MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL

Volume 15, Issue 9 EVENTS NEWSLETTER Sep 2018

High Kings Return to Central New York

Central New Yorkers fell in love with the High Kings when they headlined the Great American Irish Festival and the Syracuse Irish Festival, and the band obviously feels the same way about our area. Making a local-ish stop as part of their Decade World Tour, the band best known for their impeccable harmonies, infectious humor, outstanding musicianship and unique interpretations of Irish classics will be performing at the Egg in Albany on September 27th.

The band -- Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, George Murphy and Darren Holden -- has released four highly- acclaimed studio albums, two live albums, and two live DVDs. Their first three studio albums appeared at number three or higher on the Billboard world music chart, the first two went platinum in Ireland, and all of their albums charted in Ireland. The November 2017 release of “Decade - Best of The High Kings” was received with rave reviews and record sales figures with the band again topping the Irish Album Charts and returning to the Billboard World Music Charts once again.

Tickets for the 7:30 PM show are $34, and are available on line.

Old Songs Brings in Ímar

On Saturday, Sept 22, Old Songs will be bringing in the hottest new Celtic folk/trad band, Ímar, for a very special 7:30 PM concert. Glasgow’s hottest new folk property has created more than a bit of a stir in little over a year since their formation. Their debut video, unleashed to the world during Celtic Connections 2016, has been viewed in excess of 300,000 times, and they’re already hauling in prizes and accolades from around the music world, including the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Musician Of The Year, 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, nine All-Ireland and eight All- Britain titles.

With a line-up featuring members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk and Barrule, the group’s formation embodies a personal reconnection with its members’ formative years, having originally met as teenagers through Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The quintet -- Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle) -- share a strong background in Irish music – although only Murphy actually hails from Ireland; Rhodes and Callister are from the Isle of Man, while Amini is a Glasgow native, and Brown originally from Suffolk – and it is these foundations which underpin many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material. Ímar’s unmistakable synergy, however, centers on the overlapping cultural heritage between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. All three places once shared the same Gaelic language, and a similar, clearly potent, kinship endures between their musical traditions.

Tickets for the show are $25 ($5 for children), and are available by calling (518) 765-2815 or by contacting [email protected]. Old Songs is located at 37 South Main Street in Voorheesville, NY.

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 1

Syracuse Irish Festival – The Best Irish Music, Food and Fun!

On September 7-8, the Syracuse Irish Festival once again takes to the streets. In total, performances will take place on two separate stages in Clinton Square by such Celtic and Irish bands as the fast-rising Irish quintet, Cúig, Connla (“The hottest new group out of Northern Ireland” - Chicago Irish American News), Moxie Strings, Kilmaine Saints, Pride of Moyvane, the Blarney Rebel Band, Flying Column, Causeway Giants and others…oh, right: also making their for-real-last local appearance in the area will be Central New York’s favorite sons, the Elders.

The festival, which runs from 5 to 11 on Friday and 11 AM to 11 PM on Saturday, is free. For more info, check their web site.

Celtic Thunder Rolls into Central New York

Celtic Thunder, the world-renowned music and visual theatrical production, is bringing their brand new show “Celtic Thunder X” to the Palace Theater (19 Clinton Ave., Albany NY), as part of a 75-city tour of the US and Canada. The multi-platinum Irish group disembarked from its third Celtic Thunder Cruise in November and completed a US Symphony Tour in December, all the while making preparations for the all new CELTIC THUNDER X. The release celebrates the group’s 10th Anniversary, and the Celtic Thunder X tour. Celtic Thunder has become one of public television’s largest draws. Their shows have aired over 22,500 times across 50 states on PBS. The group is among the top five audience-generating acts on the network.

Backed by the amazing Celtic Thunder Band, the singers (Damian McGinty, Ryan Kelly, Michael O’Dwyer, Emmet Cahill & Neil Byrne) deliver new ensemble numbers including “Sons of Light,” “Toora, Loora, Lay.” “The Wild Rover” and others, followed in the second act by nostalgic fun songs like “Celebration,” “I’m a Believer,” “Seasons in the Sun” and “Rise Again.” No Celtic Thunder show would be complete without an encore of their rousing anthem “Ireland’s Call,” the only song in CELTIC THUNDER X that isn’t a new song but which never fails to bring the audience to its feet.

