Irish Music & 1 Dance Association Eanáir · Northwoods Songs 14 Ceili Corner 18 Smidirini 19 . 2 ...

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Irish Music & Dance Association

32th Year, Issue No. 1

January 2014

Eanáir

The mission of the Irish Music and Dance Association is to support and promote Irish music, dance, and other

cultural traditions to insure their continuation.

Since last year, the Irish Music and Dance Association has:

Hosted more than 8,000 people at our 32st St. Patrick's Day Irish Celebration and 11h Day of Irish Dance at Landmark Center. This year’s Landmark festivities were bigger than ever with St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on Saturday. New this year on the Day of Irish Dance were performances by two new Irish dance schools, a dance workshop and a seminar on Irish dance.

Hosted IMDA Honors Tom Dahill in November; an evening celebrating and honoring the contributions of musician Tom Dahill for his commitment to Irish music and his ongoing support and encouragement of traditional musicians and students.

Honored 14 dedicated Irish dancers from five Irish dance schools with the IMDA Decade of Dance Award. This was the 8h year of the program, with a total of 102 dancers receiving the award to date.

Continued to encourage Irish theatre by presenting a production by the Celtic Collaborative at our Day of Irish Dance event. IMDA provided the original performance opportunity for the Celtic Players, which has become the Celtic Collaborative, and served as fiscal agent for initial grant applications.

Awarded six IMDA Educational Grants to musicians, dancers and a costume designer, helping each to continue to grow and develop in their chosen fields. This is the 8th year of the program and brings to 30 the total number of students of Irish arts who have received grants.

Sponsored the IMDA Music Workshop Tent at Irish Fair MN in August as part of our long-term commitment to Irish Fair. In 2013, workshops offerings included concertina, guitar, fiddle, harp, hammered dulcimer and a range of song and music workshops.

Continued our partnership with Irish Fair Minnesota by organizing the “Best Legs in a Kilt Contest” at the Fair for the 6th year. Enthusiasm for this event continues to grow bringing additional participants as well as great visibility for Irish Fair.

Hosted a house concert in July for traveling musicians Tim Britton (uilleann pipes, wooden flute, tin whistle) and Pat Eagan (guitar and vocals). Special thanks to Paul McCluskey for his hospitality.

Assisted as petitioner for the visa application for Irish artist Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill to support the Skara Brae’s U.S. tour. Skara Brae had not visited the U.S. for many years and the application for Tríona’s P-3 visa needed the support of a non-profit organization.

Promoted Irish music and dance to the larger community through the calendar and events information on the IMDA website, updated weekly to reflect the dynamic nature of live music in the Twin Cities.

Promoted Irish music and dance to the wider community through the IMDA Facebook Page. The IMDA Facebook Page currently has 1,001 “fans”, including fans in Ireland, England, Canada, France, Australia, Italy, India, Mexico, Germany, Turkey, Norway, and Croatia as well as across the United States.

Provided financial support for the Minnesota Feis and the Great Northern Irish Pipers Club Tionól. Kept our members informed about Irish happenings and community news through the IMDA Monthly Newsletter and Music

Calendar. Served the greater community by providing information about Irish music and dance groups, céilís and other Irish events

through the IMDA Community Resources List, available year round on the website and distributed at our St. Patrick’s Day festivities and at Irish Fair Minnesota. This list continues to grow, including an ever-expanding list new bands, new dance schools, merchants and venues.

Coordinated Irish music and dance performances for RBC Wealth Management’s own “Festival of Nations” in September, providing performance opportunities for the Mooncoin Céili Dancers and Norah Rendell and Brian Miller.

Provided a referral service to community members wishing to book Irish musicians and dancers for their own events. Served as fiscal agent for Ann Heymann’s successful Minnesota Arts Education Grant providing instruments and instruction

for harp students across Minnesota.

