's guitarist and a friend of Paul's, on Thursday. "He was
revolutionary in the music business."
Said Kiss' Paul Stanley: "The name Les Paul is iconic
and is known by aspiring and virtuoso guitar players worldwide. That guitar is
the cornerstone of a lot of great music that has been made in the last 50
years."
A musician since childhood, he experimented with guitar
amplification for years before coming up in 1941 with what he called "The
Log," a 4-by-4 piece of wood strung with steel strings.
"I went into a nightclub and played it. Of course,
everybody had me labeled as a nut." He later put the wooden wings onto the
body to give it a traditional guitar shape.
The use of electric guitar gained popularity in the
mid-to-late 1940s.
Leo Fender's Broadcaster was the first mass-produced solid
body electric on the market in the late 1940s.
Gibson solicited Paul to create a prototype for a guitar, and
began production on the Les Paul guitar in 1952. Townshend of the Who, Steve
Howe of Yes, jazz great Al DiMeola and Led Zeppelin's Page all made the Gibson
Les Paul their trademark six-string.
The Les Paul series has become one of the most widely used
guitars in the music industry. In 2005, Christie's auction house sold a 1955
Gibson Les Paul for $45,600.
Paul was born Lester William Polfuss, in Waukesha, Wis.,
on June 9, 1915. He began his career as a musician, billing himself as Red Hot
Red or Rhubarb Red. He toured with the popular Chicago
band Rube Tronson and His Texas Cowboys and led the house band on WJJD radio in
Chicago.
In the mid-1930s he joined Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians and
soon moved to New York
to form the Les Paul Trio, with Jim Atkins and bassist Ernie Newton.
Paul started out as an accompanist, working with key artists
until he struck out on his own. His first records were released in 1944 on
Decca Records. Later, with Ford, his wife from 1949 to 1962, he earned 36 gold
records for hits including "Vaya Con Dios" and "How High the
Moon," which both hit No. 1.
He had met Ford, then known as Colleen Summers, in the 1940s
while working as a studio musician in Los
Angeles. For seven years in the 1950s, Paul and Ford
broadcast a TV show from their home in Mahwah,
N.J. (Ford died in 1977, 15 years
after they divorced).
Paul had made his first attempt at audio amplification at
age 13. Unhappy with the amount of volume produced by his acoustic guitar, he
tried placing a telephone receiver under the strings. Although this worked to
some extent, only two strings were amplified and the volume level was still too
low.
By placing a phonograph needle in the guitar, all six
strings were amplified, which proved to be much louder. Paul was playing a
working prototype of the electric guitar in 1929.
His work on recording techniques began in the years after
World War II, when Bing Crosby gave him a tape recorder. Drawing on his earlier
experimentation with his homemade recording machine, Paul added an additional
playback head to the recorder. The result was a delayed effect that became
known as tape echo.
Tape echo gave the recording a more "live" feel
and enabled the user to simulate different playing environments.
Paul's next "crazy idea" was to stack together
eight mono tape machines and send their outputs to one piece of tape, stacking
the recording heads on top of each other. The resulting machine served as the
forerunner to today's multitrack recorders. Many of his songs with Ford used
overdubbing techniques that Paul had helped develop.
"I could take my Mary and make her three, six, nine,
12, as many voices as I wished," he recalled. "This is quite an
asset." The overdubbing technique was highly influential on later
recording artists such as the Carpenters.
Paul's use of multitrack recording was unique: Before he did it, most
recordings were made on a single tape. By recording each element separately,
from the vocals to instrumentation on different tracks, they could be mixed and
layered, adding to the richness in sound. " the old days, if you only had
one track, you put a microphone in the middle of the music and hope for the
best"; Juskiewicz said.
In 1954, Paul commissioned the first eight-track tape recorder, later known
as "Sel-Sync," in which a recording head could simultaneously record
a new track and play back previous ones.
In the late 1960s, Paul retired from music to concentrate on his inventions.
His interest in country music was rekindled in the mid-'70s and he teamed with
Chet Atkins for two albums. The duo were awarded a Grammy for best country
instrumental performance of 1976 for their Chester and Lester
In 2005, he released the Grammy-winning," Les Paul "; Friends:
American Made, World Played,; his first album of new material since those 1970s
recordings and his first official rock CD. Among those playing with him: Peter
Frampton, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Richie Sambora.
"They're not only my friends, but they're great players," Paul
told The Associated Press. "I never stop being amazed by all the different
ways of playing the guitar and making it deliver a message."
Paul was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005.”
