MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL

Volume 14, Issue 4 EVENTS NEWSLETTER Apr 2017

Rain Fails to Dampen Utica’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.” – G. K. Chesterton

Cold snap, snow, rain? To some, it means hunkering down and waiting for fairer weather. To Central New Yorkers, that’s called “March,” and they know that a little inclement weather can’t dampen the indomitable spirit of the Irish and Irish-at-heart community.

Capping a two-week period that had already brought both the bitter cold that caused the postponement of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and, mere days later, a historic blizzard, Utica’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off on March 25th, with dancers and vehicles of all sizes braving Photo by Alex Cooper, Utica O-D the rainy conditions.

The parade, led by Grand Marshal Vaughn Lang, featured over 120 units, all marching to the delight of kids of all ages.

The spirit of giving also reigned, as 558 food items and $743.15 in cash were donated as part of the parade’s annual food drive to support Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen (the “$3.15” coming from Bernie Adorino’s 8 year old son, Nick, who collected bottles and cans for the drive!).

As always, the job of selecting the winning units was difficult, but the parade judges announced the following winners:

Bag Pipes Floats 1: Mohawk Valley Frasers 1: Stevens-Swan Humane Society 2: Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band 2: Cornhill Neighborhood Assoc. 3: Scotia Glenville Pipe Band 3: Fairles Wish

Marching Units Vehicles 1: Johnston School of Irish Dance 1: New York State Police 2: Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance 2: Cars fleeing NYS Police (April Fool!) 3: Dogs of Ireland

Fire Departments Other 1: Maynard Fire Department 1: Utica Safe Schools Build a Bike 2: Whitesboro Fire Department 2: Wilcor International 3: New Hartford Fire Department 3: Sullivan Contracting Inc.

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Utica St. Patrick’s Day Raffle Winners Announced

The luck of the Irish came through for seven happy ticket-holders.

On March 26th, as a roomful of hopefuls at the Celtic Harp held their collective breath, Utica St. Patrick’s Day officials drew the names of seven lucky prize winners in the 2017 St. Patrick’s Parade Raffle.

The popular raffle is conducted by the Great America Irish Festival each year to defray the costs of putting on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Taking home the prizes this year were:

1st Prize (party for 20 in the 1888 Tavern, FX Matt Brewing Company) – Sandra Robinson 2nd Prize (private catered dinner for 4 by O’Connor’s “A Moveable Feast”) – Gordon Tibbitts 3rd Prize ($100 Certificate for The Tailor & The Cook Restaurant) – Scarlett Pepe 4th Prize ($100 certificate to the Celtic Harp) – Brett Roberts 5th Prize (two tickets ($76 value) to “Irish Night at the Stanley”) – Dennis Breheny 6th Prize ($50 certificate to Gerber’s 1933 Tavern) – Bill Chromczak 7th Prize (four weekend passes to the 2017 Great American Irish Festival) – Vincent Scalise

Congratulations to all, especially our new very very very best friend, Sandra Robinson!

News from the Utica NY Area Irish Coalition – Sue Romero

In January 2016, representatives of six Irish cultural organizations in the Utica, NY, area met at Nail Creek Pub to discuss plans for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. Each group had been active for many years in the area, but this was the first time they had all joined forces to one purpose. Marking the centenary of Ireland's independence from England seemed a fitting time to do that. The events - a documentary screening and a lovely dinner with music, poetry and speeches - helped us all feel connected to the commemorations happening in Dublin and all over the world.

These events went so well (and meeting in local pubs to cook up plans for fun Irish cultural events was so much fun) that we just kept going.

In September 2016, we were able to bring another fine event to the area when Dublin-based storyteller and singer Helena Byrne performed at the Kirkland Arts Center.