The Irish Music and Dance Association would like to thank our sponsors and donors for their generous support in 2013:

Reflections and St. Paul Irish Dancers; and our many volunteers at St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the year.

Inside this issue:

Tune of the Month 2

Gaelic Corner 3

January Calendar 10-11

Northwoods Songs 14

Ceili Corner 18

Smidirini 19

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Tune of the Month by Amy Shaw

In anticipation of Norah Rendell’s upcoming solo concert at the Celtic Junction on January 24th, here is a tune from the Two Tap Trio’s CD, which of course features Norah’s beautiful flute playing and singing. This tune, which has been around a long time, is proof that simple tunes can be very gratifying to play. Patrick Weston Joyce, the well-known collector of traditional music, remarked in 1873 that this jig was “universally known in Munster.” It’s a tune that lends itself to endless variation. I’ve notated some of the Two Tap Trio’s very cool variations, but it would be an interesting exercise for students of Irish music to come up with their own. Don’t miss Norah’s concert! Avoid disappointment and reserve your tickets now at www.thecelticjunction.com. 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.

The IMDA Board is: President: Lisa Conway Vice President: Jan Casey Treasurer: Mark Malone Secretary: Juli Acton Board Members: John Concannon Paul McCluskey Joan Portel Kathie Luby Editor: John Burns

IMDA Board Mee ngs are open to the membership. The Board meets regularly on the First Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul. Members are encouraged to verify the me and loca on shortly before, as mee ng mes and loca ons can change.

Contact Information Write to: Irish Music and Dance Association

236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330

Call: 612-990-3122 E-mail: [email protected]

Newsletter Submissions We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, news, and notices of events to be published in the newsletter. The deadline is the 20th of the preceding month. Send to: [email protected]

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This kind of weather can turn your carr ("car, automobile") into a carr sleamhnáin, a "sliding car," pretty quickly. This comes from sleamhnán, which is a "slide" in the sense of, "I took a bad slide on the snowy road driving into work today." Of course, a carr sleamhnáin is what Santa used to get that coal in your stocking last month, a "sleigh," in other words.

But the similar word sleamhnánaí is something quite different. It is a type of person, a slippery, sly individual, a smooth operator who can't be trusted.

One of the charming features of Irish is that there are many, many instances in which a single word describes a type of person, either by their character or, more often, by their physical characteristics. Often a noun or adjective is extended to refer to an individual who shows certain traits.

For example, blaosc is the word for a "shell" in the sense of an eggshell. Because of the similarity in shape, it is also used sometimes to refer to the "skull" or even more generally to your "head."

But if that "shell" is empty of brains, you are a blaoiscéir, an "empty headed person." And you probably engage regularly in blaoiscéireacht, or "empty talk."

On the other hand, if you are a deimheastóir, you are very sharp tongued. The word is commonly used to describe a "sharp-tongued woman", even a "shrew," someone who engages in deimheasach, "sharp, hurtful speech." These words come from the noun deimheas, which refers to the (sharp and pointy) shears you use to shear a sheep.

Again, physical appearance also generates a lot of these nouns for types of people. (There are so many of these kinds of nouns that there's a separate dictionary for them ... with enough entries to fill 130 pages!)

For instance, a cainc is a "projection", including the one in the middle of your face. So a cainceachán is someone who has a big, fat nose.

The opposite might be a "pug-nosed person" or smutachán. Smut is the word for a short end of something as in the "stump" of a tree or the "stub" of a candle.

Then there is the word gob, which refers to the "beak" of a bird. You might expect, then, that a gobachán is a "beak-nosed person." But it also refers to someone who is always sticking his or her beak in other people's business, and perhaps gossiping about them.

Regardless of your nose, if your smig ("chin") sticks way out like Jay Leno's, then you are a smigeadán.

Whatever you look like, and whatever the Irish call you, it's your attitude that counts. Starting a New Year, you no doubt hope for soirbheas, "pleasantness" and "cheerfulness" in the months to come.

