This site includes the postings from the Irish Aires email list. This includes a listing of Irish/Celtic events in the Houston area and other information that the Irish Aires radio program posts.

Saturday, March 05, 2005

03/05/05 - Current Events

To receive these postings via email, click HERE No Message is necessary. To Irish Aires Info Blog Irish Current Events in the Houston Area What's New? 03/05/05 - Smithfield Fair at Anderson Fair (updated info) 03/12/05 – Constant Billy @ reopening of the Orange Show 03/17/05 – St Patrick’s Festival @ Meridian (updated info) ---- On Going Events: ---- Community Annoucements: :: Irish Aires Has A Brand New Blog!! (actually we have two!) http://irishairescurrentevents.blogspot.com/2005/01/irish-aires-has-brand-new-blog.html :: Part Time Harp Box Builder Needed: We need a part time employee to build shipping boxes for harps. If you know of anyone, or can make an announcement, I would be very appreciative. They could contact me at 281-890-4500 or e-mail me at mary@folkharp.com Mary Radspinner Melody's Traditional Music http://www.folkharp.com :: Jim McNamara, the longtime piper from County Clare is recovering from West Nile Virus (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/). He is now home. :: Michael Davitt, Irish performer & AOH activist, is continuing to undergo treatment for cancer. Reports are that he is doing well. ---- Other Irish Celtic Calendars for the Houston Area: Scottish Country Dancing & More: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/Calendar.htm Houston Irish Development Assoc: http://www.houstonirish.org/calendar/calendar.shtml ****************************************** 03/05-06 - North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas ****************************************** 03/05/05 - Smithfield Fair at Anderson Fair 8 pm door, 9 pm show The acoustic trio Smithfield Fair performs at Houston's premier acoustic music venue - the legendary Anderson Fair (2007 Grant Street), on Saturday, March 5th, 2005. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show beginning at 9:00 p.m. For tickets, reservations and information, please call 1-713-528-8576. Best to you all and come enjoy the music and a great show! Dudley-Brian Smith Smithfield Fair/Stevenson Productions http://www.smithfieldfair.com (smoke free) ****************************************** 03/06/05 - Sunday - Grand Marshal's Reception, March 6, 2005 Brian O'Neill's Irish Pub, 5555 Morningside 1:00-4:00 pm ****************************************** 03/06/05 – Sunday - Men of Houston Morris Dancers - followed by IRISH SESSION 6.15pm. Rudyards Pub, 2010 Waugh, 4-6pm, upstairs. ****************************************** 03/07/05 - Monday - Parade Meeting McElroy's Irish Pub 3607 Sandman 7:00 pm ****************************************** 03/09/05 - Saturday Parade Marshal Meeting, Home Plate Bar & Grill 1600 Travis 7:00 pm ****************************************** 03/10/05 - Thurs Queen's Contest Griff's ****************************************** 03/11/05 - Tuesday, The Greencards - 9:00pm, $12 (smoke-free) at the Mucky Duck ****************************************** 03/11/05 – St Patrick’s Emerald Ball – Reception & Silent Auction at The Houston Club – 6:30PM – Til? Dinner Served at 7:30PM Emcee: Michael Davitt; Invocation: Fr. Trol Gately; Harpist: Debra Carlson; Singer: Cassandra Heavrin Pipers: Bill Robertson & Ian Martin The Plantations McTeggart Irish Dancers & Texas Irish Ambassador – Tom Horan Black Tie Optional Tickets $65 Each; Choice of Entre – NY Strip or Poached Salmon – Recognizing Irishman of the Year 2005 – Mike Daly – Dignitaries from Ireland will be attending. Dorothy Davit & Jeannie Kearns – Co-Chairpersons For more info call or wirte P.O. Box 5603, Kingwood, Texas 77325 281-358-2380 fax 281-358-8490 ****************************************** 03/11/05 Friday- The Blaggards at Molly's Pub Conroe, 10pm 901 N Loop 336 West Conroe, TX 77301 936.441.6167 <http://www.mollyspubs.com/conroe.html> ****************************************** 03/11/2005 Scottish Festival Spectacular - Friday, March 11, 2005 8:00 PM See the three time World-Champion St. Thomas Pipe Band when the 2005 Scottish Festival Spectacular comes to Toyota Center. There will be authentic traditional piping and dancing performed with a quality rarely seen on this continent. But there’s much more. The band is a leader in the fusion of bagpipe and electronic music. Two of their recordings were named Best Pipe Music CD by the leading piping magazine Piper and Drummer in 2000 and 2004. In addition the dancers are known for their blending of traditional Scottish steps with contemporary themes, flair, and humor. For a show unlike any other you’ll see this year, make you plan now to attend Houston’s 41st Annual Scottish Festival Spectacular. There will be discount tickets for groups of 20 or more offered. Your order will be processed with best available seating. Seating is subject to availability. Deadline to purchase tickets will be March 4, 2005. Tickets prices include: $23.00 discounted to $20.00 $13.00 discounted to $10.00 (A handling of $5 will be added to the total amount of your purchase) To purchase group discounted tickets please contact Tiffany Hill at 713-758-7577. Tickets On Sale NOW! Buy your tickets early to guarantee great seats!!!!!!!!!! ****************************************** 03/12/05 - Big John’s is Houston’s premier venue for live rugby! 