February1 Irish Music & 2012 Dance Association Feabhra 30th Year, Issue No. 2 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. St. Patrick ’s Day Inside this issue: Tune of the Month 2 is on Saturday This Year Gaelic Corner 3 st IMDA is hoping that you’ve already marked your calendars for our 31 Annual February Calendar 8-9 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration – on Saturday, March 17, 2012. And (big change) our 10 th Day of Irish Dance – on Sunday, March 18 ! We’re looking An Leabhragán 12 forward to two wonderful days of Irish music, dance, culture – fun for the whole Cu Ceoil 13 family. The Ceili Calendar 14

Smidirini 15 What’s new for St. Patrick’s Day 2012?

♣ New bands – The Langer’s Ball, Highland Paddy, The Gibbons’ Band, and Glengariff (these last three were top selections in the Irish Got Talent contest at Irish Fair )

What about the good stuff from the past?

♣ Music from Clairseach , Dunquin , the Eddies , the Giggin’ Síles , Handful of Fun , Legacy, Locklin Road , Black Rose Roisin Dubh , Tara Hill , Two Tap Trio, and the Wild Colonial Bhoys. And student ensembles (young and not so young) from the Center for Irish Music . ♣ Irish dance by Corda Mor Irish Dancers, O’Shea Irish Dance , Rince na Chroi , and St. Paul Irish Dancers , as well as Biddies Galore and Emerald Isle , Green Fire Irish Dancers , Knocknagow Irish Dancers , and Mooncoin Ceili Dancers .

Of course, the kids always love the great craft activities in the Children’s Activities Area. And the Children’s Stage will feature special entertainment just for the little ones. Bring the kids along to enjoy fun songs and movement from Common Chord , songs and games in Irish and the Instrument Petting Zoo with the Center for Irish Music , and a parent and kid ceili dance party with the Mooncoin Ceili Dancers.

Add in shopping in the Celtic Marketplace , seminars , a cup of tea (with music) in the Tea Room , some bagpipe music from the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band – and it’s a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in good old Irish St. Paul.

IMDA’s Day of Irish Dance will continue with its definite focus on Irish dance, with the returning favorites from St. Patrick’s Day and the addition of North Star Irish Dancers and Rince Nua Irish Dance , a Sean Nos dance presentation and a special Irish dance workshop from our own Danielle Enblom .

Sunday will also include music from Northern Gael, theatrical presentations from the Celtic Players and John Dingley, as well as tea and music in the Tea Room from returning favorites CIM student ensembles , Beth Engelking , Forty Shades of Green , Great Northern Irish Pipers Club , Will Harrison, the Traditional Singers Club and new, “soon to be favorites” Randy and Barbara Everson and Tipper Road.

Look for more information on the artists in the March IMDA newsletter. Details on the schedule will be posted soon at www.IMDA-MN.org . 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 If you’ve been to the Sunday night session at Keegan’s recently, you may Secretary: Jan Casey have heard Tom Dahill and Ginny Johnson playing this powerful old tune. Board Members: Suin Swann Ruth McGlynn Their version is fairly close to the one in O’Neill’s, but of course they have Patrick Cole put their own stamp on it. This reel has been widely recorded. You can Editor: John Burns hear some of the earliest recordings on The Wheels of the World , a IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership. collection of classic Irish-American recordings from the 1920s and 1930s on The Board meets regularly on the First Tuesday of each compact disc. That collection includes recordings of the Jolly Tinker by month at 6 pm at Perkins in HarMar. Members are encouraged to Michael Carney, an amazing wheelchair-bound uilleann piper from Mayo, verify the time and location shortly before, and by Paddy Killoran, the famous Sligo fiddler. The Jolly Tinker also as meeting times and locations can change. features on the classic recording Paddy in the Smoke , played by fiddlers Contact Information Jimmy Power and Jimmy Dunleavy. Write to: Irish Music and Dance Association I’m grateful to Tom Dahill for encouraging many of us newcomers to the 236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330 music over the years. And I have completely forgiven him for deserting me Call: 612-990-3122 on a dance stage at Landmark Center on St. Patrick’s Day one year when he E-mail: [email protected] left for another gig. I think I had been playing the flute for, oh, a couple of years, maybe. In my solitary panic, I could only remember the Peeler’s Newsletter Submissions Jacket, which I played over and over, to the probable chagrin of the dancers. We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, But apparently Tom had faith that I could carry on. Looking back, I’m news, and notices of events to be published in the newsletter. convinced that the challenge was actually good for me. Thanks, Tom and The deadline is the 20th o f the preceding month. Ginny, for the tunes and good times!