But if you don't just hope for it, you expect it, you could be called a soirbhíoch: an "optimist."

Our optimism going into our 33rd Annual Christmas Dinner was amply rewarded. We especially enjoyed seeing family and friends who support our engagement with the Irish language all year long. We had great music from Martin McHugh, Pete Tritz, Daithi Sproule and Laura McKenzie, not to mention a fine assortment of excellent "party pieces" from one and all, and the awarding of the infamous Traveling Trophy to a steadfast student and volunteer. And special thanks to Suin for handling the hosting negotiations and arrangements.

We're aiming for the last Sunday afternoon in January, the 26th, for our annual fundraiser. Keep an eye on our site at www.gaelminn.org, or drop us a note at [email protected], for an update on time and location (but we strongly suspect the same arrangement as in years past).

Ní raibh bolg mór fial ariamh "A big belly was never generous"

—Will

The Gaelic Corner By Will Kenny

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Local Dancers Compete in Mid-America Regional Competition

Congratulations to all the dancers from our Minnesota Irish dance schools who competed in the Mid-America Regional Oireachtas held in Grand Rapids, MI over the Thanksgiving weekend. Dancers who do well in regional competition qualify to compete in U S National and World competitions. Following are results from two of the local Irish dance schools. Look for more results in our February issue. Students placing in the Traditional Sets:

Molly Wier - 3rd in Traditional Set Merryn Wier - 4th in Traditional Set Abbey Taffe - 8th in Traditional Set Emma Freebersyser - 17th in Traditional Set McKenzie Swaim - 18th in Traditional Set

Two students commended for their solo rounds were Annie Wier and Grace Lofstrom.

Kathleen Miller represented Eilís Academy in their first Oireachtas, and placed 4th in traditional set!

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Keegan’s Pub Hosts Seventh Annual ‘Women’s Christmas’ Jan. 5

On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, Christmas celebrations will be over for most of the Twin Cities. But not at Keegan’s Pub, Minneapolis. On that day, Keegan’s will host one last holiday bash exclusively for women to celebrate the Irish tradition of “Women’s Christmas.” The seventh annual Women’s Christmas at Keegan’s will take place noon to 4 p.m. on January 5. Prize drawings for women and special food offerings will be featured, and local Celtic band Locklin Road will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Keegan’s Pub, (612) 252-0880 or go to www.keeganspub.com. For more information about Locklin Road, go to www.locklinroad.com.

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Good Times, Great Music in Galway

By Monica Nigon Having travelled to Ireland twice with family, one of those times on a grant I received from the Irish Music and Dance Association, I thought I knew what I was getting into when I applied to study abroad in Galway for the spring of 2013. I had come for the music and Irish culture. I wasn’t expecting the times spent laughing so hard I cried on the couch with my Irish roommates; the pub that you could access right out of the lecture hall; the squat professor I had who would rage around the stage about the landlords in 18th

-century Ireland; and the feeling that no matter what, this place would always be some sort of home. I traveled to Galway under the guise of “studying.” I took four classes, which added up to heading to the hallways of the National University of Ireland-Galway just two days a week. But let’s be honest: I went for the purpose of spending my nights in pubs, drinking Guinness, and playing some serious music. My first few days in Galway were a little rough. I was the only one in the large and pretty drafty apartment, and had no idea who my roommates would be. I had crept around the rooms and determined that they were at least girls. I hadn’t quite figured out the fact that you needed to warm up the water tank before taking a shower, thus undergoing three frigid showers. I had expected the 45-degree days to be downright balmy compared to the Minnesota winters I’d endured, but there was something about the bitter winds and cold rains that cuts right to your bones, making you think you’d never be warm again. My next period of getting acquainted with Galway involved meeting my roommates, which did indeed turn out to be five Irish young women, also enrolled at NUIG. Long story short, they turned out to be quite the rowdy bunch, so we got along splendidly. A group of some American study abroad comrades and my roommates became excellent friends, so my

