ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
AIMS NEWS AND NOTES
AIMS News and Notes 12-19-2007
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
--- Winter Solstice Shows
2. Irish Cultural Center News
--- Fri, Dec 21 - Third Friday Ceili
--- Mon, Dec 31 - Contra Dance At The Center
3. Winter Solstice Celebration At Irish Cultural Center On Sat Dec 22
4. Meadowlark At Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts On Fri
5. Memo From Fibber Magee’s
6. Memo From Sharon Goldwasser
7. Memo From Karl Jones
8. About The Book “Tammy The Tartan Haggis”
9. Memo From The Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings
10. Memo From Finbar
11. This Week In Irish Music
1. OUT AND ABOUT
--- WINTER SOLSTICE SHOWS
Almost every culture has some kind of winter solstice celebration, but in recent years it has become most closely identified with the Celts. This is reflected by a number of Solstice shows:
Meadowlark will be at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts on Fri.
Harp concert by Megha Morganfield at the INterfaith Unity Church on Fri
The Seisiun Players will be at the Irish Cultural Center on Sat.
Connie Fisher will present a solstice show at the Sedona Dream Theater on Sat.
2. IRISH CULTURAL CENTER NEWS
Irish Cultural Center
1106 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
--- FRI, DEC 21 - THIRD FRIDAY CEILI
Enjoy Irish social dancing in a relaxed atmosphere with live music and dance lessons. The final date for the 2007 Ceilis is December 21. Admission is $6.00 with children under 12 Free (2 with each paid admission) Ceilis start at 7:00 pm.
--- MON, DEC 31 - CONTRA DANCE AT THE CENTER
December 31st, “New Year’s Eve Dance” at the Irish Cultural Center. (Takes the place of the regular 4th Wednesday contra dance in December.) Time: 8:00 – 12:00 pm (No Lesson). Cost: $10 members/$12 for everyone else. A non-alcoholic toast will be served at midnight. All figures will be taught during the evening; no formal workshop. • Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. The Irish Cultural Center has a new wood floor, please wear soft-soled non-scuffing dance shoes!
3. WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION AT IRISH CULTURAL CENTER ON SAT DEC 22
On Saturday, December 22, 2007 The Irish Cultural Center located at 1106 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004 will be presenting
This year’s Solstice celebrations at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix are anticipated to draw a larger attendance than past years, particularly since celebration of the occasion falls on the evening of Saturday December 22 nd , and those attending won’t have to deal with normal rush hour traffic.
Solstice, now as in ancient times, marks the longest night of the year, whereby the Sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. The return of the Sun from its most southern position on the horizon has always been of great ceremonial significance, in addition to serving as a celestial clock. In Phoenix the occasion is marked by music and poetry. Ribbons are placed on the branches of the special Ribbon Tree, to spiritually unite us with those no longer here. A parade from the hunger memorial on site takes us to the bonfire where the Grove of the Rising Phoenix shares their ritual traditions.
This year, the customary special Irish dinner, prepared by chef Steven will be served starting at 4:00 p.m. Note, that reservations for the food are required, call 480-242-3500. Outside ceremonies start at sunset (5:25 p.m.) Inside the Great Hall there will be traditional Irish Muisc following.
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WHAT: Solstice celebrations
WHERE: Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.
WHEN: Saturday December 22 nd , starting 4:00 p.m.
COST: $12. includes dinner. $6.00 for presentations only.
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For further information, please call (602) 258-0109 or check www.azirish.org
(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.)
4. MEADOWLARK AT SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ON FRI
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present Meadowlark and John Doan: Spirit of the Season on December 21, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Single tickets are available for $28 from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' Web site at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or the box office at (480) 994-ARTS (2787).
Meadowlark's Rick Cyge and Lynn Trombetta, with Allen Ames of Lyra, share the stage with the Emmy-nominated harp guitarist John Doan for this spellbinding evening of music celebrating the Christmas season and Winter Solstice. Contrasting old and new, these two acts will perform a heartwarming selection of traditional holiday favorites, some played on century-old instruments, as well as contemporary Celtic melodies. The evening will also include Meadowlark's special tribute to the Windham Hill ensemble Nightnoise and selections from John Doan's A Victorian Christmas special.
