News and Notes

ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY

AIMS NEWS AND NOTES
11-11-2009

AIMS News and Notes 7-8-2005 Arizona Irish Music Society
www.azirishmusic.com
Information Line: 602-770-8077
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. The Expanded Irish Cultural Center Gift Shop run by Pat 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. Come and browse through our extensive inventory. Everything from crystal, pewter, Belleek, Claddagh rings in gold and silver, Celtic jewelry, teas, candies, cookies, videos, DVDs, CDs, books, music and much more. 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

--- Academy Students Christmas Party Dec 13
--- Jed Marum & Lone Star Stout Played Fids Last Sunday
--- Festival Photos Up On The Web

2. Buille In Arizona

Phoenix - Tue Nov Nov 17
Tucson - Wed Nov 18

3. House Concerts For Captain Mackey's Goatskin And Stringband
4. Phoenix Faerie Festival
5. Application For The Flagstaff Celtic Festival
6. Memo From The Knockabouts
7. Memo From Inis
8. Memo From Pure Dead Brilliant & Vyktoria
9. Accepting Applications For 2010 Little Miss SHAMROCK Program - Competition On Sun
10. Auditions For Celtic Choir On Tuesdays In Nov
11 This Week In Irish Music

1. OUT AND ABOUT

--- ACADEMY STUDENTS CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC 13

Hi Students. We are going to have our first Academy Christmas party on Sunday December 13 from 1:00PM – 5:00PM. All students and their families are encouraged to come. It will be in conjunction with the Irish Foundation of Arizona who will bring the Turkey and the Ham. It will be a POT-LUCK, (The first time I heard of a pot-luck I thought it was a drug party), and we’ll give more information on that in the weeks to come, the pot-luck, I mean. We’ll have raffles, seisiuns, and whatever else we can think of. The local branch of Comhaltas, and the musicians from the Ceili dances are also invited. All in favor say AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More later,
Pat

--- JED MARUM & LONE STAR STOUT PLAYED FIDS LAST SUNDAY

Jed Marum & Lone Star Stout played Fiddler’s Dream following their performance at at the Tucson Celtic Festival on Fri and Sat. I had heard of Jed before, but it was the first time I got a chance to hear him. The whole band was excellent. They mixed vocals and instrumentals into a nice program. His original material has a Celtic style with an emphasis on Civil War eva stories.

It will be nice to have him come back.

--- FESTIVAL PHOTOS UP ON THE WEB

The Webshos link is http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/575443135cLbIEx. There are a LOT of pictures.

2. BUILLE IN ARIZONA

Prescott Tue. Nov 10
7:00 PM
Trinity Presbterian Church
630 Park Ave, Prescott, AZ, 928-771-1218

Tickets: $15 to the public, $10 for Students
Tickets available at Celtic Crossings
Phoenix - Thur. Nov 12
7:00 PM

Phoenix Thur Nov 12
The Irish Cultural Center (ICC)
1106 . Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ
602-258-0109

Tickets: $15 to the public, $12.50 for FPIA members and ICLF Academy students

About the Band
Buille first came into being during the summer of 2004. It combines the unique talents of Niall Vallely on concertina, Paul Meehan on guitar and Caoimhín Vallely on piano. They have just completed their debut album which will be released on the Vertical label in June. The album consists mostly of new music composed by Niall Vallely over the past couple of years. While based in traditional Irish forms, the music draws on a wide range of influences from the worlds of jazz and classical music in particular.

Armagh-born Niall Vallely has established himself in recent years as one of the most original and distinctive voices in Irish music. A former member of Cork-based band NOMOS, he has been acclaimed throughout the world as one of Ireland's greatest concertina players. He has played with Michaél Ó Súilleabháin, Karen Casey, Tim O’Brien, Paddy Keenan, and many others.

Paul grew up and started learning Irish music in Manchester in the midst of a flourishing scene . In his early teens Paul moved back to Middletown, County Armagh with his family. He quickly established himself as a rising star on the banjo, while more recently spending a lot of time on the guitar. He has toured with Karen Casey band and is a member of Lunasa. He’s also performed with Altan, Paddy Keenan, Tommy Peoples, Liz Carroll, and many others.

Like his older brother, Niall, Caoimhín grew up in Armagh and began tin whistle lessons at the Armagh Pipers Club before moving on to learn the fiddle. He also started classical piano lessons at this time.