apartment became the congregating place for any sort of festivities. We keep in contact with them through Facebook and keep prodding them to get married or do something significant so we have a legitimate excuse to come back. As I settled in to life in Ireland, I grew brave enough to venture out on my own. Some of my favorite places in Ireland were Clifden, Dingle, and Killarney. In all three places, there is wonderful scenery and hiking as well as tiny pubs with friendly local musicians. If they see you carrying a fiddle, or any musical instrument for that matter, they’d immediately invite you up on the stage or into their session. No matter what tune you play, and how well or terribly you play it, they’ll put their instruments in their lap at the end of the song, take a gulp of their Guinesses, and say “Luvely, luvely,” with a contented nod and smacking of lips.

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To be honest, every little village to which I traveled was amazing. But I really couldn’t compare it to my hometown of Galway.

If you’ve been to Ireland, then you know the west side is the cultural hub of the country. Galway in particular has a thrilling music scene, enhanced by college students and white-haired folks alike. Some of my favorite memories of the pubs are sitting with my American friends drinking Bulmer’s Hard Cider and contentedly sitting back and enjoying the music. I would bring my fiddle and play every now and then, but decided my lack of repertoire was rather a hindrance, and I preferred to just listen, record the tunes, and learn them later. I also enjoyed going to Monroe’s; a large pub designed for tourists to come watch Irish dance. They’d sometimes get you involved against your will, and you’d soon find yourself making quite a fool of yourself in front of a small international crowd. One of my other favorite things to do in Galway was attend the Saturday market. We’d walk down past the cathedral and over the River Coiribe toward the bay, passing by street musicians and performance artists. Our favorites were a group of young, rather scruffy-looking musicians with an upright bass, a fiddle, a guitar, and a banjo that would lead the crowd in catchy tunes. There was also the guy who dressed like a monk and sat on some sort of apparatus that made it look as if he was floating. What a talent.

The Saturday market in Galway was not your average farmer’s market. For starters, there is no donut man at any other market to which I’ve been. If you ever go to Galway, you can find him in a small stand in front of the produce tent, whistling and humming while baking the most delicious things you’ll ever eat. He’ll ask you with twinkling and wrinkled eyes if you’d like cocoa or cinnamon sugar and present it to you with a flourish of a napkin and a wink. You also won’t find the falafel man anywhere else. Maybe it was his piercing grey eyes and his long ponytail that made him look like he’d just gotten off a sailing vessel in Galway Bay, or maybe it was actually the delectable falafel, but whatever his charm was, we went back every Saturday for a visit to his stand next to St. Nicholas’ church.

Probably my favorite thing to do was just walk along the bay with the salty winds blowing in your face and the waves crashing into the kelp piled on the shore just off the path. We’d walk past the lighthouse and toward the pier in Salt Hill. We even jumped off the pier into the frigid waters one day, something my roommates said we absolutely must do to consider ourselves Galwegians. The days when we took in the beautiful city and enjoyed each others’ company were my favorites. The five months I spent in Ireland went by far too quickly. Before I knew it, I was on a plane back to the United States with a backpack stuffed with wool sweaters, Barry’s Tea, and Digestives. It had been a very tearful goodbye with my Irish roommates. I can’t believe how truly lucky I was to live with such a great bunch of young women. The memories I made with these ladies are the ones I’ll miss the most. Being back in the United States for over six months has also made me miss the friendly Irish spirit. I forgot that most Americans don’t give you the benefit of the doubt when you lose your bus ticket like they do in Ireland. I miss the ocean, the drafty halls of my apartment, the warm kettle of tea surrounded by sweets and friends, and the small moments of pure bliss when I truly felt I was where I needed to be. It is a strange sort of feeling, kind of like being homesick. But I know that even though I won’t ever be able to replicate the experience I had in Galway during those beautiful five months, the salty winds will be there to greet me when I get back. Monica Nigon from Zumbrota, MN, received an IMDA Educational Grant in 2009 to attend the 3-day Fiddler's Retreat in Tipperary. Monica returned to Ireland in 2013 as a college study abroad student.

