1 Irish Music & March 2013 Márta Dance Association 31th Year, Issue No. 3

The mission of the Irish Music and Dance Association is to support, coordinate, encourage and promote high quality activities and programs in Irish music, dance, and other cultural traditions within the community and to insure the continuation of those traditions.

Inside this issue: . arick’s ay rish elebraion has Tune of the Month 2 omehing for veryone! Gaelic Corner 3 IMDA Grants Info 4-5

IMDA’s St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration on Saturday, March 16 has Day of Irish Dance 6-7 entertainment to delight everyone – whether you’re Irish or only Irish for the day. Irish Events in March 8-9

March Calendar 10-11 Love Irish music? We have a direct connection with Ireland this year with special Northwoods Songs 14 guests Paddy O’Brien and Máirtín de Cógáin . Paddy is a master of the two-row An Leabhragán 17 button accordion and a serious collector of traditional tunes, with a repertoire of Smidirini 19 more than 3,000 compositions. Máirtín is a singer and champion storyteller with a winning way with audiences. It will be a day full of great traditional tunes and songs from 40 Shades of Green, the Eddies, Barra and Locklin Road . And the Hounds of Finn, the Langer’s Ball and Broken Spoke will have your toes tapping! And don’t miss the wonderful Center for Irish Music Advanced Youth Ensemble. Be sure to check out both main stage and the F.K. Weyerhaeuser stage on the lower level – it’s music and dancing on both stages all day! Looking for a taste of Riverdance? Enjoy Irish dance all day long with dancers from our wonderful local Irish dance schools: córda mór irish dance , North Star Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance , Rince na Chroi , Rince Nua , St. Paul Irish Dancers and Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance will delight you. And performances by Biddies Galore with Emerald Isle , Green Fire Irish Dancers , Knocknagow Irish Dancers and Mooncoin Céili Dancers complete the dance offerings. Need a nice cup of tea? Make your way to the Tea Room on the 3rd Floor for tea and a treat – and some lovely music in a quieter setting. You’ll hear traditional instrumental music from Rumgumption, Clairseach, Dunquin, Heritage and the Center for Irish Music An Luan ensemble plus songs from Handful of Fun and the Giggin Siles. New this year is the Bellows Brothers (Tom Klein on uilleann pipes and Dan Newton on piano accordion ). The Tea Room is definitely a wonderful spot all day long. Looking for the perfect Irish gift or souvenir? You’ll find wonderful choices in the Celtic Marketplace. Did you bring the little ones? The kids always enjoy the great craft activities in the Children’s Area on the 2nd floor – and facepainting artists will be about as well! The Children’s Stage on the lower level has special music and dance activities just for them. . Need some food for the mind? Ann and Charlie Heymann’s presentations on the Gaelic harp are always popular. This year, they will focus on the role of the harp in presentations of Irish poetry. Ann and Charlie recently returned from an extended fellowship in Ireland. Gaeltacht Minnesota will teach a bit of the Irish language in “Irish for Tourists.” Locklin Road will give you the background on the Irish roots of Bob Dylan’s music. Máirtín de Cógáin will be telling "Fairy Stories of The Other People and the worlds that surround us." Check out the complete schedule on our website – www.IMDA-MN.org - so you don’t miss your favorites! www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 2 Dance Association

The IMDA Board is : une of he onh by Amy Shaw President: Lisa Conway Treasurer: Mark Malone I missed the Kevin Burke concert at the Celtic Junction last fall, but my Secretary: Jan Casey friends were raving about it. One of them put me onto Across the Black Board Members: John Concannon Juli Acton River , Kevin’s CD with guitarist Cal Scott. That album includes Reel of Paul McCluskey Rio, a tune that is occasionally played in sessions around here and one that I Editor: John Burns really should finish learning. Now’s my chance, I guess. IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership. Reel of Rio has been widely recorded and it appears in many printed The Board meets regularly on the First Tuesday of each collections, usually unattributed. Not until now did I realize it’s actually a month at 6 pm at Perkins in HarMar. Members are encouraged to composition of the Co. Tipperary fiddler Seán Ryan (1919-1985). A verify the time and location shortly before, as meeting times and number of Seán’s 250 tunes have become such standards of the traditional locations can change. repertoire that people don’t even associate them with their composer. The winner of several All-Irelands, Seán frequently appeared on radio and Contact Information television broadcasts. Many of our readers will be aware that our own Write to: Irish Music and Dance Association Paddy O’Brien made his first trip to America in 1968 while touring out east 236 Norfolk Ave NW with Seán and his wife Kathleen, who played the piano. Elk River, MN 55330

This reel has a curious title. One explanation is that it was “so named by Call: 612-990-3122 Rev. John Quinn for its samba-style feel” ( The Companion to Irish E-mail: [email protected] Traditional Music , 2 nd edition). The Fiddler’s Companion adds, “According to Seán’s son Brian the tune suggested a Latin beat, hence the Newsletter Submissions title’s reference to the Brazilian city, although the title is also a pun on the We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, name of the grain (rye). Seán Ryan’s nickname was ‘Rio’ (pronounced ‘rye- news, and notices of events to be published in the newsletter. o’), and thus another layer of word-play in the title.” The deadline is the 20th of the preceding month. Send to: [email protected] Usual disclaimers: Any transcription errors are my own. The notation here is not meant to be a substitute for listening. It is simply an aid to learning the tune.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 3 Dance Association