3. HOUSE CONCERTS FOR CAPTAIN MACKEY'S GOATSKIN AND STRINGBAND

PHOENIX - TUE NOV NOV 17

7:30 PM
Soldiers Songs: The Irish Abroad and Sldiering
Home of Jim and Add Daugherty’s Home (bring you own libation).$15 or $12 for PIA members or Academy students. Contact mary@fourpeaksirisharts for the address.

TUCSON - WED NOV 18

We are excited to announce that Máirtín de Cógáin and Jimmy Crowley have agreed to make a stop in Tucson for a house concert on Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm. The suggested donation is $15 (all of which goes to the artists). For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Melissa Tatum at melissaltatum@yahoo.com or 520-275-3811. Reservations are required.
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Jimmy Crowley is a living legend in Irish folk music – he has been a popular performer for over a quarter of a century – he has recorded ten albums, is a committed songwriter and a song collector; and the chance to see him in person is not to be missed.

You may not have heard the name Máirtín de Cógáin, but you may be familiar with his work. He is a consummate story-teller (he won the All-Ireland Storytelling Championship), actor, singer and musician, who can be seen and heard in the hit movie, The Wind that Shakes the Barley about the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War. A fluent speaker of Irish Gaelic and gifted teacher of Cork’s folk dances, Máirtín makes friends wherever he goes.

The two men both hail from Cork and they have joined together to release the much-anticipated Captain Mackey's Goatskin and Stringband, a collaborative CD containing a collection of songs of the Irish abroad and at war.

If you are unfamiliar with their work, Mairtin has sample tracks on his myspace page at
http://www.myspace.com/mairtindecogain

Jimmy has sample tracks on his website at
http://jimmycrowley.com/music.htm

You can also find sample tracks on the Captain Mackey website:
http://www.captainmackey.com/recordings.htm

4. PHOENIX FAERIE FESTIVAL

Estrella Mountain Regional Park / Goodyear AZ

“The Phoenix Faerie Festival, is a celebration of the myth and fantasy of the enchanted realms of Faerie right here in beautiful Arizona. Where all are invited to step merrily into the faerie ring and discover a magical place where legendary creatures of myth and fantasy become flesh and imagination takes flight.

Don your faerie finery and join us for unique crafts, artistry, music, dance, live performance theater and storytelling, in a fancifully themed atmosphere of delightful revels suitable for the entire family.

Then, linger still as waning light gives way to velvet night for the enchantments and temptations of Queen Mabb and the Dark Courte of the Unseelie Fae”

There are several Celtic performer including:

Knotty Harper Band
Fox Moon Clan
Wyllow Ravenscroft
Vyktoria Pratt Keating
Traveler

5. APPLICATION FOR THE FLAGSTAFF CELTIC FESTIVAL

Hi George,

The AZ Highland Celtic Festival in Flagstaff is now taking applications from anyone wishing to perform at the festival. The festival is the third weekend in July. We are taking a new approach to bringing in entertainment and this involves a committee that will listen to each demo and make recommendations to the membership. As someone who has to send in demos, I understand there is often a concern about who is evaluating your music and what experience they have in music. You will be pleased to know that the committee is made up of a majority of musicians, holding multiple degrees in music, so we will be able to provide a fair and professional evaluation of your music. Here is a list of some of the requirements and guidelines.

1. Must be Celtic music using traditional instrumentation;
2. Provide a list of past performances;
3. Band photo or website to visit (facebook etc. is fine);
4. Sound requirements;
5. A short bio of the band;

Please send demo packages to:

John McGregor
55 East Pauline Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 8001

If you have any questions please contact me.
928-814-2480
info@knockabouts.org

6. MEMO FROM THE KNOCKABOUTS

Hi George,

Thank you to everyone in the AZ Irish Festival for your help this last weekend. It is always a pleasure for the Knockabouts to play this festival. The staff and volunteers are very helpful and the sound this year was great. The Knockabouts will be in the Valley again this weekend for several gigs. Friday and Saturday night we are at the Auld Dubliner (9 PM) and Saturday afternoon (5:15 - 6:30) we will be playing at the Big Pour 09 at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The Big Pour is just what is sounds like...a beer festival! This three day event bring in hundreds of beer brewers from around the world and I think it is only $35 to sample everything. For more info try going here : www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/The_Big_Pour_688149612478

Thanks,
John
www.knockabouts.org

7. MEMO FROM INIS
Subject: Inis November Performance Dates

Hi all,

Here's where we'll be performing this month:

Sat. 11/14 D'Arcy McGee's 8-11 pm. http://www.facebook.com/l/e6bba;www.tempe.darcymcgees.com

Sun. 11/15 Lis Doon Varna 12-3 pm. http://www.facebook.com/l/e6bba;www.lisdoonvarnapub.com

Hope to see you there!