03/12/2005 Ireland vs. France 7:30pm 03/19/2005 Wales vs. Ireland 9:30am (See full schedule below) ---- We carry the following competitions: The 6 Nations (Exclusively at Big John's Bar) SANZAR The Tri Nations The World Cup Super 12’s European Cup Final Lions Tours Major Test Matches We will be picking up The Celtic cup, The Heineken Cup, and The English First Division towards the end of January Whenever a major test match was not available in the US, Big John’s had a tape shipped from Europe and converted and broadcast the game later that week. We know of no other bar in America that offers the same service! ----- Upcoming Rugby Events at Big John's Six Nations Rugby DATE TEAMS KICKOFF 03/12/2005 Ireland vs. France 7:30pm 03/12/2005 England vs. Italy 10:00am 03/13/2005 Scotland vs. Wales 9:00am 03/19/2005 Italy vs. France 7:00am 03/19/2005 Wales vs. Ireland 9:30am 03/19/2005 England vs. Scotland 12:00pm World Cup Rugby All of these World Cup Rugby Games are shown live. All weekday games (Mon-Fri) will be replayed at 12:00 noon and 6:30 pm. All weekend games (Sat-Sun) will be replayed at 9:00 am and 6:30 pm. Replays for all matches are available BY REQUEST. Questions? (281) 546-4795 ~ Rudy's Mobile http://www.bigjohnsbar.com/index.htm Big John's at Wilcrest and Harwin in Houston - Take West Sam Houston Parkway South to the Harwin Exit. Take Harwin west to Wilcrest. Left on Wilcrest. 1st strip center on right. ****************************************** 03/12/05 – St Patrick’s Parade – 2 PM – Meeting at the Clock Tower at Minute Maid Park. (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Irish_Aires/stpatspa.htm soon to be updated) ****************************************** 03/12/05 - Sat - Constant Billy, the duo, 3-4 pm annual reopening of the magical Orange Show 2402 Munger, Houston ****************************************** 03/12/05 - Celebrate St. Paddy's Day by Dancing the Night Away - 5th Annual Irish American Heritage Association St. Patrick's Day Dance featuring the Hibernia School of Irish Dance 7:30pm to 11:30pm in the Great Room of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church 1530 Norwalk Dr, Katy Tickets are $10, BYOB, including snacks and DJ. Contact Phil Connelly at 281-492-8780 for tickets. http://www.texirish.com/ ****************************************** 03/12/05 - Contradance- Band: The Gnu Band (Keith Holmes and friends) Caller Grant Goodyear Houston Area Traditional Dance Society - http://www.hatds.org Always Live Music, Every dance is taught 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month, (except December) 8 pm to 11 pm Location for all dances: Central Presbyterian Church - 3788 Richmond Ave. $8.00 Non-Members- $6.00 Members ****************************************** 03/12/05 – Sat The Blaggards at Molly Maguire's, 10pm 15945 Kuykendahl Road Houston, TX 77068 281.580.6167 <http://www.mollyspubs.com/maguires.html> ****************************************** 03/13/05 – Dick Dowling Memorial Statue Centennial in Hermann Park at 1PM. ****************************************** 03/13/05 – St Patrick’s Day Parade on 1960 (details to follow. check: http://www.1960parade.com/ ) ****************************************** 03/17/05 Thursday Third Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration With The Center for Irish Studies And The Irish Society Mass: 10:30 a.m., Chapel of St. Basil, University of St. Thomas, 3802 Yoakum Celebrated by Rev. William Young, CSB; other priests are welcome as concelebrants Open to the public; Irish Music by UST's Dr. John Burke and the de Burgo Ensemble Corned beef and cabbage brunch: 11:45 a.m., Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Center University of St. Thomas, 4000 Mt. Vernon Brunch Cost: $20 for Irish Society Members; $30 for Non-Irish Society Members RSVP deadline for Brunch: March 7, 2005 Parking available in the Moran Center, West Alabama at Graustark or on the street Contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu. ****************************************** 03/17/05, Thursday - Houston St. Patrick's Festival: The return of the biggest St. Patrick's Event in the southwest, formerly held at Garden in the Heights now at the MERIDIAN (http://www.meridianhouston.com/? ) Thursday, March 17, 2005 St. Patrick's Day At Meridian From the Producers of the Original Houston St. Patrick's Festival TIME: Doors Open At 5:00 PM No Cover Live Music Featuring Performances By The Flying Fish Sailors Constant Billy Godfrey’s Rangers Paisley Close (Formerly Gordian Knot) And McTeggart Irish Dancers The producers of the original Celtic Festival Series and Houston St. Patrick's Festival that were held for years at Garden in the Heights invite all their old friends from those great events and the new audiences of Meridian to join them in celebrating Meridian's first St. Patrick's Day. There will be the same mix of great Celtic music and dance, traditional Celtic food and drink, exquisite Celtic crafts and wares in a vibrant new location, and no worries about rain! Flying Fish Sailors Performing acoustic folk music, original comedy and folk rock, the Flying Fish Sailors bring together elements from diverse musical styles to create a sound uniquely their own. Their shows combine modern and antique instrumentation, and musical styles from many times and cultures: A place where humorous original songs, American and Celtic folk songs converge with classic rock themes, the blues, and even rap and heavy metal influences. Constant Billy Featuring Bill Galbraith of Freeborn, the first professional Celtic band in Texas (1975), and the legendary Four Bricks Out of Hadrian's Wall Take the traditional music of Britain and Ireland. Shake and stir in Rock, Classical and Swing using a staggering array of string and woodwind instruments..Mix in the vocals of probably the best all-around folk a-cappella singers..and you have a band that will leave you reeling. Constant Billy is Today's Trad. Godfrey’s Rangers Houston’s premier Irish band and longest running Celtic act perform the traditional music of the 19th century Irish immigrants. The Rangers have entertained for James Galway, the President of Ireland, and countless audiences with fiery jigs and reels, haunting ballads, and rousing songs of pleasure and war that tell the story of the Irish. Paisley Close Former members of Gordian Knot and Widdershins Cidnie MacNamee and Amy Price met in the mid-1990s and formed the fledgling Celtic band Gordian Knot. They played and recorded some great music, garnered critical acclaim, and made many loyal fans and wonderful friends before the band broke up in 2001. Together again with guitarist Bernard Schreiber, Paisley Close takes Gordian Knot's energetic Celtic Pop feel and soars with it to fresh, lyrical heights. Their material covers a broad spectrum, including traditional and modern songs arranged in the group's unique idiom; timeless poetry set to original music; and new compositions written by the band. The McTeggart Irish Dancers The McTeggart Irish Dancers of South Texas (MIDOST), based in The Woodlands TX (North Houston) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and teaching the art of traditional Irish dance. This is the lively step dancing and hard shoe dancing that were the origins of tap dance and the subjects of the phenomenal River Dance and Lord of the Dance shows. MIDOST also supports the attendance of local Irish dancers at Regional, National, and World Championship competitions. The McTeggart School of Irish Dance offers instruction in the art of traditional Irish Step Dancing for all, from beginners through championship levels ****************************************** 03/17/05 - St. Patrick's Day Celebration at the Mucky Duck - Serving great Irish food all day starting at 11am and continuing throughout the day. http://www.mcgonigels.com/stpatricks2005.htm As seen in USA Today ..."One of the Top Ten Places to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the USA." ---- Entertainment starts at Noon Jiggernaut ...binding the heart of Celtic music to the soul of rock and roll. Fueled by white-hot piping, fiery vocals, and an irresistible groove, they have set out to convert the masses, and introduce new people to Celtic music ... a rich mixture of old and new, traditional and contemporary ...appealing to all ages and musical tastes. "Jiggernaut is that rare band that can have you bopping at a club or jigging on the heath. What's more...they can do it not only on the same song but somehow at the same time." Houston Press THE ROGUES Smokin' bagpipes and creative percussion are the foundation for the hottest Celtic band out of Houston, Texas. The Rogues have now become international performers, with appearances all over North America and Scotland. They have shared the stage with Natalie MacMaster, The Battlefield Band, Steeleye Span, and Eric Rigler (Bad Haggis), and have become the favourite act at numerous festivals and Celtic events around the country. ---- O'Maoileidigh Irish Dancers The world-wide success of Riverdance and more recently Lord of the Dance has placed Irish dance on the international stage. Dancing schools in Ireland today are filled with young pupils keen to imitate and learn the dancing styles which brought Jean Butler and Michael Flatley international acclaim. O'Maoileidigh Schoiol of Irish Dance, the preeminent school of Irish dance in Houston, will have their best step dancers here to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. ---- Tartanic The only thing that limits a Tartanic show are strict laws set by the Fire Department. Take the loudest instruments you can imagine (bagpipes and drums!), and mix in tunes ranging from "Scotland the Brave" to scorching Samba-driven numbers then grab your fire extinguishers, becase if the band doesn't spontaneously combust the audience might! Tartanic takes live performance to heart and creates a high-energy pulse at 120 beats per minute and beyond. Tartanic as a band is new and on the edge. With over 30 years of performance between them, Tartanic fills a much needed niche in Celtic music, taking tunes out of the session and into the sensational with humor and theatrics. This is not just music, this is an interactive spectacle. . .it is a “Tartanic