In Step - The Greater Washington Ceili Club

In Step
Promoting traditional Celtic dance, music and culture.
Newsletter of the Greater Washington Ceili Club
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www.gwcc-online.org
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CCE North American Conference
~ Paul O’Donnell
April 9-10, 2010 was the date of the annual
Convention of the North America Province of
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann which was held in
Parsippany, NJ. Many members of GWCC are also
members of the O'Neill Malcom Branch of CCE and
made the journey to partake of the weekend's
activities.
Since Parsippany is easily drivable from the DC
area, we arrived on Friday afternoon in time to
register and settle in before the first dance
workshop. Padraig & Roisin McEneany led about 16
sets through the Victoria Jig Set and the first half of
the Dunmanway Set. After a short break, there was a
great ceili featuring the fabulous Green Gates Ceili
Band--and they were really ON for this night. There
were 20-24 sets on the floor for most dances which
included a mix of the familiar standards and newer
dances including the Claddagh set and the Moycullen
set. Meanwhile, throughout the rest of the hotel,
there were several sessions involving musicians from
all areas of the continent and at all levels of skill.
Many played on late into the night/morning.
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We usually skip the Saturday morning workshop
which covers several ceili dances; the afternoon
workshop presented the full Dunmanway set, followed
by the Boyne set. Again there were around 20 sets for
the workshop; many were newer dancers, so we spent
extra time on some basic footwork and dancing at home
and dancing a house around. After a long enough break
to get cleaned up, people started to congregate for the
banquet which always features some top-notch area
performers. The Ceili Mor started only a half hour late
(which is pretty good!) and, along with the Caledonian
and Clare Plain sets, it also included the Claddagh set
again and the Boyne set from the workshop. For music,
the New York All-Stars included Joanie Madden, Brian
Conway, Brendan Dolan, Billie McComiskey and
several others; not surprisingly, they were in fine form.
The New York All-star Ceili Band and Friends ~ Lauraileen O’Connor
It's worth mentioning that the folks in Parsippany have
hosted this gathering for 3 of the last 7 years and most of
the bugs have been worked out (there was plenty of
water and it was promptly refilled, there were plenty of
tables and chairs for the ceilis, the music was great,
things started on time, etc.).
After Mass Sunday morning and the buffet breakfast, a
Friday night ceili ~ Lauraileen O’Connor
Don Kaliher, Editor
Continued on next page.
[email protected]
final dance workshop taught the Armagh set. This
was immediately followed by the "Going Home
Ceili" which included the Mazurka set, the Newport
set, and the Kilfenora Plain set. This ceili always
features a gradually diminishing roomful of dancers
as folks head for home. We stayed over for a more
leisurely dive back on Monday. Word is that the
2011 convention will be held in San Antonio, TX
which will be a new location for CCE.
month’s 50/50. We ended the evening with the
Claddagh Set, the Ballyvourney Jig Set, a waltz sung
by Betsy, and the ever-favorite Clare Lancers Set.
The GWCC Dancers were in fine form for the
Southern Maryland Celtic Festival on Saturday, April
24th. This festival faced the loss of its streak of sunny
days, but the early morning rain abated just in time for
the festivities to proceed. We had great participation for
several dances where we invited the audience to join in
the fun. In between, we showed off our ―fancy bits‖
with figures from the Antrim Square Set, Louvain Set
and Dublin Set, and choreographies of the Mazurka Set
and Borlin/Tumblers Sets. We are very lucky to have
Danny Flynn and Pond Scum providing live music for
the dancing, which was evident when the Scottish group
performing earlier in the day had to perform two dances,
sans music, when their tape gave up the ghost! Once
again, Danny opened his home to dancers and musicians
after the festival. With a potluck supper, and more music
and dancing, it was a perfect day!
