CEOL AGUS CRAIC : Rain, Rain, Go Away Let’s Have the Music
By ERIN MULLAN
Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Despite all the bloody rain, February reminds us of the wonder that is this wet west coast. The bulbs and the cherry trees get ready to do their magic show and a season of great music looms.
Concert listings:
Sadly, past negative experiences with border crossing prompted Lúnasa to cancel their concert scheduled for February 10. Hopefully, the fine Irish band will be here next fall instead....The Festival du Bois joins forces with the Rogue Folk Club for a festival preview gig on March 2 at St. James featuring that lively Alberta_based band The McDades.......The actual Festival du Bois runs March 5_6 at Blue Mountain Park in Coquitlam. It features a range of Francophone and world music acts, with an emphasis this year on fiddle and Metis music. Acts include Le Rêve du Diable, Le Trio á quatre, Gitans de Sarajevo, Kleztory, Enter the Haggis, John Arcand, Edouard Richard and Oliver Schroer & Twisted String. Go to www.festivaldubois.ca for details....... March 8 is now the date for the do_not_miss killer double bill of Karan Casey Band and Flook at St. James........The Irish/Scots duo Pipeline will play an amazing array of instruments at their Vancouver debut on March 11........Celticfest Vancouver 2006 has a ton of fun stuff planned for March 15_29 including a rocking night at the Commodore on Paddy's night featuring The Paperboys and The Whiskey Dicks. Check www.celtfestvancouver.com for the full schedule........On March 19 myself, my fellow radio host Michael Viens and the rest of the good folks from Blackthorn will be hosting a great big session as part of Celticfest at Tom Lee Music Hall from 2_5 PM. Come by and say hello, join us for a pint and a tune or two........On March 31 New England fiddle sensation and singer Lissa Schneckenburger opens for Bill Bourne and Eivor Palsdottir from the Faroe Islands........Cape Breton's Mary Jane Lamond should be here in the summer........Look for the local debut of Scots singer Karine Polwart in July or August, and the return of Quebec's Le Vent du Nord around that time as well.
Local motion:
The next Irish céilí dance is February 18 at the Victoria Drive Community Hall with live music from Last Night's Fun. They teach all the steps and call all the dances, with no partner needed and kids always welcome. Details: www.vcn.bc.ca/ceili.........The next Scottish ceilidh dance is February 24 at the Scottish Cultural Centre with music from Calanais. Lesson 7 PM, dance 8 PM, with all dances taught and called. Info: (604) 436_3193........There's also a “Love to Dance” daytime workshop and evening dance on February 18. Call (604) 261_0162.....For information on Scottish Country Dance classes for all levels at the Scottish Cultural Centre or on other Scottish Country Dance groups around the Lower Mainland: (604) 224_6838, or www.rscdsvancouver.org........The Irish Heather has an Irish traditional session on Thursday nights..............The Wolf and Hound hosts traditional sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights.
Recording news:
Haven is the name of the fab new disc from Flook, and it is highly recommended........Lúnasa have a release called Se out on the Compass label with new guitarist Paul Meehan (who will be in town in March with Karan Casey).......The two_CD set The Sharon Shannon Collection 1990 to 2005 is a fine overview of the phenomenal career of the exuberant Irish accordionist........Wired is the name of the latest CD by flute player and piper Michael McGoldrick........Also out on the Compass label is a solo effort from Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson entitled Downriver which features a host of great musos, including a couple of her band_mates........The latest from Cape Breton singer Mary Jane Lamond, Storas, is earning rave reviews.
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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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