he aelic orner By Will Kenny "Congress," our national legislative body, might be comhchogar ("co-whispering = conspiracy"), with translated by the Irish word comhdháil , based on the devious leaders who comhordaigh ("co-order = co- word dáil , which can refer to a "meeting," but in this ordinate") several comhchoirí ("co-accused = sense means an "assembly." Of course, you've probably accomplice"). And there is no doubt that politics can seen use of the phrase "The Dáil" to refer to Ireland's make for many a strange comhleapach ("co-bedding = national legislative body (technically the lower house of bedfellow"). their parliament). That comh-prefix in comhdháil is Alas, in the comhthéacs ("co-text = used in many places where "co context") of comhaimseartha ("co- -" is used in English, and the timed = contemporary") political life, prefix can refer to "equal," few members of Congress seem to "even," "mutual," and so on. treat other members as "colleagues". A comhdháil is kind of a Interesting that: the Irish word for "co-assembly," then, and the "colleague" is comhghleacaí , formed word is used for things like "conventions" and from the comh-prefix and the word gleacaí. Gleacaí professional "conferences," but it would also be used to means a "wrestler" or "fighter," or sometimes a refer to our Congress. Many Irish words beginning with "trickster" or "dissembler." comh- correspond ( comhfhreagair, or "co-answer") Seems like the Irish version of "colleague" describes straightforwardly to English concepts, but perhaps not members of Congress rather well! directly to English words. People who are the same age Our spring one-day workshop , sponsored by the are comhaosta ("co-aged"). A word that is Center for Irish Studies at the University of St. Thomas, comhchiallach ("same-sensed") with another is its will be held on the Tommie St. Paul campus on "synonym," while a word that shares a "co- Saturday, April 20 . All levels are taught at this event, name" ( comhainm ) with another is its "homonym." And and completing the beginner class will gain you access to trees that are all the same height, which some our regular weekly classes. Registration forms and politicians apparently prefer, have comh-airde ("co- additional details will be available shortly on our web tallness"). site. Our comhdháil or Congress is a place where they We have also scheduled our summer weekend don't seem to be able to comhoibrigh ("co-work = co- workshop for Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28 , on the operate") on anything. Far from being able to make any campus of St. John's University in Collegeville. Great comhghéilleadh ("co-yielding = compromise") with one setting, great workout in Irish! another, members seem to have trouble even having a For more about our workshops and other activities, decent comhrá ("co-say = conversation") with one visit www.gaelminn.org . And while you are there, join another. Not that they deserve our cobhrón ("co-sadness 600 subscribers around the world by signing up for The = sympathy"). GaelMinn Gazette , our free monthly e-zine with tips (in It's not as if we're asking them to form some kind of English) for studying Irish and announcements of our comhrialtas ("co-government = coalition"), like the events and activities. ones that are found in many countries that belong to An An té nach ngabhfaidh comhairle glacfaidh sé Cómhargadh (the "co-market = Common Market"). comhrac We'd probably settle for peaceful comhbheith ("co- "He who will not take advice will take a quarrel", or being = co-existence"). Surely the goals of different "He who will not listen to reason will yield to members must "coincide" ( comhthit, "co-fall") at least compulsion" once in a while. I suppose some people are beginning to believe that all these shenanigans in Congress are the result of a -- Will

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 4 Dance Association

Money for Mu$ic! Dollar$ for Dance! Ca$h for Cultural $tudy!

Do you know a dedicated student of Irish music, Irish dance, storytelling or theatre? Suggest that they to apply for an IMDA Educational Grant. For the eighth year IDMA is offering students the opportunity to take on a new challenge – perhaps a master class or travel to study with a particularly interesting teacher. Or help in purchasing the musical instrument that will help the student move the next level of skill.

While a grant may be used for tuition to an established dance or music program, applications will also be considered for less typical educational expenses like fees or travel expenses to attend a Master Class, seminar, or dance competition, or the purchase of an instrument or dance shoes or costumes. Grants are available to anyone interested in expanding and deepening their understanding of their art, regardless of age. An important part of the IMDA Educational Grant Program is the expectation that the recipients share their new skills with the Irish Community. IMDA was delighted to have 2012 grant recipients Emiliano Morales and Becky Bollinger perform at IMDA Honors Kieran Folliard celebration last November. Irish dancers Amy Green and Kelly Pearson will be performing at I MDA’s Day of Irish Dance on March 17. And Irish language student Rosa Wells will be sharing her experiences and some photos at the IMDA booth at Landmark Center.

Grant applications are available at the IMDA website – www.IMDA-MN.org and at the IMDA Booth at Landmark Center during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. This year’s deadline is April 15.

Children’s Crafts and Children’s Entertainment on Saturday!

St. Patrick’s Day guests with kids always enjoy the special crafts available as part of the celebration at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Be sure to stop by on the 2nd floor to see what fun is in store this year. Look for the artists doing facepainting, too!

And the Children’s Stage has some very special entertainment planned – just for the “wee ones.” The fun begins on the lower level after the parade at 12:45PM and continues through the afternoon.

Here’s a taste:

♣ Learn a song or two in a fun session with Mattie Ernst and the Singing Selkies from the Center for Irish Music. ♣ Kids and parents are invited to join the Mooncoin Céili Dancers in learning some Irish céilí dances. Kids, grab your mom or dad and let the Mooncoin dancers show you how much fun céilí dancing can be! ♣ Musicians Cory Froelich, AJ Srubas and Randy Gosa from the Center for Irish Music have some special interactive fun planned. ♣ Don’t miss Common Chord for a lively concert featuring a marvelous variety of catchy songs and fun movement. Common Chord is a group of six singers who love to make music for and with kids.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 5 Dance Association

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 6 Dance Association

It’s Music and More with the Dancing on Day of Irish Dance

Come enjoy traditional Irish music and a bit of Irish theatre at Landmark Center as a complement to a full day of Irish Dance.