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.

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he aelic orner By Will Kenny Let's all sing our ABC's, you remember, the way you As for some of the other letters, they may be learned them when you were a kid: "A-B-C-D-E-F-G, represented in more than one way. There are very few Z- H-I-L-M-N-O ..." words, but we sometimes see the Z retained-- zú for Okay, I skipped a couple of letters, but I was using "zoo" -- or we might find it represented by another sound, the Irish alphabet. Peruse an Irish dictionary and you'll such as the "sh" sound that starts the word séabra (SHAY quickly find that entire sections for some letters are -bruh, for "zebra"). That kind of variation also happens missing, compared to what you expect in an English with some English words beginning with Y: Giúdais is dictionary, and others have but a few words in them. used for "Yiddish" while Iúgslaiv was used for The basic Irish alphabet contains only eighteen "Yugoslavia." letters, missing J, K, Q, V, W, X, And there are several options Y, and Z. (Those eighteen letters when it comes to representing J at the are, surprisingly, used to beginning of a word. The English represent more sounds in Irish word "job" has had a comfortably than we have in English, but Irish version jab for a long time. that's a different topic.) Rarely, a word beginning with J in Things get interesting with loan words from English English might get a G in Irish, but just to keep things (or from any language) that start with one of these interesting, that G might be pronounced like a Y. letters. How the spelling is handled, for these loan Giúdach for "Jewish" fits in that category. words, depends on the letter it starts with. Other Irish versions of English words start with a Y Some words are easily re-spelled to fit Irish, sound, but use an I in the spelling, as in Iamáice (yuh- including those that begin with K or Q in English. Since mawk-eh) for "Jamaica" or Iúdás (YOO-daws) for the those consonants both sound like K, and the K sound is name "Judas." But in the name Íosa ("Jesus), the long I represented by C (always "hard") in Irish spelling, stands alone in pronunciation (EE-us-uh). pretty much all the K/Q words will show up under C in Still other words find the English J replaced by the your Irish dictionary: cailéideascóp for "kaleidoscope," same "sh" sound we saw for "zebra," above; the Irish cangarú for "kangaroo," cárt for "quart," cuilt for "quilt." word for "Japan" is Seapáin . Now, in recent years, and Indeed, I have never seen a K section in an Irish among younger speakers, just borrowing the English dictionary at all, and the only word I've seen under Q is letters has become more common, so if you see a "jeep" the borrowing quinín for the drug "quinine." driving by, you might call it a jíp , which sounds like the You generally won't find a W section either, but English. But you could also call it a síp -- which sounds oddly, the Irish version of many W borrowings are exactly like the English word "sheep"! spelled with a beginning V (which also is not in the Of course, you have to deal with these missing letters standrad Irish alphabet!). Thus "wagon" becomes in the middle of words, too, which is how "kilowatt" vaigín and "waltz" becomes váls . becomes cileavata . Perhaps this works because there are enough V- based borrowings so that you usually do find a short Things are busy at Gaeltacht Minnesota: new students section of V-words. Vóta (for "vote") is certainly one of joining us this month, and planning for spring and the most important ones, but we also have vacsaín summer workshops getting under way. Stop by our web ("vaccine"), veist ("vest"), Vailintín ("Valentine"), and, site, sign up for our free e-newsletter, The GaelMinn naturally, vaimpír ("vampire"). Gazette, and keep an eye on all of our events! Words beginning with X are already rare in English, so the Irish versions are usually very similar, mainly X- Tá jab air , literallly, gha ("x-ray" and related terms) and xiolafón "There's a job on it", that is "It's a difficult job" ("xylophone"). As you can see from that last word, the Irish version got rid of the Y in that word, and you'll be Will hard pressed to find Y used in any Irish word listed in the dictionary. www.IMDAwww.IMDA- ---MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 4 Dance Association

