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Irelands premier cultural movement since 1951 with 400 branches around the world
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Newsletter
Promoting the music, song, dance, and language of Ireland
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| January 2000 |
Volume XVII
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Chairperson's Message
A Chairde,
I hope you all had a very nice Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
Our Annual General Meeting was held at the Irish American Community Center
on November 11, 1999. With a good turnout of members, we ended the meeting
with a fine session of music. It was short but sweet!
The Branch is alive and well but membership renewals are coming in slowly this year. Our secretary wants to remind us that only paid members will receive the Treoir Magazine. So please remember that "dues are due" and remit them to our secretary (mailing info is inside).
I was delighted to see that two of our members were selected from our Branch for the Northeast Regional Hall of Fame to be held in Albany in February. Mike and Helen Meehan are both very worthy of the honor and we are looking forward to this opportunity to again thank them both for their contribution to Comhaltas!
The active officers for the new year are listed here on the newsletter border. Thanks to all of you for stepping forward to help. Also a "thank you" to our past officers for a job well done.
I am excited about some new venues that we have opened for our monthly sessions including Glastonbury where we will be on January 23 from 4pm until 8pm. We will then be off to the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield on February 6 again from 4pm until 8pm. I look forward to seeing many of you there so mark your calendars, bring your dancing shoes and instruments, and let's have some great sessions! We will have another session in New Haven in March with a date to be determined.
The CCE Convention 2000 in our national capital will probably be a sellout so get your reservations in as soon as possible! We attached a signup sheet to the front of the newsletter for your convenience. Information on the events and details on signing up can be found inside.
See you all on the 23rd in Glastonbury!
Beannacht De oraibh go leir.
Joan Kennedy, Chairperson
Remember to teach your children your heritage; otherwise, someone else may teach them theirs.
OUR BRANCH SECRETARY CONTINUES THE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!
"Dues are past due"!! Yes, as of November 1, 1999 the Comhaltas New Year began. So if you have not done so, please send dues in to Andrea Hogan.
If Andrea gives you funny looks in passing, and you think you may be behind on your dues, simply look at your newsletter address label. Your dues are past due if the year on your label is anything other than "00." (If your dues are paid and Andrea still gives you funny looks... you are on your own!)
Dues are still only $17 for the first member of a family, $8 for each extra member, and $4 for each junior member (under 18). There is still a $35 maximum for an entire family membership To start or renew your membership and keep your Treoir Magazine coming, send checks to: Andrea Hogan, Secretary Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann 145 Old Post Road Northford, CT 06472, USA (Make membership checks payable to "CCE")
GRAB YOUR SEAT AND GET READY FOR OUR GALA CONVENTION 2000!
Joan Kennedy wants everyone to grab a seat on the fifty-five seater coach that will whisk members from New Haven and Fairfield area to the Convention 2000 in Washington, DC. Plans are underway for us to grab our (bus) seats early on Friday, March 31, 2000 and return April 3rd early in the evening. (A tentative schedule of events can be found in the newsletter.)
As Comhaltas brings in the Millennium with our Springtime Convention 2000, it is expected to be the biggest event ever! Music & Dancing (...Yes Joan, meetings too!) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel. This event will occur in the same time period as the beautiful National Cherry Blossom Festival so early hotel bookings are imperative!
The coach transportation will cost about $80 each, depending on the number of seats filled. If you would like to travel with us, call Joan Kennedy at (203) 393-0377 to reserve your seat on the fun-coach! But don't delay because we soon need to decide whether there will be enough people!
North American Provincial Convention 2000
The North American Provincial Convention is sponsored by the O'Neill-Malcom Branch of the CCE and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The convention will feature music, song, dance, and language workshops taught by acknowledged masters in their respective fields. The Saturday banquet and several ceilis round out the weekend's festivities.