All night session in hotel lobby ~Lauraileen O’Connor
_______________________________________________________________
DANCE NOTES
~ Edie O’Donnell
On Sunday, April 25th, the GWCC monthly ceili
was held at Cherry Hill Park. Despite other Irish
activities being held that day, we still had a spirited
crowd of nearly 60 dancers attending. The workshop
dance was the Claddagh Set, taught by Dick
deFreyre. The third figure, the cross chain, has all
the ladies moving at top speed, and after a couple of
tries, they all had it! The band was great with Tina
Eck, Betsy O’Malley, Peter Brice and Mark
Glickman, who kept the seven sets dancing at a brisk
pace.
The first set of dances included the Clare Mazurka
Set, North Kerry Set and the Siege of Ennis. Both
the dinner and the dessert tables overflowed with
goodies, which were thoroughly enjoyed during the
first break. The second set of dances started with the
Clare Plain Set, followed by the Sweets of May and
the Doire Cholmcille Set. All the dancers were more
than ready for a good break by the end of that set of
dances. Brian Madigan was the lucky winner of this
In Step
UPCOMING CEILIS AND CLASSES
Don’t forget to join us for a special year-end ceili at
Cherry Hill on May 23rd, with a ―big band‖ of many of
our favorite musicians. Bring your friends, dancers and
non-dancers alike. The evening will be full of wonderful
music to please all participants. See page 9 for all the
details.
Finally, the Sweats of Summer begins at the Frost
Center on Thursday, June 3rd. See the flier on page 10
for all the details!
____________________________________________
SET OF THE MONTH
Dick de Freyre will be reviewing the Paris Set during
the 4:00 class session at the End-of-Year Ceili on May
23rd. This lovely set, which features the unique ―set left,
set right’ movement comes from the Labasheeda area of
County Clare. Dance notes for the Paris Set are on
pages 11 and 12 in this issue.
May 2010
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CCE MAD Week!
will also receive a private half-hour lesson with one of
our teaching staff during the week.
The O’Neill-Malcom Branch of Comhaltas
Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), the local Washington metro
branch of the Irish-based organization charged with
promoting Irish culture, and Mitch Fanning
(Director) are pleased to invite you to participate in
CCE Musical Arts & Dance Week, July 5-9, 2010
2010.
Now in its fifth year, CCE MAD Week staff has
assembled an exceptional faculty in all areas of
study: Fiddle— Kevin Burke, Brendan Mulvihill,
Cleek Schrey, Donna Long, Robert Spates;
Flute/Whistle—Isaac Alderson, Laura Byrne Egan;
Uilleann Pipes—Isaac Alderson; Guitar—All-Ireland
Champion Josh Dukes; Button Accordion—Sean
McComiskey; Sean-Nos (old-style) Step Dancing—
Shannon Dunne; Set Dancing—Marilyn Moore &
Shannon Dunne; Bodhran—Myron Bretholz; Ceili
Band—Jesse Winch.
CCE MAD Week instrumental and dance classes
are designed to offer registrants of all ages and levels
of ability a unique opportunity to improve their
playing and dancing in a fun-filled, challenging, and
safe learning environment. Instrumentalists will be
taught traditionally—in group classes, arranged
according to ability and experience with traditional
Irish music. Each class will convene twice daily for
ninety minutes. Each class will learn a variety of
tunes—hornpipes, jigs, reels, polkas, mazurkas, barn
dances, airs, and highlands among others. The tunes
in each class are not only fun to play, but great ear
training exercises as well. Learning them will give
students the opportunity to improve their ear,
technique, and memory skills. Each instrumentalist
In addition to class and private instruction,
instrumental students will have an opportunity to play in
traditional Irish sessions, hear faculty performances
throughout the week, and perform at the concluding ceili
and concert on Friday night.
All registrants—instrumentalists and dancers—are
encouraged to participate in lunchtime elective classes
including sessions, bodhran (Irish drumming), basic Irish
sean-nos (old-style) step dancing, and group set dancing,
Celtic crafts, pennywhistle, and ceili band.
