Irish Trad Music Blog

"Kerry Records will present the third annual Irish Hooley (“boisterous party”) in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at 2 p.m. Sun., March 6 at the Scherr Forum, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. This year, the lineup of artists is made up of “Riverdance” star Patrick Barnett, Irish actor Sheelagh Cullen, singers Laura Turner and Robyn Heller, Irish harpist Keri Lynn Zwicker, fiddler Bella Issakova, uilleann piper Patrick D’Arcy, instrumentalist Zac Leger and members of the Kerry Dance Troupe. The hooley was for generations the highlight of Irish social life. The hooley took place in homes, dance halls, school houses and on the boats that traveled from Ireland to America in the early 20th century when immigrants brought their instruments with them to the New World. Tickets are on sale at the Civic Arts Plaza box office and at Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group sales, call the box office at (805) 449-2387." ‘Riverdance’ star to join Irish celebra...

"From acrobats to street cleaners and recycled musical instruments, Belfast will be going green in more ways than one this St Patrick’s Day. The city’s annual carnival |procession will feature a host |of eco-friendly celebrations around the theme of the |environment. Performers, floats and musicians will take part in a series of hands-on projects to help keep the capital “clean and green” during the parade. A car with the world’s lowest carbon-emissions figures, a dust-buster competition, and instruments made from recycled materials are just some of the events planned for the big day. A stunning acrobatics display will see a tightrope walker |perform their dizzying act |between the twin Belfast |landmark cranes of Samson |and Goliath. St Patrick’s Day to turn eco-green - Environment, News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk :

"BINGHAMTON -- The city's 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be celebrated March 5. The parade, themed 'Ireland: Land of Saints' and Scholars, will start at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church and head west on Court and Main Streets. This year's parade will feature eight regional pipe bands as well as bands from Binghamton and Vestal high schools, the Broome County Celtic Kazoos and the Maine Community Band. Featured attractions include a Watkins Glen pace car, therapy dogs and the four-horse Wells Fargo Stagecoach. The Grand Marshals will be Sheila Madigan; Maid of Erin, Mary Katherine Kulp; and official starter, Patrick McCormick." St. Patrick's Day parade set for March 5 | Press & Sun-Bulletin | pressconnects.com :

"By Elliott West, The Raleigh Telegram Friday, February 25, 2011 RALEIGH - The official Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held a little early this year. The annual parade and festival afterwards will be held on Saturday, March 12th, starting at noon. The parade route will wind through downtown Raleigh as usual (see parade website for details). There will also be the festival in Moore Square off of Blount Street after the event with food, beer, music, items for sale, and more. Local bars such as TirNaNog Irish Pub and other Irish bars in Raleigh also usually have their own festivities and are packed on the parade day." 2011022411

"In Ireland, the toe-tapping collegiality of an impromptu living room concert can be summed up in single word: craic. And perhaps no band better exemplifies the essence of craic than Danú. Hailed as a 'spirit-raising concoction' by The Irish Times, this five-member ensemble is among the most charismatic and sophisticated traditional Irish groups working today, known for mixing ancient Irish songs with new additions to the repertoire in concerts that are at once authentic, clever and fun. Next month, guest artists Shauna Mullin and Ivan Goff will join Danú for a special one-night-only performance hosted by the Edison Ovations Series at Washington University. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, in the university's 560 Music Center. Tickets are $35; $30 seniors; $25 for Washington University faculty and staff; and $20 for students and children." Washington University Welcomes DANU, 3/5 2011/02/21 :

"The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will celebrate St. Patrick's Day early with Celtic Band RUNA, performing traditional and contemporary music, on Saturday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $20. Members of RUNA include vocalist Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionan de Barra, and Cheryl Prashkler of Canada, percussion. The band also performed with world-renowned guest musicians, Isaac Alderson on the uilleann pipes, flutes, and whistles, and Tomoko Omura on the fiddle. The band has just completed a new album, “Stretched On Your Grave,” that will be available for the first time during this tour. They have played with Solas, Slide, and Riverdance." Circle of Friends presents Celtic Band RUNA - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin :

"WOODSTOCK — Irish music played by Ingersoll musicians honoured the memory of a popular local counsellor and women's advocate who died earlier this month of complications from H1N1. A fundraiser held for the family of Lynda (Belinda) Young Friday night at the CAW Hall raised more than $10,000 through a silent auction, live music and food. 'I have organized many fundraisers, but I have never experienced such generosity from the community before. People couldn't do enough when you explained that the event was for Lynda. 'We had people contacting us wanting to donate prizes for the auction or help out,' Brenda Boswell said. 'It was an evening that Lynda would have greatly enjoyed.'" Paying tribute to a friend - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA :