Irish Music & Dance Association

February1 2016 Feabhra 34rd Year, Issue No. 2

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.

Celebrate Minnesota’s Irish Music Heritage at “Gaela” Fundraiser

Inside this issue: Gear up for St. Patrick’s Day

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Halfway to Irish Fair

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Upcoming Concerts

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The Center for Irish Music (CIM), Peter Killen of Cara Irish Pubs and Claire Killen of Emerald Real Estate celebrate Minnesota’s lively Irish music roots at Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event, Saturday, February 20, at Celtic Junction, 836 N. Prior Avenue, St. Paul, 55104. Éigse (pronounced ‘EG-shuh’) is an Irish word for a celebration of traditional Irish music and culture. The semi-formal fundraiser includes dinner provided by Cara Irish Pubs, silent auction, raffle, and traditional Irish music concert featuring the acclaimed musicianship of Center of Irish Music instructors. Guests have two ticket options: a sit-down dinner beginning at 5 p.m. ($60), or silent auction reception and concert beginning at 7 p.m. ($25). All proceeds to benefit The Center for Irish Music. Tickets available now at centerforirishmusic.org or call 651-815-0083. The concert portion of Éigse CIM features the music mastery of CIM’s faculty, several of whom boast international awards and accolades. These include Norah Rendell, "Best Female Vocalist of 2016, 2012, and 2011” by Live Ireland Awards, Todd Menton of Celtic rock band Boiled in Lead, and Brian Miller, member of American-Irish traditional band Bua and recipient of a 2015 Folk and Traditional Arts grant from the MN State Arts Board. Other instructors with impressive artistic credits include Chad McAnally, 2012 “Top Harpist” nominee by Irish Music Awards, AJ Srubas of the Two Tap Trio, Charlie Heymann of Clairseach, John McCormick of Barra and Mary Vanorny of Forty Shades of Green and the Twin Cities Ceili Band, Tom Klein of the Bellows Brothers, and Jode Dowling of the HiB’s. The Center for Irish Music is a thriving, non-profit community music school that has handed down the tradition of Irish music instruction for the past 11 years. The Center's staff of 17 professional musicians serves more than 355 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.

February 20, 2016 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. -MN.org www.IMDA at Thewww.IMDACeltic Junction

Irish Music & Dance Association Tune of the Month

by Amy Shaw

The IMDA Board is: President: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Board Members:

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Julia Rogers Jan Casey

Since I have a soft spot for music from West Kerry, I was excited to see Mark Malone that Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich has released a duo album called Cuisle, with Ciara Reynolds John Concannon guitarist Matt Griffin. Like her father, Séamus Begley, Méabh plays the C#/ Kevin Carroll D accordion and is also a lovely singer. In fact, a whole nest of Begleys, all Kathie Luby Kathleen Rogers of them very musical, hail from a beautiful little place northwest of the town of Dingle called Bailenab Poc. So Méabh grew up hearing lots of polkas, Editor: John Burns slides, and songs in Irish from that area, and this album features plenty of IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership. The Board meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the this local repertoire. Dubliner Pub in St. Paul. Members are encouraged to verify the time and location The name of this tune can be translated as “Dingle Wren Jig,” and it’s shortly before, as meeting times and locations can change. th associated with Wren’s Day, which is December 26 . As discussed in a previous installment of this column, Wren’s Day in Dingle has grown into a Contact Information huge, colorful event reminiscent of Mardi Gras. Groups of “wrens” wearing E-mail: [email protected] traditional straw costumes parade through the town, playing fifes, drums, accordions, tin whistles, and other instruments. The wrens (pronounced “wrans” locally) are named for various streets in Dingle, such as the Goat Newsletter Submissions We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, news, and notices of events Street Wren. Each group elects a captain, and the wrens seem to be to be published in the newsletter. The deadline is the 20th of the preceding month. competitive in a friendly way. They spend the day playing music all over Send to: [email protected] town, visiting patients in the West Kerry Community Hospital, and raising money for charity. I’d love to be in Dingle sometime for Wren’s Day. By the looks of all the photographs hanging in O’Flaherty’s Pub, it’s quite a spectacle. Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich often anchors sessions in Dingle and she’s very welcoming to visitors, including blow-in musicians from Minnesota. And in these dark days of winter, it is worth noting that a couple of years ago, she took the brave step of speaking about her battle with depression during an interview on Raidióna Gaeltachta. As quoted in The Kerryman, she recalled, "I think the music saved me. It repaired my spirit and gave me respite any time I played.” So don’t get discouraged folks…just keep on playing (or singing), and listen to Cuisle, which will surely give you a surge of optimism. 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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Irish Music & Dance Association I recently attended a sort of post-holiday party and as it happened, I encountered a couple of students of the Irish language. Some of us hadn't seen one another in a while, and as we greeted each other, we teased one another about who spoke the "one, true Irish." The inside joke was that there is no one, true Irish. Oh, sure, there is a "standard" form, often used in teaching the language. But the fact is that there are three main dialects of the language, and the differences among them are so large and numerous that Irish speakers from different regions can have difficulty communicating with each other. Part of the problem is accent, that is, the sounds of the different dialects. Different vowels and consonant sounds can be used for the same words, in Ulster Irish (Donegal and Northern Ireland), in Connaught (the West, including Connemara), and in Munster (the South, including Cork and Kerry). For instance, "saol" ("life") sounds like the English word "sail" in the South, but like "seal" in the West. Or take the number "seacht" ("seven"). In the West it sounds something like "SHAKT," but replace that K with the guttural CH sound of German or Scots. In the North, however, that can some out more like "SHART!" I'm reminded that when my kids were in grade school we made our first trip to Boston, and my young Minnesotans were completely bewildered by some of the things they heard. Or I recall a friend from Wisconsin, a Norwegian immigrant who lived in Eau Claire for decades. When, in retirement, she and her husband moved to the South, she had a heckuva time understanding what anybody said to her. In like fashion, if you took a ride in your time machine back to the middle of the twentieth century, you’d find that an Irish speaker from, say, Donegal who was dropped into Dingle would have been largely incomprehensible to the locals. Things have improved in more recent decades. Since the 1970's, Irish language media, especially radio, have increased exposure to the various dialects. Of course, dialects vary in more than how the language is pronounced. You are aware of differences in vocabulary within English. An "apartment" (U.S.) is

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a "flat" in the U.K. Good old Midwestern "pop" is referred to as "soda" in some other regions. In similar fashion, I might announce, "Paul is here, too" by saying "Tá Pól anseo freisin," freisin being the western word for "also" or "too." But if I heard, "Tá Pól anseo fosta," I would know the speaker was from the North. If you think about regional variations in English, you can readily recall differences in pronunciation and vocabulary, but at least the grammar of the language is the same. In Irish, even the grammar varies from place to place. In the West, they might start a sentence with, "Bhí mé ..." for "I was." Bhí is the verb and mé is the subject. But in the South, they would simply say, "Bhíos …," a word that contains both the verb and the subject. We don't even use the same word for the language itself in the three regions. Look up "Irish" in the dictionary and you'll find Gaeilge, which is both the standard form and what is used in the West. But in the North, you're more likely to hear Gaeidhlic. Meanwhile, no self-respecting Munster speaker would call it anything but Gaolainn. Many students learn the "standard" for several years before tackling a particular dialect. And some find wrestling with dialect issues to be a little frustrating. But, with time and practice, most of us find Irish dialect differences to be just one more fascinating aspect of the language. We're starting to plan for our annual Saturday workshop in April. This is a great chance to try out the language (whatever you call it). For more information about our workshop and all our activities, keep an eye on our web site at www.gaelminn.org, or subscribe (from our home page) to The GaelMinn Gazette, our free monthly e-newsletter of learning tips and announcements. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam "A country without a language is a country without a soul" — Will

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Thirty Five Years of an Authentic St. Patrick’s Day Celebration for the Whole Family! March 17th will be a great day of music, dance and culture – fun for the whole family. So come on down to the St. Paul St. Patrick’s Day Parade – and stay for the fun at Landmark Center! What’s special for the St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration 2016? 2016 marks the Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising and we will remember that pivotal event in Irish history with a special seminar from Legacy on St. Patrick’s Day with songs of rebellion, with a special focus on the songs of the Rising. The Celtic Collaborative will present “Ghosts of 1916” in the Seminar Room for IMDA’s Day of Irish Dance on Sunday, March 20. The presentation will include poetry and prose from and about the participants in the Rising. 35 years for an event like this is noteworthy and IMDA is delighted to have friends from over the years as part of the celebration, as well as some new musical groups. ♣

Music and dance with Northern Gael on the Main Stage. It’s a delight to have Ross Sutter, IMDA Honoree Laura MacKenzie and Danielle Enblom with us on St. Patrick’s Day!