Next, we’re working on a Bloomsday Pub Crawl. This event is done every year in Dublin and many other places around the world including Syracuse, but hasn't happened in Utica yet. Irish author James Joyce chronicles one day in the life of his fictional character Leopold Bloom in his novel Ulysses. The day is June 16, 1904, which has come to be known as Bloomsday. Our pub crawl will include historical and literary elements as well as readings from the book, and of course there will be refreshments at each pub.

Later in the year when the new Irish Cultural Center building is complete, we plan to host a day of workshops. Many of our own members have skills in Irish arts like fiddle playing, dance, and language, so they'll be on hand to teach some of the classes. We also hope to invite well-known teachers from other places like Boston and New York.

These plans are still on the drawing board and wide open for suggestions. So, if you’ve been to something like Bloomsday or Irish arts workshops and came away with great memories, we’d love to hear about it and incorporate as many good ideas as we can. And we’ve made it really easy for you to chime in by creating an online suggestion box. Just go to our website. You’ll find a survey form on the home page. And make sure to like our Facebook page for all the event details as we announce them.

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Martin McGuinness, IRA Leader Turned Peacemaker, Dies at 66

Martin McGuinness, a former Irish Republican Army commander and Sinn Fein political leader who helped negotiate peace in Northern Ireland after decades of sectarian violence and later became a senior official in its power-sharing government, died after a brief illness March 21st, 2017. He was 66.

A polarizing figure for his involvement in IRA activities beginning in the 1960s and early 70s, including 1972’s Bloody Sunday, McGuinness had grown to be a savvy and persuasive negotiator and peacemaker. He and Sinn Fein’s President Gerry Adams changed the history of the islands of Ireland and Britain by persuading the IRA to take the political path despite grave warnings that peace could not be achieved, and that men like Michael Collins had died trying to achieve the same.

McGuinness was one of the main architects of the Good Friday Agreement which formally cemented the Northern Ireland peace process, and later, took part in two of the most iconic moments in recent Irish history during his time as a leader of Sinn Fein. In the first, in 2007, he embraced long-time hard line unionist rival the Reverend Ian Paisley and forged a consensus on how to govern Northern Ireland through power- sharing. Then, in 2012, he met with Queen Elizabeth during a trip she Photo of Martin McGuinness’ funeral taken by made to Belfast in his capacity as the North’s deputy first minister. Once MVICE reader, Roberta Van Tassell O’Shaughnessy fierce rivals, they came to realize that the only hope for the future was a joint working relationship that produced positive results.

Martin McGuinness’s work is done, but his memory and achievements will last forever and always be synonymous with peace in Ireland. May he rest in peace. (passages lifted – albeit with reverence – from various media sources).

“An Irish Night at The Stanley” Delivers Nonstop Entertainment

The Stanley Theatre was awash in the Irish spirit last Friday as three musical acts gave their all to a packed house; all part of the (now annual) event known as “Irish Night at the Stanley.”

Taking the stage first was local favorites The Blarney Rebel Band, who ably kicked off the show with a crisp selection of crowd favorites and original music, including the first-ever live performance of their “Pile High the Pennywall,” backed by a choir of 20 talented students from Proctor and Sauquoit high schools.

Amping it up a notch was Philadelphia’s BarleyJuice, who presented a high-energy set that included their biggest hit, “Beware the Weekend Irish,” well-chosen mashups of Irish/conventional songs, and they closed with the fiery ending of the Who’s “Baba O’Reilly.”

And as always, bringing the house down was Kansas City’s The Elders, with a fast-paced set of Elders classics and new material. Especially memorable were “Luck of the Irish,” “The Story of a Fish (with the now-famous “Capitol Theater Fish-Sticks”), “Appalachian Paddy” and of course the moving “Men of Erin.” The mood of the room was not lost on frontman Ian Byrne, who endeared himself to the appreciative crowd with “We love coming to Utica. It’s like coming home.”

Joining each band throughout the night were dancers from The Johnston School of Irish Dance and The Butler- Sheehan Academy of Traditional Irish Dance, and the evening closed (at least at the theater!) with the very popular meet-and-greet/photo session in the lobby. Thanks go to Debbie Kessler of Kessler Promotions, the CNY Labor Council, and to Stanley director Jerry Kraus for making it all possible. Here’s looking to next year!

