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Area Irish Music Events MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL Volume 14, Issue 8 EVENTS NEWSLETTER Aug 2017 “No Rain! No Rain! N…” What? No Rain? The 2017 Great American Irish Festival gave its attendees just what they have come to expect – the absolute best in Irish and Celtic culture, music, dancing and fun – plus something no one could have predicted: a full weekend without rain. It all added up to another unqualified success for the festival that has grown to be the pre-eminent Irish festival on the east coast. (I conducted an informal poll – while they did miss The Elders, no one seemed to miss the rain.) From July 28-30, the Herkimer County Fairgrounds came alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the annual Great American Irish Festival. Kicking things off with a Happy Hour performance was the Capital Region’s favorite sons, Hair of the Dog, marking their return to the festival after a one-year hiatus. And from that point on, it was a race to catch every act on four stages, sample tasty foods (and beverages), practice some retail therapy, witness awesome feats of strength and stamina in the first-ever Heavy Games, and so much more. While fans gave the usual GAIF favorites – Eileen Ivers, Enter the Haggis, Barleyjuice, Glengarry Bhoys, to name a few – the expected raucous receptions, some of the new bands also made an impression on fans who had never had a chance to see them before. FullSet, six young unbelievably talented singers and musicians from Ireland who have earned multiple “best band” and “band to watch” awards, came in with high expectations, and they did not disappoint, with three incredible sets over the weekend. Also coming up strong was The Colin Farrell Band, featuring fiddler Colin Farrell of Elders and Lunasa fame, stepping out front to head up an all-star trad outfit (and an after-hours impromptu session at a Utica bar!). Next Generation Leahy is Doug Leahy (of the acclaimed Leahy family) and his family, carrying on the storied Leahy musical legacy. Their Friday night set featured the incredible and wide-ranging playing, singing and dancing talents of Doug, his wife Jennifer and several of their kids, delivering the high-energy, infectious Celtic- based music that audiences world-wide have long associated with the Leahy heritage. Another band of siblings, The Screaming Orphans, filled the big tent in all three of their sets. Showcasing the skilled musicianship and dulcet harmonies the four Diver sisters from Donegal, the Screaming Orphans were quickly adopted by the attending throng. Finally, the American Rogues, with their high-energy mix of Celtic rock, rock roots, patriotic, military and classical music, gave rousing performances to the loud and appreciative crowd. Saturday morning saw the 10th running of the Ranger Run 5K, the first-ever Highland Heavy Games, the annual EUSPBA Pipeband Competition, the Massed Pipe March, and another round of great music throughout the grounds. The Cultural Building was alive with lectures, performances and displays, including a packed house of attendees to Craobh Dugan’s presentation of “The Irish and the Erie.” As the cars and people arrive en masse for the Irish Mass, Sunday -- again with no threat of rain – saw more outstanding performances, with Barleyjuice and FullSet playing outstanding sets to end the weekend on a high note. And next year? Mark the dates July 27-29 on your calendar. While you’re at it, annotate it with “No rain.” Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 1 Colm Keegan Performs in Sherrill Singer/songwriter Colm Keegan, best known as a principal singer in the world-renowned group Celtic Thunder, will perform a VIP solo show in Sherrill on Aug. 5, at 6:30 PM. The show is being hosted by Sherrill residents Patricia and Colleen English at St. Helena’s Church, 210 Primo Ave, and all ticket holders are entitled to a meet and greet session prior to the show. Keegan is taking a break from his normal touring routine this summer to perform up and down the east coast in intimate settings that maximize his interaction with his audiences. These shows are taking place in private homes, community centers, church centers, and small public venues, and in each city Keegan is working directly with a local host. His summer 2017 tour follows the release of his first solo CD, “I’ll Never Be Alone,” and each performance will include songs from the CD along with some of his favorite Celtic classics. Born in Dublin, Keegan is featured on many of Celtic Thunder CDs and DVDs, the group repeatedly rocketing to No. 1 on Billboard’s World Music Chart. With Celtic Thunder, he performed on some of the biggest stages in the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as