Experience.” ---- Lunch at the Duck Corned Beef & Cabbage Beef Guinness Shepherd's Pie Fish & Chips ---- Join our resident leprechaun Martin as he leads the Celtic throngs through some of your favorite Irish tunes and even a limerick or two. Martin Burniston's Irish Singalong Wyndnwyre Medieval and Renaissance music from Celtic traditions. Some are several hundred years old, yet sound pleasingly familiar to our modern ears. E. J. Jones - International Award Winning Piper performs on the rooftop at noon and 5pm. He is member of The Willow Band and was a founding menmber of Clandestine. His imagination and orchestration open up new avenues in Celtic music. The Irish Session Players will be performing Irish tunes inside the Duck throughout the afternoon and evening.The Mucky Duck incarnation of the Session, if for no other reason than the frequent participation of younger musicians, gives a very real sense of tradition passed on and history handed down. The most visible Celtic-influenced traditional bands around Houston -- make participating in the Session a regular, energy-charging part of their regular routine. What is celebrated is the whole of Celtic culture, and a musical tradition that, over the centuries, has become as much American roots music as bottleneck guitar. The drums of western Africa are what gave American music its rhythm; more often than not, though, the melody is Celtic. The popularity of Celtic folk music is either a testament to the timeless appeal of these sometimes haunting, sometimes hilarious, sometimes jig-inspiring tunes, or perhaps an argument in favor of the nebulous theory of racial memory. Celtic blood-ties real, suspected and imagined have given many the impetus to learn the folk-arts of the ancient tribes; that's just one reason why the Wednesday night Session at the Mucky Duck is as much a school and tribal gathering as a musical event. ****************************************** 03/21/05 - Monday - Early Irish Travel on the Galway Line: Transatlantic Triumph or Heroic Failure? Sponsored by Len Ivins on behalf of Ann Caraway Ivins, The UST Center for Irish Studies and The Irish Society Lecture by Timothy Collins, a Chartered Librarian in the James Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, and Galway Graduate of University College Galway in marine sciences and scholar of maritime history Director of the Centre for Landscapes Studies, National University of Ireland, Galway When: 7 p.m. Where: Ahern Room, Crooker Center, University of St. Thomas, 3909 Graustark Free and open to the public; no RSVP required Parking available in the Moran Center, West Alabama at Graustark or on the street For more information, contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu ****************************************** 03/25/05 - Friday, The Blaggards at Brian O'Neill's, 10pm 5555 Morningside Houston, TX 77005 713.522.2603 <http://www.brianoneills.com/> ****************************************** 03/26/05 - Contradance- Band: The Spring Breakers Caller: TBA Houston Area Traditional Dance Society - http://www.hatds.org Always Live Music, Every dance is taught 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month, (except December) 8 pm to 11 pm Location for all dances: Central Presbyterian Church - 3788 Richmond Ave. $8.00 Non-Members- $6.00 Members ****************************************** 04/05/05 - TUESDAY - Northern Ireland Peace Process Sponsored by Honorary Consul of Ireland John B. Kane and Alayne Kane, The UST Center for Irish Studies and The Irish Society Lecture by William J. Flynn, Chairman of Mutual of America Insurance Company Recipient of First Initiative for Peace Award by the National Committee of American Foreign Policy for his leadership and diplomacy in the Northern Ireland Peace Process in the 1990s When: 7 p.m. Where: Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Center, 4000 Mt. Vernon, University of St. Thomas Free and open to the public No RSVP required Parking available in the Moran Center, West Alabama at Graustark or on the street For more information, contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu ****************************************** 04/14/05 – Tartanic at the Mucky Duck. 8pm, $10 ****************************************** 04/16/05 – Maura O’Connell at the Mucky Duck. 7:30PM $20 ****************************************** 04/23/05 - Saturday, The Blaggards at Brian O'Neill's, 10pm 5555 Morningside Houston, TX 77005 713.522.2603 <http://www.brianoneills.com/> ****************************************** 04/24/05 - Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan (3pm) at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. ****************************************** 04/24/05 - Sunday - As Close to the Truth As We're Ever Going to Get: Derry People on the Film Bloody Sunday Sponsored by the UST Center for Irish Studies and The Irish Society Presentation by Dr. Margot Backus, Associate Professor of English, University of Houston. We will show the film Bloody Sunday, about 14 people killed during a civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland, on January 30, 1972, which is the subject of the ongoing Saville Inquiry. Dr. Backus will discuss the film and relate her interviews