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“How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story” – Review by Tom Malley

Many people in the area are familiar with the term Project Children, especially those in the Irish culture. There is now a way to get a deeper understanding of this program. A documentary named “How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story” was recently released and shown at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. Narrated by Liam Neeson, it tells the story of how a few families in Greenwood Lake, NY decided that they would try to get some children, both Catholic and Protestant, out of “The Troubles” occurring in Northern Ireland at the time, by bringing them to the United States for the summer.

The documentary is appropriately named, as the force behind Project Children is Irish native Denis Mulcahy, who was at the time a member of the New York City Police Department’s Bomb Squad. There are interviews with some of the first six youngsters to come over to the States; both while they were here and again recently. There are also interviews of some of the host families. The documentary presents clips of some of the bombings in the North that were never shown in the States.

Project Children first brought children to New York State, including the Utica area; then as the program grew, expanded to other states. At present, over 23,000 children have had the opportunity to escape for a summer, and in doing so, discovered that “others” (i.e., kids who attended different churches) weren’t evil. Some say this program and others like it (e.g., Irish Political Prisoners Children’s Holiday) helped end “the troubles.”

The documentary is worth seeing and plans are underway to have a showing in the Utica area. Watch this newsletter for details.

Caffè Lena Presents 10 Strings and a Goatskin

Caffè Lena, recognized as the oldest continuously operating coffeehouse in the United States, is hosting the acoustic power trio Ten Strings and a Goatskin, on April 6, 2017.

Hailing from Canada’s Prince Edward Island, Ten Strings and a Goat Skin brings vigor, curiosity, and sparks of humor to the famous traditional music of their homeland. Weaving old-school Franco-Canadian, Breton, Irish, and Scottish tunes with wickedly current grooves and clever quirks, they are celebrating the release of their second studio album, Auprès Du Poêle. With fiddle, guitar and bodhran, Jesse Periard, Rowen Gallant and Caleb Gallan have made a big splash with fans and critics, leading them to be described as “A seamless, polished, barrel-drum- tight, rhythmically innovative and wildly entertaining traditional music powerhouse.”

The Kevin and Claudia Bright New Music Series features exciting emerging artists who are shaping the future of American roots music. This series is named in honor of Kevin and Claudia Bright, lead donors to the Campaign for Caffe Lena. The concert, which is presented under the auspices of the Bright New Music Series, starts at 7 PM. Tickets range from $9-$18, and can be purchased here.

Sesquicentennial Issue of “Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events”!

In November, 2004, Mark and Al Sisti and their cousin Beth Loftis sent out the first issue of “Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events” to a couple dozen email addresses, announcing a handful of upcoming Irish musical and cultural events to the Utica area. Now this jam-packed issue, our 150th, will be going to over 900 recipients and is made available on multiple web/Facebook pages. And the prestigious event hasn’t gone overlooked by the throngs of faithful readers, as evidenced by these quotes I just made up: “Simply amazing! How do we guys do it month in and month out?” -- Al Sisti. “How can you complain at the end of every month? I read and write a book review every month, for God's sake! Cry me a river!” - Mark Sisti. “Wait... it’s a new month already?” - Beth Loftis. All riotous humor aside, happy 150th anniversary issue to us and our wonderful colleagues, Sue Romero, Tom Malley, Chris Hoke and Skip Mansur!