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IMDA Community Calendar January 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

29 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 3pm Traditional Singers Club W A Frost, St. Paul 4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz 9:30pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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1 3:30pm Mike Wallace for Happy Hour McCormick’s Pub, Wayzata 7:30pm Irish Social Dance Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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3 3:30pm Mike Wallace for Happy Hour McCormick’s Pub, Wayzata 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

4 2pm 1st Saturday Ceili Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 3:30pm Mike Wallace for Happy Hour McCormick’s Pub, Wayzata 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 9:30pm Irish Brigake Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

5 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls Noon: Women’s Christmas wi/ Locklin Road Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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7 5:30pm Irish Hour Merlins Pub 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

8 7pm Traditional Irish Session Rueb ‘n’ Stein, Northfield 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 7:30pm Irish Social Dance 9:30pm Traditional Irish Session Morrissey’s Irish Pub, Mpls

9 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

10 8pm Celtic Session Merlins Rest, Mpls

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12 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

13 7:30pm 2nd Monday Shanty Sing Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

14 5:30pm Irish Hour Merlins Pub 7:30pm Irish Set Dancing Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

15 7pm Traditional Irish Session Rueb ‘n’ Stein, Northfield 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 7:30pm Irish Social Dance 9:30pm Live Music Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 9:30pm Traditional Irish Session Morrissey’s Irish Pub, Mpls

16 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

17 8pm Celtic Session Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Jake O’Connor’s Pub, Excelsior 9pm Lehto & Wright Kip’s Pub, St. Louis Park

18 7:30pm Third Saturday Ceili The Celtic Junction, St. Paul 8pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Jake O’Connor’s Pub, Excelsior

19 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 2pm Third Sunday Pub Sing 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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23 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Morrissey’s Irish Pub, Mpls

24 8pm The Serfs The Bohemian Wine Bar & Pub, Delano 8pm Celtic Session Merlins Rest, Mpls 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys O’Donovan’s Pub, Mpls

25 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys O’Donovan’s Pub, Mpls

26 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 3pm Traditional Singers Club W A Frost, St. Paul 4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

27 7pm 4th Monday Pub Singing Merlins Rest, Mpls

28 7:30pm Irish Set Dancing Dubliner Pub, St. Paul


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31 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

1 7:30pm Lehto & Wright 3 Crows on the River St, Delano 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

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February 22, 2014

5:00 - 10:30 p.m. at The Celtic Junction Dinner and concert tickets sold out last year so reserve your places early.

The Center for Irish Music and Jim Rogers, Honorary Event Chair and director of the Center for Irish Studies at the University of Saint Thomas invite you to dress up in your finest, bring your friends and join us at The Cel c Junc on for Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event.

Éigse [eg-shuh] is an Irish word used for fes vals celebra ng tradi onal Irish arts and culture. It is in this spirit that we gather for an evening to raise funds for The Center for Irish Music and the mission of handing down tradi onal Irish music.

This semi-formal evening event includes two cket op ons for a endees: come early to share a meal provided by Cara Irish Pubs, or join us later in the evening for the silent auc on and concert featuring the stellar tradi onal Irish music of the CIM Instructors who boast record-ing, award winning, and world touring ar sts among their number.

This year's Éigse CIM will be em-ceed by award-winning storytell-er, bodhrán player and singer, Máir n de Cógáin of Carrigaline, County Cork. An infec ous per-sonality and wonderful spirit, Máir n adds a wonderful tone to the night.