In the F.K Weyerhauser Auditorium, Legacy (Patti Drew, David McKoskey, Kevin Carroll) will present songs along with traditional Irish instrumental music and dance tunes - on flutes and tin whistles, guitar, bass and bodhrán. Northern Gael (Ross Sutter, Laura MacKenzie and Danielle Enblom ) will be of- fering a powerful blast of traditional music and dance; beautiful ballads, vigorous dance tunes and nimble steps.

The Celtic Players are presenting “Scenes from Dracula’s Celtic Album.” Dublin-born author, Bram Stoker (1847-1912) penned the most famous vampire novel, Dracula (1897) and in this show, his infa- mous protagonist opens his own Celtic album and selects his favorite scenes from literature and culture with a Celtic twist: meet 'The Hawk' by Liam O'Flaherty, the vicious Judge in Stoker's "The Judge's House," a certain Scottish Thane and his ambitious wife, and others in another eclectic production. The Celtic Players is based in St. Paul, and the company for this pro- duction includes Rich Broderick, Mike Casey, John Con- cannon, Kathleen Heaney, Patrick O’Donnell, and Eddie Owens.

In the Tea Room, enjoy some great music along with your cup of tea. Don’t miss The Center for Irish Mu- sic’s Intermediate Ensembles, the Ragged Hanks and the Open Sky Ensemble for some wonderful traditional tunes. These are dedicated students learning from an amazing complement of local musicians, keeping tradi- tional music alive and thriving in the Twin Cities.

The Tea Room will also be the venue for the Glengariff Duo (Patti and Mike McLoughlin ) as well as Randy and Barbara Everson – both known for their music making at the Renaissance Festival. And the wonderful Tipper Road – a great extended family group of seven musicians. Beth Engelking’s lovely vocals will enchant you. Traditional tunes on Ireland’s own uilleann pipes from the Great Northern Irish Pipers Club top off the day.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 7 Dance Association

Flying Feet in the Spotlight on Day of Irish Dance

Sunday, March 17 at the Landmark Center marks the eleventh year that IMDA has devoted an entire day to showcasing the richness of Irish dance in the Twin Cities. And the 11th Day of Irish Dance is bigger than ever! Nine Irish dance schools and groups will perform this year – including more than 500 dancers. Some of these schools have been teaching for many years, nurturing young dancers - some of whom have gone on to establish their own schools. Some are new, drawn to the Twin Cities to join a thriving dance community. IMDA is delighted to welcome dancers from:

♣ córda mór irish dancers , directed by Fauna Gille, TCRG ♣ Green Fire Irish Dancers , directed by Ed Koehne and Elaine Murray ♣ O’Shea Irish Dance , directed by Cormac O’Se, TCRG ♣ Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers , directed by Katie Stephens Spangler ♣ Rince Nua Irish Dance , directed by Erin Cooney, OCDRN ♣ St. Paul Irish Dancers , directed by Eileen Dahill ♣ Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance , directed by Rachel Knutson Jones, TCRG

IMDA is also pleased to introduce dancers from two new schools:

♣ Eilís Academy, directed by Liz Hines TCRG – making their debut on Day of Irish Dance. Liz is a home-town favorite who danced with Scoil na dTri and corda mór and has gone on become a creden- tialed teacher (TCRG) and open her own school. ♣ Mulhern School of Irish Dance , directed by Eileen Mulhern O’Kane TCRG and Coleen Mulhern Malloy TCRG. The Mulhern School has expanded to the Twin Cities from the Chicago area. Also included this year are these special dance offerings:

♣ Showcase of IMDA Educational Grant Recipients – Amy Green and Kelly Pearson – demonstrating some of their new skills. ♣ “Rinceoirí Fásta Ag Fás Fós - Grown Dancers Growing” - a showcase of adult dance students from North Star, O'Shea, Rince na Chroi and Rince Nua. These dancers are amazing – Irish dance isn’t just for the young folks! ♣ Demonstration of old style sean nós dance by the Loma Mór Irish Dance Club. Sean nós dance is low to the ground stepping out to the music, similar to tap dance. ♣ “Origins of Irish Dance” – a seminar by Danielle Enblom , sharing some of the research she’s been do- ing as part of her study in Ireland. ♣ Traditional Dance Class – taught by Danielle Enblom

IMDA’s Decade of Dance Awards will be presented on Sunday, honoring dancers who have spent ten years studying and performing. IMDA is pleased to recognize the dancers who have made this significant commit- ment to Irish dance and who serve as outstanding ambassadors for Irish culture.

Check out the schedule on our website ( www.IMDA_MN.org) to be sure of seeing your favorite Irish dancers.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 8 Dance Association

Get Your Irish Up:

At the Cedar Karan Casey and John Doyle – March 3 Breathtaking Irish vocalist Karan Casey and guitar virtuoso John Doyle rose to fame as founding members of traditional supergroup Solas, yet since leaving Solas, each has successfully carved out a unique place in contemporary Irish and folk music. Now, their deeply felt musical compatibility and kinship has pulled them back to work together once more, this time as a duo. The result is Exile's Return (Compass Records), a luminous new album of Irish, Scottish and English folk songs, and a limited number of live appearances. The renewed collaboration has generated "a feeling of coming home," says Karan. "John in his guitar playing really does catch me, almost like he knows what I'm thinking." John says, "Karan's soul is in the music. We fit together, like hand in glove." Tickets $20 Advance, $22 day of show, available at the Cedar, Ticketweb, and at Depth of Field, Electric Fetus.