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From the Irish Kitchen (recipes suitable for clipping)

This month’s recipe – “Hot Cross Buns” -- Hot Cross Buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday in Ireland. The cross on the top symbolizes the cross Jesus was crucified on. There are superstitions in Ireland related to Hot Cross buns and Good Friday, for example: Hot Cross Buns made on Good Friday have magical powers; they will not go moldy, and if you keep a Hot Cross Bun from one year to the next, your house will be protected from fire.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup scalded milk 1 ½ cup currants {or raisins} 1 cup butter 1 tsp. cinnamon or nutmeg 1 cup sugar 2 cakes yeast, dissolved in 1/3 cup lukewarm water White Frosting: 2 eggs 1 egg 8 cup flour 1 tsp. lemon juice, vanilla or almond extract 1 tsp. salt Confectioners’ sugar

METHOD

Pour scalded milk over butter and sugar, stirring to dissolve. Cool to lukewarm. Add the yeast mixture and eggs. Mix well. Gradually add the flour and salt, reserving a small amount of flour to dust raisins. Add spice and floured raisins to the dough and knead in thoroughly. Place in buttered bowl, cover and let rise until doubled. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a floured board. Shape dough into 30 buns and place on buttered cookie sheets. Cover and let rise 30 minutes, then very carefully press the shape of a cross into each bun, using a spatula or the back of a knife. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until buns are browned, about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Frost either the entire bun or just the shape of the cross.

White frosting:

Beat egg white until stiff, adding confectioners’ sugar until mixture is thick. Add flavoring. If frosting is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar.

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].

Start Your Weekend At MWPAI’s “First Fridays”

It’s a new month; one month closer to summer. It’s also Friday; the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend. And you like music. And fun. And people. And food. And drink. Isn’t there any way we can bring them all together? (Spoiler alert: I’m betting the rest of this article addresses that).

Of course there is! It’s Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute’s “First Fridays Happy Hour,” which brings in all kinds of musical acts on the first Friday of every month throughout the summer, from 5-8 PM.

Playing live at this month’s First Friday (April 7th) will be local favorites, the Blarney Rebel Band. With their unique mix of classic Irish traditional and pub songs, powerful original music, engaging audience “participitation” numbers and an eclectic peppering of “off the list” songs, they offer something for every musical taste.

Held in the magnificent Museum of Art Edward Wales Root Sculpture Court (name me one other stage that boasts a 16 foot Jackson Pollock original masterpiece as a backdrop!), the event also offers a cash bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and tastings of Villa Verona Winery’s fabulous wines. Micro-tours of the exhibitions will run throughout the evening, and the Museum Shop will feature a special sale on non-consignment scarves and barrettes.

The event, sponsored by Roser Communications Network, is free with a $5 suggested donation.

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“So Say The Fallen” -- Book Review by Mark Sisti