For all the details go to www.cce2000.com
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For Newsletter Articles, Suggestions
or Comments
Jim Smith, Editor Comhaltas Newsletter 77 Cannon Drive Amston, CT 06231 jimsmith@blarneystone.com |
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Comhaltas Dialann (Calendar)
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Saturday January 15 Ceilidhe with Pattie Furlong. Gaelic American Club in Fairfield 8pm |
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Saturday January 15 Atwater-Donnelly will be in concert at the Trinity Church in New Britain. For more info call (860) 229-5069. |
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Sunday January 16 An open sessiun will be held at 4PM at the New Britain AOH Club, 39 South Street, New Britain, CT. It is about a block off S. Main Street in a white brick bldg. with an AOH sign in front. Sessiun is downstairs. |
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Sunday January 16 A Traditional Irish Music Concert with Seamus Connolly, fiddle and Jerry O'Sullivan, Uilleann Pipes. Call Pat Stratton for details at (203) 248-8396. |
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Saturday January 22 Pendragon will be joined by U.S. step-dancing champion Kevin Doyle from Barrington. This celebration of Celtic-roots music and the rich traditions of the Blackstone River Valley begins at 8 o'clock. Admission, $10. |
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Sunday January 23 A Step Dancing workshop and Ceili will be held at the St. Patrick's Hall in East Hampton, CT from 2-5pm. |
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Sunday January 23 Comhaltas and the Glastonbury Club are welcoming everyone to an open sessiun that will be held from 4-8pm at the Glastonbury Irish American Club. Bring your dancing shoes and instruments for a fun time! For more info call Jim Smith at (860) 228-0590. |
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Thursday January 27 Old Paint" is an acoustic duo (Dave Downs and Gil Dube) entertaining with traditional and contemporary music. The concert is at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St, Middletown at 8pm and tickets are $5. In addition to Irish ballads, they offer songs of the American West, popular songs of the 30's and 40's, French songs as well as some of their original songs and musical tales of America, past and present. |
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Saturday January 29 There will be a ceilidhe at the AOH Club, Greyrock Place in Stamford, Ct. |
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Friday February 4 Solas will be in concert at the Somerville Theater in Boston) MA. Call (617) 876-4275 for more info. |
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Saturday February 5 Atwater-Donnelly will perform at the CT Audubon Center at 1361 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT (860) 633-8402. |
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Sunday February 6 Comhaltas will offer a sessiun at the Gaelic American Club of Fairfield from 4-8pm. |
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Friday February 11 Cathy Ryan will be performing at the Wilde Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. Tickets are $15. For details call 800 274-8587. |
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Saturday February 12 Traditional Concert at Gaelic Club in Fairfield at 8pm featuring Brian Conway, All Ireland Champion Patrick Mangan, and vocalist Eileen King. Tickets are $10. Call Carol Ruddy at 203-255-2702. |
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Saturday February 12 The Morgans will be playing their blend of sea chanteys and Irish music at the Sounding Board Coffeehouse in West Hartford. Led by Don "Moose" Sineti playing banjo, this group features a great assortment of folk instruments, songs and humor. Tickets are $10, call (860) 632-7547 for details. |
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Friday February 18 The Celtic Fiddle Fest featuring Johnny Cunningham, Kevin Burke, and Christian Lamacher will be at the Iron Horse Music Hall in North Hampton, MA. |
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Saturday February 19 The Northeast Region of Comhaltas will hold its annual Hall of Fame Induction in Albany, NY. Mike and Helen Meehan will be fêted as our branch's honorees. |
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Friday March 3 Liz Carroll, Jim Derrane, and Step Dancers will be at Rogers College in Western MA. For details call 617-768-7034. |
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Wednesday March 8 Anam will be performing at the Wilde Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. For details call 800 274-8587. The group's live instrumental line-up includes vocals, guitar, bodhrán, bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle, button accordion and whistle. |
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Saturday March 10 Anam will be at the Iron Horse Music Hall in North Hampton, MA. Anam's popularity with all ages and musical tastes has been attributed to their refreshing approach, along with the band's original compositions and the stunning vocal harmonies. |
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Friday -Sunday March 17-19 Lord of the Dance will be at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT. Tickets may be ordered by calling the Oakdale Box Office at (203) 265-1501. |