Classes and final concert and ceili will take place at
the Washington Waldorf School, 4800 Sangamore Road,
Bethesda, MD 20815. (Sangamore Road is between
Massachusetts Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, near
Glen Echo).
For registration forms and additional information,
please visit www.ccepotomac.org.
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2010 Sligo Creek Hedge School
an Irish Music & Culture Camp for Children
At the Sligo Creek Hedge School in Silver Spring,
Maryland, students play Irish music on many
instruments, create Celtic crafts, learn simple Irish
Gaelic, visit instrument builders and have a daily Tea &
Poetry Break with yummy teatime goodies! Of course a
trip to the creek is obligatory! All children get a chance
to try many Irish instruments. Sligo Creek Hedge School
is conducted by Karen Ashbrook, renowned teacher and
instrumentalist (hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, and
pennywhistle). Here a list and brief description of each
of the classes.
Teen Celtic Band Week- Ages 13-18, June 27-July 2,
9:30 am – 4 pm (6/27 Sunday session will meet 1-6 pm)
Co-taught by Paul Oorts, for teens already seriously
involved in music. This 6-day camp works on
developing ensemble skills, presenting traditional and
contemporary Celtic music for concert audiences.
Layering, dynamics, creating intros, bridges, endings,
Continued on next page.
Fiddle class at 2009 MAD Week
In Step
May 2010
3
and crafting performance arrangements will be the
focus of the camp. The group will record a CD of
their newly created large & small ensemble
arrangements & perform in a retirement home.
(Audition required)
GWCC Officers and Board of Directors
Officers:
President
Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Members:
Hugh Conway
Bridget Curran
Susan Day
Dick de Freyre
Linda Fitzpatrick
Betty McCarthy
Emmett Murphy
Ed O’Connor
Bev Ricks
Jane Twomey
Patrick Twomey
Tom Scullen
Dixie Baker
Paul O’Donnell
Edie O’Donnell
Don Kaliher
Sprouting Celts - Ages 7-9, July 19-23, meets 3 5:30 pm
Let your budding Celt experience Irish music and
fun in this half-day camp geared for younger ones.
We’ll sing, play games, learn some Irish, make Celtic
crafts, and have a daily poetry and juice break.
(Child must have turned 7 by January 1, 2010)
Musicians’ Week - Ages 9-14, August 2-6, 9:30 am
– 4 pm
Student must already be playing a few Irish tunes.
Everyone will learn pennywhistle, bodhran (Irish
drum) and Irish songs in addition to their main
instrument. Students will have daily music sessions
and learn new tunes as well as crafts and field trips.
(Audition required)
Intro to Irish Music & Arts - Ages 9-14, August 9 13, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
(Past President)
Committees (Chair):
Ceili
(Dixie Baker and Dick de Freyre)
Membership
(Hugh Conway)
Outreach
(Edie O’Donnell and Dixie Baker)
Newsletter
(Don Kaliher)
Scholarship
(Beth Curren)
Cape May
(Linda Fitzpatrick)
Spring Fling
(Dixie Baker)
Publicity
(Emmett Murphy)
Elections
(Edie O’Donnell)
Social
(Bridget Curran)
Communication (Tom Scullen)
______________________________________________
Scenes from the 2010 CCE Conference
No music experience needed. Students learn to
play the Irish drum, accordion, pennywhistle and
sing Irish songs; do Celtic crafts and games. Fun
poetry for children! This is an excellent introduction
to Irish music and culture.
For information and registration, contact Karen
Ashbrook at http://karenashbrook.com and click on
―For Children‖ or call 301-592-0101.
__________________________________________
~ Paul O’Donnell
BEV’S BEST BETS
~ Bev Ricks
Bev is in the midst of wrapping up the Spring
Semester for her students and will be back with us
next issue!