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Favorite musical friends on the Main Stage are the Hounds of Finn, Legacy and Locklin Road.

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The beautiful Weyerhauser stage is the perfect setting for the music of Clairseach, the Eddies, the HiBs, and the outstanding Advanced Youth Ensemble from the Center for Irish Music with their own special blend of tunes and songs!

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Returning to the Tea Room are favorites the Bellows Brothers, Chad McAnally and friends as well as a student ensemble from the Center for Irish Music. New to the Tea Room are Hannah Flowers, Inish Mohr and SisterTree.

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Lots of Irish dance with Corda Mór Irish Dance, Eilís Academy at Escalate, Mactír Academy of Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance, Rince na Chroi, and the St. Paul Irish Dancers, as well as the ladies of Biddies Galore, Green Fire Irish Dancers, Knocknagow Irish Dancers and Mooncoin Céili Dancers.

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Seminars– IMDA Honoree Ann Heymann on the Irish Harp and Gaeltacht Minnesota on the Irish language.

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Great craft activities for the kids. And some special face painting artists, too.

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The Children’s Stage with special entertainment just for the little ones. The wee ones will enjoy interactive storytelling with Sir Gustav Doc’Tain, and a parent and kid céilí dance party with the Mooncoin Céili Dancers and songs and movement from Common Chord.

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

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IMDA Hosts the 14th Annual Day of Dance IMDA’ s 14th Day of Irish Dance on Sunday, March 20 puts the spotlight directly on Irish dance, with more than 500 dancers expected, performing on two stages: ♣

Performances by Eilís Academy at Escalate, Green Fire Irish Dancers, Mactír Academy of Irish Dance, Mulhern School of Irish Dance, North Star Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance, Rince na Chroi, Rince Nua,the St. Paul Irish Dancers, and the Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance.

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IMDA’s Decade of Dance Award presentations

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Sean Nós dance presentation

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A showcase of adult Irish dance students from Mactír Academy, North Star Irish Dance, Rince na Chroi and Rince Nua.

Sunday will also include theatrical presentations from the Celtic Collaborative in the Seminar Room, as well as tea and music in the Tea Room from Bundle and Go, Center for Irish Music student ensembles, the Great Northern Irish Pipers Club, Kindred, 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.

Dunquin Presents the Annual Scottish Island Concert The Scottish Island concert (also known as Eilean Dubh) will make its annual appearance at Olivet Congregational Church on Friday, February 5th! This year, Dunquin trio (Rosa Wells, Sherry Ladig and Don Ladig) welcome special guest musicians Anna Roberts on cello and Lisa Soltermann on percussion. Audrey McClellan, local author and creator of the Scottish Island novels which inspired this concert series, returns as our reader (and Chief Muse). The complimentary Scottish Tea at intermission is not to be missed, as past concertgoers will attest! This year we celebrate the Celtic calendar's Return of Spring, which actually falls on February 1st, St. Bridget's Day (or Imbolc, in the old calendar). Yep, daffodils are blooming in the Scottish Isles in February, and the first lambs aren't far behind! Whatever Minnesota weather is up to, come out and warm up a cold winter's night with your fellow "Islanders"---and invite spring in. We've got special musical treats as well, with the cello adding its warmth and robustness to Scottish tunes old and new. Admission is $15 at the door (no advance tickets) and includes a bang-up Scottish tea at "the interval". Concert begins at 7:30 pm and doors open a half hour before the concert. Olivet Congregational Church's social hall (1850 Iglehart Avenue, one block north of Marshall Ave and one block west of Fairview Ave), designed and built to echo a Scottish meeting hall, graciously hosts our evening in Eilean Dubh. If you love Celtic music, don't miss this one! Hope to see you there (and please tell all your friends; we've got room for everyone at this concert). www.IMDAwww.IMDA-MN.org

Irish Music & Dance Association

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Irish Music & Dance Association