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Friday March 17 The Irish Rovers will be performing at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. |
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Friday March 17 The Mountain Laurel Ceili Band will be performing at the Glastonbury Irish American Club from 2-5:30pm. |
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Saturday March 18 The Clancey Brothers will be playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island. For details call 401-421-ARTS. |
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Sunday March 19 Cherish The Ladies will perform at Regus College. For details call 617-768-7034. |
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Friday March 31 Old Blind Dog will be performing at the Wilde Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. Tickets are $15. For details call 800 274-8587. |
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Friday-Sunday March 31-April 2 The North American Provincial Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The convention will feature music, song, dance, and language workshops taught by acknowledged masters in their respective fields. The Saturday banquet and several ceilis round out the weekend's festivities. |
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Wednesday April 5 Mary Black will be performing at the Calvin Theatre. |
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Saturday April 15 Marty Hayes, Fiddle, and Dennis Cahill, guitarist, will be performing their blend of traditional Irish Music at the Somerset Theatre in Boston, MA. For details call 617-876-4275 |
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Friday April 28 Josephine Marsh Band will be performing at the Wilde Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. Tickets are $15. For details call 800 274-8587. |
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Friday May 12 Karan Casey will be performing at the Somerset Theatre in Boston, MA. For details call 617-876-4275 |
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Thursday May 17 Karan Casey will be performing at the Wilde Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. For details call 800 274-8587. |
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Thursday-Friday June 8-9 Dervish will be performing at the Millard Auditorium at U of H in West Hartford, CT. For details call 800 274-8587. |
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Friday-Sunday August 25-27 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held in Enniscorthy this year. |
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Please contact the editor (see last page) with any upcoming events for publication in the newsletter. Remember to confirm concert dates and times listed in this publication prior to the event. Information for this calendar is gathered from many different sources and, although the goal is to make sure it is accurate, some concerts and events can be changed or canceled after publication of this newsletter. |
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Classes, Sessuins, and Lessons
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Music Lessons Monday 7:30 P.M. An informal Irish music session is held each Monday evening beginning at 7:30 PM at the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield, CT. |
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Highland Bagpipe & Drumming Monday 7:00 P.M. Highland Bagpipe and pipe drumming lessons are offered from 7-9PM at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, Springfield, MA. Contact Ed Casey at (413) 739-6066 for details. |
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Step Dance Lessons Monday Step dancing lessons are offered for Adults (beginners through advanced) at the Sons of Erin in Westfield, MA. For details, contact Maureen McDermott Ziskowski at (413) 562-2896. |
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Open Music Sessiun Monday 8:30 P.M. Sessiuns at Anna Liffey Pub in New Haven - 3:30 on Sunday and 8:30 on Monday. A good crowd, Guinness on tap - NO TV. Anna Liffey is located in downtown New Haven about three blocks from the Green located on Whitney Street. Look hard - it only has a small sign and a door leading to the pub in the basement. |
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Open Music Sessiun Tuesday 8:00 P.M. Every Tuesday there is an open sessiun held at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club at 33 Progress Ave, Springfield, MA. All levels of musicians are welcome!! Call (413) 788-8603 for directions. |
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Ceili & Set Dance Tuesday 7:30 P.M. Lessons are held at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, Springfield, MA. For information call Con or Philomena Murphy at (413) 736-3327. |
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Irish Language Lessons Tuesday 6:30 P.M. A Credit-free course offered at the Elms College, Chicopee, MA taught by Tom Moriarty. Call Continuing Education at Elms College (413) 598-8520 for more information. |
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Step Dance Lessons Tuesday & Wednesday Step dancing lessons are offered for advanced groups and intermediate at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield, MA. For details, contact Maureen McDermott Ziskowski at (413) 562-2896. |
