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Friday, 2024-03-29
Updates, Features, & Events

Hello AmeriCeltic Reader,



Features:

New! Co-founders Tony and Celia offer a review of the new album, Passages, from the Band Sassenach, of Montreal, Canada. (See Below)

Updates:
Daylight Saving Time Transition Period

At this time of year, some, but not all of the world has transitioned their clocks to Daylight Saving Time. As a result, the start times for online meetings listed below may be shifted by one hour, depending on where you live and where the meeting is hosted.

On Sunday, March 10th, the United States and most of Canada moved their clocks forward by one hour, BUT Europe DOES NOT change their clocks until 2:00 AM this coming Sunday, March 31st, the Last Sunday of March. (Parts of Quebec and Western Canada will remain on Standard Time as they do year round!)

This means that, for the next two days, by most North American clocks, meetings originating from Europeans will generally start an hour later, and, conversely, by European clocks, meetings originating from North Americans will start an hour earlier.

Events: (one-time)

New! On Easter Sunday, March 31st, at 11:00 AM, the annual memorial for Fenian Tom Desmond will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA. (See Below)
• On Tuesday, April 2nd, at 7:30 PM hot new Scottish band Breabach takes the stage at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA for the first of eleven concerts all along the West Coast over the next three weeks. (See Below)
• On Saturday and Sunday, April 6th and 7th, at 8:00 AM, the Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games happen for the 41st time in Honolulu, HI. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 6th, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, newly appointed West Coast board member Lori Cassels of the Irish American Writers & Artists organization, invites Irish-Americans to attend a Salon, entitled What Are You Working On?, held at the Clarion Performance Arts Center, in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 6th, at 5:00 PM, the 2024 Irish-American Crossroads Festival continues with The Crossroads Salon at a Private Residence in San Fransisco, CA and then two more events during April, all in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 6th, at 6:00 PM, The Caledonian Club of San Francisco invites all to their 159th Annual Tartan Ball formal celebration of Tartan Day, at the San Ramon Marriott in San Ramon, CA. (See Below)
New! Beginning on Saturday, April 6th, at 8:00 PM, the Irish Trad Trio of Liz Knowles, Eamon O’Leary & Marla Fibish, begin a week of concerts in Berkeley, Healdsburg, and Mountain View, CA before heading off to Walker Camp. (See Below)
New! On Tuesday, April 9th, at 7:00 PM, the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center is hosting it’s semi-annual fundraiser at their fine facility in Sebastopol, CA. The show features a bevy of Irish music instructors from the Walker Creek Music Camp. (See Below)
New! On Wednesday, April 9th, at 7:30 PM, Genticorum, begin a five city tour of Northern California, bringing their Québecois fiddle music & song to Santa Rosa, Caspar, Santa Cruz, Oakland, and Santa Clara, CA. (See Below)
New! On Thursday April 11th – Sunday April 14th its the return of the Walker Creek Music Camp in Fort Bragg, CA. (See Below)
New! On Friday, April 12th, 7:00 PM, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas perform a concert at St Mary’s, in Pacific Grove, CA, and then Hermosa Beach, Berkeley, Little River, Sebastopol, and Grass Valley, CA over the following 2 weekends. (See Below)
New! On Thursday, April 18th, at 7:00 PM, Celtic trio Kalos launches a concert tour of eleven West Coast cities at Grizzly Peak Winery, in Ashland, OR. (See Below)
New! On Tuesday, April 30th, at 7:30 PM, the legendary Scottish band Old Blind Dogs will kick off a 4 city tour of the West Coast at Duffy’s Tavern, in Chico, CA, then give shows in Pacific Grove, Sebastopol, and Santa Cruz, CA before joining in a the KVMR Festival in Grass Vally, CA. (See Below)
New! On Friday, May 3rd, 10:00 AM, through Sunday, May 5th, 10:00 PM, it’s the return of the KVMR Celtic Festival, to the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, CA. (See Below)

Events: (Recurring)

• On Fridays, from 5:00 PM on, Pub Scouts, plays great tunes at Duffy’s Tavern in Chico, CA. (See Below)
• On the 1st Saturday of each month, at 6:00 PM, the San Francisco in-person Chantey Sing is held at the Maritime Museum in San Francisco, CA, and then on the 2nd Saturday of the month, at 11:00 AM, the San Francisco Virtual Chantey Sing happens Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On the first Sunday every month, at 9:00 AM Pacific, Dr. Ronan Connolly offers a Lets Learn Irish free workshop on Irish Language, free of charges and available everywhere Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Sundays, from 8:00 UK time / 12:00 PM Pacific, it’s the Loch Down Folk Club, timed so our friends from the US and Canada can join in, Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On first Sundays of the month, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time, the Cross Keys band, Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O’Neill, sing out at the Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden in Fairfax, CA. (See Below)
• On the last Sunday of each month, join Alexandra Annen for a Irish traditional instrumental music session at Sayla Music Academy in Lodi, CA. (See Below)
• On First Sundays, Grass Valley based Three Times Through plays at Grass Valley Brewing Company in Grass Valley, CA, plus several other weekend dates around the Gold Country of California. (See Below)
• On the first Sunday of the month, from 11 AM – 1 PM Pacific / 2 PM – 4 PM Eastern time, Lynn Noel hosts the Mermaid’s Tavern Ballad sing-around, online via Zoom from her home studio. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific Time, Mark Wallis & Alix Sandra Huntley-Speirs host a Traditional Irish Music Session, a participatory online Irish instrumental music event, timed so our friends from Ireland and the UK and join in. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• Phoenix Folk Ltd. was established in 2009 by Maurice Condie, Adam Holden & Marina Dodgson to promote participation and performance in folk and acoustic music, song and dance across the North East of England, and since the COVID lockdowns, they have expanded into the online world. Currently, they host three weekly online events on Zoom, happening at 8:00 PM UK / 12:00 PM Pacific on Monday’s, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM Pacific Time, Irish born Maureen McNally hosts the Ag Teacht Le Chéile Irish Session, a participatory online Irish music event timed so our friends from Ireland and the UK can join in. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, the Celtic Arts Center offers beginner level Irish classes online via Zoom, as well as a full evening of Celtic in-person music and dance at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood, CA. (See Below)
• On Tuesday evenings, from 7:00-8:30 PM Pacific Time, its the Andronicos San Francisco Jam, hosted by Dinah and Noah Stroe on Zoom from San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific Time, Tony Becker, hosts the Trans-Atlantic Session, an online traditional music event, featuring a mix of instrumental and vocal performances, timed so participants from Ireland and the UK can join in. Later on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM Pacific, Tony hosts the Pacific Evening Session. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, John Whelan conducts his free Play Along Sessions: Tune Learning at 2:30 PM Pacific and Taking Time at 4:00 PM both Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• The The Philo-Celtic Society offers four full quarters of multiple free classes focused on learning the Irish Language, including a couple of classes in Irish Song. Spring Quarter classes began on Wednesday, February 7th, and all are accessible to everyone everywhere, Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, at at 8 – 9:30 PM Eastern / 5 – 6:30 PM Pacific, and again on Thursdays at 8 – 9:30 PM Pacific / 11 – 12:30 AM Eastern, Autumn Rhodes teaches Irish Session Repertoire for All Instruments online via Zoom from San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On First Thursdays, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Pacific Time, multi-instrumentalist Michael Eskin hosts The Ould Sod Virtual Irish Session, the best and most popular participatory online Irish traditional music event. (See Below)
• On 1st Thursdays at 8:00 PM, and other Thursdays at 8:30 PM, Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area organizes Irish set dancing at the Plough and Stars Irish Pub in San Francisco, CA. They also sponsor dances at 7:30 PM on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at Ireland’s 32 Pub in San Francisco, CA as well as set dancing lessons there on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. (See Below)
• On Thursdays, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time, One Eyed Reilly plays at The Delta King Bar & Grill in Sacramento, CA, and can be heard at several other venues in the Sacramento Valley. (See Below)
• From Thursday, February 8th, and continuing on the following three Thursdays, Sean Murphy will present a weekly 1st course episode covering the History of Dublin/Baile Áth Cliath, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM PDT, followed by a 2nd course episode covering The Norman Invasion of Ireland from 4:30 – 6:00 PM PDT, both offered Online via Zoom. (See Below)

Please support our sustaining Sponsors with your Celtic business!

• Co-Founder Cecilia Fábos-Becker’s e-book Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics, is available for download now! (See Below)
Sláinte Pub has reopened it’s doors as of Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 5:00 PM. The New partners are offering a limited menu of great food as well as great drinks and Irish Music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at the same location at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. (See Below)
• Now in their 3rd year, Willow on the Green, operated by friend of the family Alex Sinclair and located on 9th Avenue in San Francisco, CA, is especially convenient to Golden Gate Park, and caters to the park revelers, offering a unique array of ready to eat culinary delights. (See Below)
• Well known Flying Scot and all round traditional musician David Brewer has launched his online music lessons, accessible to anyone, anywhere Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• The Starry Plough is open, with all the events it’s many long term customers had before the pandemic, on Sundays – Wednesdays in Berkeley, CA. (See Below)
• Music and Dance have returned to the cherished San Francisco, CA Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. (See Below)
The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, the local Irish Pub bringing the culture of Ireland to downtown San Francisco at 5th and Howard. (See Below)
• Music and Dance have returned to the cherished San Francisco Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. (See Below)
• Multi-genre violin teacher (especially Irish Traditional Music) and performer Darcy Noonan is available for gigs and lessons. (See Below)
• Sport your Celtic heritage! AmeriCeltic offers a colorful array of items, each emblazoned with the AmeriCeltic logo. (See Below)
The Celtic Tea Shoppe, in San Jose is your source for Celtic and Celtic inspired carry-out fresh baked foods, confections and rare teas, and they have just announced a new scholarship program! (See Below)
• With an extensive selection of instruments and instructional material from around the world, Lark In The Morning in Berkeley, CA is open for in person and online sales and lessons. (See Below)
• Publican Stan Gamble has re-opened The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant, offering full service 7 days a week from 4pm to late. (See Below)

Scan our feature articles below, or as always, you can click here to check the full listings on our website.