Tickets for the 8 PM show range from $39.50 to $69.50, and they can be purchased on line, by calling (800) 745-3000, or in person at the Palace Theatre Box Office, located at 19 Clinton Ave (on the Clinton Avenue Side of the theatre).

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

Lord of the Dance premiered at the magnificent Coliseum in London two decades ago, and in 2014 Michael Flatley transformed the show, making it even more thrilling than the original. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, with music composed by Gerard Fahy, premiered at the iconic London Palladium in September 2014 to mark the milestone 20th anniversary since Michael Flatley became an international sensation.

The show continues to thrill audiences around the globe with its intoxicating mix of dance and music that fuses the traditional with the contemporary in a classic tale that showcases the exceptional talent of the cast. The show features cutting edge technology including a giant Radiant flat screen that spans the width of the stage, special effects lighting, dancing robots and world champion acrobats. That’s the good news.

And here’s the better news: You get two chances to see the show! Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games will stop in Syracuse at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater on Saturday, September 29th for a special 8 PM show. Tickets for that performance range from $37 to $77, and are available on line. The following day finds them at the Palace Theater (19 Clinton Ave., Albany) for an 8 PM performance. Tickets run from $34.50-$49.50, and can be purchased here.

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 2

Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival

The 22nd annual Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival will take place on Sept 15th at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. Gates open at 11 AM. Performers include the Screaming Orphans, Hair of the Dog, Shilelagh Law, Get Up Jack, Emish, The Tossers, The McKrells, Hellcat Maggie, House of Hamill and many more. Tickets for the festival are $20 at the gate ($16 in advance). Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit their web site.

Syracuse Contemporary Irish Film Festival Teams Up With Art Show

You’ve already come to know and expect great Irish-themed cinema as part of the Syracuse Contemporary Irish Film Festival… but this year, you can also check out a collection of artwork depicting Irish Myths and Legends.

The Festival itself is going to be one for the books: on Thursday, they’ll be showing Terry McMahon’s multiply- awarded 2014 movie, “Patrick’s Day;” Friday’s movie will be “Sanctuary” (winner of Dublin International Film Festival 2017 for Best Ensemble Cast); on Saturday at 2 PM, they’ll be presenting “My Name is Emily;” a story of life, love, loss, and letting go. The 7 PM offering on Saturday will be “It’s Not Yet Dark,” the inspiring documentary of Irish filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice’s refusal to let the limitations of Lou Gehrig’s disease stanch his creativity. Wrapping up the festival at 2 PM on Sunday will be the animated feature “Song Of The Sea (Amhrán na Mara);” a FREE family event. All films will be shown at Wildflowers in Armory Square (225 West Jefferson St., Syracuse). Tickets for each film are $10 in advance online or $12.50 the day of. Doors open one hour before the film begins.

And this year, the Film Festival is joining forces with The Gallery at Wildflowers, where they’ll be presenting “The Art of Irish Mythology & Tall Tales;” artwork dedicated to the rich mythology and folklore of Ireland. A reception on Thursday and Friday will be held 5-6 PM before the films start. Come early for the festival on Thursday and Friday to see beautiful and fanciful depictions of myths, legends, heroes, ghosts, vampires, banshees and more!

From the Irish Kitchen (recipes suitable for clipping)

This month’s recipe – “Potato Torte with Bacon, Cabbage and Cheddar” By Margaret Johnson - Potatoes and cabbage are the heart of colcannon, the traditional Irish potato dish. This torte, which adds bacon as well, can stand alone as a one-dish meal or be served alongside corned beef.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 head Savoy cabbage, shredded 4 baking potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick 3 tablespoons Kerrygold Irish butter 8 ounces Kerrygold Cheddar Cheese 1/2 pound Irish traditional bacon, diced Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-inch quiche pan or pie plate. In a pot of boiling water, blanch the cabbage for 2 minutes. Drain and refresh in cold water. Pat dry. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the bacon and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and toss with the cabbage. Add the potato slices to the skillet and toss to coat in the bacon drippings. Place one-third of the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and half the cheese. Top with half the bacon and cabbage mixture, salt and pepper, then repeat with one-third of the potatoes, remaining cheese, bacon and cabbage, salt and pepper, and end with a layer of potatoes. Cover with a sheet of parchment paper and bake for 45 minutes. Remove parchment for last 5 minutes to let potatoes brown. Slice into wedges. Serves 8.