Founded by guitarist Rick Cyge and flutist Lynn Trombetta, Meadowlark melds new age, folk and contemporary acoustic music with Celtic, African and Mediterranean influences. This intriguing husband and wife duo have performed with some of the most notable contemporary musicians, opening for both Acoustic Alchemy and David Lanz at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and performing with pianist Robin Spielberg and guitarist Eric Tingstad. Meadowlark has been featured in concerts and festivals from Tucson to Seattle and is well known locally for its popular performances at the Desert Botanical Garden, Kerr Cultural Center, Chandler Center for the Arts and Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, among many other venues. Meadowlark has recorded eight CDs and collaborated with dance ensembles, including Arizona's Desert Dance Theatre.
Violinist Allen Ames joined Meadowlark on its first release in 1996 and has been an important ingredient ever since. He has performed with Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona and Phoenix String Quartet, among other ensembles, and participated in the Sedona Chamber Music and Telluride Bluegrass Festivals. His recording credits include albums by William Eaton, Sharon Burch, the Phoenix Symphony, R. Carlos Nakai, Meadowlark and Lyra, his duo with wife Maryanne.
John Doan, one of the few masters of the rare, 20-string harp guitar, has performed with a diverse range of artists, including pop star Donovan, folk legend Burl Ives, jazz ace Larry Carlton and as a member of the New Christy Minstrels with Randy Sparks. He has starred in two television specials produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting: A Christmas to Remember with John Doan and his Emmy-nominated A Victorian Christmas with John Doan.
HOW TO REACH US
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 East Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Box Office: (480) 994-ARTS (2787)
TDD: (480) 874-4694
Web: www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org
E-mail: info@sccarts.org
Fax: (480) 874-4699
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Hi friends!
I thought you might like to see Barbara Yost's interview with John Doan, Lynn & I in today's AZ Repbulic, Scottsdale South edition. If you didn't get that paper, here's a link to the article that was posted online as well (sans the photos!):
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1212sr-arts1213meadowlark-ON.html”> www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1212sr-arts1213meadowlark-ON.html
We also got nice coverage in Sedona's Online site, "Gateway to Sedona":
www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1605/page/1
By the way, we'll be getting up with the roosters to appear on Channel 3's "Good Morning Arizona" next Wednesday, the 19th between 8:15 and 9:00am.
If you haven't gotten your tickets to our concert at the Scotsdale Center for the Arts on December 21st yet, you can get them online at:
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event.php?id=542
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Rick
info@earthsongonline.com
5. MEMO FROM FIBBER MAGEE’S
As usual Fibber Magees pulls out all the stops when it comes to New Years eve. Have we got a deal for you! $75.00 will get you a Gourmet Carvery and then an endless bar tab for each paid ticket holder! Music will be provided by the Premium band 'Capital Down'. It all gets started at 7pm and goes til close. For those unable to attend the dinner, general Admission will be $10.00 at the door.
Mark Acuna
Manager
Fibber Magees Irish Restaurant & Pub
Chandler, Arizona 85224
phone -480-722-9434
fax-480-722-9450
www.fibbermageespub.com
6. MEMO FROM SHARON GOLDWASSER
PUBLIC NOTE
Hi to all fiddlers and friends of fiddlers
Please pass this on to anyone else you know who may be interested.
Cliodhna ni Ruarc will be visting relatives in Tucson over the Christmas holiday and has offered to teach a fiddle workshop on December 26. She is a very talented young fiddler (currently attending Dublin City University), and has been playing traditional Irish fiddle since age 7. Cliodhna has appeared on RTE radio's weekly show, Ceili House, and also teaches fiddle classes and lessons in Ireland. The workshop will probably be 7-9 pm, and the cost is only $25. Level / tunes will probably depend on the experience of those who sign up.
The location isn't confirmed, and will depend on how many people respond and where they are coming from. There is a possibility of a central Tucson location or a northwest Tucson location.
Please contact Sharon Goldwasser at azfiddle@mindspring.com for more information.