Minnesota Irish Dancers Make a Strong Showing at Oireachtas

In the world of Irish Step Dance, the term Oireachtas refers to our annual regional dance competition. The word "oireachtas" literally means "gathering" in English. For many local Irish dancers, Oireachtas means the chance to demonstrate their skills before discerning judges, for the privilege of competing for national and world championships. And it means the fun of traveling with their dance teachers and dance friends and families. Dancers must study with a teacher with the TCRG qualification from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, one of the Irish dancing commissions, in order to compete at Oireachtas.

Minnesota was well represented in the regional Irish dance competition this past November in Chicago. The solo competitions at the Oireachtas are divided by gender and age. There are three rounds in the Oireachtas solo competitions, a light shoe round, a hard shoe round, and a recall round. Dancers also compete in other classes, including Céilí teams, figure choreography and traditional set.

Corda Mór Irish Dance Congratulations to these dancers from Corda Mór Irish Dance who competed in Chicago:

U8 (Under 8 at the beginning of 2011): U13: Megan Healy Natalie Zhu - qualified for Nationals - qualified for Nationals Sammy Ausman - qualified for Nationals U9: Maria McDonald - qualified for Nationals Anna Cline Maeve Clancy - qualified for Nationals U11: Emma Oman - qualified for Nationals Connor Hansen - qualified for Worlds & Nationals Cecilia Nicklaus Tess Carney - qualified for Worlds & Nationals U14: Tess Nelson Maria Cline - qualified for Worlds & Nationals Mandy Ausman Quinn Carney - qualified for Nationals Audrey Gorman Sonja Munson - qualified for Nationals Margaret Sullivan Molly Stuart U15: Maria Nicklaus Kennedy Borman Rita Wegner U12: Selena Munson - qualified for Worlds & Nationals U16: Rachel Olson - qualified for Worlds & Nationals Molly Hennessy Mara Magistad Sammy Brown Bailey Smith-Dewey U17: Kelly Pearson - qualified for Worlds & Nationals

O’Shea Irish Dance O'Shea Irish Dance enjoyed its largest representation ever at the Regional Championships, as we were represented by 50 dancers! We brought eight 8-hand teams - most of whose members were competing at the Regionals for the very first time. Two of our teams recalled, the Junior Ladies U15 placing in the top 10 of 42 teams, and the Mixed Céilí U15 placed 4th of 9 teams. O’Shea Irish Dance had over a dozen traditional set competitors, many of whom recalled, and 12 solo competitors, 6 of whom recalled. Of these, our world qualifiers are James Anderson , Meghan Golder , Evan Lowe and Liam Slattery. We look forward to supporting them in the World Championships in Belfast, Ireland this April!!

Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance Congratulations to these dancers from the Shamrock School who competed in Chicago: U10 - Annie Wier - Traditional Set, placed 4th U18 - Amy Drew – Solo, qualified for Nationals, placed 25th U16 - John Drew – Solo, qualified for Nationals, placed 9th U20 - Bridget Faust – Solo, placed 18 th www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 5 Dance Association Educational Grants Available for Irish Music and Dance Students