Boiled in Lead – March 16, 8:00 pm Start your St Patrick's Day celebrations early with this annual show by these beloved veterans of the Irish folk/rock scene, Boiled in Lead. Hard to believe they've been doing this for 30 years! Tickets $12 Advance, $15 day of show, available at the Cedar, Ticketweb, and at Depth of Field, Electric Fetus.

At the Fitzgerald Theatre Gaelic Storm – March 9, 7:30 pm Gaelic Storm steps back into the ring with the dazzling #1 Billboard World Album Chicken Boxer , a heavyweight record that comes out swinging with a mix of empowering anthems and traditional ballads. With catalog sales of more than 1 mil- lion, the group has now had three albums debut at #1 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, 2008’s What’s the Rumpus? , 2010’s Cabbage , which remained parked in the top slot for three consecutive weeks, and 2012’s Chicken Boxer . Their fifth album was released on the band’s own label, Lost Again Records, and showcases the incomparable songwriting and accom- plished musicianship of a band that has made their mark bringing fans to their feet two hundred days per year. The group’s ability to deftly incorporate a rock sensibility into their sound affords them rare crossover appeal. In recent years, they’ve performed on the same bill with acts ranging from Zac Brown Band and the Goo Goo Dolls to Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett, at events as varied as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Milwaukee’s Summerfest. With their signature acoustic production, Gaelic Storm blends indie-folk and world grooves with Celtic tradition. Tickets $35.00 and $32.00, with addi- tional $2.50 facility fee per ticket. Tickets at TicketMaster.

At the Dakota Jazz Club Cherish the Ladies – March 14, 7:00 pm For the past twenty five years, Cherish the Ladies have proven themselves worthy to live up to these accolades and in doing so have become one of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Irish music. Taking their name from a traditional Irish jig, the group initially began in 1985 with a series of concerts celebrating the rise of female musicians in once a male domi- nated scene. The concerts were held in New York City and organized by Dr. Mick Moloney and the Ethnic Folk Arts Cen- ter. The troupe initially won recognition as the first all-women traditional music and dance ensemble, but they soon estab- lished themselves as musicians and performers without peer and have since won many thousands of fans of their music. Tickets: $45, available on the Dakota website – daiotacooks.com/event/cherish-the-ladies/

At the Ordway Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul – March 17, 7:30 pm Legendary nine-time all-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers respectfully explores the traditions and progression of Celtic music. Joined on stage by the band Immigrant Soul, Ivers blends her fiddling with instruments from around the world in- cluding the accordion, Bouzouki, congas and harmonica. The original star of Riverdance, she is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World Music genres. Called the “Jimmy Hendrix of the violin” by The New York Times , Grammy Award-winner Eileen Ivers will change how you think about the violin! Tickets: $40 to $20, available at the Ordway Box Office.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 9 St. Patrick ’s Day 2013 Dance Association Saturday, March 16 Minneapolis Stillwater ♣ Bagpiper, Erin Rogue, ♣ Tom Dahill & Ginny Romantica, Reverse Cowboy, Johnson, Hounds of Sweet Colleens Finn, Paul & Lorraine, Noon to close, Kieran’s Irish Pub, The Jolly Groggers – 601 1 st Ave N IMDA ’s St. Patrick ’s Day noon until 11:30 pm, ♣ Charlie’s Irish Pub, Northern Gale Irish Celebration 2 pm, Hosmer Library, 101 Water St, Stillwater 10 AM to 5 PM 347 E 36 th St ♣ Erin Rogue Landmark Center, St. Paul 6 pm, Keegan’s Irish Pub, St. Paul 16 University Ave NE ♣ St. Paul ♣ Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Western & Southern Metro St. Patrick’s Day Parade Parade ♣ The Barley Jacks – Three Crows Café, noon, Downtown 6:30 pm, Nicollet Mall 225 N River St., Delano ♣ Irish Piper Tom, Sweet ♣ Four Pints Shy & Minnesota ♣ The Irish Brigade – 9:30 pm - McCormick's Pub, Colleens Police Pipe Band 331 Broadway Ave S, Wayzata Noon onward, Amsterdam 7 pm, Keegan’s Irish Pub, ♣ Legacy – 5:30 pm, Rosemount Community Center, Bar & Hall, 6th & Wabasha 16 University Ave NE 13885 S Robert Trail, Rosemount ♣ The Langer’s Ball, Two ♣ Lehto & Wright Tap Trio, Tom Dahill and 7 pm, Harriet Brewing, Ginny Johnson, Long 3036 Minnehaha Ave. Straight, Paddy Wagon ♣ Boiled in Lead in Concert – Sunday, March 17 1 pm on – Dubliner Pub, 8 pm - The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. 2162 University Ave W. ♣ Belfast Cowboys ♣ Inish Mohr – 9:30 pm – Whiskey Junction, 7:30 pm, Coffee Grounds, 901 Cedar Ave 1579 Hamline Ave N