I generally try to avoid reviewing similar books in successive newsletters – they can tend to seem interchangeable and hard to distinguish from each other – but just this once I’m going to make an exception. Last month we looked at Brian McGilloway’s latest entry into the Lucy Black series, “The Forgotten Ones,” and the verdict was mixed. The Serena Flanagan series by Stuart Neville has much in common with the Black books. Both authors started with hard-hitting mysteries featuring strong male main characters before moving on to approach the genre from the perspective of a female protagonist. But there the similarities end. Everything that was wrong with the most recent Lucy Black book is right in the latest in the Flanagan series, “So Say The Fallen.” Not that “The Forgotten Ones” was a bad book; it’s not, but it’s like comparing the Dave Clark Five to the Beatles (ask your parents, kids.) I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Neville’s writing since his debut, “The Ghosts of Belfast;” I think he may be the best mystery writer working today and nothing he’s written since “Ghosts” has changed that assessment. Including this one. Wealthy businessman Henry Garrick has apparently committed suicide six months after the accident that had left him paralyzed. Called in to sign off on what appears to be an open-and-shut case, Flanagan gets the sense that something isn’t quite right about the scene. It’s the most insignificant of things: the placement of photographs of his loved ones. From that slight anomaly, she begins to look closer at the grieving widow – and the consoling local rector. Authors of series have a tendency to start a new entry as if the trauma suffered in the previous adventure never occurred. Not so with Flanagan. Both she and her husband are still experiencing the effect of the events described in the first Flanagan book, and that, together with the demands of her job, is breaking up their previously idyllic marriage. Neville presents this sidebar realistically and sympathetically, with no easy good guy and bad guy scenario. Unlike the subplots in “The Forgotten Ones,” Flanagan’s personal issues are crucial to a full understanding of her character, and increase our empathy for our heroine. The two essential parts of her life are her job and her family, and she struggles to find a way to maintain both: “Is this really it? Is this how it ends? Not with an explosive row, nor a discovered affair. No final betrayal to sever them. Just a slow decline of bitter reproaches and fake apologies until there was nothing left but a festering resentment between them all.” Hesitant to accept the verdict of suicide, Flanagan receives no support from her superior, who wants no complications to get in the way of his impending retirement, but Serena is nothing if not diligent, and her persistence starts to reveal slight cracks in the story, cracks which strengthen her belief that the good reverend is more than just a spiritual advisor. The rector is experiencing his own crisis of faith, and the depiction of his moral anguish is fascinating and riveting. A second apparent suicide seems to settle the issue for most of those involved, but only increases Serena’s suspicions. This is no who-dunnit; we catch on very early to what has happened, but that does nothing to lessen the suspense in this tense psychological thriller. The narrative turns from a police procedural to a fascinating cat-and-mouse game, where the layers are uncovered gradually and expertly until the breakneck conclusion. Neville’s skill at creating characters with depth and staying power is unmatched, and it’s on full display here. Every character is rendered in full color, from Flanagan to the most tangential character, but none more so than the widow Garrick – or whatever her name might be. She’s cunning, cold, calculating, frightening – and completely mesmerizing. “So Say The Fallen” is the perfect combination of police procedural and character study. The writing is first-rate in terms of description and in terms of dialogue; the plot lines are well crafted and meticulously thought out and the pace is just right. Most important, it’s believable. There is no artificiality at play here; Neville never inserts unnecessary bells and whistles or relies on improbable coincidences. He tells his story in the most natural way, through the thoughts and actions of believable – if not always likable – characters. Last month I expressed my opinion that the Lucy Black series has declined slightly since its debut. The Serena Flanagan series, on the other hand, keeps getting better and better. Check it out.

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Craobh Dugan “Tune of the Month” – the Burnt Old Man by Skip Mansur

This month we feature a spicy little jig that is the first tune in a set commonly played by our local group, Craobh Dugan and is also known by the interesting names Georgie the Dotard and Hob Or Nob. This jig is quite similar to an old Civil War tune, a close variant called The Campbells are Coming that is still often played by fife and drum bands.

In the 1950s the tune (or at least the A part) was used in a Campbell’s Soup commercial for Scotch Broth. And as our flute player Mike points out, it has also been featured in Bugs Bunny cartoons, if you were paying attention while you were watching on Saturday mornings as a kid.

Several generations ago in Irish sessions this jig was most often called “Sean Duine Dóite” (pronounced “shAn din-uh doy-chA”), but the translated title “Burnt Old Man” has since become prevalent. As noted in Slowplayers.org, “the word “burnt” (dóite) here means “used up” or “withered,” or “worthless.” There are some tender words to this melody, in Irish, in which a woman carps about having an old man for a husband, and calls him nothing but a burnt old man. She then expresses herself more eloquently, explaining her plan to put him in a corner with just a little sour milk and stale bread, and then if he sticks his head out she’ll cut his nose off. So, to this sweet little tune are put equally sweet little words which can be found in Peter Kennedy’s Folksongs of Britain and Ireland (1984). Here are those touching lyrics from Celtic Lyrics Corner - Cathie Ryan: “Embrace” from Burning Man 2014

I sent my old man (Chorus) Into his corner by the fire With sour milk If my old man And brown bread Got everything he deserves If he sticks his head out Bites of butter I'll take the nose off him And bites of meat And give the rest of him The bottom of the churn To the young women And roast potatoes He would rattle Chorus: The young women Oh burnt old man I wish I had never married you (Chorus) Oh burnt old man Lay on your bed and sleep plenty If my old man knew How I carry on I sent my old man Drinking and playing To Ballin Robe With the young men of the country With a feather in his hat By the rising of the moon And buckles on his shoes He would break his pipe I heard that three were hugging him And whack its bottom And four were kissing him On the hob I heard in Galway That he left with them (2x Chorus)

This tune is in the key of D Major, nothing modal or tricky about it:

Have a listen here, and see if it doesn’t bring back memories of Bugs for you: BurntOldMan.