Thanks to these venues and our fans for supporting the band!
Inis

8. MEMO FROM PURE DEAD BRILLIANT & VYKTORIA

Pure Dead Brilliant has a couple of events coming up around the Holidays that we want everyone to know about.

Celtic night with PDB and Vyktoria P. Keating,
Flagstaff Celtic group “Pure Dead Brilliant” will team up with Sedona favorite Vyktoria Pratt Keating for a dual concert of Celtic music at The Old Town Center For The Arts in Cottonwood, 633 N Main St, Cottonwood Pure Dead Brilliant has a couple of events coming up around the Holidays that we want everyone to know about.

Celtic night with PDB and Vyktoria P. Keating,
Flagstaff Celtic group “Pure Dead Brilliant” will team up with Sedona favorite Vyktoria Pratt Keating for a dual concert of Celtic music at The Old Town Center For The Arts in Cottonwood, 633 N Main St, Cottonwood
Friday November 27th from 7-9pm.
The evening will feature traditional and contemporary Celtic music, with Vyktoria taking the first set, followed by Pure Dead Brilliant.
Tickets are $15 at the door or in advance

Celtic Christmas night at "The Journey" community church, Corner W. University Heights and Beulah Ave. Sat 12 December 7PM to 9PM. FREE event, with traditional Celtic carols, music and supper. DONATIONS requested- all proceeds to OXFAM for African Famine Relief.
Friday November 27th from 7-9pm.
The evening will feature traditional and contemporary Celtic music, with Vyktoria taking the first set, followed by Pure Dead Brilliant.
Tickets are $15 at the door or in advance

9. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2010 LITTLE MISS SHAMROCK PROGRAM - COMPETITION ON SUN

Step 1 Return the Application with a clear photo (via email is fine) and your $15 application fee as soon as possible.

Step 2 Fill out the Questionnaire and return by November 10, 2009.

Step 3 Refer a friend to the program and receive a commemorative 3X5” photo from the event!

Step 4 Have fun participating in the Little Miss Shamrock event on Sunday, November 15, 2009 from 2-5pm at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix. Open to the Public

--- Every contestant gets a Little Miss Shamrock T-shirt!
--- Every contestant rides in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade~
--- TWO titleholders ride in a convertible~

Special Prizes, Appearances, and Promotions

Queen Beatrice from the Arizona Renaissance Festival, Judge
2009 Arizona Colleen and Rose – Alexis Hodel, Judge
Anna O’Hara, President, Irish Foundation of Arizona, Judge

For Applications, Questionnaire, and details:

Contact Ann Niemann - ann@azcolleen.org
602-568-3455

Documents can be submitted:
Mail to:
Ann Niemann
3614 E. Brookwood Court
Phoenix, AZ 85048
Fax to 480-706-1479

Scoring

The following weights are placed on the phases of competition:

Application 10%
On-Stage Speaking (Introduction) 10%
On-Stage Interview with Judges 25%
On-Stage Question about being Irish 10%*
Poise and manners 20%
Talent 25%

Total 100%

*It’s not how much Irish she is, but rather her pride in being whatever amount of Irish she is. If she doesn't know a lot about it, then it is her willingness to learn and any creativity displayed in how she will know more.

For young ladies, ages 13-17 years old as of January 9, 2010,
they are eligible to compete in the 2010 Arizona Irish Lass Program!

10. AUDITIONS FOR CELTIC CHOIR ON TUESDAYS IN NOV

Dear All,

Attached is a flyer introducing a new professional level Chorale solely devoted to the music of The Celts. I am asking for your help in getting the word out.

If at all possible, I would be so very grateful if you could possibly make copies of the flyer and post them where you feel interested parties might see them, include it in general newsletters or other professional mailings, and see that they get into the hands of any individuals you know who might enjoy this opportunity.

Celtica! is the only non-academic, auditioned, professional level choral ensemble singing only the music of the Celts - from ancient, medieval, pagan and Christian to modern compositions and arrangements of Celtic composers - in America, as far as can be researched, and only the second in North America. Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Manx, Breton and many other Celtic Cultures will be represented in the repertoire of the group.