with people in Derry last summer. When: 2 p.m. Where: Ahern Room, Crooker Center, University of St. Thomas, 3909 Graustark Free and open to the public No RSVP required Parking available in the Moran Center, West Alabama at Graustark or on the street For more information, contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu ****************************************** 04/22-24 Sam Houston Folk Fest - Featuring Scottish Highland Games 04/22-24/05 Come out and join us for the 18th annual General Sam Houston Folk Festival! Featuring the Scottish Highland Games Step Back In Time To The 1800s And Enjoy! Dates Times Friday, April 22nd 9 am until 6 pm Saturday, April 23rd 9 am until 6 pm Sunday, April 24th noon until 5 pm Admission Adult: $7.00 Group Rate $3.00 (min 15) Age 5-12: $3.00 Under 5: free Dulcimer Workshops Citizen Soldiers Live Acoustic Music Tale-Spinners Museum Tours Performances Costumed Historical Characters Folklife Demonstrations Children's Activities Cultural Displays Arts & Crafts Guitar Workshops Ethnic Foods Living History Theatre School Teachers To register for the Friday School Day, contact Helen King at hking@huntsville-isd.org or (936) 293-2555. It has finally happened! The Trinity Scottish Society is pleased to announce, after two years of negotiations, that the Trinity Scottish Festival no longer exists but the scottish heritage & the highland games will now be an official part of the Sam Houston Folk Festival held annually on the Sam Houston Museum Grounds - a Division of the Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX! Scottish Clans have been invited to register their clan with the Sam Houston State Univ's Sam Houston Museum and to present their 2x3’ Clan banner on a pole to be displayed in the new Scottish Heritage Area of the museum! We hope to have every Texas Clan represented! Clan response has been great. The Clan Donnell Society of Texas and the Clan Donnell USA are joint Honored Clans? Clans with reserved space currently are: Clan Donnell Society of Texas Clan Donnell USA Clan MacLeod Society Clan Gunn Society of North America Clan MacIntyre Association Clan MacKay Clan Keith Society American Southwest Clan Gregor Red River Branch of Clan Cameron Society There will also be a Clan Information Center located in front of the old Sam Houston home to provide clan and heritage information and to direct students and attendees to the Scottish heritage and the Highland Games area. A former Sam Houston graduate, Timothy Sanders will Direct the Highland Games on Saturday. In recognition for the vision and efforts of Ms. June McRoberts in the conception and design of the Bluebonnet artan, the Trinity Scottish Society instituted a special memorial trophy to be awaraded to the Athlete of the Games. The trophy is a full-sized ornate replica of a 16th century Scottish claymore, donated by Mr. Paul Premazon and the Magic Cauldron. The sword blade is inscribed with the name of the Athlete of the Games each year and will be on display throughout the year at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. For further information and/or participation contact Timothy Sanders at 281/989-0570. Piper, Vernon Love, of Shreveport, LA is bringing in his honor guard and the 1745 Highlanders reenactment group and setting up camp for the weekend at the festival. Mary Radspinner, Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni and Sallie Huffman will be playing harps in the Museum rotunda Saturday afternoon. Dianna Shipman, of Houston, will be bringing in the scottish/celtic dancers and accompanying musicians. Sia Beaton, the official representative of the Bluebonnet Tartan (the Registered Tartan for the State of Texas) will be presenting Dr. Patrick Nolan, the original formal kilt made for Ms. June McRoberts, for display in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. Ms. Eve Dunn of the American Southwest Clan Gregor will be presenting Dr. Patrick Nolan with a 200 year old MacDonald Tartan Kilt for display in the Sam Houston display case in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. For further information, contact Scottish Heritage Coordinator, Jean North (tel: 936 594 0195; email: vjn_gram@yahoo.com) School Teachers: To register for the Friday School Day, contact Helen King at hking@huntsville-isd.org or (936) 293-2555. ---- Text directions below, or for map image click here. From the South on I-45 Take exit 112 on I-45. This gets you on 75N. Continue north about four miles until you get to the main entrance to Sam Houston State University. Turn right and park in one of the big lots. Shuttle busses will take you to the Festival. From the North on I-45 Take exit 116 on I-45. Turn left at the stop light. (Highway 30 aka 11th St.) Turn right on Sam Houston Ave. (At the courthouse square; about a mile.) The museum is about a mile south of the Courthouse. Continue south until you get to the main entrance to Sam Houston State University. Turn left and park in one of the big lots. Shuttle busses will take you to the Festival. ****************************************** 05/03/05 – Paisley Close at the Mucky Duck - Cidnie MacNamee and Amy Price met in the mid-1990s. After a promising phone conversation Cid invited Amy to try out