IMDA ’s Day of Irish Dance 11 AM to 5 PM Landmark Center, St. Paul

♣ Locklin Road – 10 am, Hells Kitchen, 80 S 9 th St, Minneapolis ♣ Erin Rogue – 12 pm, Kieran’s, 601 1 st Ave N, Minneapolis; 3 pm, Cooper Irish Pub, 1607 Park Place Blvd, St. Louis Park; 6 pm Keegan’s Irish Pub, 16 University Ave NE, Minneapolis ♣ The Serfs – 2 pm, The News Room, 990 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 7 pm, The Valley Tap House, 14889 Florence Trail, Apple Valley ♣ Center for Irish Music at Music under Glass Concert Series - 4:30 pm, Como Conservatory, Como Park, St. Paul ♣ St. Patrick’s Day Irish Dance and Community Gathering – 6:00 pm, The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave. N, St. Paul ♣ St. Patrick’s Day at the Fine Line – Dust Rhinos, The Langers’s Ball, The Hounds of Finn, the Wild Colonial Bhoys - 6 pm, Fine Line Music Café, 318 N 1 st Ave, Minneapolis ♣ Chulura in Concert - 7:00 pm, Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St, Hudson, WI ♣ 22 nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Ceili Dance with music by Barra – 7 pm, CSPS Hall, 383 Michigan Ave, St. Paul ♣ Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul at the Ordway -7:30 pm, Ordway Center for the Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul ♣ The Barley Jacks - 8:00 pm, Manitou Station, 2171 – 4th Street, White Bear Lake, MN ♣ The Irish Brigade – 9:30 pm, McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant, 331 Broadway Ave S, Wayzata ♣ The Dregs – 10 pm, Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lakewww.IMDAwww.IMDA- St, Minneapolis---MN.orgMN.org

Irish Music & 10

Dance Association Patrick’s St Celebration Celebration Saturday SeePage 9 IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA forEvent Schedule The Landmark Center, St Paul Paul St Center, Landmark The

2 Ceili Saturday 2pm First Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Ginny & Dahill Tom 7:30pm Johnson Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Ulen Theatre, Hat Top 9 Gael 2pm Northern Wayzata Library, Wayzata Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Wallace Mike 3:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s Ball Langer’s 6pm The Stillwater Brewery, Bridge Lift Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Wright & Lehto 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Storm Gaelic 7:30p Paul St. Theatre, Fitzgerald Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 16 Jacks Barley The Delano Café, Crows Three It Irish Kickin’ 3pm/7pm Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp

Friday 1 1 Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Malloys CVA/Tim Save 7pm Ginny & Dahill Tom 7:30pm Johnson Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins CD Finn of 8pm Hounds Release Mpls House, Ale Pint Crooked 8 Wallace Mike 3:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s (theatre) Irish It 7pm Kickin’ Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Serfs 7pm The Mpls Music, Blackbird Wright & Lehto 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 15 Irish It Kickin’ Noon/7pm 10am Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Shy Pints 7pm Four Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Amsterdam Bar, St. Paul Paul St. Bar, Amsterdam

Camp Bar Bar Camp Thursday 7 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Nos Sean 7p Stl.Paul Junction, Celtic The Danceteria Thurs 7pm 1st Lake Prior Prior, Club of 7pm Couple A Blaguards Paul St. Cabaret, 14 It Irish Kickin’ Noon 10am St Theatre, Stone Stepping Paul Miss of Coronation 6:30p Shamrock Paul St. O’Gara’s, Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s of 7pm Couple A Blaguards Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp

Wednesday 6 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cafe, Brothers Hogan Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dancing Social Irish 7:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 13 It Irish Kickin’ Noon 10am Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Contest Tenor Irish Worst 6p Paul St. Mancini’s, Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cafe, Brothers Hogan Dancing Social Irish 7:30p Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins

Tuesday 5 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Launch Book Hart Erin 6p Paul St Library, JJ Hill Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Brigade Irish 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 12 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Dance Set Irish 7:30pm Brigade Irish 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s,

IMDA Community Calendar March 2013 2013 March Calendar Community IMDA Monday 4 Mic 7pm Open Paul St. Dubliner, 11 Monday 2nd 7:30pm Sing Shanty Paul St. Pub, Dubliner

Sunday

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org :30pm Pub Quiz Quiz Pub :30pm 3 Sutter MacKenzie/Ross Laura Duluth House, Jubilee Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Doyle Karan Casey/John 7:30p Mpls Cedar, The 7 Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 8pm Brigade Irish 9:30p Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 10 Day Family Pat’s St. 11am Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Pat’s St. McMahon 2pm Katie Paul St. Presbyt., of Hope House (theatre) Irish It 3pm Kickin’ Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Session Irish 4pm Learners Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Irish Music & 11

St Patrick’s Patrick’s St Dance Association Celebration Celebration SeePage 9 IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA

forEvent Schedule The Landmark Center, St Paul Paul St Center, Landmark The 16 cont’d cont’d 16 23 Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Ball Langer’s The 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 30 Blagard’s of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Bedlam 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp

15 cont’d cont’d 15 Irish It Kickin’ 10a/Noon/7pm Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Shy Pints 7pm Four Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Serfs The 10pm Mpls Lanes/Flashback, Memory Brigade Irish 10pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 22 Night Irish Sidhe: 7pm The Mpls Music, Blackbird Blaguards of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Ball Langer’s The 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 29 Blagard’s of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Bedlam 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Road 9pm Locklin Lk Bear White Station, Manitou Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp

14 cont’d cont’d 14 Dance Nos Sean 7pm Class Paul St. Junction, Celtic The Ladies the 7pm Cherish Mpls Jazz Club, Dakota Quiz Pub 8:30pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Bank Verch April 7:30pm Mpls Cedar, The 21 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Dance Nos Sean 7pm Class Music Live 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner of 7pm Couple A Blaguards Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 28 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s of 7pm Couple A Blagard’s Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp

13 cont’d cont’d 13 Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Cowboys Belfast Anoka Stage, Main Arts Lyric 20 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cafe, Brothers Hogan Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dancing Social Irish 7:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 27 Blagard’s of 7pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cafe, Brothers Hogan Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Dancing Social Irish 7:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 12 cont’d cont’d 12 19 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Sea Big Great 7:30pm Paul St. Theatre, Fitzgerald Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Brigade Irish 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 26 Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Dance Set Irish 7:30pm Brigade Irish 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Malloys Tim 9pm The Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, Amsterdam Bar, St. Paul Paul St. Bar, Amsterdam 11 cont’d cont’d 11 18 25 Pub Monday 4th 7pm Singing Mpls Rest, Merlins

Day of Dance Dance of Day SeePage 9 IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA IMDA www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org forEvent Schedule The Landmark Center, St Paul Paul St Center, Landmark The 10 cont’d cont’d 10 Blaguards of 5pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 17 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s (theatre) Irish It 3pm Kickin’ Paul St Theatre, Stone Stepping Barra w/ Ceili Irish 7pm Paul St. Hall, CSPS Wake Flanagan’s 7:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 24/31 Session Traditional Noon: 24) (Mar. Rogue Erin 9pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Blagards of 5pm Couple A Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp 7:30pm Pub Quiz Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Wake Flanagan’s 7:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Quiz Pub 8pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner Ivers Eileen 7:30p Paul St. Hall, Ordway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 8pm Paul St Pub, Dubliner Wake Flanagan’s 9:30p Paul St. Cabaret, Bar Camp Irish Music & 12 Dance Association

ont miss the rishmen t the mda t atricks day n landmark center

Hailing from County Offaly in the Irish midlands, Paddy O'Brien is a master of the two-row button accordion and a serious collector; over a lifetime he has amassed a repertoire of more than 3,000 compositions. He shares his knowledge through The Paddy OBrien Tune Collection , a series of recordings containing 1,000 tunes. In 2011, Paddy received IMDA Honors for his contributions to Irish music in Minnesota, and in 2012, he received Ireland’s Gradam Ceoil Traditional Composer of the Year Award. Paddy currently tours internationally as a solo musician, and plays local concerts and dances with his Irish traditional chamber group, O'Rourke's Feast. His musical memoir, THE ROAD FROM CASTLEBARNAGH, was published by Dublin’s Orpen Press in 2012. Máirtín de Cógáin is a singing, dancing, story-telling bodhrán player who also is a noted playwright and actor. He performs in his native Ireland and all over the U.S…. and between and beyond, too! An infectious personality, Máirtín pleasantly commands the attention of any collection of people, from a concert hall to an intimate porch. Descended from a long line of storytellers and with two CCÉ All- Ireland's for Storytelling under his belt, Máirtín gets no more joy out of life than the telling of stories. If you are lucky enough to catch him spinning a few yarns, you are in for a treat.

Saint Patrick ’ s Day Irish Dance – Dancing that YOU do! Again this year, the Irish Fair of Minnesota will be holding an Irish social dance at the Celtic Junction in Saint Paul on Saint Patrick’s Day, Sunday March 17. After enjoying all the dance and music performances at the IMDA’s events at the Landmark Center, come out and join in the dancing yourselves, or come to enjoy the beautiful traditional Irish music of the Twin Cities Céilí Band. They will be joined by other great local musicians to play for two dances at the same time. In the big dance hall, Paul McCluskey will teach and call céilí dancing, while the Twin Cities Irish Set Dance Club will lead set dancing in the middle hall. Don’t know the difference? Come and find out – both styles of traditional Irish folk dancing are terrifically fun. And YOU can do them. Irish folk dancing, or social dancing, is done year-around at the Dubliner Pub, the Celtic Junction, and other locations. All the details can be found at the website of the Loma mor Irish Dance Club, www.lomamor.org, and on Facebook at Twin Cities Irish Dancing. Céilí dancing is taught every Wednesday at the Dubliner Pub starting at 7 PM. Also at the Dubliner are set dances on the 2 nd and 4 th Tuesdays of each month. And there are monthly Saturday dances at the Dubliner and at the Celtic Junction. This year’s dance at the Celtic Junction on Saint Patrick’s Day will be partly a fundraiser for the Irish Fair of Minnesota. Proceeds will go to help fund cultural activities (including these styles of dancing in the Crossroads Dance Hall) at the Irish Fair on Harriet Island, August 9 through 11, 2013 The fun starts at 6 PM on Sunday, March 17, and goes until 10 PM at the Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Avenue North in Saint Paul. This is an alcohol- free and family-friendly event. Bring everybody. Admission at the door, $10 per person. Those ages 12 and under or 65 and up can get in for $5.00. The wee ones, ages 5 and under can join in for free. All ages will have a wonderful time. Come by yourself or bring a partner or a crowd; there are always plenty of very friendly, welcoming, and experienced dancers to help newcomers along. Irish Fair raffle tickets will be on sale, too. Grand prize: trip for two to Ireland, including airfare, car rental, and lodging. The Irish Fair of Minnesota is a 501c3 non-profit organization. www.irishfair.com . Questions about the dancing? Email Paul at: [email protected] www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 13 Dance Association Flanagan’s Wake Camp Bar Cabaret 490 N Robert St, St Paul, MN 55101

March 8 - 30, 2013 Fridays & Saturdays* at 9:30 p.m. Sundays at 7:30 p.m. *Saturday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m.