Celtica!'s schedule will not conflict with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus Season with the possible exception of St. Patrick's Day in March.

We are suggesting that interested singers YouTube the Irish Ensemble 'Anuna,' particularly the piece "Media Vita" or "Miserere" for an idea of the vocal qualities we are seeking:

1) Highly developed breath conservation and control
2) Ability to manage vibrato; to sing a bell-tone straight, light sound as well as a fuller, richer
tone as needed.
3) Highly developed sense of pitch
4) Ability to blend with others for a desired overall sound

The above information is included simply to answer any questions you may have regarding the types of voices we are looking for. Though auditions are announced on specific dates, we will attempt to acomodate singers' schedules.

Feel free to condense this information in any way in order to include them in your announcement mailings, or simply to post the flyers. Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much. The more music being made in the Arts Community, the stronger that community becomes.

Slan,
Coleen Van Slyke
Director, Celtica!
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FLYER

AUDITIONS!!!!
New Celtic Chorale
Auditions for Singers

Celtica! is a brand new, 16 - 20 voice musically experienced Chorale that is entirely devoted to the Music of the Celts.

Auditions will be held Tuesday, November 10, and November 17 , 2009. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday Evenings from 7:00 - 9:30 PM , beginning in early January.

Celtica! is in partnership with The Irish Cultural Center. Auditions and Rehearsals will be held in 'The Cottage' on the Grounds of the Irish Cultural Center, located at 1106 North Central Avenue in Phoenix

For more information, please contact:
celticachorale@gmail.com

Celtica! will be under the Direction of Founder Coleen Van Slyke, and Accompanist Melody Perry.

We urge interested Singers to secure an audition time right away.

11 THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC

PHOENIX

Michael McClanathan will play the pipes each day at sunset at the Westin Kirland.

WED

Paul Knight will be at Cup O Karma on Wed evening.
Scott Jeffers will be at the Dubliner on Wed evening
There willl be seisiun at Lis Doon Varna on Wed eveing
Brid Dower and Smoot Mahooty will be at Rosie’s on Wed Evening

THUR

Buille will be at the ICC on Thur
Shay Veno and Jane Hilton will be be at Tim Finnigans on Thur
Brian O’Carroll will be at the Dubliner on Thur

FRI/SAT EVENING

Brazem Heads will; be at Aldea Tlaquepaqueie on Fri

There will be a ceili at the Irish Cultural Center on Fri

Knockabouts will be at the Auld Dubliner on Fri and September

Inis will be a D’Arby’s on Sat

Two Euros will be at the Dublin on Fri and Sat

Fibber Magee’s will host Shirley’s Temple on Fri.

McMorrows will be at Lis Doon Varna on Fri and Sat

O’Donoghue’s will host Easton Ashe on Fri

The Brazen Heads will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Sat

The Biffos will be at Rula Bula on Fri and Sat

Seamus McCaffrey’s will host Little Debbie and Blue Plate Specials on Fri.

Keltic Cowboys will be at Tin Finnegan’s on Fri and Sat

SAT/SUN DAYTIME

The Phoenx Faerie Festival will be at the Estaila Mountain Park on Sat featuring Knotty Harper Band, Wyllow Ravencroft, Vyktoria Pratt Keating, and Traveler.

Paddy’s Pegleg will be at Lis Doon Varna on Sat afternoon.

Inis will be at Lis Doon Varna on Sun afternoon

There will be a seisiun at Tim Finnegans early on Sun afternoon

There will be a seisiun at Fibber Magee late on Sun afternoon

TUE

Captail Mackey’s Goatskin and Stringband will be at house concert on Tue, call 602-274-8081.

Meadowlark will be at O’Donoghue’s on Tue

There will be an ope mic at Lis Don Varna on Tue.

TUCSON

Round the House will be part of the Dance in the Desert contradance weekend at the Triangle Y Rancg Camp

There will be a seisiun at Auld Dubliner on Sun.

FLAGSTAFF

There will be a seisiun at Charly’s on Sun evening.

