MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL

Volume 14, Issue 6 EVENTS NEWSLETTER June 2017

Celebrate Joyce’s Legacy on Varick Street on “Bloomsday”

The city of Utica will be transformed into for one day on Saturday, June 17, as the Utica NY Area Irish Coalition will present its first “Bloomsday” Celebration with a pub crawl visiting seven stops along Varick Street in the city’s brewery district.

In James Joyce’s monumental classic “Ulysses,” (often cited as the greatest English-language novel of all time) June 16 is the date that the book’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom, undertakes his one day sojourn through the streets of Dublin. Since the first two-man Bloomsday celebration in 1954, that date (or as near as practicable) continues to be celebrated in countries as far-ranging as Hungary, Italy, Australia and the Czech Republic, with a range of cultural activities including readings and dramatizations of scenes from the novel (as well as the responsible partaking of adult beverages).

The UNYAIC event will start at noon with a brief gathering at Utica Brews, located at 809 Court St., Utica, and will proceed, in order, to the Saranac Brewery, Nail Creek Pub, the new Irish Cultural Building site, O’Donnell’s, The Sanctuary, and will finish at 5 PM at the Celtic Harp.

Each stop will feature short readings from the book and live Irish music, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Participants will receive a special commemorative T-shirt and will also get a passport stamped at each stop to be eligible for prize drawings at the end of the crawl.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the UNYAIC website at UNYAIC.weebly.com and at Eventbrite. Due to space, only 40 tickets will be sold.

The Utica NY Area Irish Coalition consists of six Irish cultural groups in Central New York who have joined forces to host events in celebration of Irish culture, history, music and dance.

Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour

The international Irish dance phenomenon, Riverdance, will be giving five performances over three big days at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, direct from a sold-out run of their 20th Anniversary Tour across Europe and Asia. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.

On June16th you can catch Riverdance at 8 PM, and there are two performances on the 17th (2 PM and 8 PM) and two more on the 18th (1:30 PM and 6:30 PM). Tickets for the shows, which range from $20 - $75, are available at the Box Office ((518) 346-6204) or by going on-line. Proctors Theatre is located at 432 state Street in Schenectady NY.

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Celtic Woman Brings “” to Central New York

If you’ve ever caught any of the specials on PBS and wished you could see them live, you wish has come true…in spades. Multi-platinum international music sensation Celtic Woman presents “Voices of Angels,” a captivating new show for 2017, at two venues this month. The OnCenter (800 South State Street, Syracuse) will host the troupe for a 7 PM show on June 21st, and then they travel to the Clemens Center in Elmira on the 23rd for a special 7:30 PM show.

“Voices of Angels” showcases the angelic voices of Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and introduces the breathtaking new Celtic violinist Tara McNeill, accompanied by a group of equally talented musicians and dancers whose exceptional skill and high energy bring a fresh fusion to centuries of musical and cultural tradition. Featuring many songs from the forthcoming Voices of Angels , this inspiring live concert experience features all new stage designs, stunning wardrobes, superb choreography and magnificent arrangements of timeless Irish traditional and contemporary standards in the group’s award-winning signature style. A true celebration of an incredible journey that has captivated millions, don’t miss Celtic Woman live in concert!

“Voices of Angels” at the OnCenter range from $34 to $69, and are available on-line. Tickets for the Clemens Center performance range from $35-$105, and are available by calling (607) 734-8191 or (800) 724-0159, or by clicking here. The Clemens Center is located in downtown Elmira at the corner of Clemens Center Parkway and East Gray Street. The street address is 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, New York.

“The Irish and the Erie”

As many of our proud locals know, July 4, 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the digging of the Erie Canal, right here in Rome, NY. To commemorate the bicentennial – and to highlight the major role that members of the Irish community had in ensuring its success (a prospect which was questioned by no less than Thomas Jefferson!) – Craobh Dugan’s Mike Hoke has put together an hour-long program called “The Irish and the Erie – The Irish Contribution to the Building of the Erie Canal.”

On June 8th at 7 PM, members of Craobh Dugan will be doing the world premiere of “The Irish and the Erie” long program at the Westernville Town Hall, located at 9219 Main Street in Westernville. (The hall itself has a bit of history, as it was built as the Empire Hotel in 1840 in the town of Delta and serviced the canal trade from the Black River Canal. It was taken down piece by piece when the village of Delta was going to be flooded due to the construction of Delta Dam, and rebuilt on the current site in the early 1900’s).