~ Paul O’Donnell
In Step
May 2010
4
WEEKLY DANCE CLASSES
Note: class in bold is GWCC
[Check with Instructor/School for exact class dates]
Mondays
Ceili, set and 2 hand dance, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
1st and St. Stephen’s Church, 6815 York Road,
Baltimore, MD (at York & Regester Road)
Instructor: Marilyn Moore
Ages 8 – adult welcome
Info: Marcia Ferguson, [email protected]
MORE WEEKLY DANCE CLASSES
Note: class in bold is GWCC
[Check with Instructor/School for exact class dates]
Wednesdays
Set Dancing Classes 7:30 – 9:00 pm
St. Mary’s County, MD
Instructor: Diane Clark
Info: 301-475-3542, [email protected]
Mondays
Set Dancing, 7 – 8:30 pm, Beginners
Howard County Parks and Recreation
Instructor, Jan McVey
Ellicott Mills Middle School, 4445 Montgomery
Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Info: 410-313-7275, www.howardcounty.gov/RAP
Tuesdays
Ceili & set dancing 7:00 beginners, 8:00 improvers
Ring of Kerry
Instructors: Susan Day (beginners) Marilyn Moore
(improvers)
Ridgeview Middle School
16600 Raven Rock Drive, Gaithersburg, MD
Info: Roger Andes, [email protected]
Wednesdays
Sean-Nos Dance: beginner 7:30-8:30 pm
Advanced Beginning, 8:30 – 9:20 pm
Joy of Motion Atlas Studio, 1333 H Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Instructor: Shannon Dunne
Info and registration www.joyofmotion.org
Wednesdays
Basic Ceili Dances 6:30 –7:30
January 7th-Feb. 11th (six week session)
6844 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. Laytonsville, MD 20882
Instructor: Annie Hurley
Info: [email protected]
Thursdays
Set dancing 7:00 basics, 8:00 advanced
GWCC
Instructor: Paul O’Donnell
Frost Center, 4915 Aspen Hill Road, Rockville, MD
Info: 301-649-5419, www.gwcc-online.org
Mini-ceili on the third Thursday of the month
Tuesdays
Sean Nos Dance Class, 8:00 – 9:00 pm
J. Patrick’s Irish Pub,
1371 Andre Street, Baltimore, MD
Instructor: Kelly Smit
Traditional Irish music & dance session 9 pm
Info: www.SeanNosDanceBaltimore.com
Tuesdays
Ceili and set Dancing, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Fairfax City Department of Recreation
Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax,
Instructor: Hugh Conway
Info: [email protected], 703-273-6869
Saturdays
Ceili & set dancing 10:30am–12pm beginner friendly
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann (CCE)
Instructor: Marilyn Moore
Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax, VA
Info: Larry 703-281-0910 [email protected]
Wednesdays
Ceili & set dancing 7 – 9pm
J Patrick’s Pub
Instructor: Dan Stanton
1371 Andre St, Locust Point, Baltimore, MD
Info: 410-276-2766
In Step
May 2010
5
MONTHLY CEILIS
Note: ceili in bold is GWCC
Emerald Isle Club Ceili
First Saturday, 7-11 pm
Live music w/Peter Fitzgerald & J. Patrick’s
All-Stars
All dances called by Marilyn Moore.