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Album Review: Passages
Release Date: December 29, 2023
By Tony and Celia Becker – Published 2024-03-29

Passages Tracks
Track Title Length
1 Siúbhán Ní Dhuibhir 3:17
2 Spancil Hill 4:23
3 My Lagan Love 4:03
4 Vent sud-ouest 1:53
5 A Chuachag Nam Beann/The Cuckoo of the Mountain 3:23
6 Mairi Bhan Og 4:23
7 MacPherson’s Rant/Reel du pendu 5:07
8 Au bois Marguerite/Valse d’automne 3:30
9 The Loon 4:00
10 Star of the County Down/Bus Stop Reel 4:26


Passages

Sassenach – Passages

Sassenach is a group of four Montreal musicians who passionately interpret and explore Irish, Scottish, and Québécois traditional music, creating unique, innovative arrangements and writing original compositions in the Celtic music tradition.

The members are: Jane Critchlow (lead and harmony vocals, bodhrán, percussion), Laurence Beaudry (fiddle, viola, vocals, composition), Susan Palmer (harp, keyboard, vocals, composition) and Marie-Claude Simard (cello, vocals).

The word, ‘Sassenach’ is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word sasunnach, literally meaning ‘Saxon’, and originally used by Gaelic speakers to refer to non-Gaelic speaking Scottish Lowlanders. (The name is used tongue-in-cheek, as some of the members have English/’Saxon’/ Scottish Lowlands roots!) In a broader context, Sassenach means ‘stranger’ or ‘intruder’ or someone ‘passing through’.

All the tracks on Passages are well executed and the mix of voices and instruments is nicely balanced. As both the band members and their instruments ‘sing’ together, you will hear a total of eight ‘voices’, including three languages, and the full range of a string chamber ensemble, along with the percussion of the bodhrán.

There are a number of familiar pieces on the album but some with a different twist, such as Track 10, in the combination of the Star of the County Down/The Bus Stop Reel. Then there are pieces rarely heard that catch your attention and hold it fast. Track 5, The Cuckoo of the Mountain had some of the best harmonies we’ve heard in a long time and you could almost hear the bird calling in the song. It was playful and dreamy all at the same time. Having spent 17 years in Minnesota and my husband having been born in Minnesota, which has the loon as the state bird, we greatly enjoyed Sassenach’s dedication to a truly unique avian in Track 9, The Loon. Track 8, Au bois Marguerite/Valse d’Automne was both playful and romantic, evoking parts of Beethoven’s pastoral symphony. This arrangement also has some very nice harmonies.

All in all it was a very enjoyable album. We will definitely be recommending it to friends.

Sassenach ‘s YouTube Channel
Email Jane Critchlow
Visit Sassenach Facebook Page for more information or, to purchase the album, go to the Sassenach: Passages webpage on Bandcamp.

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Memorial: Fenian Thomas Desmond
Honor Ireland’s Patriot Dead on Easter!
Sunday, March 31st, 11:00 AM
Holy Cross Cemetery, 1500 Mission Rd., Colma, CA

TomDesmondEvent

Tom Desmond Memorial

The Annual Easter Commemoration at the grave of Fenian Thomas Desmond will be held on Easter Sunday, March 31st, at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1500 Mission Rd, Colma. Assemble at Main Gates 11:00 AM.

Every year on Easter Sunday, residents of the Bay Area have a unique opportunity to remember those who risked their lives during the 1916 Irish rebellion. A few hundred men and women stood against the British Empire in Dublin. Those events are commemorated with esteem at Holy Cross Cemetery at the graveside of Fenian organizer and former San Francisco sheriff Thomas Desmond.

This year’s Guest Speaker will be Linda Dillon, MLA, Sinn Fein Member of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland for Mid Ulster since 2016. Music will be provided by the Pearse and Connolly Fife and Drum Band.

NO ADMISSION FEE

For more information, check the
Campaign For A United Ireland Facebook Page
.

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Breabach

Shows

Tuesday, April 2nd, 7:30 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA. Details


Wednesday, April 3rd, 7:30 PM

University Presbyterian Church, Fresno, CA. Details


Thursday, April 4th, 8:00 PM

Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA. Details


Friday, April 5th, 7:00 PM

The Sofia, Sacramento, CA. Details


Saturday, April 6th, 8:00 PM

The Center for the Arts, Grass Valley, CA. Details


Tuesday, April 16th, 7:30 PM

Triple Door, Seattle, WA. Details


Wednesday, April 17th, 7:00 PM

The Belfry, Sisters, OR. Details


Thursday, April 18th, 7:00 PM

Lincoln City Cultural Center, Lincoln City, OR. Details


Friday, April 19th, 8:00 PM

Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR. Details


Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM

New Traditions Café, Olympia, WA. Details


Sunday, April 21st, 7:30 PM

Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon, WA. Details

Breabach

Breabach

Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unites deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative scottish music scene. 2022 saw them release their latest studio album ‘Fàs’ and be awarded ‘Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. To date they have released seven increasingly acclaimed albums, whilst fuelling their creative appetites in collaborations with BAFTA award winning animator Cat Bruce on short film Dùsgadh, indigenous Australasian artists Moana & The Tribe, Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord, video game composer Big Giant Circles and as artists-in-residence at 2019’s Celtic Colours festival with Cape Bretoners, Beòlach.

Breabach are; Megan Henderson (Fiddle/Vocals), James Lindsay (Double Bass/Moog/Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Highland Bagpipe/Whistle/Bouzouki/Vocals), Conal McDonagh (Highland Bagpipe/Uilleann pipes/Whistle/Vocals) and Ewan Robertson (Guitar/Cajon/Vocals).

Video Filmed in the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow: The Oban Ball @ Celtic Connections 2021

Following a successful first tour of the United States, 2023 sees the band continuing to tour in support of their latest release, with live dates throughout the UK and Europe. Fàs (a Gaelic word meaning growth, developing & sprouting). The album is heavily inspired by the natural environment of Scotland and sees the band showcase more progressive elements in their music than ever before. Produced by esteemed musician Inge Thomson, engineered & mixed by Iain Hutchison at GloWorm Recording Studios in Glasgow and mastered by Peter Beckmann, the record also features collaborations with analogue synth player Keir Long and Gaelic lyricists & musician Ewen Henderson. The protection, conservation and regeneration of the natural world influenced every part of the album making process, from song composition and sourcing material to the recording process and album production.

Their 18 year adventure has included live performances from Sydney Opera House to Central Park New York. They have racked up an impressive array of accolades including six ‘Scots Trad Music Awards’, nominations as ‘Best Group’ (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards), ‘European Album of the Year’ (Songlines Music Awards) and the ‘Quarterly Critic’s Choice’ (German Record Critic’s Award 2023).

‘Matching fiery intensity with exquisite finesse, this was a magnificent set’ – The Scotsman

‘Exhilarating, energetic and accomplished’ – Songlines

https://www.breabach.com

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41st Anniversary of the Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Saturday and Sunday, April 6th and 7th
Jefferson Elementary, 324 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI

Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games

The 41st Anniversary of the Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games will take place Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Jefferson Elementary in Waikiki, Honolulu, HI.

The Festival features:
• Highland games and athletics, men’s and women’s competition prizes (learn about the history of the athletic events)
• Highland Dance competition
• Entertainment, including piping, music, song and dance
• A gathering of Clans from around Hawaii, as well as from the mainland, to display information pertinent to themselves, and invite other members of the clan to join them
• Demonstrations of swordplay, weaving, and fencing
• Vendors featuring Scottish wear, Celtic clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, housewares, etc.
• Food Vendors offering traditional Scottish fare, local grinds and more. (yes, even canned haggis!)

Check out our Website: https://www.hawaiianscottishassociation.com
Check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HawaiianScottishAssociation

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Irish-American Arts & Writers Salon
What Are You Working On?
Saturday, April 6th, 4:00 PM
Clarion Performing Arts Center, 2 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA

IAWA Logo

Irish American Writers and Artists, (IAWA), invites you to our West Coast kick off and let us know…

What Are You Working On?

We invite artists, writers, poets, playwrights, and artists of all stripes to come and meet our west coast board member, Lori Cassels.

We celebrate the achievements of Irish American writers and artists, past and present and we aim to highlight, energize, and encourage Irish Americans active in the arts. We support artistic freedom, human rights, and social justice.

Get Full Details on the Event Webpage,

Please submit any questions to: lcassels@aol.com.

Click this link for all the latest information on the IAW&A Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IrishAmericanWritersAndArtistsInc and be certain to visit the IAW&A website, https://iamwa.org

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2024 Irish-American Crossroads Festival

Events

Saturday, April 6th, 5:00 PM

The Crossroads Salon: Private Residence
San Fransisco, CA, RSVP to: Details


Saturday, April 13th, 1:00 PM

Amelia Hogan: Irish Sean Nós Singing Workshop
UICC-SF St. Francis Room, San Fransisco, CA, Details


Saturday, April 13th, 3:00 PM

Irish Oral Histories – Share your Stories
UICC-SF St. Francis Room, San Fransisco, CA, Details

IrishAmericanCrossroads

Irish-American Crossroads Festival

The Irish-American Crossroads Festival, the only on-going festival of its kind in the country, is a cultural event in the San Francisco Bay Area promoting the discovery and understanding of the diverse Irish experience in the Americas. This annual Festival takes place during the months of March and April, generally in a venues around throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Check out the 2024 program — Click Here!

The Crossroads Festival offers a wide diversity of inspired musical, literary and cultural events that invite the public to come together in the spirit of discovery and celebration.

We are dedicated to creating a dynamic forum every year where relevant, meaningful, and many-sided conversations take place about our Irish and Irish-American histories, our ancient roots, and modern hybridities, our passions, our work, our presence around the globe and our creative efforts to make sense of it all!

Crossroads was founded in 2004 to promote the discovery and understanding of the Irish experience in the Americas, and to ensure that the richness of the arts, culture, history, and traditions of this heritage are both held in high esteem and preserved for generations to come. Crossroads produces a variety of outstanding cultural and historical programs throughout the year, while also serving as a central hub of events information for the Irish and Irish-American communities of the Bay Area.

Our core program is the Irish-American Crossroads Festival, a literary, musical, and cultural festival that features the “best and the brightest” of Irish and Irish-American artists to venues in the San Francisco Bay Area each year during the month of March; ours is the only ongoing festival of its kind in the country. Crossroads also directs the Irish Oral History Archive of the San Francisco Bay Area, which is being developed with funding from the Emigrant Support Programme of Ireland. We also sponsor the Irish-American Writing Contest, which supports and encourages emerging Irish-American poets, fiction writers, and memoirists.