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].

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 3

“The Liar’s Girl”-- Book Review by Mark Sisti

Imagine this: you’re a young girl, not even out of your teens. You’re away at school as a freshman and your adult life is just beginning; a glorious future awaits… but it can wait while you revel in the college experience. You also have found your first boyfriend, who just happens to be perfect: smart, handsome, charming, fun to be with. In fact, you want to spend every single minute with him. And, for the most part, you do.

Then imagine it all comes crashing down as your perfect boyfriend confesses to an unspeakably horrific crime. The feelings that overwhelm you, more than any other, are shame and guilt. How could you not have known? How could you not have suspected? How could you have been so blind, so stupid, so fooled?

This is the scenario facing our protagonist in Cork-born Catherine Ryan Howard’s latest, “The Liar’s Girl.” A tense, smart psychological thriller “The Liar’s Girl” lives up to the promise of her terrific debut novel, “Distress Signals.”

Alison Smith, a young girl from Cork, is heading off to university in Dublin, along with her lifelong friend Liz. Both are excited at the prospect. They are intent on enjoying the full range of student life, which includes a lot of social activities and resulting in, despite the best intentions, not much school work.

In the midst of the whirlwind of freshman activity, Alison, normally shy and content to live in Liz’s shadow, falls head-over-heels in love with Will, who is good-looking, charming and intelligent.

Unfortunately, also partaking in university life is a serial killer, who stalks young students along the Grand Canal at night, assaulting and drowning them. When Liz becomes one of the victims, a Garda investigation leads to Will, and, partly on the basis of Alison’s statements, he is arrested and confesses to the murders. Desperate to leave it all behind her, Alison flees to the Netherlands.

Fast forward ten years. There appears to be a copycat killer operating in Dublin and two Garda detectives track Alison down with an unusual request: they want to speak to Will to see if he can provide any insight into the killings. He has been silent for 10 years, but agrees to tell what he knows, on one condition: he refuses to talk to anyone but Alison.

Despite her reluctance, she returns to Ireland, and finds herself working with one of the policemen (who has always questioned Will’s guilt) to find evidence that he didn’t do it (or, for that matter, that he did) as much for herself as for Will. The twists and turns will keep you guessing as the truth is revealed.

“The Liar’s Girl” is an engrossing read and an easy one. The combination of an absorbing plot and effortless writing will enable you to fly through this book, although you may want to re-read the occasional standout passage. The plotting is without fault; everything makes sense, nothing is a mere plot device (save for maybe a suggested romantic angle that is never fully developed) and the solution is logical and flows from everything that comes before, yet is never telegraphed.

Alison is a well-developed and relatable character, a perfect combination of the teenage girl who had been scarred and the resilient woman trying to come to terms with the past, and the chemistry between her and the police detective Malone is natural and believable. Will is deliberately painted in vague terms, so that you can’t be sure whether you believe him, or even whether you like him.

Make no mistake, Catherine Ryan Howard is an excellent writer, confident, yet self-assured enough to not feel the need to over-write. The style is similar to Tana French, who I consider to be one of the best novelists working today. While the writing itself may fall slightly short of French at her best, Catherine Ryan Howard makes up for it with solid plotting. She tells her story through chapters that alternate between the past and the present, and the technique is perfectly suited to this story. Even the chapter titles (“Alison, then” and “Alison, now”) are effective; the Alison who is telling the story is not the same young girl that went away to college.

