Philadelphia Ceili Group

Reminder - Singer's Session at the Irish Center, Wed Jan 7, 7:30pm

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Ceili Group, the monthly singers session will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 PM Bring a song to share, Singers at all levels welcome.

Session is lead by Terry Kane.

If you are really motivated bring a snack too!

Announcing Upcoming Concerts and Events

Presented by the Irish Center, the first concert of the New Year will feature two of Ireland,s premier female vocalists:

SUSAN McKEOWN and MARY McPARTLAN

Saturday 10th January 2009 at 8:00 pm

The Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) 6815 Emlen St, Philadelphia PA

Tickets are $15, $13 for Ceili Group and Commodore Barry Club members at the door. Questions - call 215-843-8051, 215-248-0502,or emailceiliconcerts@gmail.com

From both sides of the Atlantic New York-based McKeown and Galway-based McPartlan have distinguished themselves in their careers: both have made a lifelong musical journey of their exploration of Irish song, and both share a deep appreciation for a wider song tradition through their work outside of Irish folk. The two met in the summer of 2008 at the Willie Clancy Week in County Clare, and are delighted to share the stage for this performance -  McPartlan’s first in the United States.

   GRAMMY award-winning vocalist SUSAN McKEOWN left her hometown of Dublin, Ireland in 1990 to take up a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and settled in Manhattan's East Village. In Ireland she had formed The Chanting House with guitarist John Doyle, and in New York they formed a brief musical partnership with Seamus Egan and Eileen Ivers. In 1993, McKeown began a solo career, and her debut album "Bones" (1995) established her as a powerful vocalist and inventive songwriter. She has since recorded ten albums of original and world music and built an impressive career through her many releases, extensive touring, and performances on programs such as 'A Prairie Home Companion', 'All Things Considered', 'Mountain Stage' and for PBS, 'Sessions at West 54th' and 'American Masters'. Susan's album 'Sweet Liberty' (2004 World Village) was nominated for a BBC Folk Music Award. She has performed with Natalie Merchant, Pete Seeger, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Linda Thompson, Billy Bragg, Johnny Cunningham, Andy Irvine, Kevin Burke, and The Klezmatics, on whose GRAMMY winning album Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie, she is prominently featured.
 
McKeown grabbed both song and audience by the throat, dragged them through heaven and hell and back again, and left the stage to the loudest applause heard all evening. - ROLLING STONE
If there's some dividing line between Celtic traditionalism and eclectic contemporary songwriting, McKeown refuses to acknowledge it. And with a voice as warm, resonant and versatile as hers, why should she? - THE OREGONIAN 

MARY McPARTLAN had long established a career in the arts and entertainment industry in Ireland when in 2004 she released her critically acclaimed album The Holland Handkerchief and announced her new career as a professional singer. But it had been in her blood all along. In the early 70s in her native County Leitrim, Mary grew up singing in a musical household: her father Tommy loved the tunes, and her mother Betty was a singer who came from a family of musicians in Plumbridge, Tyrone. Mary moved to Galway where she helped found the Riabhóg Singers Club. As a producer and director of many music and theatre projects, Mary developed the concept of the National Traditional Music Awards on TG4, Ireland’s national Irish language TV station. She is a founding member and producer of the Galway-based theatre company Skehana.
The release of The Holland Handkerchief brought Mary’s formidable vocal talents to a wider audience and established her as a strong presence on the Irish music scene. Her 2008 release Petticoat Loose brought further accolades. This is Mary’s first performance in the US.
 