Check out the website: https://www.irishamericancrossroads.org

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159th Annual Tartan Ball
Saturday, April 6th, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA

159th Annual Tartan Ball

The Officers and Members of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco cordially invite you to join them for the 159th Annual Tartan Ball celebrating Tartan Day with elegance, tartans, dancing, food, Scottish music and libations. Slàinte mhath!

Enjoy a wee dram and cocktail, and meet the Chief at the no-host bar starting at 6:00 PM, followed by a formal sit-down dinner with your choice of entrees from our menu starting at 7:00 PM.

Entree choices include Beef, Chicken, Fish, and Vegetarian which must be pre-selected. Red and white wine will be provided at the table, and a good bottle of Scotch – aye, we ken, … it cannae be a Scottish celebration without it!

Entertainment will be provided by:
• The Prince Charles Pipe Band
• Highland Dancers
• James Moseley Band
• Scottish Folk Singer Peter Daldry
• Fiddler Michael Mullen
• Special Guest Color Guard

Dress Code: Formal Evening Attire or Kilts are required.
The Caledonian Club of San Francisco is a proud supporter of the American Friends of Erskine.

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Liz Knowles with Eamon O’Leary & Marla Fibish
House Concerts

Shows

Saturday, April 6th, 8:00 PM

Berkeley House Concert, Berkeley, CA. Details


Sunday, April 7th, 7:00 PM

Clendenen Barn Concerts, Healdsburg, CA. Details


Wednesday, April 10th, 7:00 PM

Driveway Concert, Mountain View, CA. Details

Liz Knowles with Eamon O'Leary & Marla Fibish

Liz Knowles, Eamon O’Leary & Marla Fibish

Having relished every opportunity to play together over the years when their journeys have converged, these three Irish traditional musicians are touring together for the first time this April.

All three musicians are deeply steeped in the tradition, and none are strangers to risk taking and invention.  Each enjoys the discovery of unearthing traditional tunes and songs — and brings their distinct musical sensibilities to bear in expressing them anew in today’s light.

Liz, Eamon and Marla will deliver traditional repertoire with joyous energy and blend the textures of their instruments and voices in exploration of each others’ compositions.  

Liz Knowles‘ fascination with music has always been rooted in how one can arrive, land, and leave a note. Though arriving to music through the language of classical music, it is her more than thirty year journey through Irish music that has defined her musical style. She established herself as a dynamic performer and recording artist as soloist on the soundtrack for Michael Collins, fiddler with Riverdance, Broadway’s The Pirate Queen and The Green Bird, soloist with the New York Pops, the National Symphony and other orchestras and as featured artist for the Ireland 100 Festival at the Kennedy Center. She was music director and producer for several large scale stage shows and recording projects that toured Europe, Asia and South America. Her compositions and arrangements of tunes and songs have been recorded by John Whelan, Flook, Chicago’s Metropolis Symphony Orchestra, Liz Carroll, Beolach, Bachue, J.P. Cormier, Michael Black, John Doyle, and Ensemble Galilei. Liz is well-known as an active and engaging teacher at camps in the US and abroad and is on faculty at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Liz has composed and produced music for two exhibits featuring Irish art at the Art Institute in Chicago and at Notre Dame’s Snite Museum. She is a member of The String Sisters, The Martin Hayes Quartet, and Open the Door for Three and produces an ongoing podcast with fiddler Liz Carroll called ‘The Lizzes’. www.lizknowles.com

Eamon O’Leary is origially from Dublin, but is a long time resident of New York City. A singer and string player, with deep roots in the world of Irish trad, he is one half of The Murphy Beds with Jefferson Hamer. Their debut album was described by The Hufffington Post as one that ‘bears repeated listening from start to finish, with ten beautiful, crystalline songs.’ He is also a member of The Alt with Nuala Kennedy and John Doyle. His songwriting can be heard, most recently, on The Silver Sun from Reveal Records. As well as playing with many friends and comrades from the ‘trad’ music world he has also performed and/or recorded with many artists across the folk spectrum including Anais Mitchell, Glen Hansard, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Sam Amidon. 

Marla Fibish‘s 40-plus years in the music started in San Francisco, where, given her grandfather’s mandolin and a newfound passion for Irish music, she forged her own approach and style, not even realizing at the start that she was playing an outlier of an instrument.  Over the years, she has become a prominent voice of the mandolin in the music, as well as a composer, and a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher.  Her compositions include tunes in traditional and not-so-traditional forms, songs, and a wide variety of verse she has set to music. She teaches classes, workshops and camps around the US and in Ireland, as well as online at Peghead Nation String School. In addition to the mandolin, Marla sings, plays mandola, tenor guitar, and dabbles at the button accordion. Her discography includes her 2020 solo release The Bright Hollow Fog, a 2011 duo project with Cork singer Jimmy Crowley The Morning Star, trio projects Out of the Rain and Three Mile Stone, and she has released four albums with Noctambule, her duo with guitarist and husband Bruce Victor, most recently Every Migrant is My Fellow in 2021.www.marlafibish.com

Videos:
Liz with Open the Door for Three: https://youtu.be/BEzEV36bboM&t=184s

Eamon with Nuala Kennedy: https://youtu.be/CGaBt7VpSOA

Marla with Noctambule: https://youtu.be/CGaBt7VpSOA

Questions to mfibish@gmail.com

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An Irish Spring Concert
Tuesday, April 9th, 7:00 PM
Fundraiser for Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA

The Black Brothers, Shay & Michael Black w/Darcy Noonan

The Black Brothers w/Darcy Noonan

This fundraiser a special performance of Irish music benefits The Sebastopol Community Cultural Center by an all-star line-up of the Irish Music Faculty of Walker Creek Music Camp.

Liz Knowles with Eamon O'Leary & Marla Fibish

The show features a special performances by The Black Brothers, Shay & Michael Black w/Darcy Noonan, and Guest Artists, Liz Knowles, Marla Fibish, Eamon O’Leary, Dave Cory, and Steve Baughman.

All of these fine performers are also instructors at the Walker Creek Music Camp, a biannual music education camp held Thursday, April 11th – Sunday, April 14th at the nearby Walker Creek Ranch and Conference Center in the rolling hills between Marshall on Tomales Bay and Petaluma, CA.

Tickets & Info https://sccc-spring-benefit.rsvpify.com. Reach out to tickets@seb.org with questions.

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Genticorum Québecois fiddle music & songs

Shows

Tuesday, April 9th, 7:30 PM

Howard Booster House Concert, Santa Rosa, CA. Details


Thursday, April 11th, 7:30 PM

Caspar Community Center, Caspar, CA. Details


Friday, April 12th, 7:30 PM

Santa Cruz House Concerts, Santa Cruz, CA. Details


Saturday, April 13th, 8:00 PM

Oakland House Concerts, Oakland, CA. Details


Sunday, April 14th, 7:30 PM

House Concert, Santa Clara, CA. Details

Genticorum

Genticorum

Over the past 20 years the trad Quebec group Genticorum has become a fixture on the international world, trad, folk and Celtic music circuit. The band’s five albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Europe, assuring the band a brilliant future. Known for its energy and its stage presence, Genticorum has given more than 800 concerts in more than 15 countries.

Videos:

Genticorum: Reel Lenoir

Genticorum: Le Persuadeur

Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute and accordion work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence makes them a supreme crowd pleaser.

Website: https://www.genticorum.com

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Walker Creek Music Camp
Thursday April 11th – Sunday April 14th, 9 AM – 9 PM
North Bay, just east of Fort Bragg, CA

Walker Creek

Walker Creek Music Camp is for people who like traditional American music: largely bluegrass and oldtime, also often including swing, Celtic, Cajun, and country, and this year has added Celtic to the program. All ages are welcome, and core classes are offered in instrumental skills, jamming and band dynamics, and vocals. There are classes for beginners as well as intermediate levels.

Located in the North Bay, Walker Creek Music Camp offers classes and workshops on traditional American music, and also at our next camp a track devoted to Irish music, with instructors:

• Annie Staninec (Bluegrass Jam Class)
• Larry Chung (Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar & More)
• Jimmy Triplett (Old Time String Band)
• Darryl Poulsen (Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar)
• Frank Evans (Bluegrass Banjo)
• Eamon O’Leary (Irish Guitar)
• Steve Baughman (Clawhammer Banjo)
• Adrian Gross (Bluegrass Mandolin)
• Dave Cory (Irish Tenor Banjo)
• Marla Fibish (Irish Mandolin)
• Cary Black (Bass)
• Kathy Kallick & Greg Blake (Vocals Harmony)
• Greg Booth (Dobro)
• Michael Black (Vocals Irish)
• Natalie Padilla (Old Time, Bluegrass Fiddle)
• Rebecca Stout (Dance/Old Time String Band)
• Liz Knowles (Irish Fiddle)
• Krishna Feeney (Music & More! – Children’s Program)

Camp also includes lots of jamming, concerts, open mics, as well as opportunities for hiking/biking/ping pong/massage/yoga/etc.

Camp dates are April 11-14 but registration opened earlier and some of these classes will likely fill very quickly.

More info can be found at www.walkercreekmusiccamp.org or by calling Ingrid Noyes at 415-663-6030 email her at ingridnoyes@gmail.com

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Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Shows

Friday, April 12th, 7:00 PM

St Marys by the Sea Church, Pacific Grove, CA. Details


Saturday, April 13th, 7:30 PM

Hermosa Beach Community Theater, Hermosa Beach, CA. Details


Sunday, April 14th, 7:00 PM

Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA. Details


Thursday, April 18th, 7:30 PM

Little River Inn, Little River, CA. Details


Friday, April 19th, 7:30 PM

Hopmunk Tavern, Sebastopol, CA. Details


Saturday, April 20th, 8:00 PM

Center for the Arts, Grass Valley, CA. Details

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas may not seem an obvious one, but the duo’s dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms, and their shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello.

Over the last 20 years of creating a buzz at festivals and concert halls across the world, they have truly set the standard for fiddle and cello in traditional music. They continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding, and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music.

