BILL BLACK'S "CAPEIRISH"
NEWS/INFO PAGE
A LISTING OF EVENTS AND RESOURCES RELATING TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC
IN THE CAPE COD AND NEARBY S.E. NEW ENGLAND AREA
email:bill@capeirish.com
updated: 1/6/23
Sorry to take the Christmas tree down (from this page, that is!)
For those of you who love Christmas decorations and can't bear to
part with them, remember that Candlemas (or Feast of the Presentation)
is February 2nd this year - that's the "official" end of the Christmas season.
So you have another month or so to enjoy them!
In meantime I hope your Christmas was a great one. My best
wishes for a happy and peaceful 2023 to you and yours.
I'll be happy to include your SE New England traditional event if you send me an email with the details - try to include as much information as possible, including ticket prices, relevant websites, etc.
NEWS, NOTES, & COMMENTS
MATTAPOISETT LIBRARY SESSION - UPDATE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
From Colin Everett:
Our first of the month Irish session at the Mattapoisett Public Library has been moved to next week because the Library is closed on New Years Day. It will take place on Sunday January 8th at 2:00 PM.
We had a great turnout of musicians and listeners at Davoll’s in South Dartmouth and we are planning on heading back on January 22nd at 2:30-4:30. . www.davolls.com
Hope to see you all in 2023. Happy New Year!
BB note: I attended this session and can attest to the fact that it's a really nice venue
that reminded me of some places in Ireland where I have played. I look forward to it conitnuing!
PASSING OF THE "CAPE COD CEILI WEEKEND"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Most of you should by now be aware of the fact that the wonderful event
known as "The Cape Cod Ceili Weekend", hosted since 2004 by the Northeast
Ceili Band (NECB), has for reasons still mostly unclear to me been cancelled,
and will evidently be replaced by a similarly-named function featuring a hitherto-
unknown (at least to me) "ceili band".
This all came as news to me, since I was neither consulted nor advised by those responsible for this change. One would have thought it a matter of simple respect
to have done so, but evidently it never occurred to anyone.
On behalf of the NECB I want to emphasize to all those who helped us make
this a great affair over the years - dancers, guest musicians, hotel staff -
that this new arrangement was not our choice. As many of you know, I originally
started this event with Jack Hynes at the "old" Irish Village. Naturally it
took a few years to gather steam, but once it did, it became a great weekend
that we as musicians looked forward to as much as you the dancers did.
So I'm taking this opportunity - with a heavy heart - to thank all you who have
supported us in the past, and also to give a final "shout out" to our great musicians - band members (at various time) Pat Reynolds, Kevin Killeen, Rose Flanagan, Mike Reynolds, Larry Reynolds Jr., Seán Reynolds, and Keith O'Neill (RIP), plus guests
Tara Lynch, Tommy Sheridan, John Whelan, Willy and Siobhán Kelly, Jerry O'Sullivan, Kieran Flanagan, Connie Patten. . .if there are names I've forgotten, I apologize. After all, I'm not getting any younger. . .
Bill Black
IRISH MUSIC INSTITUTE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I have received an announcement from piper Seán Gavin about the formation of a new entity called the "Irish Music Institute", which has been created to provide online traditional music training. Quoting from the announcement:
"It is my great pleasure to announce the launch of a new non-profit organization, the Irish Music Institute. Its purpose is to encourage people of all ages to explore the traditional music and song of Ireland. Based in Southeast Michigan, IMI connects a broad network of players, learners, and enthusiasts worldwide. We offer private, online lessons from a top notch faculty with instructors throughout North America and Ireland."
A complete copy of Seán's announcement is here. This sounds like a most worthy endeavor and I wish them the best of luck going forward!
CHATHAM FIDDLE ACTIVITIES
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Ongoing Sessions
The Red Nun, Dennisport, Saturdays 6-8PM
The Chatham Squire, Sundays 4-6:30PM
SESSION RE-OPENINGS
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
As musical life slowly returns to normal, I've tried to keep the session list updated. But I strongly recommend contacting the venues before you venture out - some places are having staffing issues that are affecting their hours of operation. And masks etc. are still in the background somewhere.
Click here for the current session list (and PLEASE email me if there are any changes that you know of).
Please take advantage of our links to other websites to keep current on what these and other local musicians are doing these days!
Check out my Goods and Services area - let me know if you want me to list something for you. My commissions are negotiable - or should I say negligible?
ONGOING CONCERT SERIES
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
As we slowly emerge from the darkest days of the pandemic, we might be seeing some life again the the various concert series that have gone dormant for the past 18 months or so. Slowly but surely . . .
In the meantime, some shout-outs for folks in the area who in better times have produced these concerts, not always involving "Celtic" acts but always presenting quality performers regardless of genre. I know from personal experience that putting these things together is not easy, so I would appreciate your support for their efforts once we're past the worst of the pandemic.
Sara Piazza's occasional summer sessions in Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard)
Rose Clancy's Chatham Fiddle concerts
GOODS AND SERVICES DEPT.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Various friends have asked me over the years to post information about goods and services they have to offer, which I am happy to do free of charge for anyone who provides me a short description of what's involved and a website or email contact where potential clients can find out more.
Disclaimers:
(1) I reserve the right to decide what goes on this website
(2) I'd like to think these folks know what they're doing, but no guarantees of any kind are implied.
"No Ugly Boat"
----------------------
Since moving to the banks of the Cape Cod Canal in June of 2014, I have assembled a collection of pictures of the various watercraft of all sizes and types that use the Canal. I have put these photos onto a website called "No Ugly Boat"(which name expresses our belief that there are in fact no ugly boats - they're all beautiful, in varying degrees). There are galleries in which photos of vessels of the same type are included. Posters are also available. Click here to go to the homepage!