at a private show at the Pentagon. He also spent a year touring with Celtic Woman, completing two European tours, an Asian Tour, a five-month North American Tour, and the recording of the “Believe” CD and DVD. As a student at University College Dublin, Keegan had extensive choral experience that allowed him to perform in such venues as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York His first solo CD, released in November 2016, topped the World Music Charts. A performer who has entertained thousands over the years, Keegan noted, “These VIP shows are a one-time opportunity for me to perform for small audiences and interact with people on a really personal level. I’m so excited about this tour.” Tickets are $75, and are available on-line. Mohawk Valley Frasers, Rhode Island Highlanders Take Top Honors at GAIF It’s difficult to say who enjoyed the 2017 Great American Irish Festival EUSPBA Bagpipe Competition more – the team who put it together (led by Pat O’Hara and Carole Hackett), the hundreds of people outside the ropes who braved, well, okay… perfect weather, to watch the competition, or the 19 units who gave their all in a classic showdown. When the dust settled (see, there are some benefits to having a little rain now and then), the hometown Mohawk Valley Frasers took first place in the Grade 5 Division, besting second and third place finishers Feadan Or and Syracuse Scottish, respectively. An elated Rhode Island Highlanders group grabbed first place in Grade 4, followed by Schenectady Pipe Band and the Capital District Youth Pipe Band. The Buffalo Bagpipe Club topped Capital Region Celtic to take top honors in Grade 3. And in the first Junior Competition, it was Capital District Youth Pipe Band coming out ahead of Talcott Mt and the Celtic Friars. With 19 bands competing, this year’s competition boasted the largest turnout in its history. Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 2 Ambruso, Perri Take Top Honors In Ranger Run 5k Alec Ambruso and Amanda Perri were the top male and female finishers in the 2017 Great American Irish Festival’s Ranger Run 5k road race. Over 200 runners participated in the run on Saturday, July 29th, under a hot sun. The run, named in memory of festival director Matt Sullivan’s father, Tim, started and finished on the festival grounds and traveled through the village of Frankfort. Ambruso, a 20-year old Utican, blistered the course to cross the finish line in 17:26 to barely edge out Ilion’s Michael Polidori by four seconds, while Perri – a 23-year old from Troy -- conquered the 3.1 miles in 20:27. Other top age division finishers are as follows: FEMALE MALE 1-14: Hunter Ough (30:10) 1-14: Xander Olsen (26:03) 15-19: Caitlin Grace (27:14) 15-19: Andy Ford (18:24) 20-29: Amanda Loitsch (24:37) 20-29: Adam Bankert (18:32) 30-39: Leah Wessinger (24:13) 30-39: Michael Polidori (17:30) 40-49: Jennifer Charvat (21:05) 40-49: Mike Flack (21:21) 50-59: Robin Harrigan (28:17) 50-59: Terrence Doyle (22:05) 60-69: 60-69: Dana James Brewer (25:17) CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival Marks Its 76th Year The 76th Central New York Scottish Games and Celtic Festival will be held at Long Branch Park on August 12th. Long Branch Park is conveniently located west of Syracuse and a wee stone’s throw from the NYS Thruway (Note: it’s also a stone’s throw from Nova Scotia, if you can throw a stone that far). The Festival goes from 9 AM until 8 PM and will feature bagpipe and drumming competitions (solo and band), drum major competitions, Highland “Heavy” Athletic Games, and highland dance competitions. The band competitions are held in a natural amphitheater. There is plenty of shade and the park is absolutely breathtaking. Performing this year are Searson, Charlie Zahm and the McDonald School of Irish Dance. Tickets for the festival are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children from 5 to 12, and children under 5 get in free ($1 off at all levels for advance sale tickets; call (315) 399-4116 by July 21st). For more information, visit the CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival web site (here). Buffalo Irish Festival Celebrates its 36th Year The 36th annual Buffalo Irish Festival will be held on August 25-27 at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor (the former “Pier Site”). This move affords additional space for this rapidly-growing festival. And additional space may well be needed, given the impressive lineup on tap this year, which includes The High Kings, Dervish, Enter the Haggis, Glengarry Bhoys, Seamus Kennedy, The Dady Brothers, Makem and Spain and many more. Rounding out the lineup will be Irish dancers, pipe bands, an Irish mass, and much more.
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