The Irish Music and Dance Association (IMDA) would like to lend a hand to students of Irish music, dance or cultural pursuits. We’re looking for students who have already made a significant commitment to their studies, and who could use some help to get to the next level. This may be the student using a borrowed instrument who needs to buy his or her own (like Amanda and Bonnie Hogan , students at the Center for Irish Music, or uilleann piper Patrick McCormick ) or a student who would like to attend a special class (like Rachel Olson who attended Rince Coel , an Irish dance camp in upstate New York, or Anthony Howe , Silas Oman, and Ryan Behnke, who attended the Balmoral School for Piping, or Nickolas Wolf or Monica Nigon, who attended workshops in Ireland). 2012 is the seventh year of this program, with help extended to 18 musicians, dancers and language students over the years. More information on the previous recipients and how they used their grants is available on the IMDA website. The applicant may use the grant in any way that furthers his or her study – help with the purchase of an instrument, tuition to a workshop or class, travel expenses – the options are endless. Previous grant recipients have included musicians, dancers, and an Irish language teacher, but the program is open to students of the other traditional Irish arts as well. And the program is available to students of any age. This is a merit-based opportunity. Applicants are be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community elder familiar with their work. And recipients are expected to bring their new skills back to the community by performing at an IMDA event. IMDA is committed to the vitality of our Twin Cities Irish community, and helping students of the traditional arts of Ireland is one way of insuring that vitality for the future. The 2012 application deadline is April 15. Applications will be available at the IMDA Booth at our St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration and Day of Irish Dance at Landmark Center. Applications are already available at the IMDA website: www.IMDA.org , or by contacting Jan Casey at [email protected] or 651.699.8937.

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

Congratulations to Norah Rendell

Top Tradition in Review Awards are the recommendations of Bill Margeson, acclaimed Irish-American music critic and radio presenter. The awards are published in the Irish American News and on LiveIreland, Irish Internet Radio and TV from Dublin, Ireland. 2011 Vocalist of the Year – Norah Rendell “The Minneapolis-based singer has done it perfectly with her group, The Outside Track. Her voice is made for the powerful arrangements of the group. It makes no difference here that she is also a superior wooden flute player. She is a killer singer. We don't know how or when she got this good. Maybe it has always been so. The important thing is that this is a woman at the top of her game and she is set for a long run in this business. With this album, Norah has established herself among that top class of the top elites. An easy choice this year.” 2011 Vocal/Instrumental Group of the Year – The Outside Track “Two albums now from this multi-national contingent have stamped them not only as yet another new force in the music, but among the top groups in the world. The Outside Track is traditional, creative, and brilliant on every cut. A stunning collection of taste, musical ability and incredible depth of knowledge for ones so young. We won't list each of the musicians by name. Suffice it to say that they all join singer, Norah Rendell in producing incredibly creative and vibrant music. This group tore it up at Irish Fest in Milwaukee this past summer. It has been a long time since we have seen three new groups make such a splash in one year, as have The Outside Track, Full Set, and Chicago Reel. They are here. They are now. They are fantastic.”

Norah and the Outside Track are in great company. Read about the other honorees at http://my.liveireland.com/profiles/blogs/liveireland-music-awards-2012 Goderich Roots Festival Young Tradition Bearer – Norah Rendell In August 2011, The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival named Norah Rendell as 2011 "Young Tradition Bearer" based on her dedication to teaching, performing and researching traditional music. The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is held each summer in Goderich, Ontario, to foster the preservation and continuation of traditional Celtic art forms through exposure, participation and education. The recognition is especially noteworthy because the festival organizers recognize that forming new generations of artists and participants is absolutely essential to the survival of these living traditions. Check out the festival at http://www.celticfestival.ca/

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Countdown to a decade St. Paul’s Rince na Chroi Irish dancers gear up for their annual recital, where they’ll start the countdown to the school’s 10-year anniversary