7. MEMO FROM KARL JONES
Hi George;
Just a quick hello from Dublin. Stopped off in Chicago on route and picked up some Windy City bookings for April. Things are moving. RT O Sullivans booked us for every Wed indefinitely starting last Wed in Jan through Feb etc... so I am really happy about having a regular schedule in Phoenix pulling together. Thanks for your leads and marketing as alway's.
A lot of my favourite Irish Artists are playing around town this Christmas, so I am really excited to be back and have gigs and recording here shaping up
All the best Karl
joneskarl@gmail.com
8. ABOUT THE BOOK “TAMMY THE TARTAN HAGGIS”
[EDITOR’S NOTE: It is a slow news day and I thought this to be sufficiently different it might be interesting to someone.”
Hello, my name is James Park and I hope you don't mind me writing to you to let you know about a children's book I've written called Tammy the Tartan Haggis It's a colouring in and story book for children who like to colour in but they will also learn from the stories. Each story is only a page long so they, or their parents will not get bored reading them.
The book is available from www.lulu.com please search for james f. park where you can read part of the book . Please scroll down the page and change to the nec. currency.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. May I take this opportunity to wish you a very merry xmas and a prosperous new year.
Thx,
James Park
Weetoastie@aol.com
9. MEMO FROM THE CHUCKAWALLA RHYTHM KINGS
Where can we start?
What can be said that hasn't already been said about your astonishingly quick wit, your magnificent personal style and your brilliant taste? More to the point, is there any compliment remaining that we can shower on you now to coax you, again, to cast your Yuma's Best vote for the Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings?
You, you, you.....yes, it's all about you. Your good looks, your gracious cleverness, your ability to swallow compliments unquestioningly and, most importantly, your computer and a few moments of your time to log into
http://contests.yumasun.com/yb2007/
This takes you straight to the registration page. Yes, you want to "...Click Here to register." Quickly tap your email address into the box. Fill in the other boxes, too, if you want a chance to win dinner for two. Experience the thrill of receiving the garbled email message containing your password. Back to the login page you go. Type in your email address and password---boom, you're ready to vote.
Stepping briskly past the other categories, click "Entertainment." You can go back in a moment and vote for Best Place for a Skunk Hunt and Best Vegan Pork Rinds. Right now, click on "Local Band/Musician."
Do not linger on weird names. Do not pause to wonder why Yuma bands that have not played in decades are listed, why Phoenix musicians are included or what well-meaning moron spelled Lorna's name wrong. Look for that name you know and love: Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings. Click it. Boom, you're done. Gosh, you really thrill us, you know that?
Remember that you can vote for us again and again with different email addresses from different computers. It's not cheating; it's expected. This is the brave new world of the Internet. Get with the program.
Quickly: how many addresses are in your email address book? Wow, you have lots of friends and associates. You really are important. Forward this message to all of them now.
Humbly, we ask these things, knowing that you are a pillar of the community, truly deserve a place in the Afterlife of Your Choice, etc., etc., etc.
The Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings
catamaranmedia@gmail.com
10. MEMO FROM FINBAR
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Finbar periodically sends reports from Ireland about his playing and the history of modern Irish music.]
Hi George,
Just letting your readers know that I have taken a break from Celtic Brogue and the Irish ballad scene for a while to realise a lifelong ambition to get a Johnny Cash tribute band, called Strictly Cash, up and running, our website is www.strictly-cash.com and we even have some audio clips on it. The Man in Black visited Ireland many times, and of course wrote what is now almost our national anthem, Forty Shades of Green. The lyrics to that, and many more Irish ballads, can be seen on the Celtic Brogue site www.celticbrogue.netfirms.com
so have a look at that and have a good old Irish singalong round the fireside this Christmas.
Have a good holiday,
Finbarr Winters
finbarrw@eircom.net
11. 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 the Dubliner on Wed
FRI - ONLY
Oceans Apart will be at the Sirrine Adult Center on Fri afternoon
Rick, Steve and Shannon at Fiddler’s Dream on Fri evening
Ceili at the Irish Cultural Center on Fri evening
Megha Morganfield at the INterfaith Unity Church on Fri evening
Meadowlark at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts on Fri evening
FRI/SAT
The Dubliner will host the Knobs on Fri and Trevor Jones on Sat
Fibber Magee’s will host the Scones on Fri and Tickle on Sat
Molly Brannigan’s will host Chuck-E-Baby on Fri.