American Legion Post 183 Hall
2301 Putty Hill Ave, Parkville, MD 21234
Family friendly – ceili, set and two-hand dances
Info: [email protected]
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) Ceili
Second Saturdays (except September)
Class at 7 pm, Ceili 7:30 – 11pm
Live music by the Bog Wanders Ceili Band
All dances called by Marilyn Moore
Frying Pan Park (Oct-Dec 2009, May 2010)
2739 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Great Falls Grange (Jan-Apr 2009)
9819 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066
Family friendly – ceili, set and two-hand dances
Info: http://maddytom.ipower.com/
J Patrick’s Irish Pub Ceili
Second Sunday, 4:30 – 8:30pm
1371 Andre Street, Baltimore, MD
Live music by J Patrick’s All Star Ceili Band
All dances called by Marilyn Moore
Sets and a few ceili dances
Info: 410-244-8613
GWCC Ceili at Cherry Hill
Fourth Sunday, 5-9 pm
(Except Ceilis Dec 31 and Mar 14)
Cherry Hill Park Convention Center
9800 Cherry Hill Rd, College Park, MD
Set workshop starts at 4pm
Live music & Potluck supper
Sets and few Ceili dances - some dances called
Info: 301-294-3568, [email protected]
LOCAL SEISIUNS AROUND TOWN
J Patrick’s Pub, Locust Point, M
Monday – Beginners Seisiun 8-10 pm
Tuesday w/Laura Byrne-Egan & Jim Eagan, 9-12M
Thursday w/Peter Fitzgerald 8-Midnight
Kids Seisiun w/Donna Long
Info: 410-244-8613
In Step
MORE LOCAL SEISIUNS AROUND TOWN
Royal Mile Pub
2407 Price Ave, Wheaton, MD
Kids’ Seisiun w/Mitch Fanning, 4th Sunday, 5-6:30
info: [email protected]
Adults’ Seisiun, 4th Sunday, 7-10:30
Info: 301-946-4511
McGinty’s Publick House, Silver Spring
911 Ellsworth Ave, Silver Spring, MD
Kids’ Seisiun with Mitch Fanning, 2nd Sunday
info: 301-587-1270, [email protected]
Adults’ Tuesdays, 8:00, Dennis Botzer & C.B. Heinemann
Info: [email protected]
RiRa Pub Bethesda
4931 Elm Street, Bethesda, MD, Sundays, 3-7 pm
Philippe Varlet and Rob Greenway
Info: 301-657-1122, [email protected]
Auld Shebeen Pub
North Street & Rte 123, Fairfax, VA
Saturdays, 12-2:00, kids once a month 11:00
Info: 703-293-9600, Kids’ info: http://www.novasession.org
Ryan’s Daughter Irish Pub
600 East Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD, Sundays, 5-8 pm
w/ Laura Byrne-Egan, Pat Egan, Julia Fitzgerald
Info: 410-464-1000
McGinty’s Pub Arlington, VA
3560 South Glebe Road, Arlington, Wednesdays, 7 pm
w/ Josh Dukes or Keith Carr
Info: 703-414-3555, [email protected]
Nanny O’Brien’s Irish Pub
3319 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Mondays, 9 pm, Info: 202-686-9189
O’Lordan’s Irish Pub
14 Liberty St., Westminster, MD 21157
Open Irish traditional session
Every other Wednesday (9 Sep), 8 pm, Info: 410-876-0000
The Parkside, 4709 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD
w/ Myron Bretholz and friends, 4th Saturday, 8-11 pm
Info 410-444-6004, www.theparksideonline.com/
Boe's Strings, 26 South Market St, Frederick, MD
Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm
Info: 301-662-0750, www.boesstrings.com
May 2010
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Note: events in bold are GWCC
MORE UPCOMING EVENTS
Note: events in bold are GWCC
May 8, Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm
11th Annual Frederick Celtic Festival
Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 East Patrick St,
Frederick MD
Info: 301-270-9090
May 25, Tuesday, 1:00 pm
Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts
Tea at Strathmore Mansion
10309 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda, MD
Info: 301-581-5108 (Reservations Required)
May 8, Saturday, 8 pm
Le Vent Du Nord – Celtic Quebecois
Blackrock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, MD 20874
Info: 301.528.2260, [email protected]
May 29, Saturday, 5 pm
Finnegan's Jig [Carey Creed, Jody Marshall, Andrea
Hoag, Zan McLeod]
Palladium Civic Green
1445 Laughlin Ave, McLean VA
Info: 703-288-9505
May 8, Saturday, 7:30 – 11pm (Class at 7 pm)
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) Ceili
Live music by the Bog Wanders Ceili Band
Dances called by Marilyn Moore
Frying Pan Park 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon,
VA 20171, Info: www.ccepotomac.org
Jun 3-6, Wednesday – Sunday, 8 pm + 2pm Sat & Sun
Riverdance – Final Tour
Filene Center, Wolftrap, VA
Info: 703-255-1900, [email protected].