This seemingly unlikely pairing of fiddle and cello is the fulfillment of a long-standing musical dream for Fraser. His search eventually led him to find a cellist who could help return the cello to its historical role at the rhythmic heart of Scottish dance music, where it stood for hundreds of years before being relegated to the orchestra. The duo’s debut recording, Fire & Grace, won the coveted the Scots Trad Music “Album of the Year” award, the Scottish equivalent of a Grammy. Since its release, the two have gone on to record five more critically acclaimed albums that blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge string explorations. In additional to performing, they both have motivated generations of string players through their teaching at fiddle camps across the globe.

For a sample of what to expect at the concert, check out this video:
https://youtu.be/08zd3hI87bc

As many gigs as they must have played together over the past decade or so, there remains a striking spontaneity about Fraser and Haas’s music-making. He has tonal variation and attack to spare, but what makes them so consistently absorbing is the responsiveness each shows to the other. Haas is more than a cellist: she’s the rhythm section who uses the percussive chip’n’chop of her bowing and the double bass-like pulse of her pizzicato playing to great effect. The accompanist’s role moves so fluently between them, building tension all the while, and then they’ll slip into unison and it’s like floodgates opening. — The Herald

For more, check alasdairandnatalie.com.

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Kalos!

Shows

Thursday, April 18th, 7:00 PM

Grizzly Peak Winery, Ashland, OR. Details


Friday, April 19th, 7:30 PM

Starker Auditorium, Corvallis, OR. Details


Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM

The Belfry, Sisters, OR. Details


Sunday, April 21st, 6:00 PM

The Ruins,
Hood River, OR
. Details


Monday, April 22nd, 7:30 PM

Abbie Weisenbloom Presents, Portland, OR. Details


Tuesday, April 23rd, 7:00 PM

New Traditions Café,
Olympia, WA
. Details


Wednesday, April 24th, 7:00 PM

House Concert,
Anacortes, WA
. Details


Thursday, April 25th, 7:00 PM

Center Church, Lopez Island, WA. Details


Friday, April 26th, 7:00 PM

Ballard Homestead,
Seattle, WA
. Details


Saturday, April 27th, 7:00 PM

Celtic Arts Foundation,
Mount Vernon, WA
. Details


Sunday, April 28th, 7:00 PM

Quimper Grange, Port Townsend, WA. Details

Kalos!

Kalos!

Kalos is an innovative trio of Celtic roots musicians – keepers of Celtic music traditions who also explore the very current joy and spontaneity of creative collaboration and punctuate performances with banter and good humor between artfully rendered tunes.

Kalos is:
Eric McDonald, guitar, vocals
Ryan McKasson, fiddle
Jeremiah McLane, accordion

Video Links:
Lowlands of Holland/Counterpart (Live in a barn)
Allen Water
Fare Thee Well
Fanny Vanille/The Kerry Polska

Devon Leger of Hearth Music says, ‘This trio really shows how masterful musicians listen and play off each other.’ The music they create is to share, and live performance is the forte. But their mutual attitude stretches beyond the music. They have been good friends ever since they met, and this is present in their live performances, which are full of organic banter and good humor to go along with the music. They create an environment of their own design, drawing in listeners without pretense. Despite living active musical lives thousands of miles apart these musicians have committed to working together to forge a new musical path.

There’s a certain spontenaity at work as the three musicians alternately contest and duel, combine and coalesce to bring their talents together. — Folkwords

Kalos Website
Email Kalos

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Old Blind Dogs!

Shows

Tuesday, April 30th, 7:30 PM

Duffy’s Tavern, Chico, CA. Details


Wednesday, May 1st, 7:00 PM

St Marys by the Sea Church, Pacific Grove, CA. Details


Thursday, May 2nd, 8:00 PM

Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol, CA. Details


Friday, May 3rd, 7:30 PM

Kuumbwa, Santa Cruz, CA. Details


Old Blind Dogs 2017

Old Blind Dogs

Since forming in the early 1990’s, Old Blind Dogs have stood on the cutting edge of Scotland’s roots revival. The band has developed its own trademark style with an energetic mix of songs and tunes.

One of the most highly touted Celtic groups of our time, OBD is the only multiple winner of the prestigious Scots Trad Music ‘Folk Band of the Year‘ Award . With 13 CDs already in the bag, you’ll have a chance to collar their 14th offering, titled Knucklehead Circus.

Official Video: Knucklehead Circus

Old Blind Dogs continues to distinguish themselves as vital, innovative ambassadors of Scots music by subtly and ingeniously expanding upon the very tradition they celebrate in harnessing the rich resonance and timeless themes of the songs and tunes of their homeland and weld them to new rhythmic frameworks, dynamic arcs and textural expanses, This produces a uniquely identifiable sound that reflects the rich heritage of their forefathers, yet comes across as resoundingly fresh and immediate. OBD’s Dynamic percussion, virile vocals, soaring fiddle and stirring pipes fuel the delicately-phrased melodies and traditional songs generate rave reviews, like this one:

Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion. Come out and see what the excitement is all about!’ – The Scotsman

Click for OBD Videos
Click for OBD Website

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KVMR Celtic Festival
Friday, May 3rd – Sunday, May 5th
Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd, Grass Valley

KVMR 2024

KVMR Celtic Festival

Festival Schedule

Friday, May 3rd: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Youth Program
Friday, May 3rd: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Ceili
Saturday, May 4th: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday, May 5th: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
On Sunday only, Seniors are admitted at 9:00 AM
for complimentary coffee, scones and preferred seating.

On the weekend of May 3rd – 5th, the Nevada County Fairgrounds, will be transformed into a Celtic Village and concert venue, with eight stages and performance areas. Join publically supported KVMR radio for another spectacular mix of Celtic music and magic in their bucolic setting amidst 100 acres of giant ponderosa pines.

First founded in 1996, the KVMR Celtic Festival includes eleven performance areas including five musical and six demonstration stages and a weekend-long youth arts instruction that has included Celtic music, magic, dance and songwriting.

The Festival is the main fundraising event of the year for KVMR Community Radio which operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity. The festival regularly draws over 7,000 attendees for the two days and the promotional outreach extends throughout KVMR’s listening area including a worldwide live streaming broadcast over the internet through iTunes and the KVMR website.

We continue to bring international performers to Nevada County and showcase an ever-increasing cadre of regional talent including musicians, dancers, and performing artists of every type.

KVMR Celtic Festival offers a free Youth Arts program on Friday, May 3rd! Check out the workshops at kvmrcelticfestival.org. Each year, the festival provides a professional performance venue for many young student musicians and dancers to perform in front of a live audience and hone their craft. Workshops and sessions are held throughout the event to provide musicians of every age and caliber an opportunity to learn from each other in a synergistic and fun atmosphere.

This year the KVMR Celtic Festival will get a running start on Friday night with the return of our Friday Night Ceilidh (KAY lee) from 8 PM onwards. Get your separate Ceilidh ticket now an evening of Celtic music and dance featuring San Miguel Fraser and Summer McCall. The dances can accommodate most ages and abilities. No need to come with a partner – it’s a great way to socialize and meet folks. The Friday Night Ceilidh will be held at the Ponderosa Hall at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. There will be indoor space for dancing and, outdoor deck with food and beverages and beautiful garden space for relaxing and enjoying the evening.

The Friday Night Ceilidh is a separate ticket – not included in the Saturday & Sunday Festival ticket price. Tickets to the Ceilidh are available now.

Can’t make it? Click here to make a donation.

More information check The KVMR Celtic Festival website or email celtfest@kvmr.org or call 530-265-9073.

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Pub Scouts
Fridays, 5:00 PM
Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main Street Chico CA

Pub Scouts

Pub Scouts

The Pub Scouts, an Irish band, plays every Friday (30+ years) at Duffy’s Tavern, Chico, from 5pm-8pm.

A Chico Tradition for over 30 years – Great Tunes – Good Friends – Cocktails and Pints

pubscouts@mac.com

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San Francisco In-Person & Virtual Chantey Sings
A San Francisco Singing Tradition
1st Saturdays, at 6:00 – 9:00 PM in person
3rd Saturdays 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Online via Zoom

SF Chanteys on Zoom

SF Virtual Chantey Sing on Zoom

The San Francisco Chantey Sing is a beloved Bay Area musical tradition. Chanteys are the work songs of seafaring, dock labor, fishing and rowing, are one of the most compelling ways to celebrate our maritime heritage. International and multi-cultural in scope, they tell stories of life in long-ago History, but resonate today with tales of bravery, fear, international port of call, and of longing for a better life.

Now in its 41st year, Park volunteer and retired Park Ranger Peter Kasin continues as emcee for 2 monthly sings taking the role of chantey Empresario, introducing singers and setting up the songs, and you can join either in person or from your own home via online connections, to help bring joy, calm the nerves, and help us get through these trying times!

Peter Kasin says,
Ahoy –
In-person chantey sings have returned to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park every first Saturday, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, in the Maritime Museum, 900 Beach Street, foot of Polk.

RESERVATIONS: To reserve, please email me here peterkasin5@gmail.com. Your last name with the number in your party will be on the reservation list held inside the museum entrance by a volunteer.

We will also continue the monthly virtual chantey sing online. Virtual Singing participants, who have signed up for performing slots in advance, will share their favorite songs, either accompanying themselves on traditional instruments, or a cappella.

If not leading a song, no registration necessary. givebutter.com/ChanteySing activates at 11:00 AM on 3rd Saturdays, where lead singers will be in the “Hollywood squares” (gallery view) and you can sing along from home!

Visit https://maritime.org/events-home/chantey-sing for complete details, including links to an online signup sheet, instructions for lead singers, and some suggested virtual backgrounds (just in case your bunk isn’t completely ship-shape). You’ll need a good internet connection, and should be prepared to have fun!

Donations to the Association will be accepted during the event, which will be used to buy virtual technologies to broadcast more events from the Park.

For more details, check this Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP

The San Francisco Chantey Sings became a park program in 1981, led by it’s founding Park Ranger Dave Nettell from 1981 to 1989 aboard the Schooner C.A. Thayer and the square-rigged ship Balclutha. Over the years, the sings popularity, led by Park Rangers, required them to be held in a larger venue, and, up until Covid, were held aboard the historic ferry Eureka, garnering 100 to 200 people monthly. 