Mary McPartlan, the Bessie Smith of traditional music, stilled audiences with her eclectic repertoire and showed the wisdom of planting one foot in the present while the other treads adventurously into the past. THE IRISH TIMES
Blessed with a distinctively evocative and welcoming voice and a strong sense of her own musical personality, Mary and her close collaborator, Shamie O’Dowd of Dervish, have conspired to produce … an incredible debut, and a potential Irish album of the year. - SONGLINES
 
www.myspace.com/susanmckeown
http://www.susanmckeown.com
www.myspace.com/marymcpartlan
http://www.marymcpartlan.com

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Slide - February 28, 2009

Hailed by Ireland’s RTE, Radio 1 as ‘the future of Irish music,’ the four original, greatly gifted musicians & composers of Slide first came together in 2000 to play at The Cobblestone in Dublin, a night that shook that venue from brick to rafter & has since become known as ‘The Wobble in the Cobble.’ Still with the band today, these four musicians had accumulated numerous awards for individual musicianship; Aoghan Lynch on concertina & whistles, whose cousins are box maestros Seamus & Brendan Begley, was Ireland television station TG4’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 1999, Eamonn De Barra on flute, whistles, keyboards & bodhran was winner of that same award in 2000, Daire Bracken was the original fiddler of the famed ensemble Danu & Mick Broderick on bouzouki, cittern & mandolin is a member of notable musical family from East Galway, of which flute player & composer Vincent is perhaps the best known (at the moment). These four recorded to much ballyhoo Slide’s first album, ‘The Flying Pig,’ which led to be their named by Irish Music Magazine as ‘Best Traditional Newcomers’ in 2001, which in doing so declared, They can sing, they can write, they can dance across fingerboards and piano keys, buttons and bows and by crikey can they play.’ With the recent addition of former lead singer of De Dannan & LiveIreland.com’s Male Vocalist of the Year, Andrew Murray from the island of Inishbofin, Co. Galway, Slide are poised to become a tour de force on the world’s Celtic music stages. Winners of the ‘Young Musicwide Award’ in 2006, whose panel of judges was led by Donal Lunny, who wrote, ‘This band is taking Irish music to a new place. Their music will touch people far beyond the realm of traditional music.’ From mesmeric trance to nail biting energy, Slide entice the listener on a journey of musical exploration which will undoubtedly leave you on a high while taking you from sorrowful reflections to points of high spirited in between. As John O’Regan in Folk Roots observed, ‘There’s plenty of action and flamboyance in Slide’s music… takes the Dervish/Bothy Band/De Dannan formula and turns it 360 degrees on its head successfully merging youthful arrogance and swagger with traditional expertise.’ By whatever measurement or calculation –Slide rule!

For more, visit; www.slide.ie Tickets are $15, $13 for Ceili members. Concert information at http://www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org, or call (215) 248 0502.

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Turloughmore Ceili Band - May 16 & 17, 2009

Saturday night will be a concert. Sunday night there will be a Ceili

Clare's Turloughmore Céilí Band are the Jack Dempsey of céilí music: ferociously muscular and unapologetically pugnacious. Their inclusion of Pearl O'Shaughnessy's Barndances is the license they need to give full reign to their spacious, roaming ensemble playing. And that's what sets this céilí band apart: the air pockets that circulate between the downright funky piano introduction of the jig set, Lark in the Morning and The Lilting Fisherman.

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Tune Learning Circle

Don't forget that on the fourth Friday our Tune Learning Circle runs from 7:30 to 9, also at the Irish Center. We will be playing through a number of tunes commonly played at our area’s sessions. Sheet music is available on the Philadelphia Ceili Group website. This is a good opportunity for beginning & intermediate players as well as experienced player picking up a new instrument.

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Singers Session

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Ceili Group

Starting October 1st, 2008 Every 1st Wednesday, 7:30 pm Session run by Terry Kane Join local Irish Singers both of English and Irish tunes. All levels of singers welcome. For More information check website: www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org Or call 215-704-5982 Bring a snack or dessert to share “It will be great craic!” The Session will be held at The Commodore Barry Club 6815 Emlen St. Philadelphia, PA 19119

December 26th Learning Session is cancelled, see you in January!