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You are invited to celebrate Halfway to Irish Fair! Fair Join the Irish Fair of Minnesota for our Halfway to Irish Fair Party! February 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at O'Gara's Bar & Grill in Saint Paul. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Get $5 off your ticket at the door when you bring a bag of non-perishable food items for Finnegans Reverse Food Truck! If you buy a presale ticket and bring a bag of donated food, you will receive $5 back at the door. This year, our featured band will be The Tim Malloys. Equal parts pub and punk, the Tim Malloys fuse traditional Irish music with a raucous Minneapolis sound and sensibility. They're a cornerstone of the Twin Cities Celtic crossover scene, with five records released since their 1994 inception. Mashing up influences ranging from The Pogues to The Suburbs, the Tim Malloys are a bootlegger's dream of punk guitar, manic grooves, and rollicking callbacks. In addition to the great music, there will be food and drink specials, a silent auction with items ranging from fine whiskies and unique gift sets, to jewelry and artwork. There will also be our infamous Whiskey Walk several times throughout the evening. (Like a cake-walk, but for fine spirits!) All of these activities help to raise funds to keep the Irish Fair free! We hope you'll join us. Tickets available now at BrownPaperTickets.com. Look for physical tickets at Irish on Grand. We hope to see you all soon! www.IMDAwww.IMDA-MN.org

8 Irish Music &February 2016 IMDA Community Calendar Sunday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Dance Association

Monday 1

2 9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

3 7pm Irish Social Dance 9pm The Langer’s Ball Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

4 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

Friday

5 6pm Irish Music Session Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

Saturday 6 2pm First Saturday Ceili Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

5pm Halfway to Irish Fair 7pm Willow Brae 7:30pm Bedlam O’Gara’s, St. Paul Prior Lake Library, Prior Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater Lake 7:30pm Bedlam 8pm Celtic Session Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater Merlins Rest, Mpls 9pm Irish Brigade 9:30pm Wild Colonial Dubliner Pub, St. Paul Bhoys Kieran’s Pub, Mpls 9:30pm Belfast Cowboys Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Mpls 9:30pm Wild Colonial Bhoys O’Donovan’s Pub, Mpls

7 Noon: Traditional Music Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

8 7:30pm Sea Shanty Sing Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

9 7:30pm Irish Set Dancing w/ the Twin Cities Ceili Band Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

10 7pm Irish Social Dance 9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

11 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

7pm Celtic Music Showcase: Laura MacKenzie & Brian Miller Underground Music Café, Falcon Heights

17 7pm Irish Social Dance 9pm The Langer’s Ball Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

18 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

7pm Northerly Gales Underground Music 8pm Celtic Session Café, Falcon Heights Merlins Rest, Mpls

St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

14 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 7:30pm Ten Strings & A Goat Skin The Celtic Junction, St. Paul

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16 6:30pm Heroes and Heroines: Laura MacKenzie with Kevin Strauss Venue TBA, Rochester 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

12 6pm Irish Music Session 9pm Tom Dahill & Ginny Johnson Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

13 7pm Rince na Chroi’s Annual Irish Dance Show The O’Shaughnessy, St. Paul

7:30pm Lojo Russo 7:30pm Lojo Russo Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater 7:30pm The Eddies 8pm Gaelic Storm Dubliner Pub, St. Paul Mill City Nights, Mpls 9pm Charlie Heymann 8pm Belfast Cowboys Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 8pm Celtic Session The Tavern, Northfield Merlins Rest, Mpls

9pm Tom Dahill & Ginny Johnson Dubliner Pub, St. Paul St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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19 6pm Irish Music Session 9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

9:30pm St. Dominic’s Trio Morrissey’s Pub, Mpls

20 5pm Eigse CIM, A Gaela Event 2016 The Celtic Junction, St. Paul 9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 9:30pm Belfast Cowboys Whiskey Junction, Mpls

Sunday

21 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

Monday

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Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Irish Music & Dance Association

4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

23 7:30pm Irish Set Dancing w/ the Twin Cities Ceili Band Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

24 7pm Irish Social Dance 9pm Tom Dahill & Ginny Johnson Dubliner Pub, St. Paul 7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

25 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

26 6pm Irish Music Session Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

9pm Sister Tree Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

7:30pm Broken Spoke Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater

St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

4pm Learners Irish Session 6pm Advanced Irish Music Session Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

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27 7:30pm Broken Spoke Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater 9pm St. Dominic’s Trio Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