The Biffos will be at O’Connor’s on Fri and Sat.
O’Donohue’s will host Trevor Jones on Fri and Pat McCrossan on Sat
Traveler will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Fri and Sat.
Rula Bula will host Shawn Johnson on Fri and Walt Richardson on Sat.
Seamus McCaffrey’s will host Ktystal Baker on Fri and Sat.
Skeptical Chymist will host Tickle on Fri and Capitol Down on Sat
TUCSON
Seven Pipers will host a Scottish country dance at the First Methodist Church on Thur.
There will be a contradance at the First Methodist Church on Sat.
PRESCOTT
Celtic Crossings will host Vyktoria Pratt Keating on Fri and Aengus Og on Sat.
SEDONA
Connie Fisher will be at the Sedon Dream Theater on Sat.
1. PHOENIX
Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.
Phoenix
602-867-0984
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12/19/2007 | Wed | 9:00 PM
| Scott Jeffers
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Knobs
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Trevor Jones
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Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19
Chandler
480-722-9434
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Scones
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Tickle
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12/23/2007 | Sun | 3:00 PM
| Fibber Magee's Sunday Afternoon Seisiun
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Fiddler's Dream
17th St. & Cactus Wren
Phoenix
602-997-9795
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 8:00 PM
| Rick, Steve and Shannon
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INterfaith Unity Church
Baseline and
Mesa
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 7:00 PM
| Megha Morganfield’s Winter Solstice Carols
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Into the Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave
Mesa
480-890-0579
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12/19/2007 | Wed | 7:00 PM
| Paul Knight
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Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix
602-392-7850
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 7:00 PM
| Irish Ceili
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 5:00 PM
| Winter Solstice Party
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Molly Brannigan's Irish Pub
1744 S. Val Vista Dr -
Mesa
480-507-7827
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Chuck-E-Baby
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O'Connor's Pub
2601 W. Dunlap
Phoenix
602-997-7714
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)
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O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
20469 N. Hayden Rd.
Scottsdale
480-585-6329
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Trevor Jones
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Pat McCrossan
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Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback
Phoenix
602-241-1916
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Traveler
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Traveler
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Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave
Tempe
480-929-9500
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Shawn Johnson
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Walt Richardson
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Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 E. 2nd St
Scottsdale
480-994-2787
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 8:00 PM
| Meadowlark's Silent Night Concert
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Seamus Mc Caffrey's
18 W. Monroe
Phoenix
602-253-6081
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Krystal Baker
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Krystal Baker
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12/23/2007 | Sun | 7:00 PM
| Seisiun with Sven Henrich
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Sirrine Adult Daycare Center
247 N. Macdonald St.,
Mesa
480-464-1061
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 1:00 PM
| Oceans Apart
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Skeptical Chymist
15688 N. Pima Ftw
Scottsdale
480-609-8677
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Tickle
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Capitol Down
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Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway
Phoenix
480-624-1030
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12/19/2007 | Wed | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/20/2007 | Thu | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/21/2007 | Fri | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/23/2007 | Sun | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/24/2007 | Mon | 5:30 PM
| Michael McClanathan
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12/25/2007 | 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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12/23/2007 | Sun | 4:00 PM
| Tucson Irish Seisiun
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First Methodist Church - Tucson
915 E. 4th Street
Tucson
520-293-3783
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12/20/2007 | Thu | 7:00 PM
| Seven Pipers Country Dances
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 7:00 PM
| Tucson Contradance
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3. FLAGSTAFF
Uptown Billiards
114 N Leroux St
Flagstaff
928-773-0551
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12/23/2007 | 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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12/21/2007 | Fri | 9:00 PM
| Vyktoria Pratt Keating
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 9:00 PM
| Aengus Og
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5. REST OF AZ
Sedona Dream Theater
Village of Oak Creek
Sedona
928-274-4605
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12/22/2007 | Sat | 12:00
| Connie Fisher
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Arizona Irish Music Society
Info Line: 602-770-8077