Reminder- Trad Music Session, Friday December 19th

Irish Traditional Music Session

When: Friday, December 19, 2008, 8 – till its over

The Session is being held at the Commodore Barry Club (the Irish Center) (there will be several events at the Club that night, be sure to ask where the session is being held.)

From 8-9 there is a slow session. This is a traditional Irish session in all ways except one: the tempo. We will play common session tunes at a slower than normal pace, so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. Also great for experienced players who are picking up another instrument!

A regular session sponsored by the Irish Center will run after that from 9 to 11pm.

For more information contact Kirsten Erwin at swampkat@martnet.com or 610-517-1462.

Special holiday event at the Irish Center, Friday 12/19

See the message below from the Irish Center - Sounds like a great show!

Happy Holidays everyone, We have a last minute concert/dance added to our 50th Anniversary events. Andy Cooney and Annette Griffin (singer from Ashford Castle) will be putting on a Christmas Concert, followed by Dancing on Friday December 19th at 8:00 pm. Go to: http://www.theirishcenter.com/calendar.php for more details. Tickets are $25.00 at the door. If you are able to pre-pay for a table of ten, tickets will be $20.00 a person and a table will be reserved in your name. Buffet Dinner will also be available for $15.00 starting at 7:00 pm Flyer is attached. Download 50th Anniversary Christmas Extravagaza v3

Local Irish Christmas Concert at the Irish Center in the news

Check out the recent Bulletin article regarding the upcoming "Irish Christmas in America" show and interview with our own Jim McGill.

http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=20212116&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=659594&rfi=6

Local News:

An Emerald Christmas: Irish Group Performs Traditional Holiday Concert By Erin Maguire,

The Bulletin 12/03/2008

Sweet harp-plucked notes will combine with mournful uillean pipe compressions when traditional Irish musicians rekindle the Christmas customs of their home country at the Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. The second annual "Irish Christmas in America," presented by the Philadelphia Ceili Group, showcases Irish music, photography and dance in a theatric production illuminating seasonal Irish traditions. The family-friendly show incorporates stories and wit sure to evoke emotional memories for Emerald Isle offspring and a sense of cultural appreciation for those of non-Irish decent.

Téada, an award-winning Irish band, and Karan Casey, an original vocalist in renowned Irish-American supergroup Solas, headlines the show. Uillean piper Tommy Martin of Riverdance, and Irish harpist Gráinne Hambly will enhance the sound as All-American Bran Cunningham adds to the story with sean-nos, or "old-style," dancing. Ciarán McHugh's photographic slide show of rugged and historic Western Ireland serves as a backdrop and reference to Téada drummer Tristan Rosenstock's narration.

In its fourth year of existence, "Irish Christmas in America" is a nationally touring show produced and created by Téada fiddler and bandleader Oisín Mac Diarmada. A Trinity College Dublin graduate who is currently pursuing postgraduate research studies in "Political Identity and Movement to Music," Mr. Mac Diarmada is well-qualified to put together a show that "brings the spirit of Christmas on a distinctively Irish journey throughout America in December 2008," according to the group's Web site. While last year's Commodore Barry Club show was "excellent and beautiful," according to Philadelphia Ceili Group board member Jim McGill, the inaugural appearance of Mr. Cunningham adds new flavor to this year's show. Mr. McHugh's photography is also new, as is the voice of Ms. Casey, who follows in the show's tradition as a guest vocalist.

The CD Irish Christmas in America will be sold for the first time at the event, as well. Mr. Mac Diarmada organized "Irish Christmas in America," as "a chance to combine different art forms," incorporating the usual instrumental performances of his band with guest artists like Ms. Casey, whom he deems "one of the greatest signers in Ireland at the moment." The show combines historical and present day traditions that "the Irish audience doesn't need to be told about," the bandleader said. And yet, those who came off the boat into this country might still experience nostalgia. "Irish people will be familiar with or at least have heard about the traditions and maybe they've carried on some of these traditions in America; it might be more touching for them," Mr. Mac Diarmada said of the show. For people of non-Irish descent, the show will serve as an "interesting little insight into how Irish people celebrate Christmas" and an opportunity to "compare and contrast how they celebrate Christmas." Mr. Mac Diarmada said the sean-nos dancing will enhance this year's show, especially for people who have visions of Riverdance-like step dancing in their heads. He said the audience would find the older style of dance "exciting and different."