Rince na Chroi, a St. Paul-based Irish dance school, will kick off the Irish-festival season with its seventh annual concert, “From the Stage to Your Heart,” on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine’s University’s O’Shaughnessy Auditorium. This will be the school’s second year in the 2,000-seat O’Shaughnessy – it continually has increased capacity to meet ticket demand, adding shows at its previous smaller venue, and now being settled comfortably in the much larger O’Shaughnessy. The performance will feature the fast-paced Irish dancing of more than 150 Rince na Chroi dancers, from toddlers through adults, with emcee Kieran Follard, Founder of 2 Gingers Whiskey Company, and accompanied by the Two Tap Trio dance band. It will also include a pre-show presentation by Brian Thomas May Events that will kick-off the countdown to the school’s 10-year anniversary celebration in February 2013. The Irish Fair of Minnesota will have representation as well to help promote its annual August fair. RInce na Chroi owner and director, Katie Stephens Spangler, 31, has overseen the growth of the school from just 15 students in 2003 to more than 150 today, with ten instructors in its ranks. As the school has grown, so has its local and regional reputation. Rince na Chroi, whose Gaelic translation means “dance of the heart,” has been featured numerous times by local news channels and newspapers. The dancers have performed with Irish acts such as Gaelic Storm, Danu, Searson and the Minnesota Police Pipe Band. In 2011, Rince na Chroi traveled to performances in more places than ever, including Austin, Minn., Sioux Falls, S.D., and LaCrosse, Milwaukee and Chippewa Falls, Wisc. Stephens Spangler, a Milwaukee native and University of St. Thomas graduate, traveled the world for more than a decade as a competitive Irish dancer, ending her career at the championship level, the highest in Irish dance competition. The married entreprenuer is expecting her first child this year. Classes at Rince na Chroi are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Sundays, based on level. Prospective dancers are welcome to visit throughout the year. For inquiries, call (651) 645-4292 or visit www.rincenachroi.com . Tickets are on sale for $18, $24 and $29 and can be purchased at the O’Shaughnessy Box Office, oshaughnessy.stkate.edu.

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Irish Music &

Dance Association Saturday 4 4 at Feis OID America of Mall The Cowboys Belfast The 8pm Mpls Lounge, Liquor Lee’s Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 11 Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s in Concert 8pm HIB’s Paul St Junction, Celtic The Tree 8pm Greenwood Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 18 Ramble Scottish The Paul St Center, Landmark The the From Chroi: na 8pm Rince Heart Your to Stage Paul St O'Shaughnessy, Black Tiller 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Daithi & MacKenzie 8pm Laura Sproule Mpls Café, Riverside Cowboys Belfast The 9:30pm Mpls Junction, Whiskey Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Finn of Hounds 9:30pm Paul St Pub, Dubliner Acoustic Café, Winona Winona Café, Acoustic

Friday 3 3 in Bua concert Paul St Junction, Celtic The Annual 10th Dunquin: 7:30pm Concert Island Scottish Paul St. Church, Congr. Olivet Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 10 Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s Music Live 9:30pm Paul St Pub, Dubliner Bhoys Colonial Wild 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s 17 Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Black Tiller 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s

Thursday Cork’s Pub, St. Paul Paul St. Pub, Cork’s Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 2 2 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Cowboy pm Reverse 9:30 Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 9 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 16 Serfs 7pm

Wednesday 1 1 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Lessons Dance Set 7:30pm Mpls Ctr, Dance Folk Tapestry Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap pm Two 9:30 Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 8 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Lessons Dance Set 7:30pm Mpls Ctr, Dance Folk Tapestry Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Dance Ceili 7:30pm Music Live 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 15 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Lessons Dance Set 7:30pm Mpls Ctr, Dance Folk Tapestry Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap Two 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner

Tuesday 7 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Lehto&Wright 6:30pm the Wise, School of Chanhassen Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 14 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s,

Monday IMDA Community Calendar February 2012 February Calendar Community IMDA 6 Monday First 7:30pm Sing Shanty Paul St Pub, Dubliner 13

Sunday

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org 5 at Feis OID America of Mall The Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins 12 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Bhoys Colonial Wild 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 9

Irish Music & Dance Association

25 Murphys Kick 5pm Drop Mpls Avenue, First Gaela A CIM: Eigse 5:30pm Event Paul St. Junction, Celtic The Fair Irish to 6pm Halfway Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Trio Rich Leslie 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Bhoys Colonial pm Wild 9:30 Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s Trio Dominic’s St. 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s 3 Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Concert in 8pm Altan Mpls Center, Cultural Cedar The Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s