Purchase ckets at www.centerforirishmusic.org/events/gaela/ cket-reserva ons-2/

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Honorary Event Chair, Jim Rogers is director of the Center for Irish Studies at the University of St Thom-as and editor of the journal, New Hibernia Review. He’s written numerous articles and reviews, both academic and popular, and has edited two books: After the Flood, Irish America, 1945-1960 and Ex-tended Family: Essays on Being Irish American . Rog-ers is a past president of the American Conference for Irish Studies. An essayist and poet, his new book on cemeteries, Northern Orchards, will appear from North Star Press next May.

“Traditional Irish music is a bridge between generations, a badge of identity, and a major port of entry into the whole of Irish culture. The Center for Irish Music is not just keeping the tradition alive—it’s enabling the tradition to expand and stay new.”

Emcee, Máirtín de Cógáin finishes off the night with a finale with instructors and CIM students!

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

Northwoods Songs features a new song each month pulled from my research into old songs collected in the pine woods region that stretches from New Brunswick west through northern Minnesota. In the 1800s, a vibrant culture of singing and song-making developed in lumber camp bunkhouses and on Great Lakes ships. The repertoire and singing style were greatly influenced by Irish folk repertoire and Irish singing styles. Many singers in the region had Irish background themselves. Each installment of Northwoods Songs is also published online at www.evergreentrad.com/northwoods-songs. As of December 2013, I will also videotape myself singing the song of the month. My hope is that others will learn some of these songs and make them their own as I have. Links to song videos will be posted along with the online version. -Brian Miller

LONESOME HOURS OF WINTER.

Oh, the lonesome hours of winter provide both frost and snow, Dark clouds around us gather, the stormy winds do blow;

You are the girl I have chosen to be my only dear, But your scornful heart is frozen and fast locked up I fear.

I went one night to see my love, she proved most scornfully,

I asked her if she’d marry me to which she paid no heed; The night being nearly passed and gone and near the break of day,

I am waiting for my answer, my love, what do you say?

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Since you must have an answer, I choose a single life,

I never thought it fitting to ever become your wife; You may take that for an answer, for myself I will provide,

I have chosen another sweetheart and you I cast aside.

Since you are for a-changing the old one for the new, Then I will go a-roving, I’ll rove the country through,

Until I find some pretty fair maid so pleasing to my will, Oh, this world is wide and lonesome, if one don’t, why another will.

I know you have great riches and more you’d like to gain, You won my young affections which now you do disdain;

Your riches will not last you long, they’ll melt away like snow, And when poverty will press you, dear, you’ll think of me, I know.

Some folks do seek for pleasure, but I no pleasure find, The little birds sing sweetly all around on every vine, The little birds sing sweetly, so pleasing and divine,

And so would my joys be flowing tonight if Nancy was only mine. I fell in love with this song recently and it seemed a perfect fit for this time of year. Several versions of this wintery ballad of unrequited love were collected in North America and the song likely originated here as never turned up among singers on other continents. The above text is from Minnesota singer Mike Dean’s songster The Flying Cloud. Unfortunately, Dean’s melody was not (as far as I know) preserved by either recording or transcription. Fortunately, I was able to track down recordings of two of my favorite northwoods singers doing their versions of the song! The first, Angelo Dornan, is perhaps the most “Irish” sounding northwoods singer I have ever encountered (and he was at least two generations removed from Ireland himself). Dornan was born in southern New Brunswick and learned a treasure trove of beautiful songs from his father and other lumbermen in that area. His leisurely, highly-ornamented singing of the come-all-ye ballads popular in lumber camps stands side by side with the singing of great Ulster singers such as Paddy Tunney and Geordie Hanna. Dornan was recorded by collector Helen Creighton. This fall, I was treated to another version of the song, this time from “Yankee” John Galusha of Minerva, New York. The Galusha recordings and transcriptions (made by Anne and Frank Warner and also by Marjorie Lansing Porter) make an especially appropriate cross reference for Dean’s songs as Galusha (1859-1950) was born one year after Dean (1858-1931) on just the other side of the Adirondack Mountains from Dean’s own birthplace. Unlike Dean and Dornan, Galusha wasn’t recorded until he was in his eighties. Still, he approaches the songs with a style not far removed from Dornan’s (and one can only guess what he sounded like in his younger days!). The above melody is my own composite based on recordings of Dornan and Galusha who use variants of the same melody. You can read Northwoods Songs online at www.evergreentrad.com/northwoods-songs