Originally from Donegal, Mr. McGill recalls the history of this type of dancing in his home country. "[Sean-nos dancing] goes back to flagstone floors in the old homes in Ireland, where impromptu dancing took place by firesides," Mr. McGill said. "Old time dancing is not at the point where it used to be. Like any old custom, it's dying." Another custom still alive in Ireland and part of the show is the Mummers, or Wrenboys. On Dec, 26, St. Stephen's Day, some Northern Ireland residents dress in costume and go from house to house singing, playing music and dancing as Mummers, a tradition that influenced Philadelphia's own Mummers. In other parts of Ireland, the musicians are known as Wrenboys because they traditionally carried caged wrens as they sang. "The groups got together almost like pick-up football," Mr. McGill said of the Mummers and Wrenboys.

In addition to this local tie, Philadelphians will also relate to songs composed by Ed Reavy, an Irish musician from County Cavan who moved to Philadelphia in the early 1900s. "It's nice to come back and play his tunes," Mr. Mac Diarmada said. He likes the Commodore Barry Club as a venue not just for the reminiscent value of this Philadelphia composer, but also because the place upholds Irish traditions.

Mr. McGill appreciates this support and enjoys the fact that The Philadelphia Ceili Group hosts the show. " 'Irish Christmas in America' is very much so part and parcel of what we do; it depicts a lot of what were all about," he said. "For a lot of people, it's their one touch to the Irish aspect many generations heard their parents or grandparents tell about Christmastime in Ireland," Mr. McGill said of the show. "It will bring back some memories."

Tickets for "Irish Christmas in America" are $25 and $23 for group members at the door the night of the concert. To order advance tickets, call The Commodore Barry Club at 215 843-8051 or online at www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org. Group tickets for groups of 15 or more are $20 each.

Erin Maguire can be reached at emaguire@thebulletin.us

Sing an Irish Song!

Check out the message below from Terry Kane after another successful Singers Session, held every 1st Wednesday of the month at the Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) - we hope to see you next month! For more information go to: http://www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org/philadelphia_ceili_group/

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Hello Singers,

Thanks to all those who came out yesterday for a wonderful session. We had 16 people there and 11 of them sang at least one song.

I'm thrilled that we have a good mix of beginners, strong singers, and professionals. Jerry is one of our beginning singers but he surprised us all by showing up with lyrics to pass out so we could help him out when he needed it AND he brought cookies. Snacks are not required but highly enjoyed!

We have settled on a great format. Everyone who is interested gets to sing one song and then we just head off in whatever direction(s) the songs take us. Not surprisingly some kind of tragedy usually sneaks its way into the subject. This makes it easier to have dialogue about the songs.

I would like to see the session as a place we can come to sing songs we have memorized. Some people who are just beginning may need to use lyrics but for those of us who are strong singers already I would like this session to be a place where beginners and all of us can be motivated to commit more songs to memory. I think we can also be a strong reference for all singers to get information on good recordings, titles of songs, and places to find songs.

In addition to all the the above fun we also are adding a few songs each session that we all sing together to give singers a chance to create harmonies. If you have a really good song that lends itself to harmonizing feel free to bring the lyrics to share with everyone or just sing it and many of us will jump right in on the chorus.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of you that haven't been to the session in a while. Come on out to the Irish Center on Wed., Jan. 7 at 7:30 PM.

Lastly a big thank-you to a newcomer, Dave and the crowd he brought with him. I hope we can all be inspired to bring three other people with us at the next session.

Slán,

Terry

Terry Kane

www.treasa.net

www.kaneandbeatty.com