ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
AIMS NEWS AND NOTES
The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 --- Happy Holiday 2. Thur. Dec. 21 - Winter Solstice Party At ICC --- HAPPY HOLIDAY I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, Yule,
Kwanzaa, Wren?s Day, Boxing Day, and New Year?s. --- CEILI AT ICC ON FRI PHOENIX
1. PHOENIX
Desert Botanical Gardens
AIMS News and Notes 12-20-2005
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.
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.
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
1. Out and About
--- Ceili At ICC On Fri
--- Only Three Months Until St Patrick?s Day
--- Personal Note
3. Meadowlark To Play The Las Noches De Las Luminarias Wed And Thur
4. This Week In Irish Music
1. OUT AND ABOUT
This week?s newsletter is rather skimpy. Next week will give a preview of the
coming year.
There will be a ceili on Fri. at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central
Ave. Phoenix.
7:00 PM 602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
--- ONLY THREE MONTHS UNTIL ST PATRICK?S DAY
I am already getting calls asking for bands for St. Patrick?s Day. This is always
a busy time of year, but with it being on Saturday it means that bands are also
being booked for the Arizona Irish Festival and Sedona Parade. At the same time,
there has been the addition of the Molly Brannigan?s and Skeptical Chymist in
the Phoenix area, Aud Dubliner in Tucson, and Celtic Crossing in Prescott (which
will open in a couple of week). This is only the beginning as it seems like
every resort, casino, RV Park, community center, library, and private party
is looking for Irish music on St. Patrick?s Day. It is getting overwhelming
and there is three more months of this.
Beginning in January, I?ll start running ?Looking for Bands/Looking for Gigs?
every week. Send inquiries to news@azirishmusic.com.
--- PERSONAL NOTE
When my mother broke her leg just before Thanksgiving, she was hospitalized
and then spent a few weeks in rehab. She was released last week and is continuing
her rehab at home. She?s making progress, but I?m not likely to be ?out and
about? for a while. Hope to see everyone after the first of the year.
2. THUR. DEC. 21 - WINTER
SOLSTICE PARTY AT ICC
Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org
Thur. DEC. 21 - WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY AT ICC
There will be a Winter Solstice Party at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central
Ave, Phoenix starting at about 4:00 pm there will be a presentation outdoors by
the Hunger Memorial followed by party with food and music inside the Center.
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and has special significance
in Irish history. "The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200
BC. The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice
sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and
penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17
minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December". www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm.
Once again preparations are underway at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central
Ave. Phoenix, for the annual celebration of the mid-winter Solstice Thursday,
December 21. The occasion now as in ancient times marks the longest night of the
year. For people living in Ireland, this could mean having darkness for as many
as seventeen hours. So it is understandable why the first farmers who arrived
Ireland over 5,000 years ago, so eagerly awaited evidence from within the passage
tomb called Newgrange, in county Meath, for signs that the sun had started to
return from it's annual southern migration. The penetration of light from the
rising sun into the central chamber at Newgrange on December 21 had great ceremonial
significance for the Irish and others in pre-historic times, in addition to serving
as a precise celestial clock for those early farmers.
Songs and poetry illuminate the longest night of the year. The vigil fire illuminates
the monument, An Gorta Mor. We proceed to the Ribbon Trees and honor those no
longer here to enjoy the fruits of life. By placing ribbons on the branches of
this special tree(s), those dearest to us, but who are no longer here, can rest
in knowing that their passing and suffering will long be remembered by those of
us who care. Afterwards, the firelight guides us to the Great Hall where we feast
and enjoy the music of our heritage.
To help raise funds and food for the needy, we will be placing ribbons on the
"Ribbon Tree" being introduced for the first time this year. Also, those wishing
to drop off non-perishable food items at the Irish Cultural Center may do so between
now and the Solstice event on the evening of December 21 st .
This year, the Irish Cultural Center welcomes Grove of the Rising Phoenix, a ?r
nDraĦocht Fin (ADF) affiliate located in Arizona. They will present a Winter
Solstice ceremony celebrating the return of the light.
The event begins at 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. Admission is $5
per person, $10 per person with dinner. Ribbon donation is $1. Due to the popularity
of this event, seating is limited, RSVPs before December 17 are necessary. Unfortunately,
walk-ins for dinner cannot be accepted.
See a Celebration of the Sun or www.azirish.org or call 602-258-0109
3. MEADOWLARK TO PLAY THE
LAS NOCHES DE LAS LUMINARIAS WED AND THUR
Las Noches de las Luminarias 2006
Meadowlark on Wed Dec. 20 and Thur. 21, 2006
December 20, 21, 22, 23 (General Public)
5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Name: Las Noches de las Luminarias 2006
Address: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
Location: Desert Botanical Garden
Phone: 480-481-8104
Admission: Members: Adults $14, Children $7 (ages 3-12)
The Desert Botanical Garden cordially invites you to celebrate the magical splendor
of the 29th annual Las Noches de las Luminarias. Thousands of hand-lit luminarias
provide a warm and inviting setting for friends and family to spend a cheerful
holiday evening together.