Jun 5 & 6, Saturday & Sunday, 12 noon -7pm
FSGW's 30th Annual Washington Folk Festival
Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd,
Glen Echo, MD
Info: www.fsgw.org
May 14 & 15, Friday & Saturday, 9 pm
Laura Byrne, Jim Eagan, and Donna Long
J Patrick's Irish Pub
1371 Andre Street, Baltimore, MD
Info: www.laurabyrne.com
May 16, Sunday, 8 pm
Hammer and String (Irish/Appalachian)
Rhys Jones, Cleek Schrey & John Herrmann
The Dance Exchange, 7117 Maple Ave, Takoma
Park, MD
Info: 301-754-3611, www.imtfolk.org
May 17, Monday, 7:30 pm
Karan Casey Band (Irish and American folk)
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
10701 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, MD 20852
Info: 301-754-3611, www.imtfolk.org
May, 23, Sunday, 5-9 pm
GWCC Ceili at Cherry Hill
Set workshop starts at 4pm
Potluck supper at the first break
Cherry Hill Park Convention Center
9800 Cherry Hill Rd, College Park, MD
Info: 301-294-3568, [email protected]
In Step
Jun 7, Monday, 9 am
Harp & Shamrock Society Annual Golf Fundraiser
RedGate Golf Club, 13500 Avery Rd, Rockville, MD
Info: 240-447-9744
Jun 12/13, Saturday/Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm
17th Annual Potomac Celtic Festival
Morvin Park Equestrian Center
41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176
Jun 13, Sunday, 12-5 pm
Celtic Festival at Steppingstone Farm Museum
461 Quaker Bottom Road,Havre de Grace, MD
Info: 410-939-2299 or 888-419-1762
www.steppingstonemuseum.org
Jun 19, Saturday, 7:30 pm
Beanie O'Dell & the Red Wellies, Irish music
FSGW House Concert in Del Ray section of
Alexandria, VA
Info: 703-548-5784, Reservations Required
May 2010
7
MORE UPCOMING EVENTS
Note: events in bold are GWCC
More Scenes from the 2010 CCE Convention
by Lauraileen O’Connor
Jul 5-9, Monday – Friday
CCE Music, Arts and Dance (MAD) Week
Washington Waldorf School,
4800 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20815
Info: www.ccepotomac.org
Jul 7, Wednesday, 7 pm
CCE MAD Week Concert
McGinty’s Public House, 911 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, MD
Info: 301-587-1270, www. ccepotpmac.org
July 11 - 17, Sunday – Saturday
2010 Catskills Irish Arts Week
East Durham, NY
Info: www.irishvillageusa.com
Jul 25-30, Sunday – Friday
2010 Irish/Celtic Week
Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
Info: 304-637-1209,
www.augustaheritage.com/irish.html/
20 Aug, Friday, 8 pm
The Irish Tenors, Filene Center, Wolftrap, VA
Info: 703-255-1900, [email protected].
__________________________________________
Scenes from the 2010 CCE Convention
by Lauraileen O’Connor
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Join the club!
Get our monthly newsletter and save on monthly ceilis, all for just $15 per person.
To sign up or renew today, send this membership form and your check (made to GWCC)
to GWCC, P.O. Box 1703, Silver Spring, MD 20915-1703
Name
Address
Email
Greater Washington Ceili Club
P.O. Box 1703
Silver Spring, MD 20915-1703
In Step
May 2010
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