2011, here we go!

We have an exciting year planned! Here's what's coming up in the Cavan Fiddle Studio...

Details for all of these events can be found on the Beggarmen Events Calendar

January

22- The Beggarmen will be performing at one of our favorite local venues, Uptown Bill's.

23- open Irish session at the Center hosted by Tara

29- we will rock out at Jameson's Irish Pub in Downers Grove, IL

February

11- Tara and Keith are performing Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger with the University of Northern Iowa Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. S. Daniel Galyen

27- open Irish session at the Center

March

5- a performance sponsored by the Waukee Arts Council

12- Post-Parade Bash at the Col Ballroom

12- Ceili in Moline, IL (busy day!!!)

15- performing for Family night at the Coralville Public Library

17- celebrating St. Paddy's Day the right way at Celtic Knot Pub in Evanston, IL

27- open Irish session at the Center

Somehow or another, I am also squeezing a trip to Ireland (County Cavan, as a matter of fact) with my mother into the already packed March schedule.

Please join us in supporting local music and promoting Irish culture!

Ceili!

Irish Ceili with live music by The Beggarmen at the Senior Center on Saturday, November 6 from 7 to 10 pm.

Come to the Center and enjoy the fall Ceili dance featuring live music by the Iowa City based Irish band The Beggarmen and dancing by the Ghrá na Gaeilge Irish Dancers. Caller Gerry Bade of the Quad Cities Ceili Club will lead dancers through the steps of the various ceili dances.

‘Ceili’ is an Irish Gaelic word used to describe a social gathering featuring music and dancing as well as story telling, poetry reading, and other activities. All experience levels from newcomers to experienced dancers and all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Irish session this Sunday, October 24th!

Join us this Sunday at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The Dutchers will not be in attendance this coming Sunday but the room is reserved and the session will still be taking place (if you show up!)

The sessions are the fourth Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street in Iowa City. All are welcome!

Irish session this Sunday, September 26!

Join us this Sunday at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The sessions are the fourth Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street in Iowa City. All are welcome!

2 September Sessions to make up for missing August

You didn't receive a session reminder last week because I had it in my head that the session was this coming Sunday, April 29, when in reality April 22 was the fourth Sunday of the month. Joe was out of town last weekend so I wouldn't have been able to come anyway because our boys only do well at the session when both of us are there.

We missed our August session! I am so sorry. I can make it up to you, though! September will have two session opportunities: the Hootenanny Potluck on Saturday, September 11 and the regular session on Sunday, September 26.

Details:

3rd Annual Hootenanny Potluck
Saturday, September 11 beginning at 5 pm
North Ridge Pavilion
2250 Holiday Rd.
Coralville, Iowa

Bring a dish to pass and your instrument/s and dancing shoes. All ages are welcome. There is a wonderful park on site for the kids and plenty of covered space in case of rain.

We're trying to be as green as possible, so please bring tableware if you have some. Compostable plates and forks will be provided also. We did purchase the temporary alcohol permit and are now accepting keg requests!

Kids' Irish session begins at 6, Open session begins at 7.

All are welcome, please feel free to bring your friends!

Link to 2009 Hootenanny Pictures
Link to 2008 Hootenanny Pictures

September Session
Sunday, September 26 from 2 to 4 pm
Iowa City Senior Center

24 South Linn Street

Hope to see you there!!!

Busy weekend!

This morning (July 24), you can catch the Beggarmen at the Iowa City Farmer's Market (Chauncy Swan parking structure on Washington Street) from 9 to 11 am.

Then tonight, please come out and help us celebrate the release of our third CD A Soft Day, made possible by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. This event will be tonight (July 24) at the Mill (120 E Burlington in Iowa City) beginning at 7 pm. The concert will be immediately followed by a traditional Irish session so please bring your instruments!

Finally, Join us this Sunday (July 25) at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The sessions are the fourth Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street. All are welcome!

Irish session this Sunday, May 23!

Join us this Sunday at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The sessions are the fourth (not always the last!) Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street. All are welcome!

Irish session this Sunday, April 25

Join us this Sunday at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The sessions have moved to the last Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street. All are welcome!

Irish session this Sunday, March 28!

Join us this Sunday at the Senior Center for an Irish session.

The sessions have moved to the last Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. 24 South Linn Street. All are welcome!

Irish session this Sunday, February 28

Please join us on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm for an Irish session. Scroll down for details! Let me know if you have any questions.

Irish Seisiún and Beggarmen at Trinity

Please join us this Sunday, February 7, from 2 to 4 pm in the Assembly Room of the Center in Iowa City (24 South Linn Street) for an Irish session. All are welcome to play, dance, or just listen.

The Beggarmen are also performing a concert at 4:30 that afternoon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City (320 East College Street) to celebrate the re-dedication of the chapel now that the LEED certified renovations are complete.

For more information about both events, contact Tara Dutcher.

Tionól 2010 Registration Now Open!

We are very lucky here in Iowa City to be in relatively close proximity to a Irish traditional music weekend workshop that is unmatched across the country. Every April, musicians gather from all over the world to St. Louis to learn from the masters of Irish traditional music.

Teachers this year include Oisín Mac Diarmada, John McEvoy, John Wynne, Paul Smyth, Mary Mac Namara, Mirella Murray, Leo Rickard, Tom Clarke, Michael Cooney, John Skelton, Kathleen Conneely, Darren Maloney, Patsy O'Brien, Grainne Hambly, Roger Landes, Brian Hart, Mark Stone, Chris Weddle, not to mention the Beggarmen's own Keith Reins who is widely regarded as one of the top Irish traditional guitarists in the United States.

Please visit the Tionól website and consider registering for a workshop. Older children are welcome along with adults. Tionól is always an enriching and fun weekend that inspires me as a teacher and a musician throughout the year. Let me know if you have any questions that I can answer about this wonderful musical experience.

Lessons Resume Today!

Hello Cavan Fiddlers!

Lessons resume today in the studio. It's been a lovely and relaxing break, now it's time to play some 'chewns'!

I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you. Stay warm today and please please please don't leave your fiddle in the car for any length of time!