CEOL AGUS CRAIC Spring is Coming, Spring is Coming!
By ERIN MULLAN
Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Spring really is coming! I know, I know, it seems foolish to say this right now, writing these words while staring out at a very snowy Vancouver. But don't be fooled! The madness that is mid-March will soon be lurching our way.
Concert listings:
• The fabulous Irish singer Karan Casey returns to Cap College on February 23 with a new band line-up that features avant-garde classical musician Kate Ellis on cello and Caoimhín Vallely on piano, joining long-time accompanist Robbie Overson on guitar
• Don't miss the Vancouver debut of the excellent young Scots band Malinky on March 2 at St. James Hall
• The Festival du Bois runs March 1-2 in its new location in Maillardville featuring the great Quebec band La Volee d'Castors as headliners along with Frank Maher & The Mahers Bars from Newfoundland and Rob Curto's Forro For All. See www.festivaldubois.ca for the full program
• New artistic director Tim Readman has some great acts lined up for Celticfest Vancouver, which goes March 12-16. Festival highlights include Scotland's Battlefield Band at The Commodore March 12 and the BIG St. Pat's Night Out! with Celtic Fiddle Festival and Wendy MacIsaac & Patrick Gillis at Richard's on Richards March 15. See www.celticfestvancouver.com for more details
• Watch this space next month for more info on St. Paddy's events
• Oysterband and The Bills will both be playing Vancouver at the end of April.
Local motion:
• The First Annual Nanaimo Fiddle Camp runs March 16-20 and is organized by Fiddleworks & the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. Information and registration: www.fiddleworks.ca
• The next Irish Céilí Dance is February 16 at the Victoria Drive Community Hall. Last Night's Fun will be providing the live music, all of the dances are taught and beginners and children are very welcome. Details: (604) 709-4140 or http://vcn.bc.ca/ceili/
• The next Scottish Ceilidh is February 29 at the Scottish Cultural Centre, class at 7 PM and dancing at 8 PM with live music by Calanais. Partners or experience definitely not required but having fun is expected
• For information about Scottish country dance groups and classes around the Lower Mainland call (604) 536-9481 or visit www.rscdsvancouver.org
• For information on the Irish Set Dancing and Social Group call (604) 984-8261 or (604) 731-9513
• The Jericho Folk Club has Tuesday night sessions and concerts at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Phone: (604) 222-4113 for more information
• The Wolf and Hound has a traditional session on Wednesday nights
• The Irish Heather has an Irish traditional session on Thursday nights and trad group Ballyhooley plays Tuesday evenings
• Bring your instruments and songs to the Friday night session at the Celtic Traditions store, starting at 8 PM.
Recording news:
• After a 10-year hiatus, there's a new studio album coming this month from the amazing duo of Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill on Compass records. Martin recently won the Gradam Ceoil Award, which is the highest accolade a traditional Irish musician can receive
• Watch for a new CD by former Cherish The Ladies singer Heidi Talbot, also on Compass Records
• Battlefield Band have released their latest: Dookin' on Temple Records
• Four Men & A Dog have a hot new CD called Wallop The Spot on Hook Records, available by import only
• Mozaik, with Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Bruce Molsky, Rens Van Der Zalm, and Nikola Parov, has finally had their sophomore CD Changing Trains released in North America.
Questions, comments or complaints? Write me c/o The Celtic Connection, #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby V5C 6T7, or e-mail: maura@telus.net. [Erin Mullan is one of the hosts the Celtic music radio show In the Claddagh Ring, Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8 PM on CFRO 102.7.]
|