If you’d like to learn more about this fascinating folk music tradition, the Park Maritime Research Center’s Chantey Pathfinder has links to books, music and scholarly journal articles at https://go.nps.gov/chanteyinfo. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. Visit the Park online at http://www.nps.gov/safr

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Lets Learn Irish

First Sundays Online Workshop
9:00 AM Pacific | 12:00 PM Eastern | 5:00 PM Ireland/UK

Lets Learn Irish

Lets Learn Irish is an online Irish community, providing daily classes, conversation sessions and workshops for learners throughout the world. First established by Dr. Ronan Connolly in Washington DC in 2009, and the Let’s Learn Irish story of ‘the online Gaeltacht’ has resonated with a global online audience. Let’s Learn Irish is now the largest provider of online Irish courses and comhrá sessions for learners.


Check out their Free Workshop on the first Sunday of every month. This one hour online session is suitable for those who are new to Irish, as well as for those who are currently studying the language! Click Here to get register for the Zoom Link. After the Free Workshop, Attendees are welcome to stay on afterwards to ask questions and learn about the online Irish language community.

Registration closes one hour before the workshop begins early on Sunday mornings, so do it now to be ready for the next first Sunday.

They also offer a free three video self-directed phrase course, https://letslearnirish.com/courses/freeclass, you can take at a time convenient to you.

The Let’s Learn Irish online community was developed at University of Galway, Ireland to support Irish learners throughout the world.

They provide daily online classescomhrá sessions and community workshops, and weekly courses for all levels. Learners from all over the USA and further afield attend these classes, and since all sessions are video recorded, many more learners follow along in their own time and/or timezone each week. If you want to attend one of our Cúrsaí, but are unable to attend the live sessions, then you can still join us by following our video recordings! Use coupon ‘VideoOnly’ at the checkout for a 25% discount.

The upsurge in interest in the language, and the success of the Oscar-nominated ‘An Cailín Ciúin‘, marks a watershed moment. On their website, there are links to learner profilesarticles and news from their community. Their Press page provides further insights into their story and online activities.

Links:
YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/letslearnirish
Courses: LetsLearnIrish.com/cursai
Press: LetsLearnIrish.com/press/
Articles: LetsLearnIrish.com/ailt/
Learner Profiles: LetsLearnIrish.com/member-profiles/
About: LetsLearnIrish.com/about
Contact Info: LetsLearnIrish.com/contact/
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Irish Dance San Francisco Bay Area

Set Dance Events
1st Thursdays, 8:00 PM
2nd, 3rd, & 4th Thursdays, 8:30 PM
The Plough and Stars, 116 Clement St.
San Francisco, CA

1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 PM
Ireland’s 32, 3920 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA

Set Dance Lessons
2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7:30 PM
Ireland’s 32, 3920 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA

Irish Set Dancers

Irish Set Dancers

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go partner dancing in Ireland? Well, set dance events have been happening in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 30 years, and more recently, Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area has been continuing that tradition.

Set dancing is the social form of folk dancing. It is NOT the performance style dancing you may have seen on ‘Riverdance’, rather, set dancing is very beginner friendly, but engaging enough to appeal to experienced dancers. So whether you are an experienced dancer looking to try something new, or an absolute beginner who wants to give dancing a try, set dancing may be for you.

If you would like to see what set dancing looks like, here are a few example videos:
• Dance: Polca an Ri – Clare Lancers

• Dance: Clare Meserks – Sona Sól

Lessons

Set dancing may look complicated if you have never done it before, but it is fun and the moves and patterns become easy to do with a bit of instruction. Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area offers set dancing lessons on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Ireland’s 32 pub in San Francisco. Lessons are taught by Michael Murphy and Michael Riemer and are typically attended by 10-20 other dancers.

No prior dance experience of any kind is necessary. You don’t need to bring a partner – there will always be one available – but feel free to take one (or more!) along. You can wear any clothes and shoes that you’re comfortable dancing and sweating in, as dancing can be quite a workout. Removable layers are suggested, and flat shoes are recommended over heels.

Admission is only $10 per person.

If you are not yet a set dancer but are curious, their ‘Meetup’ group is the easiest way to get started: https://www.meetup.com/irishdance. If you are already a dancer, you too should join the Meetup group to get updates on upcoming events and stay in touch with other dancers.

Thank you for supporting over three decades of Irish dancing in the Bay Area!

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Sundays
Loch Down Folk Club
8:00 PM in Ireland/UK
3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
12:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time


Trans-Atlantic Session

Maria Hawthorne

Do you fancy going to the Folk Club?

Join Maria Hawthorne Boyle and her world-wide group of singing friends using Zoom, and you can give us a song or a tune from the comfort of your own home or just listen in.

This singing circle will be hosted by Andy Clapham as Caretaking Loch Down folk club while Maria Hawthorne Boyle is recovering from her illness.

Description: Andy Clapham is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Loch Down Caretaking Sundays
Join Zoom Meeting
https://link.americeltic.net/lochdown
Maria’s Meeting ID: 861 6124 5826

Andy’s email is ac@aclapham.co.uk.

To find out more contact: mariaboylegalway@gmail.com or take a look at https://www.comeandsingatgosforth.com.

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The Cross Keys
First Sundays, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden, 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA

Cross Keys

The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys are a Folk Explosion, with Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O’Neill.

Cormac says:
Looking forward to playing with my comrades!

Here is a sample video featuring Stacy Samuels: https://youtu.be/8wKMcbIzKzs

Located in beautiful Fairfax, in the heart of Marin County, the Way Station has risen from the site of a former gas station into a family-friendly beer garden and smokehouse. The Way Station team prides itself on super friendly customer-focused service.

Check waystationmarin.com or The Facebook Page or call (415) 300-3099.

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Irish traditional instrumental music Session
Last Sundays at 6:30 PM
Sayla Music Academy, 2:, Building 1: 21 W Locust St Building, 210 N School St, Lodi, CA

Irish Traditional Instruments

Join Alexandra Annen as she leads a free community class in Irish traditional instrumental music. No experience is required to join us on the last Sunday of each month. Bring an Irish instrument.

Website: https://www.saylamusicacademy.com

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Three Times Through

Shows

1st Sundays, 3:00 PM
Grass Valley Brewery, 141 E Main St. Grass Valley, CA

2nd Fridays, 5:30 PM
Tofanelli’s Bistro, 302 W. Main St. Grass Valley, CA


ThreeTimesThrough

Three Times Through

People stop, stare, and ask us, ‘What is that instrument?’ Whether you’re a devoted fan of Celtic music or simply curious to experience its enchanting allure, Three Times Through invites you to join them for an unforgettable musical experience.

People often don’t realize they love Celtic music until they hear it, and the mashups are only adding to the popularity. Our a cappella vocals transport you to the North Sea, the Caribbean, or to a remote village pub in County Clare

Three Times Through is Gale Peach, Jeff Peach, Greg Mirke and Margie Mirke. We are a colorful funky kinda Celtic string quartet. We re-imagine and blend traditional and modern tunes and songs with hammered dulcimer, bodhran, concertina, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, fiddle and guitar. The emphasis is on eclectic Celtic music; spirited instrumentals, engaging vocals and haunting melodies.

Watch a video of the Band here: https://fb.me/e/219PxDhQS

For more on the band, check their website, www.threetimesthrough.com, Three Times Through Facebook page, Three Times Through YouTube Channel or email Jeff Peach at jwpeach@gmail.com

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The Mermaid’s Tavern
First Sunday of the month
11 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 816 4596 2218
Passcode: 131111

Mermaid's Tavern

The Mermaid’s Tavern

The Mermaid’s Tavern is the moniker Lynn Noel gave the online folk sings she began when the COVID pandemic began and as of October, 2023, Lynn still hosts a monthly Ballad sing on the first Sunday of each month, online via Zoom.

The time slot for these sessions is a bit inconvenient for those in South Asia, (11:30 PM – 1:30 AM in New Delhi), and in Australasia, (4 – 6 AM Monday morning in Sydney), but for participants in the rest of the English speaking parts of the world it is daytime or evening on Sunday: 11 AM – 1 PM in the Pacific Time Zone / 2 PM – 4 PM Eastern / 7 PM – 9 PM in Ireland and the UK.

David Kidman is a regular participant from Yorkshire, UK. David says,

The sessions are well steered, with no idle chat – and yet there’s always time for a cordial welcome. The host’s respect for the participants goes hand-in-voice with the sense of mutual trust that this engenders. Singers therefore experience a feeling of being valued, not least for adding value to the shared experience.

Lynn has undertaken a significantly larger role in the ‘new online music community’. Lynn Noel says,

We connect and coach participatory audiences, session leaders, and performers pivoting to digital to create and cultivate online community.

For details and links, check out The Mermaid’s Tavern website, and then check out the rosters to see who joins us and what we sing, and join the mailing list for links to more online sessions.

Tips and patrons keep us on the air and releasing new music on Bandcamp, so thanks for your donations toward studio services.

More details on Lynn Noel’s personal website

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Mondays
Moosehead Traditional Irish
Music Session
1:00 PM Pacific
4:00 PM Eastern
5:00 PM Atlantic
8:00 PM Ireland/UK

Join the Zoom Meeting!

Irish Traditional Music Session

The Moosehead Session

Welcome to the ONLINE ZOOM Moosehead Traditional Irish Music Session! Hosted by Mark Wallis & Alix Sandra Huntley-Speirs.

All are welcome to attend to play, and/or listen and enjoy! This is a traditional Irish tune instrument session only.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89155330559?pwd=NHF4aTU0TSsxd01aUVdNbXhoODRGQT09
Meeting ID: 891 5533 0559
Passcode: tunes

Please also join our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trad.irish.music.session

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Phoenix Folk
3 Weekly Online Sessions
8:00 PM UK / 12:00 PM Pacific
Online via Zoom

Mondays

Play Along with Irish Tunes at a steady pace

Join the Meeting
Passcode: 245476


Tuesdays

Song and Tune Round Robin

Join the Meeting
Passcode: 715687


Thursdays

Play Along with Irish Tunes at Full Speed

Join the Meeting
Passcode: 245476

Phoenix Folk

Established in 2009, Phoenix Folk exists to promote performance and participation in folk music, song and dance. We offer regular folk sessions, events and ensemble opportunities, both in the North East of England and online. Additionally, we provide a range of resources aimed at helping people to engage with folk music as both participant and listener. We put participation at the centre of all that we do, and aim to provide a comfortable space where musicians of all levels of ability can experience the joy of making music with others, extend their repertoire, challenge themselves and be inspired.

On Mondays, Maurice & Marina host a Play Along tune session leading mostly Irish Traditional Music tunes at a steady pace.