8pm Celtic Session Merlins Rest, Mpls

8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

3pm Traditional Singers Club W A Frost, St. Paul

Saturday

9pm Bedlam 7:30pm Lehto & Wright Dubliner Pub, St. Paul LTC Brewing Co., Hopkins

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

28 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

Friday

9pm St. Dominic’s Trio Kieran’s Pub, Mpls

29 7pm 4th Monday Shanty/Pub Sing Merlins Rest, Mpls

1 7:30pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

2 7pm Irish Social Dance 9pm The Langer’s Ball Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

3 6:30pm Pub Quiz 8pm Pub Quiz Keegan’s Pub, Mpls

4 6pm Irish Music Session Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

5 2pm First Saturday Ceili 9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

9pm Irish Brigade Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls

7:30pm Altan The Cedar, Mpls

7:30pm Bedlam Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater

7:30pm Bedlam Charlie’s Pub, Stillwater

St. Dominic’s Trio Nye’s, Mpls

8pm Celtic Session Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Alan Kelly Gang The Celtic Junction, St. Paul

7:30pm Pub Quiz Merlins Rest, Mpls 8pm Pub Quiz Dubliner Pub, St. Paul

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Spend Valentine's Day with Ten Strings And A Goat Skin A bilingual trad/folk/fusion trio from Prince Edward Island Canada performs on Valentine's day in Saint Paul at The Celtic Junction. Winners of the 2015 East Coast Music Association’s award for World Music Recording of the Year, Ten Strings And A Goat Skin weave the music of the Irish, Scottish, Acadian, Francophone and Maritime cultures and their original creations with modern and world rhythms. Jesse Périard (guitar) and brothers Rowen Gallant (fiddle) and Caleb Gallant (percussion) while just 19 and 20 years old, are already pushing boundaries and reinvigorating traditional music. Their original material maintains solid traditional elements but explores rich world flavours and textures. The results have been described as intoxicating and refreshing. Touring extensively throughout Canada, Europe, and the US, Ten Strings And A Goat Skin will be at The Celtic Junction located at 836 Prior Ave North, Saint Paul, 55104 on Sunday, February 14. Music starts at 7pm. Tickets ($15 advanced, $20 at the door) are available at thecelticjunction.com or by calling 612-8748892. Student discount available. The Alan Kelly Gang kicks off American tour at The Celtic Junction Critically acclaimed traditional Irish music band from the west of Ireland and Scotland, The Alan Kelly Gang kick off their nine city American tour in Saint Paul on March 4 at The Celtic Junction. Fronted by Ireland’s piano accordion maestro, The Alan Kelly Gang features strong dynamics, driving rhythms and buoyant harmonies. They propel their audiences through the repertoire of the Celts, taking influence from regions including Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Galicia and old-time America and seamlessly combine these with original compositions that stem from a deep traditional sensitivity. Alan Kelly is joined by Steph Geremia on flute and vocals, Ewan MacPherson on guitar and mandolin, and Kevin McGuire on double bass and harmony vocals. Music starts at 8pm at The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave North, Saint Paul, 55104. Tickets ($17 advanced, $20 at the door) available at thecelticjunction.com or by calling 612-874-8892. www.IMDAwww.IMDA-MN.org

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An Leabhragan (The Bookcase) Irish Folk and Fairy Tales William Butler Yeats several editions (see below) During the great revival of Irish literature and culture in the late 19th century, William Butler Yeats compiled a charming and comprehensive collection of Irish folk tales, complete with illustrations. It has never been out of print since. I have a Modern Library edition, but paperback reprint copies may be had from nearly any new or used bookstore. A perfect winter read is to curl up with this book, a cup of Barry's Gold Label Tea (I get mine at Irish on Grand) and perhaps a cat or two. Yeats, like many literary greats of his day, realized that the great lore of his native land could have been easily mislaid or partly forgotten (although the oral storytelling tradition remained strong, and still does to this day) with the diaspora of the Irish people to other countries, and the old shanachies (storytellers) dying one by one. He attempted to collect as many tales together as he could, knowing that they were Ireland's equivalent of the Greek myths. These stories tell us who we are, as well as where we came from. Irish folk tales are stories of the human heart, a place where anything is possible and every person may be favored or plagued by supernatural forces and circumstances. There are stories of banshees, leprechauns, pucas, and other folk one might not like to meet on a solitary rural road in the twilight hours. Yeats knew that the Irish soul and storytelling were twinned from the most ancient of times; he said "Everyone is a visionary if you scratch him deep enough. But the Celt is a visionary without scratching." Many Irish literary experts today believe that Yeats' own individual poetic genius was largely informed by the deep well of Irish mythology and lore he loved so much. Whatever you believe, you will enjoy this classic and entertaining collection which influenced and delighted so many writers and readers in the last 130 years. Sherry Ladig is a Saint Paul trad musician and composer and was a former reviewer for the Hungry Mind Bookstore's newsletter, Fodder. Sherry welcomes books of Irish or Irish-American interest to review---or, write a review yourself! Sherry may be reached at [email protected]. Happy winter reading!