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Irish Language Classes Tuesday & Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Irish Language Classes are held each Wednesday at 7:30 PM at I.A.C.C. in New Haven. Call David Manning at 888-4041 for details. |
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Set Dance Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Dance lessons lead by John Droney are available at the Irish Home Society, Glastonbury, CT. Call John at (860) 521-2696 for details. |
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Ceili & Set Dance Thursday 8:00 P.M. Ceili and Set Dance Lessons are held on Thursday Evenings at the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield at 8 PM. Call Joan Kennedy at (203) 393-0377 for further information. |
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Open Sessiun Thursday 8:00 P.M. The New Haven Irish American Community Center welcomes musicians to come to IACC club every Thursday night from 8PM for informal sessions. |
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Irish Language Lessons Thursday 7:00 P.M. Irish Language Lessons are offered at the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield on Thursday at 7 PM. Call Jim Fahey at (203) 255-5845 for details. |
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Irish Singing Group Thursday 7:15 P.M. "The Curlews" is a singing group formed for the enjoyment of singing. Gina Dunlap, director for the group points out that a great voice is not needed. A love of singing and the commitment to practice are the only requirements. Do not miss the fun times with this group. Gatherings are at the IACC in New Haven. For more details call Bill Connolly at (203) 469-4837. |
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Step Dance Lessons Thursday Step dancing lessons are offered for beginners through advanced at Mount Marie in Holyoke, MA. For details, contact Maureen McDermott Ziskowski at (413) 562-2896. |
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Ceili & Set Dance Friday 7:30 P.M. Lessons are held at 161 Main Street. All levels of dancers are welcome. Instruction provided by Brian Reynolds. |
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Ceili & Set Dance Friday 9:15 P.M. Ceili & Set dancing lessons take place each Friday evening beginning at 9:15 PM at the I.A.C.C. in New Haven. Contact Pat or Joan Kennedy at 393-0377 for further information. |
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Open Music Sessiun Friday 8:00 P.M. There is an open music sessiun every Friday from 8-11PM at the Amici Coffee House, 53 Elm St, Westfield, MA. Contact Kay Henrickson at (413) 568-5262 for directions. |
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Pipe Band Friday 7:00 P.M. Bagpipe band meets each Friday at the IACC in New Haven, CT. Practice chanter starts at 7:00PM. Pipe and drum practice from 8:00P to 9:15P. For more information contact Pat Mullaney (203) 481-4033 or Fred Saunders (203) 288-2948. |
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Open Music Sessiun Saturdays * 9:00 P.M. *On the first Saturday of each month there is an acoustic open music session downstairs at the Irish Home Society in Glastonbury, CT. Bring your instruments for a fun evening of traditional Irish music. |
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Contra Jam Session Saturdays * 5:30 P.M. Contra jam sessions with many Irish tunes included, are 5:30-7:30PM every second Saturday at the American Legion Post, 275 Main Street, Old Wethersfield, CT. Upcoming jams are Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11, and Jan 8. Admission is free, but they will gladly accept contributions toward the cost of the hall. For more info, contact Rob at rlindau@ibm.net or at (203) 486-2561 or check their website at "www.geocities.com/Heartland/4159/" |
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Open Music Sessiun Sundays 3:30 P.M. Sessiuns at Anna Liffey Pub in New Haven - 3:30 on Sunday and 8:30 on Monday. A good crowd, Guinness on tap - NO TV. Anna Liffey is located in downtown New Haven about three blocks from the Green located on Whitney Street. Look hard - it only has a small sign and a door leading to the pub in the basement. |
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Celtic Slow Jam Sundays* 4:00 P.M. *Every fourth Sunday there is a Celtic Slow Jam at the Connecticut Audubon Center, 1361 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT from 4-6pm. Admission is $2. For more information, contact Greg at (860) 633-6526 or Grouse01@aol.com. |
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Open Music Sessiun Sundays* 7:00 P.M. *Every first, third, and fifth Sunday there is an open music sessiun at the Old Amherst Ale House, 460 West St, Route 116 (South of Amherst Center), Amherst, MA. For Directions call (413) 256-1710. |
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Open Music Sessiun Sundays* 3:30 P.M. *The second Sunday of each month from 3:30-6pm, there is an open music sessiun at the Vanilla Bean Cafe at the intersection of Rts 44/169/97 in Pomfret, CT. |
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Music Lessons By Appointment Traditional Irish Music Lessons for many instruments are offered by eight-time All-Ireland Champion, John Whelan. For more information call (203) 876-9973. |
| Notice: These events may change from time to time. Please verify the event before attending. Any additions/ changes/ deletions can be submitted to the editor (see last page) for inclusion in future editions of this newsletter. |