24 24 Gael Northern 6:15pm Ch, Episcopal St. Matthew’s St. Paul Trio Rich Leslie 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Trio Dominic’s St. 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Bhoys Colonial pm Wild 9:30 Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 2 Finn of Hounds 7:30pm Stillwater Pub, Charlie’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Brigade Irish The 9:30pm Wayzata Pub, McCormick’s 23 23 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 1 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 22 22 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Lessons Dance Set 7:30pm Mpls Ctr, Dance Folk Tapestry Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap Two 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 29 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap Two 9:30pm Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 21 21 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Lehto&Wright 6:30pm the Wise, School of Chanhassen Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 28 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Feast O’Rouke’s 7:30pm Congregational, Olivet Paul St Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 20 20 Pub Monday 3rd 7pm Singing Mpls Rest, Merlins 27

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org 19 19 Ramble Scottish The Paul St Center, Landmark The Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins 26 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Trio Tap 4pm Two Excelsior Episcopal, Trinity Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Irish Music & 10 Dance Association "Love loves to love love." -- James Joyce, Ulysses

Bring your sweetie(s) or just your sweet-self for a "hearty" pre-Valentine concert with the HiBs. The HiBs play Irish Traditional Music that is joyfully energetic and masterfully presented. Join Kate Dowling on Flute and Whistle, Jode Dowling on Fiddle and Patsy O'Brien on Guitar and Vocals, for a night of traditional music, story, and celebration. Kate and Jode Dowling are the founders of the Center for Irish Music, Patsy an engaging guitarist, singer and songwriter from Co. Cork, Ireland.

Check in with us at www.hibsmusic.com or "like" us on Facebook!

This promises to be a special night for all - young, old, single, separated, and settled-down. Whether your love is legendary like that of Diarmuid and Grainne , or more like that of Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danacher (from The Quiet Man, of course) all will have any enjoyable night. This is an excellent chance to spend time with your loved one and hear fabulous traditional Irish music by the happiest Twin Cities traditional Irish trio.

Special Ticket Pricing:

$12 per person advance / $15 per person door

$20 per pair advance / $25 per pair door Tickets available at Irish on Grand or www.thecelticjunction.com/tickets

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 11 Dance Association

Whiskey Entrepreneur Kieran Folliard and The Center for Irish Music hold “Gaela” Fundraiser

Local Irish whiskey entrepreneur Kieran Folliard and the Center for Irish Music (CIM) host Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event, Saturday, February 25 th at The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave North in Saint Paul. The semi- formal fundraiser includes dinner, 2 Gingers whiskey tasting, silent auction, live auction, raffle, and traditional Irish music concert featuring the impressive musicianship of CIM instructors. The evening will be emceed by Máirtín de Cógáin, All-Ireland Storytelling Champion, singer and actor from County Cork. Guests have t wo ticket options: share a sit-down dinner provided by Cara Irish Pubs at 5:30 PM ($50), or join us at 7:00 for the whiskey tasting and concert ($20).Tickets available now at www.centerforirishmusic.org or call 651-815-0083 . The concert portion of Éigse CIM features the Irish music school's faculty of sixteen musicians, many of whom boast international awards and accolades. These include Irish guitarist Dáithí Sproule of renowned band Altan; Todd Menton of Celtic rock band, Boiled in Lead; Norah Rendell, recently named “Best Female Vocalist of 2011” by Live Ireland Awards; Brian Miller of Bua; and Chad McAnally, National Scottish Harp Champion. Other instructors with impressive artistic credits include Cormac O'Sé of the original cast of Riverdance; Jode Dowling of the HiBs; Patrick McCormick of WookieFoot; John McComick of Barra; Shawn McBurnie of Rumgumption; Charlie Heymann of Clairseach; Cory Froehlich and Tom Lockney of The Twin Cities Ceili Band; Nathan Gourley of The Doon Ceili Band; Sean Egan; and Mag McDermott. Éigse (pronounced ‘EG-shuh’) is an Irish word for a celebration of traditional Irish music and culture. Honorary co- chair Kieran Folliard says, “It is a pleasure to support the far reaching work of the Center for Irish Music. Given the wide array of world class talent in Irish musical skills, our community is blessed with a resource that allows the next generation to receive and take inspiration from this very traditional and timeless art form.” This year, in particular, the CIM’s annual fundraiser is a call for both celebration and community support as the school settles into its home in a new area of The Celtic Junction. After serious fire damage in December 2010, The Celtic Junction rebuilt and continues its swift rise to becoming the definitive hub for Celtic arts in the Twin Cities. Its renovated space features an expanded facility for the CIM, allowing the music school to better serve its growing student population. CIM executive director Norah Rendell says, “With a fantastic new facility that we can grow into, The Center or Irish music is looking forward to many more years of working to keep the rich tradition of Irish music in the Twin Cities alive as we ‘hand it down’ to children, youth and adults through our classes and public events. We wouldn't be here if it weren’t for the support from the citizens of Saint Paul, many of whom have Irish roots.” In 2011, the Center's staff of 17 professional musicians served more than 250 students of all ages through workshops, master classes, and year-round instruction in song, fiddle, harp, whistle, concertina, flute, bodhrán, guitar and more. For more information visit centerforirishmusic.org .