The show -- written, compiled and arranged by Mike – pairs historical narratives with appropriate songs and dance tunes (including some Craobh Dugan original material) to connote what life was like for the Irish canal worker, the recruiting process, the work day itself and the social interaction. The program, in long- or short-form, is available to other venues as well. Interested organizations can contact Bill Fahy at [email protected], or visit the Craobh Dugan web site, at www.uticairish.org.

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Historic Unity Hall to Present An Evening of and Stories

Unity Hall of Barneveld is thrilled to present nationally-recognized master fiddler Jamie Laval in an acoustic concert of Celtic music and storytelling on Wednesday, June 28 at 7:30 pm. In addition to his fiddle wizardry and irresistible groove-making, Laval will also recount ancient mythic Celtic legends. The performance will take place at the historic Unity Hall performance space, 101 Vanderkamp Ave, Barneveld, NY, 13304.

As a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, Jamie Laval creates rapt audiences with his passionate, virtuosic performances, uncanny imitation of Highland bagpipes, and engaging stories. Dubbed “One of the hottest fiddlers out there,” (Asheville Citizen-Times), Laval has appeared on the NBC Today Show, performed on Dave Matthews’ platinum album Some Devil, and gave a private performance for Her Majesty the Queen. Laval’s album, Murmurs and Drones, won the popular vote for “Best World Traditional Album” in the 2012 Independent Music Awards.

“I am excited to make my Central New York debut at Unity Hall,” says Laval. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to play in this unique and intimate venue. I love sharing the magic of ancient Celtic music in such an historic atmosphere.”

Celtic music is known for its toe-tapping rhythms, bouncy jigs, and galloping reels. Jamie promises an evening of both the warmly familiar and the bracingly surprising in this program themed towards Celtic music from Brittany, the Gaelic-speaking region of France.

Like their northern relatives, the Bretons favor bagpipes and high-energy village dances. Yet the minor keys and hypnotic syncopation give the music of Brittany a strikingly exotic quality. Tarentellas, Laridées, Gavottes, and Ronds are just some of the surprises in store.

Currently making his home near Asheville, NC, Laval grew up in the Pacific Northwest where he received his musical training at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Laval initially made his living as a professional symphony musician, recording studio artist, improvising violinist, and contra dance fiddler. But his passion for the haunting sounds of rural Scottish folk music eventually usurped all other preoccupations, and he now devotes himself exclusively to Celtic music.

In 2002 Laval won the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship which helped launch his touring career which includes over 100 engagements per year throughout the U.S. and Scotland. Keenly devoted to the role of the arts in our lives, Jamie has presented a TEDx Talk titled “How a Fiddle Tune Can Change the World.” Visit his website at www.JamieLaval.com and see his highlights video at https://vimeo.com/204972822.

Tickets for this special concert are $20 for the General Public/$16 for Unity Hall Foundation members. Doors open at 7 PM and the show begins at 7:30. Tickets are available at http://www.unityhall.com/tickets.html and locally at the Adirondack Cheese Company, 8190 NY-12, Barneveld, NY.

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain the 1896 Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York. The Hall is available for public and private functions. Information about membership and other Unity Hall events is available online at www.unityhall.com and Facebook/HistoricUnityHall, or by phone at (315) 896-6592.

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Great American Irish Festival Brings Back Photo Contest

Do you have a photograph of an Irish or Irish-American location, activity or event? Now is the time to start thinking of entering this year’s photo contest. While pictures must show an Irish or Irish-American event, activity or location, GAIF Photo Contest Chair Colleen Martin suggests that entrants may want to look a little closer to home for their subject matter. “We really want to encourage photographers to think American-Irish, especially shots of things that are Mohawk Valley centered - seisuns, ceilis, old buildings and graveyards, for example,” said Martin. “After all, not everyone can make it to Ireland, so we have to look for the Ireland around us.”

The contest winners will be selected by popular vote throughout the weekend. Festival-goers are encouraged to visit the Cultural Building, enjoy the display, and vote for their favorite shot. The winners will be announced in the Cultural Building at 3 PM on Sunday, July 30th, with $100 going to the first place winner, $50 to second place, and $25 to third.

Photographs may be submitted to the Great American Irish Festival, Photography Contest, c/o Irish Cultural Center of Utica, 623 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502, no later than July 20th, 2017. Each photo - photographers may submit up to three - must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches but no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches, must include a person or people as the subject or a component of the photograph, and must be mounted or matted; no frames or glass. Remember, all submitted photographs will become the property of the Great American Irish Festival, so be sure to retain your original. Click here for the rules and entry forms.

Join the Volunteer Army!