PRESCOTT

Celtic Crossings will host Vyktoria Pratt Keating on Fri and Inis on Sat evening

TUE

Buille will be at Trinity Presbterian on Tue Nov 10

CALENDAR

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1. PHOENIX
________________________________________

Aldea at Tlaquepaque
4150 W Peoria Ave Peoria 602-866-2222?
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Brazen Heads

Auld Dubliner - Peoria
9780 W. Northern Peoria 623-877-1918
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Knockabouts
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Knockabouts

Call for Location in Phoenix
602-274-8081 Phoenix 602-274-8081
11/17/2009 Tue 7:30 PM Captain Mackey's Goatskin and Strngband

Cup O Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave Mesa 480-890-0579
11/11/2009 Wed 7:30 PM Paul Knight

D'Arcy McGee's
2000E Rio Salado Parkway Tempe 480-557-9087
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Inis

Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd. Phoenix 602-867-0984
11/11/2009 Wed 9:00 PM Scott Jeffers
11/12/2009 Thu 9:00 PM Brian O'Carroll
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Two Euros
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Two Euros

Estrella Mountain Park
14805 W. Vineyard Ave Goodyear
11/14/2009 Sat 10:00 Phoenix Faerie Festival
11/14/2009 Sat 11:00 Knotty Harper Band
11/14/2009 Sat 3:00 PM Wyllow Ravencroft
11/14/2009 Sat 6:00 PM Vyktoria Pratt Keating
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Traveler

Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19 Chandler 480-722-9434
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Shirley's Temple
11/15/2009 Sun 4:00 PM Fibber's Sun Seisiun

Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue Phoenix 602-392-7850
11/12/2009 Thu 7:00 PM Buille
11/13/2009 Fri 7:00 PM Irish Ceili

Lis Doon Varna
16100 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Peoria 623-979-0730
11/10/2009 Tue 8:00 PM Lis Doon Varna Open Mic
11/11/2009 Wed 7:00 PM Irish Seisiun
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM McMorrows
11/14/2009 Sat 12:30 Paddy's Peg Leg
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM McMorrows
11/15/2009 Sun 9:00 PM Inis
11/17/2009 Tue 8:00 PM Lis Doon Varna Open Mic

O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
20469 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale 480-585-6329
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Easton Ashe
11/17/2009 Tue 9:00 PM Meadowlark

Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback Phoenix 602-241-1916
11/11/2009 Wed 8:00 PM Smoot Mahooty With Brid Dower
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Brazen Heads

Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave Tempe 480-929-9500
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Biffos
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Biffos

Seamus Mc Caffrey's
18 W. Monroe Phoenix 602-253-6081
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Little Debbie and the Blue Plate Specials

Tim Finnegans
9201 N. 29th Ave. #52 Phoenix 602-997-2323
11/12/2009 Thu 9:00 PM Shay Veno and Jane Hilton
11/13/2009 Fri 9:00 PM Keltic Cowboys
11/14/2009 Sat 9:00 PM Keltic Cowboys
11/15/2009 Sun 1:00 PM Finnegan's Sun Seisiun

Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway Parkway Phoenix 480-624-1030
11/10/2009 Tue 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/11/2009 Wed 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/12/2009 Thu 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/13/2009 Fri 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/14/2009 Sat 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/15/2009 Sun 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/16/2009 Mon 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
11/17/2009 Tue 5:30 PM Michael McClanathan
________________________________________
2. TUCSON
________________________________________

Auld Dubliner - Tucson
800 East University Blvd. Tucson 520-206-0323
11/15/2009 Sun 4:00 PM Tucson Irish Seisiun

Triangle Y Ranch Camp
Oracle 520-623-0270
11/13/2009 Fri 3:00 PM Round the House
11/13/2009 Fri 7:00 PM Dancing in the Desert
11/14/2009 Sat 3:00 PM Round the House
11/15/2009 Sun 4:00 PM Round the House
________________________________________
3. FLAGSTAFF
________________________________________

Charly's Pub and Grill
23 N Leroux St Flagstaff 928-779-1919
11/15/2009 Sun 4:00 PM Flagstaff Irish Seisiun
________________________________________
4. PRESCOTT
________________________________________

Celtic Crossings
3250 Gateway Blvd - #400 Prescott 928-443-8454
11/13/2009 Fri 6:30 PM Vyktoria Pratt Keating
11/14/2009 Sat 6:30 PM Toga Costume Party
11/14/2009 Sat 7:00 PM Inis
Trinity Presbyterian Church
630 Park Ave Prescott 928-771-1218
11/10/2009 Tue 7:00 PM Buille