CEOL AGUS CRAIC: Takin' it to the Streets for St. Paddy's
By ERIN MULLAN
Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! The annual madness that is mid-March in the Irish community is once again upon us. This year sees Vancouver's first St. Paddy's Day parade on March 13 as well as a whole whack of great music.
Celticfest 2004 has a full program of events on Granville Street March 12-17, including heaps of local talent in a fundraiser for the Celtic Heritage Society on March 12, Stone & Sea with special guest Shona Le Mottee March 13, and Blackthorn March 14 all at the Tom Lee Music Hall. Leading the St. Paddy's Day charge are The Irish Descendants on March 17 at the Commodore Ballroom. For full festival listings see: www.celticfestvancouver.com.......All-dancin', all-fiddlin' Leahy roars into The Centre March 21.......Killer Alberta double bill The McDades and Maria Dunn play Capilano College March 28.......Jimmy Rankin brings his solo show to the Abbey Arts Centre in Abbotsford April 1.......Scottish folk group The Spirit of Speyside plays Mount Seymour United Church April 9.......Top Irish band Dervish return to Cap College April 30.......The Rogue Folk Club probably won't be bringing super-group Mozaik, with Andy Irvine, Tony McManus subbing for Donal Lunny, Nikola Parov, Bruce Molsky and Rens Vanderzalm, to Vancouver but fans can catch the band April 8 in Seattle and April 9 in Bellingham.......Mad Pudding may be playing the Rogue in mid-May......Look for return dates for Niamh Parsons, Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill, Old Blind Dogs and more in the next few months.......Shooglenifty will be back mid-July.......In late July expect Rory McLeod, Martin Simpson and Kila.......In August Ron Kavana and Brian MacNeill are a possibility.......Jacqui McShee & John Renbourn, Flook, Baka Beyond and/or Wolfstone should be here in September.......Scottish-Canadian singer David Francey, who was a big hit at the Folk Alliance conference in San Diego last month, will be back in September as well.......Lúnasa will return in October, and the band will have a new CD out in the next few weeks.......The Rogue Folks are working on a date for Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul in late November.
Local motion:
The next Irish céilí is March 20 at the Victoria Drive Community Hall with music from Tempus Fugit where beginners and kids are welcome. For more information on céilís or the weekly Irish set dancing, call (604) 731-9513 or (604) 736-8305.........Swing into Spring at the next Scottish Ceilidh Dance on March 26 at the Scottish Cultural Centre. All steps taught and no partner required. Info: (604) 436-3193.......There are also Scottish Country Dance classes for all levels at the Scottish Cultural Centre on Mondays. Info: (604) 984-6998.......The Irish Heather hosts traditional Irish music sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights.......The Wolf & Hound has traditional sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights. County Kerry entertainer Larry Mathews guests at the Wolfe and Hound this month.......Local Celtic band Tipperary play the Princeton Hotel every other Wednesday night.
Recordings:
All-female band The Poozies have a new album called Changed Days, Same Roots.......Give Us a Penny and Let Us be Gone the self-explanatory title of the new disc from the Irish group Téada..........The most recent release from Dervish, Spirit, is stellar as always.........Lively Ontario band Taxi Chain's latest is called Smarten Up!.........Irish-Canadian singer songwriter James Keelaghan has released a collection of new versions of some of his best loved songs called Then Again on Jericho Beach Music............Quebec a cappella super-group Les Charbonniers de L'Enfer have a wonderful new disc called Wô.
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Questions, comments, or complaints?
Write me c/o The Celtic Connection, #741 - 916 West Broadway, Vancouver V5Z 1K7, or email: maura@telus.net.
Erin Mullan hosts the Celtic music radio show In the Claddagh Ring, Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8 pm on CFRO 102.7.
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