The elegant grounds of the Desert Botanical Gardens glow with candlelight during
this famous winter event. Each winter (usually in December), volunteers line garden
pathways with more than 7000 luminaries, creating an otherworldly spectacle that
draws sell-out crowds. Musicians perform throughout the evening, and light refreshments
are served. Non-member tickets go on sale in early October and sell out quickly,
so plan ahead! ? Since 1993, Meadowlark has created music that is as magical and
enchanting as it is unsuited to any conventional definition. Guitarist Rick Cyge
explains, ?Our music is a hybrid, deriving its unique personality from a plethora
of sources. It?s the Meadowlark sound! We?ve been called 'New Age', 'Folk', 'Contemporary
Acoustic', 'Celtic' (heavy Celtic influences do weave throughout our music), but
really we are all and none of those. I?ve coined a phrase (Or at least am under
the misguided notion that I have!) called 'New World Music'. It?s sort of a double
entendre if you will. On the one hand it is world music, but not the traditional
ethnic music we?ve come to mean when we say ' world music'. It?s original, drawing
influences from different cultures, hence 'New World Music'. On the other hand,
it is truly contemporary American music written here and now (music of the New
World).?
As Meadowlark has evolved from its inception as a collaborative duo between Cyge
and flutist Lynn Trombetta, it has escaped all categorization and together they
have created a signature sound all their own. ?Much of the music we compose is
written in direct response to our experiences in nature,? Trombetta adds. ?For
instance, 'Circle of Giants' was written after spending time deep in the redwood
forest and soaking up that awesome energy. The only sounds to be heard were the
rustling of pine needles in the breeze and the gentle creaking of the trees. We
translated that experience into music. It is quite common that our audiences experience
their own reflective journeys when we perform.? Meadowlark?s exquisitely fresh
?New? sound is truly lighter than air!
www.meadowlarkmusic.com
4. THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC
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.
Meadowlark will be at the Desert Botanical Gardens on Wed
THUR
A Winter Solstice celebration and dinner will be at the Irish Cultural Center
on Thur at 5:00 PM
Meadowlark will be at the Desert Botanical Gardens on Thursday
FRI/SAT
There will be a ceili at the ICC on Fri
The Brazen Heads will be at the Dubliner on Fri and Sat
Wild Angels will be at Fibber Magee?s
Traveler will be at Rosie McCaffrey?s on Fri and Sat
Love Brokers will be at Rula Bula on Fri and Sat
The Scones will be at the
SUN
Meadowlark will perform at the Tempe Community Church at a Christmas Eve service.
64th St. and McDowell
Phoenix
602-941-1225
12/20/2006 | Wed | 5:30 PM | Meadowlark |
12/21/2006 | Thu | 5:30 PM | Meadowlark |
Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.
Phoenix
602-867-0984
12/20/2006 | Wed | 9:00 PM | Scott Jeffers |
12/22/2006 | Fri | 9:00 PM | Brazen Heads |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 9:00 PM | Brazen Heads |
Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19
Chandler
480-722-9434
12/22/2006 | Fri | 9:00 PM | Wild Angels |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 9:00 PM | Wild Angels |
Into the Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave
Mesa
480-890-0579
12/20/2006 | Wed | 7:00 PM | Paul Knight |
Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix
602-392-7850
12/21/2006 | Thu | 5:00 PM | Winter Solstice Party |
12/22/2006 | Fri | 8:00 AM | Irish Cultural Center Board Meeting |
12/22/2006 | Fri | 7:00 PM | Irish Ceili |
Rockin' R Ranch
6136 Baseline Rd
Mesa
480-832-1539
12/24/2006 | Sun | 5:00 PM | Meadowlark |
Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback
Phoenix
602-241-1916
12/22/2006 | Fri | 9:00 PM | Traveler |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 9:00 PM | Traveler |
Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave
Tempe
480-929-9500
12/22/2006 | Fri | 9:00 PM | Love Brokers |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 9:00 PM | Love Brokers |
Skeptical Chymist
15688 N. Pima Ftw - at
Scottsdale
480-609-8677
12/22/2006 | Fri | 9:00 PM | Scones |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 9:00 PM | Scones |
Tempe Community Christian Church
1701 S. College Avenue
Tempe
480-967-5266
12/24/2006 | Sun | 10:00 | Meadowlark |
Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway
Phoenix
480-624-1030
12/20/2006 | Wed | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
12/21/2006 | Thu | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
12/22/2006 | Fri | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
12/23/2006 | Sat | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
12/24/2006 | Sun | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
12/26/2006 | Tue | 5:00 PM | Michael McClanathan |
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Arizona Irish Music Society
Info Line: 602-770-8077
