MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL Volume 16, Issue 9 EVENTS NEWSLETTER Sep 2019 Five Points Pub Welcomes Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy The Five Points Public House and Event Center, in conjunction with Craobh Dugan, is proud to host a concert of traditional Irish folk music featuring Rory Makem and Donal Clancy, on Thursday Sept 12th at 7 PM. Continuing their family tradition, which began with their fathers in The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, independently celebrated musicians Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy come together with charismatic interpretations of songs and stories in the Irish folk tradition, while lending original music and songs of the modern folk era to the mix. Dónal Clancy, the son of Liam Clancy, is an acclaimed guitarist, singer and performer. He has been a member of Solás and Danú and has performed with Eileen Ivers and The Chieftains. A seasoned performer with more than 25 years on the road, Rory Makem is one of the leading forces in the song tradition of Irish music; carrying the torch of his father Tommy Makem, while promoting the craft of the modern folk era. The duo of Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy had a huge impact on folk music around the world in the 1970s and 80s. Many songs and memorable performances came from the duo, with many of their recordings have passed into “classic” status in many collections. Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy are justifiably proud of their families’ storied place in Irish music, and both had the opportunity to perform with their famous fathers over the years. While staying true to their musical lineage, the latter-day Makem and Clancy have forged their own identities as Irish singers and musicians, as well as masterful storytellers with a witty and charming stage presence. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 the day of show. They can be purchased through Eventbrite, or at the Five Points Public House. The Five Points Public House, co-located with the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, is located at 623 Columbia St, Utica. Five Points Pub Sets Grand Opening Dates Utica’s newest bar, the Five Points Public House, announced the dates for its official Grand Opening: Sept 19-21. The bar, which had been previously open only from 4 PM to closing on Thursday through Saturday, will be starting full-time operation on September 19th, with entertainment from the Blarney Rebel Band, Guinness representatives, and – shhh! -- some special surprises. Plans to expand food offerings were also announced, with new hours for lunch, dinner and late evening pub fare. The Five Points Public House, co-located with the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, is located at 623 Columbia St, Utica. Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 1 Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival The 23rd annual Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival will take place on Sept 13-14 at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Going back to its two-day format, Irish 2K features an outstanding lineup, including Eileen Ivers, Enter the Haggis, the Screaming Orphans, Scythian, Rory Makem and Donal Clancy, Hair of the Dog, Shilelagh Law, House of Hamill, Get Up Jack, Emish, The McKrells, Hellcat Maggie and many more. Tickets for Friday are $20 at the gate ($16 in advance) and $25 on Saturday; $19 in advance. Two-day passes are $30, and are only available in advance at select Price Chopper stores. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit their web site. The Saratoga County Fairgrounds is located 30 miles north of Albany, off interstate 87 (Adirondack Northway), in Ballston Spa. Copper City Brewing Co. Welcomes House of Hamill Enter the Haggis and Great American Irish Fest fans will instantly recognize this husband and wife duo. Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino together are House of Hamill, a project that incorporates traditional Irish fiddle music, contemporary originals, and even a viral cover of Guns ‘n Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine.” Their contagious personalities keep audiences smiling and dancing while their tremendous musical talent leaves jaws on the floor. The two bonded through their mutual admiration of traditional Irish fiddle music and Radiohead. A fondness for whiskey didn’t hurt either. Their harmonies are infectious and their music is contagious. You won't want to miss this performance. Make plans for a very special edition of Thursday Night Live at Copper City Brewing Company on Thursday, Sept 12th. You’ll be sure to be left wanting more from these two. Showtime starts at 7 PM. Syracuse Irish Festival – The Best Irish Music, Food and Fun! On September 6-7, the Syracuse Irish Festival once again takes to the streets. In total, performances