On Tuesdays, Maurice & Marina host a ‘Folk Singaround’, featuring mostly (but not exclusively) folk and traditional tunes and songs from the British Isles and North America. This regularly includes acappella and self accompanied songs, tunes, poems and readings from many attendees.

On Thursdays, Maurice & Marina host another ‘Play Along’ tune session, leading lots of Celtic tunes at full speed. They have a particular interest in Northumbrian music and see their online presence as a great opportunity to share local tunes with musicians from outside the region/outside the UK.

Phoenix Folk Website: https://phoenixfolk.co.uk

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Mondays
Ag Teacht Le Chéile Irish Session
3 PM Pacific
6 PM Eastern
11 PM Ireland/UK

Join the Zoom Meeting!

Irish Traditional Music Session

Welcome to the Ag Teacht Le Chéile Irish Session! Hosted by native Irish singer Maureen McNally, this Traditional Irish Tune and Song Session meets every Monday at 11 PM Ireland/UK | 6 PM Eastern | 3 PM Pacific, online via Zoom.

All are welcome to attend to play, sing, and/or listen and enjoy!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://link.americeltic.net/atlc

Long time participant Cornelius (Connie) McEleney passed on in early 2023, but we still have his playlist, with lyrics and recordings of Connie singing 33 of his Irish songs to learn ourselves. Cornelius McEleney Collection.

Please email questions to: maureenmcnally6@gmail.com

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Celtic Arts Center
Online Irish Classes

x

Every Monday night the Celtic Arts Center offers a free introductory Irish language workshop online via Zoom for complete beginners that starts at 7PM. Check out the full details on their website here: Online Beginners Irish Language Class Mondays, 7–8PM. This beginners level emphasises on pronunciation, lower level grammar and basic conversation practice. Classes are FREE for first-timers and Celtic Arts Center members. The current term began on Monday, February. 5th, 2024, but they are still accepting new students. Email James Murphy at language@celticartscenter.com with any questions.

In addition, CAC hosts many in-person events at the Mayflower Club, 11110 Victory Blvd., in North Hollywood, CA. These include a half-dozen annual Festivals, starting with Saint Patrick’s Day, and continuing through the Celtic Year. Check out the venue website here: https://mayflowerclub.com

Weekly, on Mondays, they host several social events, beginning at 7PM with an in-person Irish Traditional Music Learners session where musicians can learn and practice traditional Celtic tunes. At 8PM there is a free Irish céilí dance workshop for both beginner and intermediate level students. All that is followed by the Center’s famous traditional music seisiún where singers and musicians from all across the L.A. area gather to play and share their love for the music of the Celts. There is no admission fee for performers or audience members and everyone is welcome to participate or just listen and watch. You may also hear the recitation of a Celtic-themed poem or even a joke told in Irish! The Center has seen many of its young members, traditional Celtic musicians and performers grow into accomplished performers who successfully tour and compete both in the U.S. and internationally.

Check out the Celtic Arts Center Website

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Andronicos San Francisco Jam
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 PDT
Online via Zoom

Dinah and Noah Stroe are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Every week on Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 862 8705 8150
Passcode: 312389

Andronicos

Andronicos San Francisco Jam

This gathering on Zoom is hosted every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 PM Pacific Time, by Dinah and Noah Stroe, with a mix of old time music, some Irish, some Québécois and more.

Dinah says:
We’ve been at it since 2020 with a good system: lead tunes, you mute and play along, and every three tunes we do a friendly, eclectic round robin, where anybody who wants to lead a tune or two. If we like it — we play it!

In addition to the great tunes, there are sometimes a few ‘sketchers’ creating drawings of the participants (with permission)

It’s sprinkled with jokes, books and TV recommendations and we conclude with our sketchers showing their pictures in the big reveal.

Spread the word, please and join the fun!

More info here: Old Time Open Jams Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/390588871395459

Contact Dinah Stroe dinahbeatrice@gmail.com

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Wednesdays

Trans-Atlantic Session
12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific
3:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
8:00 – 10:00 PM GMT

Pacific Evening Session
7:00 – 9:00 PM Pacific
11:00 – 1:00 AM Eastern
12:00 – 2:00 PM Tokyo Thurs.

Host

Tony Becker
americeltic@gmail.com (email)
M 408 600-8783 (text)


Trans-Atlantic Session

The Trans-Atlantic Session on Zoom

Tony Becker of San Jose, California hosts this Trans-Atlantic Session for all interested parties on Wednesdays, at 8:00 PM Ireland and UK time, 3:00 PM Eastern or 12:00 PM Pacific in the USA.

Later that same evening, from 11:00 PM Eastern or 7:00 PM Pacific Time, Tony hosts the Pacific Evening Session, timed to for participants on the West Coast of the US and across the Pacific Ocean.

Both are a participatory online music events via Zoom.

Click here to Join the Zoom Meeting!

Each of these two sessions is open for a couple of hours to all who play or sing traditional music and with the obvious limitations of Zoom in that only one musician can play at a time but we go round the ‘room’ and take it in turns – no pressure though and the baton can be passed if you just want to listen.

On a good day we have a variety of tunes with instruments from pipes to melodeon, banjo to fiddle and an equal number of songs, with some from other cultures and languages like Irish or Scottish Gaelic! The participants are very friendly and we welcome everyone – it can be a good way to pick up any of the above! The only criterion is we try to have some of the offerings in Celtic traditional genre(s).

Please come along if you can!

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Wednesdays
with John Whelan
Play Along Sessions
2:30 PM Pacific: Tune Learning
4:00 PM Pacific: Taking Time
Online via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 819 0694 6608

John Whelan

John Whelan

Seven-time All-Ireland Button Accordion Champion John Whelan is one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players. John was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, and learned his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O Connor and his teacher Brendan Mulkaire. Along with his All-Ireland Championships, he was twice awarded musician of the year from the Irish Music Association. He has over 15 CDs and has performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. John’s music has been featured on such TV shows as ‘Sex in the City,’ ‘History’s Mysteries’ and ‘History Detective.’ John performs with the John Whelan Band and has also teamed up with his old pal Brian Conway forming the group Gailfean, which also features Máirtin De Cógáin and Don Penzien have released their first new CD. For over a decade, John has performed ‘Monday’s with John’ every Monday evening on his Facebook Profile.

Every Wednesday, live on Zoom, John hosts two free, play along style events: a ‘Tune Learning’ workshop, and after a break a ‘Taking Time’ slow session, both of which regularly draw attendees from around the world (see box for times).

This is also a great opportunity for learning new tunes, as everybody but the session leader (John) will be muted while they play. Unlike an in-person session you can noodle along to your heart’s content, and nobody will ever know unless you tell them.

Check them out here: http://johnwhelanmusic.com/slow-session. We send out a tune list and Zoom link for them on the same mornings. Email John at whelanbx1@me.com to get on the list or for more details.

Get more details on John’s John’s Facebook Page or John’s Website

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The Philo-Celtic Society
Free Irish Language Classes
Accessible to all on Zoom

The Philo-Celtic Society

The Philo-Celtic Society

Philo-Celtic Society History

In 1872, teacher and school principal Mícheál Ó Lócháin started The Philo-Celtic Society in Brooklyn, NY, to establish a worldwide renaissance of the Irish language.

There were and are other organizations and people dedicated to other areas of Gaelic culture, such as dance and music, and we have great respect for them and we praise their work on behalf of those arts. At other periods of our history, we tried to be active in various other aspects of our culture besides the Irish language, all things for all people, until the Irish language wasn’t important at all to most of our membership. In that way, we forgot our original purpose of supporting the Irish language and the organization was on the brink of going out of existence.

However, Mícheál Ó Lócháin’s vision was still remembered, especially as the name, ‘Philo-Celtic’ literally means ‘lover of the Celtic language’, and since December of 2004, The Philo-Celtic Society has re-focused it’s activities on teaching the Irish language. Our activities went on-line, conducting classes in the Irish Language around the world using emails and through, at first on the Yahoo Groups platform, and later in Groups.io. By Fall of 2020, all our classes are offered as video classes on Zoom, making them accessible to students throughout the world.

The Philo-Celtic Society offers many Online Irish Language Zoom classes, and the in-person classes are available at The Gerry Tobin Irish Language School.

With so many different classes running at once, the school is organized using the Group membership method. There is a separate Group.io webpage for each particular Class. Join the particular Group.io ‘Group’, then ‘sign in’ to that particular webpage, and you are registered to attend that class.

Like a physical classes, the use of a separate Groups.io webpage for administration functions avoids having the teachers directly collect and email reminders to every student. To attend class, students simply point a browser at the Class webpage, and then open the Zoom link posted there. Since the meetings are video recorded, they remain accessible on Groups.io along with class materials, if one misses a class, one can always review them and ‘catch up’.

Here is a document that will guide you, step-by-step, through the registration process on Groups.io: Getting Started Guide (PDF)


Ongoing Irish Language Classes

Starting to Learn Irish – Class for Absolute Beginners
Fridays, February 2nd – April 19th, 5:00 PM Pacific

The ‘Starting to Learn’ class for Absolute Beginners in the Irish language happens on Friday evenings, beginning February 2nd, and runs through to June 21st, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time / 5:00 PM Pacific Time ‘Starting to Learn’ is suitable for Absolute Beginners — This is where you start. https://groups.io/g/philo-startingtolearn.


Sean nós Irish Songs Class
Wednesdays, February 7th – April 24th, 10:00 AM Pacific

This is Bi-lingual class for beginners in the Sean-Nós (Old-Style) of singing Irish songs in the Irish language. These Wednesday classes begin on February 7th at 1:00 PM Eastern time 10:00 AM Pacific Time, and the teachers are Bréanann Ó Catháin assisted by Sandra Ní Chinnéide. Go to https://groups.io/g/philo-Irish-memes for the Zoom link and other updates.


Intermediate Irish Songs Class
Saturdays, February 24th – May 11th, 1:00 PM Pacific

This class will devote an hour towards studying a variety of songs, one at a time, in Irish from our great song tradition, for pronunciation, definitions, and grammar aspects. No singing requirements are needed. The class is best suited for those who have attended the beginner Irish Song Study Group and beginner/intermediate level Irish language classes. However, all are welcome to join in for a fun way to practice pronunciation and vocabulary skills in this song only class. The first class begins Saturday February 24th at 4:00 PM Eastern time 1:00 PM Pacific Time, and the teachers are Donna Charielle and Gwen de Buitléir. Go to https://groups.io/g/philo-songbeginners for the Zoom link and other updates.