Great American Irish Festival Volunteer Chairperson Mike Rinaldi ([email protected]) reminds us that the revamped Volunteer form is now open, and he invites you to sign up via the web page. Several venues could use your help, and of course, volunteering 8 hours of your time over the course of the weekend makes you eligible to get some great perks, including free admission all weekend, a festival volunteer t-shirt, and an invitation to the post-festival volunteer party. But don’t tarry… it’s closer than you think!

From the Irish Kitchen (recipes suitable for clipping)

This month’s recipe – “Summer Fruit Compote with Celtic Sabayon” - By Margaret Johnson

INGREDIENTS:

Celtic Sabayon Compote 4 egg yolks 1 cup raspberries 1/4 cup superfine sugar 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced 3 tablespoons Celtic Crossing 1 cup blackberries liqueur 1 cup blueberries 3/4 cup dry white wine Confectioners’ sugar for dusting 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Mint springs for garnish

METHOD

To make the sabayon: In a double boiler, combine all the ingredients. Place over simmering, not boiling, water and whisk for 8 to 10 minutes, or until thick, pale, and creamy (the sabayon; not you).

To make the compote: Preheat the broiler. Divide the fruit among six 8-ounce broiler-safe bowls. Spoon the sabayon over the top and brown lightly under the broiler 4 inches from the heat source for about 2 minutes, or use a kitchen blowtorch and move the flame constantly over the surface until the top is lightly browned. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and garnish with sprigs of mint. Serves 6.

If you try this recipe, feel free to share your experience with all of us; and of course, if you have a recipe you’d like to share, please contact Beth Loftis at [email protected].

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“Murder in an Irish Village” -- Book Review by Mark Sisti

I tend to be suspicious of books that feel the need to have the word “Irish” in their titles. Something about it strikes me as artificial, as trying too hard to establish an Irish connection, and it makes me more likely to avoid them. I’m also not usually a fan of what’s called “cozy” mysteries. However, I recently made an exception with Carlene O’Connor’s debut novel, “Murder in an Irish Village,” and I’m glad I did.

Siobhan O’Sullivan once had an idyllic, if slightly uneventful, life. Raised in the picturesque Irish village of Kilbane, she is the second-oldest of six children (known affectionately around town as the O’Sullivan Six). Her family owns and operates Naomi’s Bistro, the spot where all the villagers gather for their “brekkies.” Bright and inquisitive, Siobhan is preparing to leave Kilbane to study in Dublin.

All that changes when her parents are killed by a drunk driver. Now Siobhan has to stay and run the bistro and take care of her younger siblings and her older brother James, a recovering alcoholic.

A few months after her parents are killed, Siobhan is cornered by Niall, the brother of the man who caused the accident. Insisting that he has evidence that his brother is innocent, he tries to sell her the proof for ten thousand euros. Infuriated by the attempt, she angrily rebuffs him, but he is not done causing trouble for the O’Sullivan clan. Against her better judgment, Siobhan tells James and her other siblings about the conversation. James, who had been ten months sober, falls off the wagon with a thud, becoming blackout drunk and getting into a fight with Niall at the local pub.

Siobhan and her siblings awake in the morning to find Niall sitting at a bistro table. However, he is no longer trying to extort money; in fact, he is quite dead, with a pair of scissors stuck in his chest.

Suspicion is immediately cast on James, who hadn’t returned home that night and later turned up bloodied and beaten, with no memory of what had happened. Knowing the only way to clear her brother – and her family’s name – is to solve the mystery herself, she sets out to find the real killer, over the admonitions of garda Macdara Flannery (whose interest in Siobhan is obvious to everyone but her.)

As is always the case in small towns, everyone seems to know everyone else’s business, but it turns out that almost all the villagers have their secrets, and as Siobhan uncovers them, the list of suspects grows, until it includes everyone in the village. Apparently, Siobhan isn’t the only one Niall had approached with his proposition, and Siobhan suspects that he may have pushed the wrong person’s buttons. This leads her to suspect – and often confront – people she has known for years and who were her parents’ closest friends. Another murder makes the jailed James less of a suspect, but brings Siobhan no closer to the solution.

If it’s possible for murder to be considered “light fare,” this one qualifies. Think more “Murder She Wrote” and less “American Horror Story.” Or, to keep it literary, more Miss Marple and less Jack Taylor. However you define it, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Siobhan O’Sullivan is a likeable protagonist, brave, intelligent and determined. Her siblings are just distinct enough from each other to make them interesting, and they add a comic element to the proceedings. They have no filters between their brains and their mouths, which makes Siobhan cringe at times.