for the fledgling Celtic band Gordian Knot. Amy got lost on her way to the audition and was an hour late, which set the tone for their relationship: Amy was definitely in, but only Cid could drive The Van. They played and recorded some great music, garnered critical acclaim, and made many loyal fans and wonderful friends before the band broke up in 2001. When Cid and Amy met guitarist Bernard Schreiber in 2003, musical sparks flew. They added drums and bass, and thus was Paisley Close born. Going on the "throw-the-baby-bird-out-of-the-nest-and-see-if-it-flies" theory of emergence, their first public performance was at the 2004 nationally lauded St. Patrick's Day Festival of Houston's Mucky Duck. Paisley Close takes Gordian Knot's energetic Celtic Pop feel and soars with it to fresh, lyrical heights. Their material covers a broad spectrum, including traditional and modern songs arranged in the group's unique idiom; timeless poetry set to original music; and new compositions written by the band. Uncommon musicianship and storytelling are the common threads that run through the music of Paisley Close. http://www.paisleyclose.com/index.html ****************************************** 05/27/05 - Tuesday, The Greencards - 9:00pm, $12 (smoke-free) at the Mucky Duck ****************************************** ON GOING Events: Wednesday Nights at 8ish PM. The Mucky Duck continues a twenty-five year tradition, hosting Houston's Irish Session. The Mucky Duck incarnation of the Session, if for no other reason than the frequent participation of younger musicians, gives a very real sense of tradition passed on and history handed down. The most visible Celtic-influenced traditional bands around Houston -- make participating in the Session a regular, energy-charging part of their regular routine. What is celebrated is the whole of Celtic culture, and a musical tradition that, over the centuries, has become as much American roots music as bottleneck guitar. The drums of western Africa are what gave American music its rhythm; more often than not, though, the melody is Celtic. The popularity of Celtic folk music is either a testament to the timeless appeal of these sometimes haunting, sometimes hilarious, sometimes jig-inspiring tunes, or perhaps an argument in favor of the nebulous theory of racial memory. Celtic blood-ties real, suspected and imagined have given many the impetus to learn the folk-arts of the ancient tribes; that's just one reason why the Wednesday night Session at the Mucky Duck is as much a school and tribal gathering as a musical event. This is a great way to explore Irish music and tradition. Music starts at 8pm, and there is no cover charge.2425 Norfolk Houston, TX 77098 713.528.5999 Phone Be sure to check our calendar in case we have booked a special show that might preempt our regular Irish Session ---- Ar mhaith leat Gaeilge a labhairt? Would you like to speak Irish? Beginning Irish Conversation Brian O'Neill's 5555 Morningside (Rice Village, near the intersection of University and Morning side) Brian O'Neill's Restaurant and Irish Pub: brianoneills.com If you are interested in learning a little Irish then come join us at Brian Ó Neill's on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. This Irish class is tailored to the beginning student who has had no prior exposure to Irish. You will learn basic conversational greetings, helpful phrases, informative tips for traveling through the Gaeltacht such as common signage, asking directions and most important of all how to pronounce those mystical Irish words. Pocket phrase books do the tourist no good unless they know how to pronounce what they are reading! This course provides the beginning student with phonetically spelled out Irish words, something most beginning tape and book courses fail to offer. If you have any questions please contact Tim Theisen (tyson) at Jeaniebotl@aol.com or phone me at (713) 263-9691 If you are interested please come join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. There is a $5.00 donation to cover cost of the handouts. Labhraímis Gaeilge is linne í ! Speaking Irish is cool! ---- Learn Irish Gaelic! (Katy Class) SATURDAY - Beginning Conversational Irish (and every Saturday for the next few months) Katy, TX 10 AM – Noon Self-Study Group Using Interactive CDs, Books, Tapes, and other materials for spoken and written Irish. Class moderated by an advanced American student of the language. $7 per class to cover costs. $5 for Irish American Heritage Association members. Call Pat McMahon at 713-271-0784 for location and directions, or e-mail patpmcmahon@aol.com location: The Carriage Inn, 1400 Katy-Flewellen Road in the Computer Room ---- Wednesdays, 7-10 pm SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE http://home.att.net/~diannashipman New Dancers Welcome - Families Welcome (children must be accompanied by parent / guardian). $5 for those 14 and over; $2.50 those under 14 ($15 maximum per family) - fourth consecutive Wednesday free. Location: Oddfellows Hall, 115 E. 14th St. (Heights), Houston, Texas (3rd building on left traveling east from Heights Blvd. - 2 story red brick - entrance recessed about 15 feet from street - dancing upstairs). LINKS ON WEBSITE with