There are many more Irish language classes currently available on their Groups.io Messages webpage here: https://groups.io/g/philo-celtic-society/messages. Follow the links and sign into your class(es), and spread the word !!!

The Philo-Celtic Society Main Groups.io webpage: https://groups.io/g/philo-celtic-society
Website: https://www.philo-celtic.com

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Autumn Rhodes Lessons
Online via Zoom from San Francisco, CA

Schedule

• Wednesdays at 8 – 9:30 PM Eastern / 5 – 6:30 PM Pacific (Early for East Coast)
• Thursdays at 8 – 9:30 PM Pacific / 11 – 12:30 AM Eastern (Late for West Coast)

Autumn Rhodes

Autumn Rhodes

Autumn Rhodes was raised in a rural Indiana household full of Irish music. At the age of 12, Autumn got a tin whistle for a birthday present and a year later was performing professionally

Shortly after, Autumn progressed to the flute and concertina and learned from master players such as Laurence Nugent, Kevin Henry, and John Williams. Autumn is equally renowned as a singer in the Sean-nós style of Irish tradition.

Autumn plays wooden flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, and concertina in several bands, including Buncrana, Soltre, Bardic Apostles, Slaggy Maggie, Meitheal, Mira, Na Cailini, and a few others, in styles including traditional Irish, jazz, classical, Breton, folk, and Bulgarian/Romanian music.

Autumn says:
Join us for a weekly drop-in Irish tune learning class for all instruments. The only requirements are for you to have an instrument that can play in D, a little bit of experience playing Irish music, and an internet connection.

I have more than 20 years of experience teaching students of all levels. Join my class for all instruments and learn classic session tunes along with technique, ornamentation, and phrasing. We will be mostly learning by ear, but I’ll provide sheet music and recordings.

On my website, https://sites.google.com/view/irishtuneclass,
I’ll be posting tunes, sheet music, recordings, history, and other resources. It’s a work in progress at the moment, but you can e-mail me with questions: autumn@cei.li (yes, it’s a real email address). Stay tuned (pun 100% intended).

$15-20 suggested donation (but nobody turned away) via PayPal, paypal.me/concertinachick or @Autumn-Rhodes on Venmo, or CashApp $ConcertinaChick, Apple Pay, or other.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/irishtuneclass
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/irishtuneclass
Email Autumn: autumn@cei.li

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The Ould Sod Virtual Irish Traditional Session


First Thursdays
6:00 – 8:00 PM Pacific
(9:00 – 11:00 PM Eastern)

Ould Sod Zoom Session

The Ould Sod Virtual Irish Traditional Session on Zoom

When COVID restrictions began in March, 2020, many weekly gatherings shifted to meeting online via the Zoom platform. With restrictions in California easing a bit, some are reducing or ending their Zoom musical meetings, but Michael Eskin says his, and since he has hosted over a hundred of these accessible performances so far, I believe him!

Michael Eskin says:
With other Zoom sessions either closing down or changing to once-a-month format, and a few in person sessions restarting, I wanted to remind everyone that I’ll continue to host The Ould Sod Virtual Session on Zoom every Thursday evening for as long as there are enough players each time, and we’ve generally been between 20 and 30 players on the past few Thursdays.

Players: Please join us and let other players know about our weekly Zoom event!
Punters: You are welcome to attend and listen, but please also and let others know about our weekly event!

More information at: http://michaeleskin.com/session

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Sean Murphy
Irish History Online
Thursdays, March 7th — March 28th

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy

This next month, Irish historian Sean Murphy is presenting a pair of weekly lectures over four Thursdays beginning February 8th. Each lecture lasts 60 minutes followed by a Q&A session. They run consecutively, beginning at 3:00 PM Pacific Time (6 PM Eastern Time) and 4:30 PM Pacific Time (7:30 PM Eastern Time), respectively. Each series of lectures carries a fee of $90 per 4 week course.


History of Dublin/Baile Áth Cliath 3:00 – 4:30 PM PDT
The first known inhabitants of the Dublin region were hunter-gatherers living during the Middle Stone Age, around 5500 BC.

The first farmers appeared shortly after 4000 BC. Evidence of their culture survives in the burial cairns, passage tombs, portal tombs and wedge tombs in the Dublin Mountains and on the coastal lowlands. Archaeological excavations have uncovered prehistoric copper axe-heads, bronze and gold artifacts, and iron age items. The existence of ringforts or ráthsmay be deduced from the names of several of the modern city’s suburbs: Rathmines, Rathgar, Rathfarnham etc

Introductory Video: https://youtu.be/imgH_YeKIHE
Read the full Details.


The Norman Invasion of Ireland 4:30 – 6:00 PM PDT
This course examines the period from the arrival of the Normans in 1169 to the start of the Tudor Dynasty in 1485. The Normans led by “Strongbow” arrived during the reign of King Henry II, at the invitation of the exiled King of Leinster. He recruited mercenary forces in Wales to come to Ireland to assist him recover his titles and property. Once in Ireland they set about making Ireland their own.

This led to over 400 years of warfare resulting in the forceful confiscation of property, and the loss of life and freedom for many people and their communities.

Introductory Video: https://youtu.be/QJnl5J-f_0I
Read the full Details.


This year I am offering Gift Vouchers for my 2024 Irish History courses. You might like to introduce your spouse, a family member, a colleague or friend to your Irish heritage by giving them a Gift Voucher for a course in Irish History.

The gift vouchers are available in multiples of $50. I am including and attaching some samples. When you purchase a voucher I will customise it for the recipient. I will then send a copy to you by email and you can download it. The voucher can be used for any of my courses in 2024. In 2024 the enrollment fee for my four week courses will be $100.

If you are interested in joining either or both of these lecture series, or ordering a Gift Voucher, please respond directly to Sean by email: seanmurphy630@gmail.com.

More Details on Sean’s website: https://www.irishhistory.online

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Book GIF

Break Through your Ancestry Brick Walls!

A printable e-book
by Cecilia Fábos-Becker

Ancestry & DNA
Family History Research: Beyond the Basics

There are many good basic manuals, both in print and online, that can help you get started researching your ancestors and finding lost cousins, but in over fifty years of research into our own Scots-Irish, Irish, Scottish and Welsh ancestry, I’ve learned what works well and what doesn’t, as well as many useful sources and links.

Now, I have written a book, Ancestry & DNA – Beyond the Basics, to help you, and all Americans find their origins. My book will be especially useful to especially Celtic Americans doing family history research, and it is available for immediate download!

Celia 2016

Author Celia Fábos-Becker

My Book includes:

• Introduction to Family History Documents
• What are REAL Primary Sources?
• America’s Dark Age (1783 to 1850)
• Finding Family Records with online services
• Introduction to Family History DNA
• Using DNA Tests to help Find Family History
• How autosomal, MtDNA, or Y-DNA tests can help
• DNA Testing Company Reviews
• Loads of Examples

Download Ancestry & DNA – Beyond the Basics here:

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The Plough and Stars
Wednesday — Sunday 4 to 12 PM
The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, 116 Clement Street at 2nd Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Tune Session
Sundays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Various hosts and players

Song Session
2nd Wednesdays, 8:00 PM
Christy O’Connell and Vince Keehan

Set Dancing
Thursdays, 8:00-10:30 PM

Dancing Details: Irish Dance Meetup Group

Plough

The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, is known around the world for hosting incredible Irish music and pulling beautiful pints of Guinness since 1975. Since then, it has evolved to host live music every night of the week, except Monday, including all genres of music; Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Zydeco, acoustic Americana, and of course, Irish Traditional.

Over the years The Plough and the Stars in San Francisco has hosted many well-known musicians from Ireland and around the globe, but the COVID pandemic and related public health restrictions put a stop to all that for over a year. The resulting business losses threatened to put The Plough out of business permanently, but a sustained community crowdfunding effort helped keep it going, and now it appears to have emerged intact.

Sean Heaney says:
Music and Dance at the Plough are back. See the boxes for the latest details or check our website or just drop by for a pint!

Check for the latest updates:
The Plough and Stars Website
The Plough and Stars Facebook Page

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The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant
Open 7 days a week
Monday – Thursday 3:00 PM til close
Friday – Sunday 12:00 PM til close
The Chieftain, 198 5th St, San Francisco, CA


Debbie and Mark Nagle

Debbie and Mark Nagle

Chieftain Logo

We Are Open!

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, is a bustling SoMa spot with delicious food offerings to choose from. Large beer selection, wine menu and cocktail list to feast from.

This local Irish Pub brings the culture of Ireland to San Francisco, offering a full bar, Happy Hour specials, and a full Irish restaurant menu, including favorites like Fish And Chips and our signature Spicy Potato Bites which go with any style of sport, music or fun.

Says Publican, Mark Nagle:

We are glad to be back in action and are since re-opening last summer. We plan to go back to ‘normal’ as best as possible, asking only that you wear a mask and practice Social Distancing if you are not vaccinated.

Good health to you all and look forward to seeing you back at The Chieftain soon! — Mark Nagle

The Chieftain hosts live performers every Friday and Saturday, often featuring new musical talents, and Live Irish Music on Sundays from 6:30 PM.

For the latest happenings, check the Chieftain facebook Page, or call 415-615-0916, or email Mark Nagle at mark@thechieftain.com or check www.thechieftain.com.

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Sláinte Pub
Fridays 12 PM – 12 AM
Saturdays: 11 AM – 12 AM
Sundays: 11 AM – 10 PM
Tues, Wed, & Thurs: 3 PM – 10 PM
Pacific Time
Sláinte Pub, 131 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Sundays: Buncrana

Slainte
Buncrana at Sláinte
Susan Spurlock, Tedd Colt, Darcy Noonan, Hector Bragado,
Michael Stack, Patricia Ross, Tim Hill, and Autumn Rhodes.

After opening in April 2017, Sláinte Pub in Oakland featured some of the finest local food, drink, and regional singers and musicians, in live, acoustic performance and quickly become the hot new place for Irish hospitality, culture and music in the East Bay. But unfortunately, post pandemic, Sláinte Pub had to close it’s doors last October.