will take place on two separate stages in Clinton Square by such Celtic and Irish bands as Enter the Haggis, Aoife Scott, Runa, The Town Pants, The Fitzgeralds, House of Hamill and many more. Also on the bill will be performances from several of the area’s excellent dance schools, and a special area just for the kids. The festival, which runs from noon to 11 PM on both days, is free. For more info, check their web site. Hudson Valley Irish Festival Marks Its 11th Year The 2019 Hudson Valley Irish Festival is an event not to be missed, with a day full of music, fun and food for the whole family. Providing the entertainment will be the Screaming Orphans, The McLean Avenue Band, the Cunningham Brothers and massed pipe bands. There will also be an open trad seisiun all day long, featuring Mary Courtney, Donie Carroll, Tom Dunne and Daniel Neeley. If that’s not enough, there’s also a spoken word tent featuring Irish American writers and artists, food trucks, fantastic Irish apparel, crafts and arts vendors, step dancers, and a children’s area, featuring18th Century toys and games. The festival, held on the majestic banks of the Hudson River at Peekskill’s Riverfront Green Park, runs from 11 AM to 7 PM. Admission is $10. Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 2 An Intimate Evening with Colleen & Erin Searson On Friday, September 13, “Six on the Square” welcomes GAIF veterans Colleen and Erin Searson for a special 7:30 PM show. For over a decade now, sisters Colleen and Erin have toured the world with their unique blend of high energy fiddling, passionate vocals and intricate step dancing. Hailing from the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada, their spirited live shows feature Colleen on fiddle and Erin on piano and tenor guitar, interspersed with the incomparably rich sounds of sibling vocal harmonies, and both sisters “pounding the boards” with Ottawa Valley step dancing. Tickets are available at the discounted pre-show price of $20 (plus a $2 service charge) or $25 at the door. The Young Dubliners Are in the House! On Sept 11th, Celtic rockers the Young Dubliners will be giving one of their signature shows at Daryl’s House, in Pawling NY. Founded in 1988 by Dublin native Keith Roberts and Paul O’Toole, the Young Dubliners have grown from their beginnings as a traditional folk/pop band, influenced by Celtic musician Christy Moore and Irish band The Fureys, to a style marked by a fusion of Irish traditional instruments and music with modern rock. The Young Dubs have released eight albums of original material and one Irish ballad cover album, and are currently at work recording a new CD. They have headlined throughout the United States and Europe since 1994, and have shared the stage with Jethro Tull, John Hiatt, Chris Isaak, Jonny Lang, Great Big Sea and Collective Soul, and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. AllMusic.com states, “Their live shows (have) a jam-like appeal, similar to the vibes of Phish and the Dave Matthews Band.” Tickets for the 7 PM show range from $15-$25 and are available here. Charm City Junction: Their Roots Are Showing The Baltimore-based Charm City Junction creates a fresh soundscape that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats wondering where they’ll go next. The band is comprised of four of the most talented and promising acoustic roots musicians in the country—Patrick McAvinue (fiddle, mandolin, and vocals), Brad Kolodner (clawhammer banjo and vocals), Sean McComiskey (button accordion) and Alex Lacquement (upright bass and vocals). Their music melds Old Time rhythms, foot-stomping Irish melodies, hard-driving bluegrass, and three-part harmonies. September finds them in the local(ish) area on two consecutive nights. On September 13th, they’ll be performing as part of Old Songs, Inc.’s Concert Series (37 South Main St. in Voorheesville), and then they’ll head down the road (or it could be up the road; our research department called in sick) to the Walton Theater; 30 Gardiner Place, Walton, NY. Both shows begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the Old Songs concert are $25 for adults, $12 for attendees 13-18, and $5 for those under 13. Tickets for the Walton Theater show are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $32 for an entire family. Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 3 “The Chain” -- Book Review by Mark Sisti Belfast-born Adrian McKinty’s latest novel, “The Chain,” presents a classic ethical dilemma: just how far will a normal person go to protect his or her family. I don’t mean physically; we are all positive we would take a bullet, fight a lion or jump in front of a speeding train to save our children. But I’m talking morally: would you be willing to commit the most irredeemably heinous acts to keep your child safe? Recent divorcee Rachel O’Neill’s life has been getting back on track after some tough times.