map & photo (Map) http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/MapOddfellows.gif PHOTO OF HALL: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/OddfellowsHall.jpg ---- Houston Highland Games Association has regular meetings at the Holiday Inn SW-Sugarland (11160 SW Frwy. Houston, TX 77031-3698 281-5301400) on the first Thursday of each month. We gather in the lounge around 6:30 or so and prime the pump for the 7:30 meetings. They usually last for about an hour and a half. More fellowship follows the meeting. ---- The Irish American Heritage Association of Katy, Texas has their monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting is held at the MUD 81 Building (Harris Co. Municipal Utility Building) located on Cimmarron Parkway, off of South Mason Road in Katy, Texas. From the I-10 freeway driving south on Mason Road to the 4th light from the I-10 freeway is Cimmarron Parkway where you take a right turn to drive 2 blocks to the intersection on the left, there is Hidden Canyon Road where the MUD building is located. Plenty of lighted parking space is available across the street from the building. We have refreshments to share during the social gathering. Usually, by 9:15pm, the meetings adjourns. Membership is $20 annually due on June 1st. Each meeting features a different topic. Phone numbers for contact or information: Phil Connelly, President, Katy, Tx ph.281-492- 8780 Dennis McGuire, VP, Katy, Tx ph.281- 392-0894 IAHA Newsletter monthly advertising space is available too. A few Irish American Heritage Assoc. members and their friends have put together a deluxe bus tour of Ireland. The tour will leave Houston May 24th and return on June 4th. A private bus will be chartered to carry tourists to the very best adventures in Ireland. Plans include a banquet at Knappogue Castle, stops along the West Coast, a visit to the shrine at Knock, Donegal, Dublin, Waterford, and Kerry. The bus will make unique stops at places that are often off the beaten path. But the most unique feature of this tour will be the leisurely pace and flexible schedule. Unlike typical bus tours, you will not be required to wait on the pavement at the crack of dawn to begin an exhausting rigid daily schedule. Departures and stops will be adjusted to suit guests as the need arises. Each day will end in an overnight stay in a fine hotel. Your hosts for the tour will be Phil and Bridget Connelly. Bridget is from Ireland, and she and Phil make regular trips to the Emerald Isle. At least 20 persons will be signed up by February 5th to make this trip both affordable and luxurious, so don't delay! Call Phil or Bridget by February 5th (281) 492-8780. ---- Session on Sundays 6 'til 8:30pm at Rudyard's Pub (Rudz). Rudz is located at 2010 Waugh Drive. The best approach is from Montrose Blvd., turn west on Welch, when you get to Waugh, Rudz appears in front of you. The car park to your left is for Rudz' use. Julian Tribe ---- CELTIC CHORUS OF HOUSTON Do you like to hum or sing along with the music played on Irish Aires or The Three Irish Tenors? Then join us every Tuesday night: 1st Tuesday 6:30 TO 9:30 PM, other Tuesdays 7:30 to 9:30 PM 1ST TUESDAYS: BRIAN O'NEILL'S (6:30 pm practice singalong songs, 7:30 perform for Open Mic) 2nd, 3rd, and 4th TUESDAYS: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, COUNCIL 803 Officers (elected June 11, 2002): President: MICHAEL "GRIF" GRIFFIN Vice- President: DIANNA SHIPMAN (diannashipman@att.net) Secretary/Treasurer: ROBERT "BOB" DOWNS We will join together in a sing-a-long session and then later those who wish to learn four part music may stay and learn choral music of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. If you need more information contact Richard McGinty 713-943- 9600 or e-mail r.e.hourich@excite.com . The mission statement reads in part: "to provide a community meeting place for those interested in the Celtic heritages." The first half of the evening focuses on singalong songs and the second half on choral arrangements. The singalong songs: Will You Go Lassie Go The Minstrel Boy Sally Gardens Molly Malone (In Dublin's Fair City) Finnegan's Wake The Foggy Dew Black Velvet Band Mcnamara's Band Danny Boy When Irish Eyes Are Smiling The Unicorn Song I'm Lookin' Over A Four Leaf Clover Whiskey In The Jar The Wild Rover The Bard Of Armagh Choral Arrangements: Danny Boy The Minstrel Boy An Irish Blessing My Wild Irish Rose Summer Break - No Meetings July 2 Thru Aug 6 - Chorus Resumes Meeting Aug. 13, 2002 ---- Event: Irish Jam Session/Open Mic. Night Place: The Beverly Pub, 6325A Beverly Hill (one block south of Richmond, between Hillcroft and Fairview) Every Wednesday Time: 8:30 - Midnight More Info: 713-334-3474 or http://www.beverlypub.net Join host every Wednesday at the Beverly Pub for an Irish Jam Session and Open Mic. Night. All performers, professional or amateur, are welcome to join in or take the mic. for a few songs in a supportive, fun atmosphere, or just drop by for a pint and listen or sing along. Host Patrick "Paddy" Devlin of "On the Dole" fame and frequent guests jam on everything from Irish to blues to Elvis. The Beverly Pub is a cool place to find good music, good friends, great drink specials and most of all, it's fun atmosphere. It is relaxing and friendly, and the jolly good lads 'n lasses who make up the waitstaff offer good food and an impressive collection of draught & bottled beer and fine spirits. Need more information? Give us a call at 713- 334-3474. (The Beverly won the Guinness trophy in the downtown St. Patrick's day parade. It is a nice cut glass trophy. Jay) ---- Celtic Voyage regularly plays at the Bayview Duck (just two miles south of the Kemah bridge on Hwy 146) on Sat night at 8pm. So bring your voices and your good cheer and join in for another song filled night. 