But now, Sláinte Pub is rising from the ashes! Here is what publican Jackie Gallanagh has to say:

Well folks, we closed our doors on Oct. 31, 2023 but are reopening them on Friday, December 15th, 2023.

Summer was very slow and between decreasing business and increasing costs of supplies and labor, along with the rising crime in the area, we just couldn’t make the numbers work anymore. This means that we, like so many others, made the heartbreaking decision to close on October 31st, 2023.

However, Sláinte Oakland is now rising from the ashes!!

A few of our oldest friends (and former employees), Joe Lee, Ginny Brown, and Eddie Bustos, have joined together to bring the pub back to life!! Sláinte’s doors reopen on Friday December 15th, 2023 at 5 PM and the live, Irish music we’re famous for starts at 6 PM to help us celebrate.

We’ll have a very limited menu and limited hours to start but keep an eye out for expanding menus, specials, and increasing hours of operation over the next few weeks and months.

In the meantime, we’ll see you Friday and Saturday night from 5 PM – 12 AM (Kitchen closed at 10 PM) and Sunday from 5-10 PM (Kitchen closed at 9 PM) starting This Weekend!!

We can’t wait to see you all. We love you. XX

Slainte (Jack London Square, Oakland)

https://www.facebook.com/slainteoak

https://slainteoakland.com

Contact them at (510) 823-2644 @slainteoakland or check the website https://slainteoakland.com.

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Willow on the Green
1327B 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA

Open 7 days a week
Weekdays 11:00-7:00
Weekends 10:00-7:00

Willow on the Green

Willow on the Green

Friend of the Family Alex Sinclair, has now operated his Celtic business Willow on the Green, for a more than a year.

The shop is on the not-so-quiet 9th Avenue, which is directly in front of the main entrance to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.

Alex says:
We cater to the ‘Day in the Park’ crowd, offering all manner of Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish goodies, one might like to have for a Picnic In The Park, including cheese, chutney, clotted cream, cuppa, kippers, and many other delectable wares that don’t begin with a ‘c’. With a bit of prior notice, Celtic musicians and buskers are welcome to our store front on 9th Avenue, just a stones throw from the main entrance to Golden Gate Park.

WotG Grand Opening 1

Perusing Goodies

Willow on the Green is dedicated to British and Californian fine foods, cheeses, meats, provisions, and products. Located in the heart of the Inner Sunset District, San Francisco, just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Golden Gate Park.

Facebook Page: Willow on the Green
Phone: (415) 259-1811
Email: indulge@willowonthegreen.com

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David Brewer Music Lessons
Online via Zoom!

David Brewer Lessons

David Brewer Music Lessons

Celtic music recording artist and multi-instrumentalist David Brewer is Fired up on teaching music over Zoom—Anytime, from Anywhere!

David is offering relaxed and fun, yet informative and in-depth lessons on any or all of these topics:

• Penny-whistle
• Bodhran
• Scottish Bagpipes
• Uilleann pipes
• Tune-writing & composition
• Music theory
• Accent City & phrasing
• Performance techniques
• Guided recording project consulting
• And more!

For more information, to schedule a lesson on Zoom, or to find out more about David’s upcoming tutorial series launching on Patreon later this summer, please email: davidbrewerbooking@gmail.com

David Brewer is a member of the Scottish folk band, The Fire, and has performed around the world with Molly’s Revenge, The Chieftains, and The Old Blind Dogs.

For more about David Brewer, visit: www.davidbrewermusic.com

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The Starry Plough
3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA
Sunday-Wednesday 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Events
Sunday: Irish music sessions
5:30-7:00 PM Moderate-Pace
7:30-10:30 PM The Starry Session
Monday: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Irish Ceili Dancing
Tuesday: 7:30 PM Open Mic Night
Wednesday: 8:00 PM The Berkeley Poetry Slam

Closed Thursday through Saturday

Manager Shahin Naima reopened The fabled Starry Plough on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022. Hours will be Sunday through Wednesday as Naima works on hiring staff.

All of the Plough’s treasured events are returning, from Irish dancing to open mic nights (except Funk Night, for now).

We Are Back! A big thank you to everybody who has supported us throughout the pandemic, we are not certain we would still be here without you. As of April 3rd, 2022, we are open 4 days a week Sunday-Wednesday 4pm-2am. We are so happy to be back and look forward to serving you all for many years to come. To keep our community space thriving we have partnered with our fiscal sponsorship, Haven of Hope, to begin accepting donations from our loyal patrons and members of The Starry Plough community. This provides the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the expenses that go into making our famous community events so special. Please consider donating through thehavenofhope.org/donate to keep the Starry Plough in our amazing community for the future generations of Berkeley.’ — Starry Plough manager Shahin Naima

The pub was open for Saint Patrick’s day with a ‘scratch band’ of staff to serve the traditional corned beef and cabbage, and songs, tunes and dancing filled this treasured Arts institution one again, as explained in this Detailed Article by Madeline Wells of SFGATE.

Website: www.thestarryplough.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StarryPlough

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Darcy Noonan

Darcy Noonan

Darcy Noonan

Available for Performances or Lessons

darcynoonanviolin@gmail.com

Darcy Noonan is an accomplished violinist based in the Bay Area. Following her heart, she has studied and performed a variety of musical genres including classical, ragtime, mariachi, Greek, and (closest to her heart) Irish traditional music. In fact practically the second after graduating from High School she was off to Ireland to study with her idols for a few years.

Darcy has played with numberous bands and orchestras, including Jammy Dodgers, Violins of Hope, Noonan, Howard, and Straw, The Get Happy String Band, Disciples of Markos, Tipsy House and Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano.

Darcy is now back in the Bay Area, and Darcy is accepting students as an expert fiddler and Suzuki certified teacher with years of experience performing and teaching.

If you are interested in booking Darcy for a gig or for violin lessons, send her an email at darcynoonanviolin@gmail.com or visit her website at darcynoonanviolin.com

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AmeriCeltic Products

AmeriCeltic Logo Items

→ AmeriCeltic Logo Gifts! ←

Shirt, Hat, Mug, Apron or Patch

5 FULLY EMBROIDERED – MADE IN USA

Celebrate your rich AmeriCeltic history and heritage in style and class and support AmeriCeltic by sporting a shirt, hat, mug, apron or patch, all except the mug, embroidered in full color with the AmeriCeltic logo! And don’t forget to give one to yourself!

Click Here for the full line-up of AmeriCeltic Logo items.

The AmeriCeltic logo, styled like a coat of arms, commemorates your MIXED, Scots, Irish, Welsh Celtic American heritage! Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the thirteen colonies of mostly Scots, Scots-Irish, Irish and Welsh who joined with many others from many other countries, and together fought tyranny to assert our Independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Click for more information about the AmeriCeltic Logo design

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The Celtic Tea Shoppe
Home of Artisan Candies
4432 Pearl Avenue, Ste. 2, San Jose CA


AC logo 2017

The Celtic Tea Shoppe offers a great selection of Celtic and Celtic inspired foods, including:
• Meat Pies
• Sausage Rolls
• Liquor Cakes
• Irish Soda Bread
• Salted Caramels
• Gift Boxes
• Premium Loose-leaf Teas

Everything is handmade at our shoppe in San José, CA and curbside pickup service and shipping are available.

To check The Celtic Tea Shoppe Facebook Page, Click Here!

Call us directly at 408-267-7090 or check our website www.celticteashoppe.com for all our other baked goods and confections. To order, contact Kristen Scott with a call to 408-267-7090, or an email to sales@artisancandies


Scottish / Irish dance scholarships

Dean Scott

Brigadoon

Important Announcement: Going forward in 2023, we are looking to give scholarships to young dancers in local Scottish and Irish dance schools, and would love to have your help. Dance is very near and dear to Dean and Kristen’s hearts, and they want to help those dancers who show much promise and talent, but who have less resources and thus barriers to success compared to others who do.

If you are interested in participating, please let us know and how much you would like to give toward this scholarship. We are currently looking at a candidate for whom we’d like to raise $1000 – to help them with their dance studies, whether it be shoes, costumes, lessons, travel funds, etc. If you are interested in contributing, please let us know ASAP. We must stress that this is not a charity organization we are contributing to, but it is a fundraiser to help local dancers in need. Cheers!

(photo is of Dean Scott in a Los Angeles professional company of Brigadoon, 1984)

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Lark In The Morning
Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 6 PM
Lark In The Morning, 1001 Camelia Street, Berkeley, CA

Lark Berkeley

OPEN for your WALK-IN AND ONLINE BUSINESS!

Lark in the Morning has been a folk musician’s favorite since 1974 and has an amazing selection of musical instruments and instructional material from around the world.

Eric says:
“Our Berkeley location, 1001 Camelia Street, Berkeley, CA, is open for online lessons and instrument sales Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 – 6:00 PM!”

Thorn Land and Eric Azumi

Call us at 707-964-5569
Shop online at https://larkinthemorning.com
Check out our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/LarkInAM.

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DukeofEdinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant
Across from Apple Park

The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant

Open 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM every day of the year

10801 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA

Many of you have heard the rumors about the The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant.

When this pandemic is over, ‘The Duke’! will be moving to new quarters just across the parking lot from our current location!
For details, Watch the official Video!

The Duke is, and will remain, THE only Authentic, (and we do mean AUTHENTIC!), British Pub in the Bay Area, located across the street from Apple Headquarters on Wolfe Road in Cupertino.

The atmosphere at the ‘The Duke‘, is the same as you would find in any pub in the British Isles, full of friendly patrons who come in to socialize, play darts, have a pint or two, and eat a meal. If you are looking for a comfortable elegance, pints of beer and authentic food, in an authentic English Pub, there is no a better choice in the Bay Area. The Duke offers a large number of beers on draft and by the bottle. Almost anything English, Scottish or Irish is available. Murphy’s Irish Stout brewed in Cork, Ireland and Scotch Eggs is always a good choice.

The servers are excellent and very knowledgeable about the beer and food menu. The menu is expansive and worth exploring. The dark pubsy feel with old regulars in their respective, but not crowded corners around lunch hour in Cupertino, is a great boon.

You can’t find more ‘authentic’ atmosphere, because the entire building was built in jolly old England, then disassembled, shipped and reassembled on site in Cupertino. With the red velvet seating and wall paper and ornate, dim lighting, you are transported to London as soon as you enter the etched glass door.

More info. on The Duke Facebook Page, website www.theduke.com or call 408-446-3853.

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