Flanagan is dead, but don’t be sad because remembering his life is all about laughs! Back by popular demand, it’s Flanagan’s Wake , the hilarious, interactive Irish funeral. Come cele- brate the life of our dear friend, Flanagan, by hoisting a pint and joining in on the tales that unfold. Tickets: General Admission: $24.50 VIP Seating in Front : $29.50 *Students and Seniors (60+) : $19.50 Reservations: BrownPaperTickets.com or 800-838-3006

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 14 Dance Association

Northwoods Songs: Irish Songs from Lumberjacks and Great Lakes Sailors By Brian Miller

My research has been primarily in songs that were collected from men (and some women) who lived in the white pine region that stretched from New Brunswick, Canada west through northern Minnesota/northern Ontario. There was a whole culture of singing in lumber camps and on Great Lakes ships throughout the 1800s that was hugely influenced by the Irish ballad tradition and celebrated much of the Irish ballad repertoire while also adding new North American songs based on the old ones. Lots of the singers were Irish too. In the Midwest it was mainly second-generation guys - children of famine immigrants in many cases. That's the stuff I plan on drawing on for the series. And there's a lot of it! Once you include Wisconsin, Ontario, Michigan, Upstate New York, Maine and New Brunswick there are piles of great songs out there.

AS I RODE DOWN THROUGH IRISHTOWN

As I rode down through Irishtown one evening last July, The mother of a soldier in tears I did espy, Saying, “God be with you, Johnnie dear, although you are far away, For you my heart is breaking since you went to the Crimea.

“Oh, Johnnie, I gave you schooling, I gave you a trade likewise. You need not have joined the army if you had taken my advise, You need not go to face the foe where cannons loud do roar, Think of the thousands that have fallen now upon that Russian shore.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 15 Dance Association

He joined the Fourteenth regiment, it was a splendid corp, They landed honorable mention upon the Russian shore; He fought in foreign engagements with the loss of men each day, And there is many a mother shedding tears for sons that are far away,

“You fought at Kurksharosko where you did not succeed, Likewise at the valley of Inkerman, where thousands there did bleed, You fought at Balaklava, too it was there you gained the day, And my darling is a hero although he’s far away.

“It was when we attacked Sebastapool, it was there you’d see some play, The very ground we stood upon it shook, the truth I say, The clouds were black with heavy smoke from bomb shells firing there, And thousands weltering in their blood that went to fight the Bear.

“The English said they would gain the seas whate’er might be their doom, And thousands there a-falling, cut down in their youthful bloom, There Paddy’s sons with English guns their valor did display, And together with the sons of France, thank God, we gained the day.

“Had your heart been made of iron for them you would shed tears, To see those heroes falling, cut down in their youthful years, To see those heroes falling and weltering in their gore, Far from their home and friends, my boys, upon that Russian shore.

“So now to end and finish and to conclude my song, I thank the God above me for having survived so long, Likewise my poor old mother, ’twas her I did adore, And I hope, dear mother, to meet you safe in Garryowne once more.

Every town is an “Irishtown” on St. Patrick’s Day but there are also a few places scattered around the world actually named “Irishtown” including a small town in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The above version of this song lamenting the sad fate of Irish soldiers in the Crimean War (1853-1856) was sung by Minnesotan Mike Dean (1857-1931) who was born just north of the Adirondacks. “Irishtown” could refer to the Adirondack town, or it could be a simple reference to an Irish neighborhood somewhere else. Versions collected in Ontario and Michigan say “Irish town.” Dean’s melody is a nicely turned version of the usual one for this song in tradition and it is a well-travelled air associated with many traditional songs including the Scottish “Tramps and Hawkers.” It was also used by song- maker and lumberjack Billy Allen (1843-1929) of Wausau, Wisconsin for his song “Driving Saw Logs on the Plover.” Bob Dylan (born in Duluth just ten years after Dean’s death up the road in Virginia, MN) also seems to have been inspired by this melody in the air he used for his song “I Pity the Poor Immigrant.”

You can read Northwoods Songs online at www.evergreentrad.com/ northwoods-songs

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 16 Dance Association A Couple of Blaguards Camp Bar Cabaret 490 N Robert St, St Paul, MN 55101

March 1 - 30, 2013 Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays, March 13 and 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Blaguard : (n) “an affectionate term for the rowdy outgoing and sometimes drinking sort boys” —Malachy McCourt

Written by brothers Frank McCourt (author of bestsellers Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis ) and Mala- chy McCourt’s (author of A Monk Swimming ) A Couple of Blaguards is a bubbling stew of Irish storytelling with plenty of humor and poignancy to sharpen the flavor. Tickets: General Admission: $24.50 - $29.50 VIP Seating in Front : $29.00 - $34.00 *Students and Seniors (60+) : $19.50 Reservations: BrownPaperTickets.com or 800-838-3006

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 17 Dance Association

An Leabhragán

(The Bookcase)

The Book of Killowen by Erin Hart, Scribner's (release date March 5, 2013)

Not since Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose has there been such a suspenseful novel about medieval books and artifacts connected with them. Where the aforementioned title reads a bit woodenly and word- wieldy, The Book of Killowen is a clean-lined, fast-paced thriller from start to finish. It's crammed with dead bodies (ancient and modern), sinister motives, a cast of suspicious characters, each with a secret or two to hide and carrying old grudges and new rivalries. Erin Hart's fourth mystery in her excellent series is my favorite of the bunch so far. She has hit her full stride and no mistake.