Our hearts go out to the family of Lauren Wiley, Wiley who passed away recently at the tender age of 26. Lauren was the daughter of Irish Fair Board Chair Mike Wiley and Jane Oslund. Lauren danced with the Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance, performed often at IMDA St. Patrick’s Day events, taught Irish dance at Shamrock, edited the Irish Fair newsletter, and was an active, enthusiastic volunteer and supporter of Irish Fair. Beannachtaí Dé ar a anam (God’s blessing on her soul). Thigcrioch air an t'saoghal, Ach www.IMDAMN.org www.IMDA mairidhceolagusgaol (An end will come to the world, -but love and music will endure).

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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

THE CLIPPER SHIP DREADNAUGHT(REVISITED)

We have a flash packet, she’s a packet of fame, She belongs to New York and the Dreadnaught’s her name; She is bound for the ocean where the stormy winds blow, Bound away on the “Dreadnaught” to the Westward we’ll go. The “Dreadnaught” is lying at Liverpool dock. Where the boys and the girls on the pier-heads do flock, And they give us three cheers as their tears down do flow, Bound away on the “Dreadnaught” to the Westward we’ll go. And now we are howling on the wild Irish sea, Where the sailors and passengers together agree, For the sailors are perched on the yard arms, you know, Bound away on the “Dreadnaught” to the Westward we’ll go. Now we are sailing on the ocean so wide, Where the great open billows dash against her black side, And the sailors off watch are sleeping below, Bound away on the “Dreadnaught” to the Westward we’ll go.

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And now we are howling off the banks of New Foundland, Where the waters are deep and the bottom is sand, Where the fish of the ocean they swim to and fro, Bound away on the “Dreadnaught” to the Westward we’ll go. And now we are safe in New York Harbor once more, I will go and see Nancy, she’s the girl I adore, To the parson’s I’ll take her, my bride for to be, And bid adieu to the “Dreadnaught” and the deep stormy sea.

___________________ As part of The Lost Forty Project I announced last month, Randy Gosa and I (aka The Lost Forty) released a video of us performing our brand new arrangement of the above song on the first of this month. We will do this with the next eleven songs printed in this column! We are excited to be working with Cliff Dahlberg of Twelve Plus Media who is shooting the videos. You can access these videos and an archive of all previous Northwoods Songs columns and videos (I have been singing them unaccompanied until now) via www.evergreentrad.com/northwoods-songs. “The Clipper Ship Dreadnaught” was already the focus of this column in November 2014 and you can read more about it in the Northwoods Songs archive online. I return to it this month because it was the first song Randy and I chose to arrange for The Lost Forty Project. We based our arrangement on the 1924 field recording of Minnesota singer Michael Dean. The Dean recording will be part of the Minnesota Folksong Collection website I am building. A central goal of The Lost Forty Project is to inspire others to learn and sing these songs themselves. This could mean singing the song unaccompanied, the way Dean and other woods singers of his generation would have done, or it could also mean creating an accompanied arrangement as Randy and I have done for “The Dreadnaught.” It is my opinion that both are musically satisfying and valuable approaches. I learned and sang this song unaccompanied first. From that, I found my voice likes pitching it in B (it’s transcribed in D above). For our arrangement, I started by making up a guitar part using an unusual tuning associated with English guitarist/singer Nic Jones: BF#BF#BC#. Randy then created a harmonizing mandola part in CGDG tuning capoed at the 4th fret. I often use a combination of sheet music and the handy voice memo app on my phone to remember bits of my part as I make them up. Randy tends to work more by ear and memory. It is often a labor-intensive (but fun) process to come up with two complementary parts that we both like. Along the way, I decided to drop two verses from Dean’s version and change a few words here and there. I have transcribed it above more or less how I now sing it. Next month, I will return to giving historical notes in my discussion of another song from the project: “The Crafty Miss.” For those interested in learning how to arrange songs in a style similar to Randy and me, when I launch my Kickstarter crowd funding campaign this month one incentive I will be offering is a set of guitar and bouzouki/ mandola part transcriptions for all twelve songs in the project.