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 12 Dance Association

u eoil " Music to the Irish is a living delight, a mysterious key to a host of undiscovered emotions hoarded in the secrets of the soul." Mairtin Byrnes

Our music hound this month is Adam Coolong, who formed Wild Colonial Bhoys with Geno Carlson in 2005, and they’ve been playing hard ever since.

I am one of those people who is always listening to music. Be it in my kitchen making dinner, in my car doing errands or yes, even as I sit and type this article! My tastes are varied, and switch with my moods. Sometimes it’s jazz, sometimes it’s metal, sometimes it’s classical or a movie score. Mostly however, it’s something Irish. There are so many sub-genres within Irish and Celtic music, which is one of the many things I love about it. The Pogues, U2, Daithi Sproule, Christy Moore, Enya, The Wolfe Tones, Liz Carroll... it’s all Irish. From trad to rebel tunes to contemporary rock, I love it all. Because of the sheer volume of what’s out there to listen to, I find it amazing that I keep coming back to listen the same artist-- Damien Dempsey. Hailing from Donaghmede on the north side of Dublin, Damo has given voice to the disenfranchised of Ireland’s post-Celtic Tiger society. He has won six Meteor Awards (the Irish Grammys) for his work, and is described as the “voice of the underclass” and the “quintessential Irish singer songwriter”. I will freely admit that it took me awhile to get into Damo’s stuff. I was given a tape (yep, an actual audio cassette--remember those?) by a friend of mine, lauding this Damien Dempsey guy. I listened to it (after I found a tape machine somewhere...) and wasn’t exactly sold at first go. His voice is so heavily steeped in the Northside Dublin brogue that I found it hard to listen to. But one song in particular (“The Jar Song” off his album “Seize the Day”) was just so DIFFERENT that it made me keep listening, repeatedly. That’s when it hit me--this guy is BRILLIANT. “Brendan Behan was a friend of mine/he loved the bars and he’d drink cheap wine/get out of his mind with a lad and lass/he’d drive them home and then go to Mass/look around, you see what’s up/you see another Irishman who’s taken to the sup/you see that’s the way, that’s the way they came” (from the Jar Song). His lyrics, his subject matter, his style, it all just started to speak to me. Sometimes good music does that; you have to let it marinate in your brain a little while before the true worth of it starts to sink in, and that’s what happened here. My favorite Damo album is “Shots”, which features a wealth of studio tracks, plus three live tracks from a sold-out Dublin show he did opening for Sinead O’Connor. This album is simply PHENOMENAL, and I listen to it front-to-back all the time. There aren’t too many albums where one can do that anymore, it seems; this is definitely one of them however. Songs like “Party On”, about the negative side of Dublin’s drug culture, and “Colony”, about colonialism and imperialism really stand out to me. The spoken-word section of “Colony” is one of the most powerful things I have ever heard: (Continued on page 13) www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 13 Dance Association

An Leabhragán (The Bookcase) Broken Irish by Edward J Delaney paperback, Turtle Point Press 2011