3131 HWY 146, Bacliff, TX 77518, 281/339-3510 ---- "One hundred thousand welcomes!" This age-old Gaelic greeting is a timeless expression of Scottish hospitality and goodwill. We can't think of a better way to welcome you than to invite you to Houston's Heather and Thistle Society (H&T). The Heather and Thistle Society was founded in 1953 by Scots living in Houston who wished to "cultivate an interest in and fond recollections of Scotland, its history and traditions, its literature and ideals, its minstrelsy and song, its customs and amusements; and to provide opportunities for good fellowship and social contact through typically Scottish functions, so that the blessing of our Scottishculture may never die in our new homeland". The Heather and Thistle Society meets 10 times a year, September through June. Programs include "ceilidhs", lively lectures, slide shows and movies about Scotland. We are an organization that promotes our Scottish heritage in various ways. Membership in the Heather and Thistle Society is open to all with an interest in Scottish Heritage and Culture. Annual Dues are $10.00 for an individual and $15.00 for a family. H&T meets the fourth (4th) Monday of each month, September thru June, at 7:30 P.M. Current meeting location: Auditorium of St.Thomas Episcopal School, 4900 Jackwood, Houston, TX 77096 http://www.stes.org/contact.htm As of 25 March, 2002, current officers are: Walter May, Chieftain - 281-493-0016 - waltmaySFA@aol.com Becci Himes, Sub-Chieftain - 281-498-5746 - bhimes@houston.rr.com Aaron Buchanan, Sgt-at-Arms - 281-376-9749 - aaron.buchanan@dal.frb.org Brenda Barton, Secretary - 713-450-4042 Robert Moore, Treasurer - 713-774-0314 Past-Chieftains Committee: Wayne C. Barton (Chieftain 2001-02) - 713- 450-4042 - wcbarton@swbell.net Edgar W. Biddle (Chieftain 1999-01) - 281- 807-7892 - edbid@yahoo.com Paul E. Ross (Chieftain 1996-97) - 713-661- 5240 - threeoaks@earthlink.net David N. McLane (Chieftain 1991-92) - 281- 807-7892 W. Alex Munroe (Chieftain 1990-91) - 713-686- 2976 http://www.heatherandthistle.org/ ---- Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Dancing General Class Mondays - 7:30-9:30 p.m In progress Classical Arts Dance Studio, 530 N Illinois, League City - Contact Moon Weiss, 713-465-9650, mland121@aol.com Basic Class Tuesdays - 7:30-9:30 p.m. In progress DewAnn Cotten Dance Studio, 9423 Glenfield Court (By S. Braeswood/Hillcroft) South West Houston For info: Carol Palmer, 713-776-8531, carolhpalmer@hotmail.com General Class Thursdays - 7:30-9:30 p.m In progress DewAnn Cotten Dance Studio, 9423 Glenfield Court (By S. Braeswood/Hillcroft), South West Houston Teacher: Bill Zobel, For info: Carol Palmer, 713-776-8531, carolhpalmer@hotmail.com ---- Stepdancing & Ceili classes O'Maoileidigh School of Irish Dance Houston, TX Sundays starting at 9:30 AM For more information contact newmembers@omaoileidigh.com http://www.omaoileidigh.com/ ---- Step Dancing Lessons Stepdancing Lessons McTeggart Irish Dancers The Woodlands, Texas More info@ http://www.irishdancehouston.com 936-321-6583 *With over 60 dancers and 21 Championship dancers McTeggart Irish Dancers of South Texas have a lot to be proud of. *Last year they had 6 dancers travel to Killarney Ireland for the World's Championship in Irish Dancing. These dancers faced up to 150 of the world's top dancers in their age groups. Two of the dancers did very well: Zane Glotzbach placed 24th and was 5th out of all the U.S. competitors and Annelise Rubbo placed 33rd overall. *Last year they had 21 dancers travel to Norfolk, Virginia for the Southern Region Championships, also known as "Oireachtas". Most of these dancers placed high in their age groups, with 3 receiving first place: Annelise Rubbo, Zane Glotzbach and Shannon Powell. From this competition a dancer qualifies for the World's Championship and Annelise Rubbo, Jaclyn Rubbo and Zane Glotzbach achieved this accomplishment. *Another well-known International competition is the All-Irelands. Later in January 2004, Annelise Rubbo and Jenna Pace will be traveling to Ennis, Ireland to compete. *Also in 2004 several dancers are heading to Philadelphia for the North American Nationals Competition, held each July. In addition, McTeggart Irish Dancers of South Texas hopes to have over 25 dancers travel to North Carolina for the next Southern Region Championship. *A new beginner class started Sunday, Jan. 11.For information on classes or performances, go to http://www.irishdancehouston or call 936-321-6583. To Irish Aires Info Blog To receive these postings via email, click HERE No Message is necessary.
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