For those who get excited about discovering a new writer, tremble away: Catherine Ryan Howard appears to be the real deal. I do have one complaint: with “Distress Signals” the author pretty well shot down any chance of me ever taking an ocean cruise. Now, with her dark and shadowy depiction of the Grand Canal, I hope she hasn’t ruined Dublin for me as well.

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 4

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

“Nuacht as Craobh Dugan” ---news from the Dugan Branch Chris Hoke writes: “We continue to encourage all members to sell (or buy) the CCE Big Draw Raffle tickets that were mailed to you last month. Remember, the 1st prize is 5000eu with other monetary prizes as well as tickets, CDs/DVDs, etc. Each ticket is only $5 and the branch gets to keep $4 of that--so it has the potential to be a very good fund raiser for us… Performances this month include: Sep 4 - Session, Nail Creek Pub, 7:30 PM; Sep 18 - Session, Stockdale’s Pub, 7:30 PM.”

Two Rivers Gaelic League Welcomes Sean Nós Singer On Tuesday, September 4th, Two Rivers Gaelic League (“Promoting Irish Language in the Capital Region”) welcomes native speaker and renowned sean-nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde into Colonie’s Celtic Hall for a song workshop and concert. He will be accompanied by All-Ireland flutist Frances Morton. Winner of the prestigious Corn Uí Riada, founder and director of Cór Thaobh a Leithid (a 4-part choir in Donegal), Doimnic is an internationally recognized master of the Donegal sean-nós tradition. Celtic Hall is located at 430 New Karner Rd. in Colonie.

Elmira Hibernians Irish Festival The Elmira Hibernian Irish Festival will be held this year from 2 to 11 PM on September 8th, at the Hibernian Center grounds at 701 Kinyon St. Admission is $2. This year’s festival features Pat Kane and West O’Clare, Killarney Krew, Mangled Badgers, The Stoutmen, pipers and more.

Basic Irish Language Courses Tom Malley once again will be teaching two Irish Language courses this fall. On Wednesdays from Sept 25 to Dec 5 (7-8:30 PM), he’ll be teaching at HCCC. Check here for details. And each Thursday from Sept 27 to Dec 6 (also 7-8:30), you can take the class at MVCC. Check here for more.

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

Sep 4 Nail Creek Sessions Nail Creek Utica 7:30 PM Free Sep 6 Young Dubliners Daryl's House Pawling 8 PM $15-$25 Sep 6 McArdell & Westers Guilfoil's Irish Pub Syracuse 6 PM Free Sep 7-8 Syracuse Irish Festival Clinton Square Syracuse 5-11 Fri, 11–11 PM Sat Free Sep 8 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free The Art of Irish Mythology & Sep 13-14 Wildflowers Armory Syracuse 5 PM each day Free Tall Tales Syracuse Contemporary Irish 7 PM (2 and 7 on $10 adv; $12.50 Sep 13-16 Wildflowers Armory Syracuse Film Festival Sat; 2 PM Sun) each day; Sun Free Sep 14 Kevin McKrell The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs 7 PM Free Sep 15 Syracuse Irish Session Funk’n Waffles Syracuse 2-5 Free Saratoga Cty Sep 15 Irish 2000 Ballston Spa, NY 11 AM-11 PM $20 ($16 adv) Fairgrounds Sep 16 Donal O’Shaughnessey Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free Sep 18 Traditional Irish Session Stockdale’s Oriskany 7:30 PM Free Sep 21 Blarney Rebel Band Piggy Pat’s Washington Mills 7-10 PM Free Sep 22 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free Sep 22 Ímar Old Songs Voorheesville 7:30 PM $25, Children $5 Sep 23 Celtic Thunder Palace Theater Albany 8 PM $39.50 - $69.50 Sep 27 High Kings The Egg Albany 7:30 PM $34.50 Sep 29 Lord of the Dance OnCenter Syracuse 8 PM $37-$77 Sep 30 Lord of the Dance Palace Theater Albany 8 PM $34.50-$49.50 Sep 30 Flyin’ 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, while we strive to not make errors, we’re only human HAHAHA! Ahem. It always makes sense to call ahead to confirm some of these further-out trips.

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 5