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Cu Ceoil " " 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 first music hound this month is fiddler Tom Schaefer. “Doctor Tom” Schaefer started medical school 1975, and, not having enough to do, started learning to fiddle, quickly becoming the South Dakota State Fiddle Champion (’78, ’79, ’80) and North Dakota State Fiddle Champion (’87). Tom plays Bluegrass and Swing music, as well as traditional Irish tunes. He’s currently a member of several bands (Cousin Dad, Tune Jerks, and Cagley Black, Schaefer, Njoes, and plays with Rugged Road, Clearwater Hot Club, Platte Valley Boys, and Mary Henderson/Geoff Shannon). Tom’s fiddling has been recorded on more than 60 CD’s, and he has performed with many notable performers, including Country Music Hall of Famers and Grammy winners as well as with Paddy O’Brien, Dáithí Sproule, Altan, Liz Carroll, Katie McMahon, Brian Miller, Norah Rendell, Jack Lawrence, Laura MacKenzie, and Ross Sutter.

Well, I'm not sure if I'm an appropriate music reviewer, but I have been listening to a CD Tom Lockney recommended, and now I highly recommend! The CD is from MacDara O'Raghallaigh and is called Ego Trip. It's one of the finest solo Irish fiddle recordings I've ever heard and its recorded live and some intimate setting in Ireland. The man plays beautifully, perfect time, tuning and taste of variations. I've played it in my car probably a dozen times and still love hearing it.

Our second music hound this month is Mike Wiley, the Entertainment Director for the Irish Fair of Minnesota. “In my role as the Entertainment Director , I am constantly being sent CD's and emails with links to videos or music samples from bands that want to play each summer. At times it gets overwhelming and it takes something special to stand out from the pack. Below are two bands that emerged from the crowed that I can not get enough of.” Manran from Scotland, is a major force on the European festival circuit and is quickly becoming a hot commodity here in the US as well. Their debut album Manran has been in my car from day 1 and never ceases to put me in a good mood when I listen to it. Their high energy style, mixing English/Gaelic songs into the mix of accordian, fiddle, flute and driving back line creates a unique sound which I can only describe as infectious.

FullSet, who were lucky enough to have grace our main stage last summer, continues to raise their game. Their newest CD Notes After Dark came about just before last years fair, and remains my favorite CD of the year by a large margin. Like their live show, the CD offers a heady mix of reels, ballads, airs, and jigs that are simply fantastic. The musicianship is incredible and the vocals stir my soul. There is a very good reason why FullSet has been compared to legendary groups such as The Chieftains and Danu.

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An Leabhragán (The Bookcase)

