FEBRUARY 2002
Irish Music Workshop at Early Music Society
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 7
VANCOUVER - Have you ever fancied yourself as a whistle-player, a fiddler or harper? Early Music Vancouver is offering a one-day workshop on February 22 for those who already play an instrument but have yet to be introduced to Irish traditional music, or who want to brush up on their skills.
Norah Rendell will be teaching penny whistle to the wind players, Deborah Jackson guides aspiring fiddlers, and Rebecca Blair will lead the harp-players.
Norah is a founding member of Cleia and the Maenads, two newly formed Irish-influenced ensembles. She performs regularly with these groups, and can also be
heard playing and singing regularly at traditional sessions at the Irish Heather.
Deborah has performed extensively and has hosted numerous sessions in Toronto, Montreal, England and France. She recently moved to Vancouver from Montreal to work with Early Music Vancouver.
Rebecca is active in the Vancouver folk scene and performs regularly with the Maenads and at Irish sessions. Last summer, she travelled to Ireland to learn about traditional Irish harp playing and dancing.
The workshop schedule for the day includes classes specific to
each instrument, and playing sessions involving all of the workshop participants, including a session at the end of the day including some other local players.
Penny whistles at a very reasonable price are available through Long & McQuade (please consult with Early Music Vancouver first before purchasing) and Celtic harps are also available for use during the workshop (please reserve with Early Music Vancouver as soon as possible).
The Irish Music Workshop will be held at Hodson Manor, 1254 West 7th Avenue on Februarv 22 from 10 AM to 4 PM. For more information or reservations, call (604) 732-1610.
DANIEL ACCEPTS MBE TOR THE FANS'
DUBLIN - Considered one of Ireland's most eligible bachelors, Donegal singer Daniel O'Doniiell astonished family, friends and fans when he announced his engagement to Tipperary woman Majella Roche at Christmas. He later introduced his new love to fans at his fortieth birthday bash in Birmingham, England.
This news was followed by more excitement when word was received that the Kincasslagh man had been awarded an honourary MBE for his services to the music industry.
He was given the award on an honorary basis as he is not a British citizen. This means that he will not receive the MBE directly from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in London but will be honoured at a ceremony at the British embassy in Dublin.
Speaking on Donegal's Highland Radio, O'Donnell said he was shocked and honoured at the news and put the royal honour down to his huge following in England, Scotland and Wales where he regularly plays to packed
houses. He also believed his honour was due to his work in raising money for Romanian orphans.
The popular crooner said he would accept the award on behalf of his legions of fans and those who worked with him on his Romanian Orphans' Appeal. O'Donnell makes regular trips to Romania to help orphans and also takes part in functions in Ireland to raise money.
In accepting the honorary MBE, Daniel becomes one of a small number of people from the Republic to receive a royal award. Bob Geldof was made an honorary knight some years ago while Irish fashion designer, John Rocha received a CBE in this year's honours.
Wolfe Tones United No More
LIMERICK - The rebel rousing Wolfe Tones played their final gig together as a foursome before a capacity audience at the Royal George Hotel in Limerick. After over 37 years, brothers Derek and Brian Warfield, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne took their leave quietly, keeping secret the fact that this was to be their last show together.
The move followed a decision by founding member Derek Warfield to develop solo projects and was not a result of an internal fall out. Warfield told the Limerick (Chronicle that the band decided to go out quietly. "The decision to split up came suddenly. There isn't any animosity between the band members," he said.
The three remaining members of the group have pledged to continue to perform, with a major U.S. tour planned for March. They will also play Ardoyne Fleadh later this year. However, it is uncertain whether the three will be allowed to use the Wolfe Tones title as sensitive negotiations over ownership of the name continue.
Tunes of Glory for Million Dollars
Members of the New York Police Department were on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle to help launch the Scottish Power Tunes of Glory event which will take place in New York on Tartan Day, April 6. It is hoped to have 10,000 pipers taking part to raise 81 million (u691,000) for cancer charities in the United States and Scotland. In August 2000, 8,500 pipers set the current record for the largest pipe band when they inarched down Princes Street. Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani has been invited to be the Honorary Chieftain of the event.
Call to Scrap Scotland's Public Holidays
The head of Glasgow's Chamber of Commerce has called for the scrapping of the system of public holidays in Scotland which allows each local town, area or even village to decide when to take a break - resulting in 77 different public holidays in different parts of Scotland each year. Duncan Tannahill says that public holidays should be aligned with those in England and Wales, where there is standardisation on Bank Holidays across the country. He points to the "Queen's Birthday Holiday" in May which, in Scotland, is celebrated on May 7, 13 or 27, depending upon which part of Scotland you are in.
There are 19 towns in Scotland which celebrate St Andrew's Day on a different date from November 30 (with most towns ignoring the anniversary). The Chamber of Commerce produces a printed guide to the dates, but because decisions are often made at the last minute, it cannot be published until the new year has already started.
The differing dates mean that business callers will unexpectedly get an answering machine as staff in Scottish companies can be on holiday on random dates. But trade unionists rejected the call - finance union UNIFI had members strike on January 2 in protest at the Royal Bank opening some branches on that day. They argue that cultural differences should be maintained.
CROSSROAD PRODUCTIONS pRCSCNTS.
T lie Finest in Celtic & Irish/Scottish Traditional Music
Qeltic ^estivaf
Kevin buRhe Johnny Cunningham ChRisrk\n LenviirRt CJed fotey
Friday* March 8th* 8pm
TIX 22.00 ADVANCE * 24.00 DOOR * 18.00 MEMBERS
THE LEOPOLD CRYSTAL BALLROOM 1224 CORNWALL AVENUE BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
Saturday * April 6 * 8pm Irish Traditional Trio
SerANTTA
Ticket outlet? Antiquity ov Fairha\en (360) 733-7500 (Ofen Fridays and Saturdays ONLY). Quisi Vioi ins/Bei l ingham (360) 647-1984. Northern Lights Disks & Tapes/Mt. Vernon. The Leopold is a non-smoking, alcohol h*ee vacii ity. Doors open 30 uinuies bei-ore showtime. All ages are welcome. INFO (360) 734-5269 or www.crossroadfroduc r ions.ne r
Rogue Folk Club
I ancoiiver's best Celtic / Folk / Roots Music www.roguefolk.bc.ca
Friday February 15th
gritty blues guitar from A Iberta
Lester Quitzau Trio
(Capilano College Theatre, N. Van)
Saturday February 16th
The Ten Years After Renion Tour of the June winning, ground-breaking Celtic Blues Dance Crossover trio
Bourne & MacLeod
(WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St.)
Wednesday February 27,h
New York Bluesman stars in his one-man musical "In Bed With the Blues - The Adventures of Fishy Waters"
Guy Davis (wisehoid
Friday March 1st
Young Irish traditional supergroup -Folk Band of the Year in last year's BBC Folk Awards - Danu have just released their 3rd CD, "All Things
Considered" (Shanachie Records).
Book early for this show, or else!!
Danu (WISE Hall)
Sunday March 3rd
England's most popular - and most controversial - songwriter. Also a superb singer and whistle player
VinGarbutt
(WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St.)
and many more to be announced
Tickets at Black Swan, Highlifc, Rufus', Virgin Information & Reservations: (604) 736-3022