If you are looking for a pleasant winter reading escape, don't pick up this novel. On the other hand, if you want a gritty, character-driven profile of South Boston in the waning days of 1999, on the brink of the new century, Broken Irish would be a good place to start. South Boston, traditionally a long-time bastion of Irish culture and politics, is loosening its grip on the old ways and connections of its past. The sins of the fathers are visited upon the children of the neighborhood in ways unforeseen by its first Irish residents. Some things, though, never change, for good and ill: the pervasive influence of the Catholic church, decades-old street grudges and scores which can never be settled, blood ties which demand loyalty and violence in equal amounts. Redemption is a hard thing to come by for a "Southie". Six characters--- a priest on the brink of retirement, a teen prostitute, a thirteen-year-old dropout, a tycoon with dirt-poor origins, a war widow and an alcoholic writer: all seemingly unconnected, yet all intricately enmeshed in ways too labyrinthine to see all at once. In this narrative there is no satisfying resolution or neatly-wrapped conclusion to the challenge of survival itself. There are only small glimpses in the alley or through a window, of the rituals and meanings a human life holds. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it rewards a reader with depth and unflinching truth.

Sherry Ladig , frequent contributor to this column, is a Saint Paul trad musician and a former reviewer for the Hungry Mind Bookstore's newsletter, Fodder. Sherry welcomes ideas for books of Irish interest to review- --or write one yourself. She can be reached at [email protected] . Happy reading!

(Continued from page 12)

“And still they teach you in your school/about those glorious days of rule/and how it's your destiny to be/ superior to me/but if you've any kind of mind/you'll see that all human kind/are the children of this earth/and your hate for them will chew you up and spit you out” I could listen to that over and over. And I do. I had the pleasure of seeing Damien Dempsey perform once at O’Gara’s Garage in St. Paul. Just him on a guitar and a percussionist, and it was one of the coolest shows I’ve ever seen. It’s too bad that there were only about twelve people in the room there to see him that night. It’s only right that I do my part in spreading the word about this exceptional musician; maybe we can get him back to play for more of us! Check him out as soon as you can, if you haven’t already! Okay, I gotta go--time to listen to “Shots” again! Thanks for reading! You can find Damien Dempsey’s entire catalog on iTunes, and other online retailers. www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 14 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.

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 Súin Swann. Basic beginning steps are taught beginning at 7:30 (please note the time change), with advanced lessons and dancing continuing until 9:30 PM. Year-round; no children, and must be of legal drinking age to remain past 9:00 PM. Free.

Conway Recreation Center - 2090 Conway Street in Saint Paul. This class is held in a park and recreation gym, and is taught by fine dancers/instructors who will provide plenty of special attention for your particular level of experience. The class runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Year-round and open to all ages. Free.

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 & 15 Dance Association

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

♣ “Fitzie” - Ní Bheidh Mo Leithéad Aris Ann (There’ll never be the likes of him again). Come on out to the Celtic Junction on Sunday evening, March 4 to remember and honor our good friend Tim ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald. It’s the 2 nd Annual Fitz Day. Be sure to: Bring your stories. Bring your instrument. Bring your voice. Bring your dancing shoes. Bring your friends.

♣ Irish singer and flutist Nuala Kennedy will be at the Cedar Cultural Center with her band in September. The Cedar has announced that tickets are on sale now – so it could be a big night. Irish by birth (Nuala grew up in Dundalk, Co. Lough) and deeply rooted in Scottish Gaelic song, Nuala demonstrates “bright and rhythmic, percussively accented flute playing and a voice of luminous clarity” according to the Herald. Read more at http:// www.thecedar.org/artists/nuala-kennedy-band .

♣ IMDA Community Resources List – bigger and better than ever! We’ve been working hard to update and expand the information on the Resources list, adding even more of your favorite bands and musicians. If you haven’t visited the website lately, check it out. www.IMDA-MN.org , click on Resources. Also, did you know that you can search the Events Calendar on the website for your favorite band or favorite venue? There are lots of great music, dance and cultural events coming up in the next few months – visit us often!

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!

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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 & 16 Dance Association

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