Artistic services
-----------------------
Andrea Pluhar, local artist, designer and musician, does graphic design for CD’s and can help you set up a website for your self or your band on Squarespace or Weebly. Andrea has decades of experience in design, is technically skilled, is quick, responsive, loves Irish and traditional music of all kinds, and offers reasonable rates. http://www.pluharcreative.com
Duet for weddings, etc.
---------------------------------
Olde Inne session regular Heather Swanson and her daughter Krista Lucich have a violin/cello duet that would be available for gatherings of any kind. Click www.capeviolincello.com for all the details!
Math tutoringCertified math teacher; six years experience teaching on Cape Cod. Available after school, evenings and weekends; MCAS review and preparation. Call Sean Murphy 508.790.0438 for details.
--------------------
Smile - Say Cheese! Dept.
-------------------------------------
Fiddler Casey Atkins is also a photographer who does photojournalism, portraiture, events, etc. You can find examples of her work on her website.
Casey Atkins Photography
www.caseyatkins.com
617.955.5063
"He's Got the Power" Dept.
--------------------------------------
Philip C. Waters
Master Electrician
Residential and Commercial Wiring
Service work, remodeling, fuses to circuit breakers, lighting, heating, phone, cable and data wiring, extra sockets added.
Smoke detectors, ceiling fans and generator installation. Rewiring and general repairs. Small jobs welcome.
Licensed and Fully insured. Lic # A19901
Call Phil @ 508-564-6188 website: philwaterselectrician.com
"Sweet Tooth" Dept.
---------------------------
Our great daughter-in-law Kristen has started a home baking business called "Cape Cakes by Kristen". She'll produce any kind of cake you want for any occasion (think "Cake Boss" on TLC), while at the same time acting as parent for some of the most exquisite, delightful, intelligent children in Barnstable County. If you have a cake requirement (and who doesn't?), contact her.
Phone is 774.392.3469, email capecakesbykristen@yahoo.com.
Expanding Your Repertoire Dept.
-----------------------------------------------
***** Our "Music from the Works of James Joyce" webmaster Frank Weaver has put both recordings on CD Baby so you can purchase individual tracks. (To refresh your memory: these are two great CDs featuring songs mentioned in various works of JJ, performed lovingly by tenor Kevin McDermott and pianist Ralph Richey.)
***** James Kelly's original tune collection, www.jameskellymusic.com. James is a great fiddler originally from Dublin now living in Florida. He made several classic LPs with box player Paddy O'Brien that are "must have" items in any collection of recorded Irish trad.
Update: I have been in contact with James (after many years) and have received a copy of the book and his permission to process it for inclusion into my webABC site. I'll get started on it shortly.
Violin repairs/rentals/sales
--------------------------------------
Dave Swanson, www.swansonviolins.com
Fritz Sonnichsen, Falmouth, 508.274.2632
Rose Clancy, Chatham, 917.416.0139 - roseclancyfiddler@gmail.com
Bodhrán maker/repairs/lessons
------------------------------------------
Mance Grady, www.mance.com
Traditional CDs, books, instruments
------------------------------------------------
The Celtic Fiddler (John Kearney)
Ossian USA (Mary Lou Philbin)
The following session list still needs updating. If you can help, please email me with details. The personal link is for email; the venue link will take you to a website or some other source of phone numbers, directions, etc. All sessions listed are "open" but may not necessarily be "beginner friendly". Check if you have questions. Please email any corrections, additions etc to me at bill@capeirish.com. |
Sunday - West Dennis (resumed) ------------------------------- 4:30 pm O'Shea's Olde Inne, Route 28 hosts: Sean Murphy and friends phone: 508.398.8887 Sunday - Chatham - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5:00 - 8:00 pm The Squire 487 Main Street 508.945.0945 Rose Clancy & friends Note: during football season, check with Rose or with the venue's Entertainment Calendar to make sure Pats games don't get in the way. |
Monday - Hingham ----------------------------- 5:30 pm (note early start hour) The Snug, 116 North St., Hingham host: Skip Toomey |
Tuesday - Cape Cod ----------------------------- Cape Cod Scottish Slow Session Scottish and Cape Breton tunes and from sheet music (provided for guests). No singing. Meets every Tuesday, except the 4th of the month, 7 to 9 pm, at one of 3 locations in Falmouth, Centerville or Brewster. Info: dpmacadam@verizon.net |
Wednesday - Fall River ---------------------------------- 8:00 pm Saint James Irish Pub Purchase St. Sam Ruess, Rich Danforth & friends phone: 508.672.6951 |
Wednesday - West Dennis -------------------------------------- 5 to 7:30 pm Olde Inne "Back of the House" slow session host: Pam Paine |
Thursdays - Providence ----------------------------------- 8:00 pm Patrick's Pub Smith St. (Federal Hill) hosts: Bob Drouin & friends phone: 401.751.1553 |
Friday - Canton ----------------------- 6:00 pm Irish Cultural Center 200 New Boston Rd. (off Rte.138) hosts: John Kearney & Eamonn McGrath info: Mark Lespasio |
Saturday - Dennisport - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5:00 - 7:00 pm Red Nun 673 Main Street, D'port 508.394.2869 Rose Clancy & friends |
Martha's Vineyard ----------------------------- No regularly scheduled sessions on the island but a call or email to Sara Piazza before you go is always a good idea: 617-872-6110 email sarapiazza@sarapiazza.com The Alison Boylston Piazza House 117 Upper Main Street Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts |
Saturday - Plymouth ----------------------------- 6 to 9 pm CJ's Pub in the John Carver Inn 25 Summer St. 508.746.7100 contact: Tom Gosselin, phone 617.721.4011 |