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 Sessions, new day!

We had a wonderful time at the Irish session last Sunday. We have lots of space in the Assembly Room at the Center and, in addition to fiddles, guitars, flutes, whistles, uilleann pipes, washtub bass, and bodhrán, we were very lucky to be joined by the Ghrá na Gaeilge Irish dancers for some of the tunes. We also loved having so much space and access to a beautiful grand piano for some Cape Breton-esque accompaniment by Keith.

Please note that the sessions are moving to the last Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 pm beginning on February 28.

The Center (formerly known as the Senior Center) is located at 24 South Linn Street in Iowa City. Contact Tara with any questions. Hope to see you all there!

Something for the little ones...

I'm very excited to be joining the Kindermusik staff at West Music this semester for two toddler classes on Friday mornings. It's very likely that my fiddle and mandolin will be making an appearance in class this semester!

On Saturday, February 6 from 10 to 11 am, there will be a Kindermusik open house at West Music in Coralville. The open house is an opportunity to meet the teachers, explore the music room, have some snacks together, and sign up for the semester. Spread the word to all the musical toddlers in your life.

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.

Beggarmen concert to support Haiti

Please join us on Saturday, January 23rd at 7 pm at Uptown Bill's small Mall for a benefit concert to support aid efforts in Haiti.

There is no cover charge but freewill donations are accepted. 100% of the proceeds will go to aid efforts in Haiti via the International Red Cross.

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!