The Book of Killowen is set in and near a bog in peaceful, rural County Tipperary, near Ballyingarry. Two bodies have turned up in the boot of a car buried in Killowen Bog; one is unknown and a thousand years dead; the other a controversial TV chat show host recently gone missing. In what seems an improbable juxtaposition, even perhaps a malicious joke, the two men are soon shown to be connected. Neighbors near the bog's discovery have numerous reasons to hide their tangled pasts, and red herrings are served up with satisfying plot twists and gall (literally, as in gall-nuts used to make the ancient scribes' recipe for dark ink in manuscripts).It is hard to imagine what a cast of suspects as varied as an old- book scholar, a calligrapher, a pair of French cheesemakers, an organic farmer, and an unwed teenage mum might have in common, but Erin Hart reveals all in a taut, masterful unspooling of suspense and layered circumstances. She based much of the novel's framework on actual bog discoveries and archeological finds, as well as on local lore and ancient history, proving once again that fiction is not a stretching of the truth; rather, it is an illumination of it. Ms. Hart has done her homework, including accurate details of forensic police work and archeological discoveries. I stayed up until the wee small hours devouring this one, as thrilling and satisfying a mystery as I have read in recent years. The Book of Killowen deserves to go to the top of your must-read pile.

Sherry Ladig, former reviewer for the Hungry Mind bookstore's newsletter, Fodder, is a Saint Paul trad Irish musician and composer/arranger. Sherry welcomes suggestions for books of Irish interest for her to review----or write a review yourself! She may be reached at [email protected] . Happy March reading!

THE BOOK OF KILLOWEN will be in bookstores everywhere on Tuesday, March 5!

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 18 Dance Association

eili orner By Bhloscaidh O’Keane First Saturday Afternoon Céilí - Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul, from 2:00 to 5:00. The suggested donation is $2.00 per person. The dances are taught and called by Paul McCluskey. First Saturday Night Set Dancing Céilí - The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave., No, St. Paul. Third Saturday Night Céilí - The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave., No, St. Paul. Irish Dance Classes: Céilí Dancing - Wednesday Nights Dubliner Irish Pub - 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul. Learn Irish dancing in a genuine Irish pub with a wooden floor that has known a whole lot of dancing feet. Steps and dances are taught by Paul McCluskey, Súin Swann, and Kirsten Koehler. Basic beginning steps are taught beginning at 7:30, with advanced lessons and dancing continuing until 9:30 PM. Year-round; no children, and must be of legal drinking age. Free. Set Dancing - Wednesday Nights Dubliner Irish Pub - 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul. Set Dancing at 7:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, music by the Twin Cities Ceili Band. The cost is $5 for the band, beginners welcome, for more information call Geri at the Dubliner (651)646-5551. Set Dancing - Wednesday Nights The Celtic Junction - 836 N Prior Ave, St. Paul. Taught by Karen Cieminksi. This class is taught at a basic/intermediate level. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $8 per session.

The Center for Irish Music

Come check us out at The Celtic Junction 836 Prior Avenue, St Paul MN

Please check the website for information on our full range of instruction in traditional Irish music, language , culture and fun.

For class schedule and other information call or email 651-815-0083 [email protected]

Or visit our website

www.centerforirishmusic.org

Dedicated to Handing Down the Tradition www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 19 Dance Association

Smidirini* By Copper Shannon (*Irish for ‘Bits and Pieces’)

♣ Deepest Sympathy to Beth Pitchford of North Star Irish Dance. Beth’s father recently passed away. Tá tú inár gcróithe - You are in our hearts. ♣ Comhghairdeas léi (Congratulations to) the Langer’s Ball . Their latest album 'The Devil or the Barrel' earned them a top spot on virtually every Irish music writer, podcaster & bloggers best of 2012 list. Look for the band at IMDA’s St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration on March 16! ♣ Maith sibh! (Good on you!) to Irish Piper Tom Klein ! Tom continues to expand his musical collaborations. Tom and Henry Lebedinsky are The Fauxtatoes , a myth-exploding power duo of uilleann pipes and bouzar. And Tom on uilleann pipes will be teaming up with Dan Newton on piano accordion as The Bellows Brothers . They will be performing in the Tea Room on Saturday, March 16. ♣ Congratulations are in order for Erin Cooney and all the Rince Nua Irish Dancers who qualified and competed in the Cumann Rince Náisiúnta North American Open Irish Dance Championships in Washington D.C. earlier in February. Check out the great photos at http://angelakauffmanphotography.smugmug.com/IrishDance . ♣ Comhghairdeas léi (Congratulations to) The Hounds of Finn, who were invited to perform at the 2013 Folk Alliance International Conference in Toronto, ON. The Hounds were plenty busy with 7 performances over 4 days in late February! ♣ Did you know that Irish dance as we know it today has close roots in County Cork? Dancer/musician Danielle Enblom is working on a Master’s thesis on the history of Irish Dance in Ireland. She shares some of her research in a recent issue of the Celtic Junction newsletter – available at http://www.thecelticjunction.com/newsletter/issue-7 -imbolc-2013/ . You can hear more from Danielle when she presents a seminar on the topic at IMDA’s Day of Irish Dance on March 17.

IMDA Membership Want to know what’s going on in the local Irish scene? Interested in music, dance, theatre and culture? Be the first on your block to subscribe to the IMDA Newsletter. It’s a mere $20 for an annual individual membership and $25 for a family membership. Sign up yourself or sign up a friend, but whatever you do, support your local artists!

Name: Today’s Date:

Address: Where did you hear about the IMDA Newsletter?

Membership Type: New? Gift? Renewal? Corporate? Family?

Interests: Music Dance Theatre Gaelic Volunteer (Mark all that apply)

E-mail:

Phone Number:

We will send your monthly newsletter electronically via e-mail unless you would prefer to have it mailed. _____ Prefer US Mail. Just tear out the above form and send it with a check made out to “IMDA” to: The IMDA Membership Coordinator c/o Jan Casey 400 Macalester St. St. Paul, MN 55105 www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 20 Dance Association

236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330

Postmaster: Time/Dated Material

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org