Area Irish Music Events
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MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL Volume 14, Issue 7 EVENTS NEWSLETTER July 2017 Eileen Ivers, Enter the Haggis Headline 2017 GAIF Headlining this year’s Great American Irish Festival (Jul 28-30) will be two of the Celtic music world’s most sought-after acts: the “Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” Eileen Ivers, and Toronto-based Celtic roots rockers, Enter the Haggis. Fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. Grammy awarded, Emmy nominated, London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, guest starred with over 40 orchestras, original Musical Star of Riverdance, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Sting, Hall and Oates, The Chieftains, ‘Fiddlers 3’ with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, movie soundtracks including Gangs of New York, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide…this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours, and affiliations. Making a welcome return to the stage she last commanded in 2015, Eileen Ivers will have her adoring fans on their feet from the first note. Back again at their home away from home for the 11th time, Enter the Haggis is poised to rip it up under the big tent with all the familiar catchy songs that have made fans of Central New Yorkers and Haggisheads alike for over 20 years. Besides the ETH classics, they will also be performing songs from their latest studio recording, “Broken Arms,” released to great acclaim in 2016. Other returning upper-tier acts this year include the high-energy Barleyjuice from Philadelphia, Graham Wright and the Glengarry Bhoys, and Ottawa Valley’s favorite sons…uh, daughters, Searson, along with long-time GAIF veterans the Blarney Rebel Band and Hair of the Dog (each making a record 13th appearance!), and the always entertaining Seamus Kennedy. While there’s a certain comfort to bringing back familiar bands as a way of appeasing the wishes of both attendees and performers, it has always been a hallmark of the Great American Irish Festival to introduce new acts to the festival; names that probably are not on the lips or playlists of even the most knowledgeable Celtic music fans. Names like… Enter the Haggis and Rathkeltair (2005)… the Elders (2007)… Leahy (2010)… Slide and Goitse (2011)… Girsa and Lilt (2013)… Runa and Moxie Strings (2014)… Dallahan (2016). Anyway, you get the idea: If they’re new, they’re at GAIF, and if they’re at GAIF, they’re going to be good. This year’s lineup includes five exciting acts that are either new to the world or have never appeared at GAIF… and you should definitely check them out. FullSet has already earned multiple “best band” and “band to watch” awards; the Colin Farrell Band features former Elders’ fiddler Colin Farrell, stepping out front to head up an all-star trad outfit; Next Generation Leahy is Doug Leahy (of the acclaimed Leahy family) and his family, carrying on the storied Leahy musical legacy; The Screaming Orphans features the skilled musicianship and dulcet harmonies of the four Diver sisters from Donegal, and American Rogues bring a unique mix of Celtic rock, rock roots, patriotic, military and classical music to the stage. The Herkimer County Fairgrounds is located just off Route 5s in Frankfort NY, just minutes from the New York State Thruway. For directions, tickets or more information, visit the festival web site. And now it’s time to meet the bands: Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 1 Eileen Ivers Band Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. Along with her world-class band, Eileen tours throughout the year, in performing art centers, symphony halls and festivals world-wide. She’s been called “a sensation” by Billboard magazine, “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” and “one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres” … and she’s back to headline the Great American Irish Festival for the fifth time. Enter The Haggis Toronto’s Enter the Haggis has led the charge among Celtic folk/roots/rock bands, delighting fans with their memorable performances, inspired songwriting, musical proficiency and high quality recordings, including 4 EPs, 8 studio albums, five live and one compilation CDs, as well as two solo side projects. With their signature Celtic rock sound and instrumentation of bagpipes blazing over a powerhouse rhythm section, they’ve long been a fan favorite in Central New York and throughout the continent. FullSet FullSet is six young unbelievably talented singers and musicians from Ireland, creating a stunning and unique sound that is full of energy and innovation, while all the time remaining true to their traditional roots. With the tremendous success of their debut album “Notes at Liberty” and its follow-up, “Notes in Full,” FullSet was honored to receive “Best New Group Award” (Irish American News), “Best New Comer” (Live Ireland