The mystery is well-plotted and laid-out, with a conclusion that’s satisfying, if a bit abrupt. The most pleasant surprise for me was how well this was written; nothing about it suggests a first-time novelist. There are no forced transitions, no awkward dialogue and no clumsy expositions. But most of all, it’s funny. Not laugh-out-loud side-splitting hilarious, but rather subtly and quietly amusing. (At one point Siobhan explains her investigation to a suspect by saying, “you would do the same thing if a dead body turned up in your home” – before she remembers she’s talking to the village undertaker.) The quaint village may be a bit of an American’s “The Quiet Man” vision of what an Irish village is like, but it still comes off as charming and believable and not a caricature, and the villagers are a humorous and diverse (if somewhat stereotypical) supporting cast.

There’s nothing that says that sweet and light can’t also be intelligent. This may not be great literature, but it is a near- perfect quick summer read. If you’re a fan of this style of mystery, Carlene O’Connor is definitely a name to keep in mind. It also is the first in a series. (Apparently Siobhan is going to attract corpses the same way Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher character did; why did people keep hanging out with that woman anyway?)

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RANDOM RAMBLINGS

“Nuacht as Craobh Dugan” ---news from the Dugan Branch Chris Hoke writes: “On June 18th the group will be featured at the Fiddlers Hall of Fame Sunday Concert Series at 2:00 PM in Osceola. The concert is free, and will be from 2-5 PM. The group will perform traditional fiddle tunes in a session format for this show, and may have a song or two. The Fiddlers Hall is a nice outdoor venue, covered in case of rain. It is located on 1121 Comins Road, Redfield NY. …This month’s performances include: Jun 2 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM; Jun 6 - Open Session, Nail Creek Pub, 7:30 PM; Jun 8 - The Irish and The Erie Performance, Western Town Hall, 7 PM; Jun 9 - Ceili Dance, Class Seton Center, 7 PM; Jun 13 - Open Session, Stockdale’s, 7:30 PM; Jun 16 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM; Jun 17 - UNYAIC Bloomsday Pub Crawl, Noon - 5 PM; Jun 18 - Performance at Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame, Osceola 2 – 5 PM; Jun 23 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM; Jun 28 – Performance, MWPAI, Noon - 2 PM; Jun 30 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM.”

Irish Ceili Dancing Basics Want to learn the fun and easy steps to traditional Irish Ceili dancing, and impress your friends at the Great American Irish Festival? Well now you can, as Instructor Tom Malley will have you up and dancing in three short classes! Partners aren’t required. Classes run on Wednesdays from June 14-28, 7-8 PM in the MVCC Gym. The cost? A mere $29. For more info, check out Mvcc.edu/cced or call (315) 792-5300. Or you can skip all that and register here.

Celtic Club Calendar Finally, here’s the Irish Musical and Cultural calendar for June:

Jun 1 Gaelic Storm Daryl’s House Pauling, NY 8 PM $30-$45 Jun 4 Flying Column Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Jun 4 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Jun 6 Nail Creek Sessions Nail Creek Pub Utica 7:30 PM Free Jun 7 New McKrells The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 7 PM $10 Jun 8 “The Irish and the Erie” Western Town Hall Westernville 7 PM Free Jun 9 Blarney Rebel Band Piggy Pat’s Washington Mills 6-9 PM Free Jun 10 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free Fri - 8; Sat – 2 & 8; Jun 16-18 Riverdance Proctor’s Theater Schenectady $20-$75 Sun – 1:30 & 6:30 Jun 17 “Bloomsday Pub Crawl” Varick Street Utica Noon-5 PM $10 Jun 18 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Jun 18 Traditional Irish Session Irish Amer Ass’n Albany 2:30-6 PM Free Jun 18 Donal O’Shaughnessy Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Jun 20 Traditional Irish Session Stockdale’s Oriskany 7:30 PM Free Jun 21 Celtic Women “Voices of Angels” OnCenter Syracuse 7 PM $34-$69 Jun 23 Celtic Women “Voices of Angels” Clemens Center Elmira 7:30 PM $35-$105 Jun 24 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free Jun 25 Blarney Rebel Band Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Jun 28 Jamie Laval Unity Hall Barneveld 7:30 PM $20; $16 members Jun 29 New McKrells The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 7 PM $10 Kevin McKrell & Mike Jun 30 The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 8 PM Free DeAngelis (front room)

If you have anything you want to share with us, feel free to send it to us ([email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]), and we’ll be happy to include it. As always, while we try not to make mistakes and use actual existing words, sometimes we type covfefe. Sad. It always makes sense to call ahead to confirm some of these further-out trips. And don’t forget Father’s Day on June 18th. Next to your mother, your father is one of your most important parents…

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