A Story Lately Told a memoir by Anjelica Huston

Scribner's 2013 This glittering, magical memoir by one of the most fascinating screen personalities of our time---Anjelica Huston, the famous daughter of the even more famous director, John Huston---promises much and delivers some. Her story takes us only up to the author's 21st year, at a slim 250 pages (with lots of photos of photogenic family members, friends and famous people). The reader would have been better served by a book of the complete author's life and career to this point, thicker and more comprehensive. The narrative seems cobbled together and stilted, though the subject matter is fascinating: through the eyes of a child and then an adolescent, we observe a cast of brilliant characters from the mid-1950s through the late sixties. Peter O'Toole attended Anjelica's house plays and unnerved her with his "piercing blue gaze". Carson McCullers was odd and frail but kindly; John Steinbeck avuncular and hard-drinking. Writers, philosophers, lefties, painters, actors; all came to visit the Hustons at their sprawling Irish country estate in rural Galway, St. Clerans, sometimes for months. The most lyrical passages describe the Irish countryside and its seasons, heavy ripe berries on the bushes in summer, the hoarfrost on the holly early in the morning of Boxing Day, when the Galway Rangers Hunt Club met for an outing of foxhunting and boisterous celebration. All the Hustons were "mad for horses" and hunting, and Anjelica grew up on a variety of horseflesh. Her childhood experience was one of the last gasps of Anglo-Irish aristocracy playing out in a changing and increasingly modern world. As a child, Anjelica Huston was both aware and somewhat nonchalant about the fame and stature of her father, who alternately adored her and her sibling Tony, then abandoned his family for long periods of shooting films in exotic locations. A budding young actress/model with unusual and striking beauty, the author seemed to realize the rarity of living in a maelstrom of creativity and privilege, even as she longed for the more ordinary upbringing of her friends. Her parents' marriage was tempestuous and fractured from the first days (Ricki was Huston's third wife, but not his last) and became more troubled as Anjelica matured. She became aware of adult heartbreak and betrayal sooner than her contemporaries. She credited her mother, a former ballet dancer, for bestowing upon her the gifts of style, grace and beauty. From her father she got her penchant for unconventionality, fearlessness, go-for-broke creativity and fortitude. From Ireland, where she lived in her formative years, she learned a love of landscape, horses, storytelling and a long view of history. At times, A Story Lately Told stumbles and stutters in the telling, reading like tape recorded transcription, but then flashes of pure poetry illuminate the subject's fascinating life. I am hoping for a more cohesive sequel in the next installment, Watch Me, which starts in 1973 in Los Angeles, due for publication autumn 2014. Sherry Ladig is a Saint Paul based trad musician and a former reviewer for the Hungry Mind Bookstore's newsletter, Fodder. Sherry welcomes suggestions for books to review---or review one yourself. She may be reached at [email protected]. Happy new year reading!

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Ceili Corner 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 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 - Tuesday 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.

Check www.lomamor.org for all up-to-date Irish folk dancing information.

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

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Smidirini*

By Copper Shannon

(*Irish for ‘Bits and Pieces’)

Comhghairdeas lenár gcairde a phós le gairid! (Congratulations to our friends who recently married!) Geri Connolly and Tom Scanlon of the Dubliner Pub were married in December. May your hands be forever clasped in friendship, and your hearts joined forever in love.

Best wishes to Irish Fair Curtin-Conway Award recipient and long time Irish Fair volunteer Anna Mae Hogan. Anna Mae and George Marshall were married earlier this year. May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

Big news about Keegan’s Irish Pub. The Irish Gazette’s Seamus Reports advises of the pending change in ownership at Keegan’s! Here’s hoping that the incredible Sunday traditional music session will continue! Best wishes to Terry and Virginia Keegan on the next chapter in their life adventures! And thanks for all the great times at Keegan’s over the years!

Update on IMDA Membership The Irish Music and Dance Association would like to remind members of a change in policy regarding membership. Because of rising costs in printing and postage, the Irish Music and Dance Association asks that members who want to receive their newsletter by U S mail support the IMDA by contributing at least $35 a year. All members have the option of receiving their newsletter by e-mail for faster delivery and color photos! We welcome your financial support of the IMDA at any level and that support helps us continue our work to promote Irish music and dance in the Twin Cities and beyond. You may also become a newsletter-only member without making a financial contribution. Whichever membership option you choose, we appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at a concert or dance event soon!

Name: Today’s Date:

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Music Dance Theatre Gaelic Volunteer E-mail Address: Phone Number: Your monthly newsletter is delivered electronically via e-mail. Please advise us at [email protected] if your e-mail address changes .

Supporting members who contribute at least $35 annually may receive their newsletter by U S Mail. ___ Request US Mail

Revised 11/2013

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

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Irish Music & 1 Dance Association Eanáir · Northwoods Songs 14 Ceili Corner 18 Smidirini 19 . 2 ...

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