Awards) and “Top Traditional Group” (Irish Music Association). Glengarry Bhoys Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant and evocative, the Glengarry Bhoys' hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative and extremely entertaining. Their blend of traditional music, fused with the multicultural sounds of modern and contemporary Celtic music, has brought them international acclaim. Fiery guitar and bass, intense percussion and fiddle, teamed with pipes and vocals, make for a memorable performance. The Colin Farrell Band Colin Farrell is no stranger to the Great American Irish Festival, having first appeared with the Elders a few years ago. Having since gone out on his own and with the band Lúnasa, Colin continues his meteoric rise on the Celtic trad scene. His 2010 solo debut album “On The Move” was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by The Irish Echo, and his second album “Make A Note,” released in 2015, was awarded Instrumental Album of the year by LiveIreland. In the Colin Farrell Band, he is joined by Alan Murray (guitar/bouzouki/vocals) and Dan Lowery (flute/guitar /vocals). Through their skill and virtuosity, they have established themselves as top entertainers in Irish traditional music with a vibrant and exciting show; delivering their tunes and songs with sublime musicianship. Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 2 Next Generation Leahy Next Generation Leahy features Doug Leahy from Cape Breton’s virtuosic musical family, Leahy, along with his wife Jennifer and their six children. Continuing to carry on three generations of Leahy musicianship, their live performances are filled with the high-energy, infectious Celtic-based music that audiences world-wide have long associated with the Leahy heritage. Having shared stages across North America with the legendary band “Leahy,” their performances leave audiences in awe. Screaming Orphans The Screaming Orphans are four fun sisters who hail from Ireland’s County Donegal; an area with a rich and vibrant musical history, which also produced the likes of the bands Clannad and Altan and solo artist Enya. The band — made up of Joan Diver on drums and vocals, Angela Diver on bass and fiddle, Gráinne Diver on acoustic guitar and Marie-Thérese Diver on keys and accordion – has been performing together since the early 1990’s. Their sound has been compared to the Bangles and Cranberries, with musical influences ranging from the Beatles, R.E.M. and Abba to traditional Irish music. While they are veterans of many festivals world- wide, this marks their debut appearance at the Great American Irish Festival. Searson Building on their Ottawa Valley, Ontario roots, sisters Erin and Colleen Searson have developed their own original style of music, seamlessly blending high energy fiddling, passionate vocals and step dancing. Giving a more modern treatment to the traditional music of their upbringing, the sisters perform on a variety of instruments throughout their live show, which includes Colleen on fiddle, vocals and Ottawa Valley Step Dancing; Erin on piano, vocals, step dancing and tenor guitar; David MacDougall on drums and percussion, and Fraser Gauthier on bass/guitar. Barleyjuice Some bands take a little while to capture a festival crowd. Others seem to connect immediately. Such is the case with Barleyjuice and the Great American Irish Festival, where the Philadelphia-based Celtic rockers became instant favorites a few years back. With five studio albums and a double CD collection to date, these five kilted yanks are currently one of the most beloved Celtic rock bands in the USA. Kyf Brewer’s signature whiskey-soaked vocals perfectly trademark the group’s quick-witted and catchy originals, and partner Keith “Swanny” Swanson adds additional lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, whistle, bouzouki, and bagpipes. Rounding out the lineup are fiddler Alice O’Quirke, drummer John Tracey, and Eric Worthington on bass. Go on… try a little Barleyjuice…it’s the best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt. American Rogues Originally formed several years ago as a more traditional bagpipe band, The American Rogues have morphed into their own band, with their own style, and even their own genre: “CeltRockFolkWorldClassicalMusicForTheMasses.” Headlining shows across Asia, Europe, North America and Canada, American Rogues are taking on the world of Celtic rock, rock roots, patriotic, military and classical music. Known as “The Top Celtic Band Supporting Military Personnel & Wounded Warriors” (Ceili Magazine), they have also moved the Irish Echo to say of them “The American Rogues know how to command a massive stage and animate a crowd with the sounds of fiddles, pipes, and an impressive miscellany of instruments and styles.” Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 3 Hair of the Dog The Great American Irish Festival is happy to be bringing back GAIF veterans and fan favorites, Hair of the Dog.