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RANDOM RAMBLINGS

“Nuacht as Craobh Dugan”---news from the Dugan Branch Chris Hoke writes: “We have condolences to send out to several members of Craobh Dugan who lost family members this past month. To Jim and Diana O’Looney for the passing of Diana’s sister Debbie McDonald; to Tom Malley for the death of his sister Elizabeth; to Charlie and Amanda Straney for the loss of his mother Patricia; and to Gracie Schell for the passing of her mother Grace. We say ‘An chuid eile i Síochána’ (Rest in Peace)…This month’s performances include: Apr 4 - Open Session, Nail Creek Pub, 7:30 PM; Apr 7 - Ceili Dance Class at Seton Center, 7 PM; Apr 18 - Open Session Stockdale’s Pub, 7:30 PM; Apr 21 - Ceili Dance Class at Seton Center, 7 PM; Apr 21-23 - CCE North American Convention, Chicago; Apr 28 - Ceili Dance Class at Seton Center, 7 PM.”

MVCC Offers “Irish Language for Beginners” Class Have you always dreamt of traveling to the Emerald Isle? If so, this course will help you to build conversational skills you can use during your travels! In this course, you will be introduced to the basics of conversational Irish (Gaelic) language. Lessons will include history and folklore of Ireland to help students to learn the roots of this rich and interesting language. The instructor is our own Tom Malley. The course, which costs $99, will be held in Room 249 in the Utica campus’ Academic Building from 7-8:30 PM each Wednesday, beginning on April 5 and running to June 7. For more information and to sign up, go to their web site.

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

Apr 1 BarleyJuice The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 8 PM $5 Apr 2 Blarney Rebel Band Celtic Harp Utica 1-5 PM Free Apr 2 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Apr 4 Nail Creek Sessions Nail Creek Pub Utica 7:30 PM Free Apr 5 Celtic Woman “Voices of Angels” Palace Theater Albany 7 PM $42-$102 Apr 6 Ten Strings and a Goatskin Caffe Lena Saratoga Springs 7 PM $9-$18 Apr 7 Blarney Rebel Band MWPAI Utica 5-8 PM $5 donation Apr 8 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free Apr 15 Hair of the Dog The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 8 PM $13 Apr 16 Blarney Rebel Band Celtic Harp Utica 1-5 PM Free Apr 16 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Apr 16 Traditional Irish Session Irish Amer Ass'n Albany 2:30-6 PM Free Apr 18 Traditional Irish Session Stockdale’s Oriskany 7:30 PM Free Apr 18 Celtic Woman “Voices of Angels” Shea’s Perf Art Ctr Buffalo 7 PM $35-$100 Apr 21 Blarney Rebel Band Piggy Pat’s Washington Mills 6-9 PM Free Apr 21 Kilrush Brae Loch Cazenovia 7 PM Free Apr 22 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free Apr 23 Blarney Rebel Band Woodland Brewery Marcy 3-6 PM Free Apr 23 Donal O’Shaughnessy Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Apr 28 Kevin McKrell (front room) The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 8 PM Free Apr 29 Get Up Jack The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 8 PM $12 Apr 30 Blarney Rebel Band Celtic Harp Utica 1-5 PM Free Apr 30 Flying Column Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

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, we strive to not make mistakes, but if we do, it’s someone else’s fault. It always makes sense to call ahead for some of these further-out events.

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