Visit my blog and my northwoods songs online at www.evergreentrad.com/northwoods-songs

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. www.IMDA-MN.org www.IMDA

Irish Music & Dance Association

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Smidirini* (*Irish for ‘Bits and Pieces’)

By Copper Shannon ♣

Comhghairdeas léi (Congratulations) to Norah Rendell, named “Best Female Vocalist of 2016” in the annual Top TIR (Tradition In Review) awards by the Chicago Irish American News. To quote Bill Margeson:“No one has ever won Female Vocalist of the Year three times. Wait. Norah Rendell just did. We became aware of her with Outside Track, and since leaving the group sometime back, she has gotten better-as if that were possible. Her voice is as true as are her musical values. We can listen to Norah sing all day. Wait. We have. Her new album, Spinning Yarns, is a project of which she can be proud. Keep your eyes out for her musical pals, Norah Rendell and The Lost Forty, on tour. She somehow finds time for family AND running one of the most successful music schools in America, The Center for Irish Music in Saint Paul. She is wonderful. End of statement, end of story.”

♣

Deepest sympathies to Susie and John Burns. Susie’s mom, Elaine Reinhardt, recently passed away. Susie served on the IMDA Board and John edits the IMDA newsletter. Féadfaidh sí an chuid eile i síocháin (may she rest in peace.)

♣

Keep an eye out for a new recording from The Langer’s Ball. They have just finished tracking it today, now into deep mixing.

♣

Speaking of new recordings – Katie McMahon is finishing up work on a new recording of Irish lullabies.

♣

Comhghairdeas le (Congratulations to) Brian Miller and Randy Gosa, now working together as The Lost Forty. Brian has a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to research songs from Northern Minnesota. Look for more info on a Kickstarter campaign and check out the project on their new website – www.thelostforty.com.

♣

IMDA “gremlins” are hard at work updating the IMDA Irish Community Resources List. Look for updated information on your favorite band in time for St. Patrick’s Day. If you know of a local Irish or Celtic music group that is not on the list, send us a note with contact information to [email protected].

♣

Welcome back to Kickin’ it Irish from O’Shea Irish Dance with the Two Tap Trio. Catch the show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre on March 14 or at Stepping Stone Theatre March 10 thru 17. Tickets at Stepping Stone Theatre (www.steppingstonetheatre.org) and through the Chanhassen website (www.chanhassendt.com)

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 www.IMDAHanding -Down MN.orgthe Tradition www.IMDA

Irish Music & O’Keane Ceili Corner By Bhloscaidh

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Dance Association

First Saturday Afternoon Céilí—Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave., St. Paul. Third Saturday Night Céilí - The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave., No. St. Paul. Irish Dance Classes: Céilí Dancing - Wednesday Nights

Dubliner Irish Pub - 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul. Learn Irish dancing in a genuine Irish pub with a wooden floor that has known a whole lot of dancing feet. Steps and dances are taught by Paul McCluskey and Kirsten Koehler. Basic beginning steps are taught beginning at 7:00, 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 7:30 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. 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:

Address:

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Membership Type (circle one)

Supporting Support Level _______

Corporate

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Interests (circle all that apply) Music

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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

www.IMDAwww.IMDA-MN.org

Irish Music & Dance Association

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236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330

Postmaster: Time/Dated Material

Support the Irish Music and Dance Association by Shopping on Amazon.com If you use Amazon.com (and who doesn’t?), you can support the Irish Music and Dance Association by shopping through Amazon Smile – www.smile.amazon.com - and selecting the Irish Music and Dance Association as your charity of choice. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. You can use the same account for Amazon.com and AmazonSmile – so it’s easy! IMDA Annual Membership Meeting – Dec. 5, 2015 The Annual Membership Meeting was held at the Dubliner Pub on Dec. 5. Members are invited to review the minutes from the meeting on the IMDA website. http://www.irishmusicanddanceassociation.org/abouttheimda.html. www.IMDAwww.IMDA-MN.org