Comhaltas Ceóltoiri Éireann Tom Finucane Branch Rochester, New York Bealtaine agus Maitheamh 2015 In This Issue: The Scots- Irish Music Appalachia 1-2 Ted celebrates 40 yrs on radio 3 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations 4 Grand Cru Chocolates & Nuts 5 Grand Cru Session 6 Events Ceili May 2 7 IACI Events 8 Officers, Membership 9 Local Sessions 10 Newsletter May/June 2015 An organization dedicated to the advancement of traditional Irish music, language, dance and culture Branch website: www.irishrochester.com Facebook: rochester irish musicians association Exploring Scots-Irish Music In Appalachia Virginia string band, 1937 Ulster Scot woman
Transcript
Comhaltas Ceóltoiri Éireann
Tom Finucane Branch
Rochester, New York
Bealtaine
agus
Maitheamh
2015
In This Issue:
The Scots-Irish Music Appalachia
1-2
Ted celebrates 40 yrs on radio
3
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
4
Grand Cru Chocolates & Nuts
5
Grand Cru Session
6
Events
Ceili May 2
7
IACI Events 8
Officers, Membership
9
Local Sessions
10
Newsletter
May/June 2015
An organization dedicated to the advancement of
traditional Irish music, language, dance and
culture
Branch website: www.irishrochester.com Facebook: rochester irish musicians association
The Scots who left their homeland and came to the United States by way of Ulster, carried with them their belongings. They also brought something that didn’t need a suitcase: their traditional music. This beautiful book charts the movement of this music from Europe to Appalachia. It’s a movement of songs and generations. The movement of peoples around the world goes on to this day, and we need to remind ourselves that they bring with them their stories, their homesickness for the old place.
“It’s a universal story in many ways,” Orr said. “The immigration, the movement of peoples around the world, goes on to this day, and we need to remind ourselves that they bring with them their stories, their homesickness for the old place. It’s a very human story.”
Fiona Ritchie (host of The Thistle and Shamrock) and Doug Orr (Warren Wilson College) have produced a book that includes a CD with Pete Seeger, Doc Watson and Dolly Parton.
They have done an outstanding job in researching the origins of the troubadours and balladeers that created this music and spread it throughout the United States. In Wayfaring Strangers, Fiona and Doug have captured the stories of the people, the times, and the songs. They describe the transition in the music as it made its way across the Atlantic and through the valleys of the Appalachian Mountains.
For musical excerpts and more information http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/10/01/wayfaring-strangers-book
Fiona and Doug, authors Pete Seeger with Doug and Fiona
Ted McGraw celebrates 40 years on the radio at the ceili, October 25, 2014
Memories of Joe Brown We met Joe and Sally in the Catskills plus other dance weekends and found Joe to be so witty - natural wit without even trying. Beyond that he was the most perfect gentleman that God ever made - and the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His love for Irish dancing has been passed down to his family. His son and daughter-in-law have taught sets and now his granddaughter Erin is teaching sets in St. Louis and her husband and parents are also dancing Long live Joe in our hearts! - Arlene At the funeral reception there was one figure of the Plain Set danced by his family and Arlene. ”The Parting Glass” was sung by all. Glasses were raised in tribute and thanksgiving for him. He remains a man deeply loved and greatly missed. - Jean
- Arlene
Comhaltas Rochester May/June 2015 Page 4
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Geneseo String Band with Jim Kimball and
Ted McGraw, Marta Driscoll, John Ryan
Monday session at Colie’s Café’
Roisin Dubh plays at East Rochester HS
Eighth-grader Talor Marren and 11th-grader
Jason Buechel play for the crowd.
(Photo: Doreen DiNardo)
Irish and American Civil War; re-enactors from 140th NY Infantry at St. John Fisher College
Comhaltas Rochester May/June 2015 Page 5
Grand Cru Chocolates and Nuts .
From pub to nuts and chocolates too
It’s been over a year since I had to close McGraw’s Irish Pub. Business was picking up year to year. I had several parties, wedding receptions, dart and hurling leagues booked along with the regular music and dance nights planned. The Monday night session and Sunday dinner and movie evenings with IACI were also going strong. The pub was closed due to the landlord’s unwillingness to repair his own building. The problems were extensive and probably expensive to repair. Re-opening somewhere else is something that we are seriously looking to do. If everything falls into place, Gina and I will certainly go for it.
In the meantime, we have just opened our own gourmet chocolate and nut shop called Grand Cru Chocolates and Nuts. We purchased the Nut House on Monroe Avenue but closed that location, changed the name and moved 2 miles down the street into the Oak Hill Commons. So far, so good and our first day open for business was a great success.
Thank you to all of the Pub employees, Paul, Sarah, Kaylee, Jessie and Mike as well as my family and friends who did so much over the years to keep the Pub running and to say our new venture is just as enjoyable. Sincerely, John McGraw www.grandcruchocolates.com
Comhaltas Rochester May/June 2015 Page 6
The First Grand Cru Chocolate Session – April 25, 2015
See video clips on Facebook: . rochester irish musicians association
Branch Officers - 2015 Cathoirleach (Chair) Jean Smith Leas-Cathoirleach (Vice Chair) John Ryan Runai (Secretary) Bill Hallahan Cisteoir (Treasurer) Lynn Pilaroscia Michoir (Auditor) Shawn Casey Youth Officers
Marta Driscoll
Programs Music Events Cathy McGrath Ted McGraw John Ryan Ceili Dancing Arlene Miller Membership Bill Hallahan Singers’ Session Becky Farrell Ferrigno Music Learner’s Session Mark Ballard Website Marta Driscoll Newsletter Bill Hallahan Music Instrument Library Mark Gowman Concerts & Festivals Dave Halligan John Ryan
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann MEMBERSHIP AND DUES for 2015
Dues: First Adult $25.00 Second Adult $ 8.00 Family $40.00 Junior $ 4.00 Please make your check payable to: CCE Mail to: Comhaltas
6658 North Avon Road Honeoye Falls, NY 14472
Look for us on Facebook:
Rochester Irish Musician’s Association
Join Comhaltas and support Irish music.and culture.
Check your membership card for expiration date. If you have ideas or articles or announcements or photos to include in this
There will be regular Comhaltas Branch Meetings on the last Sunday of every month at Johnny’s at 4:30 – 5:00 pm for members to contribute ideas and learn how to support upcoming activities.
Comhaltas-Sponsored Music Sessions, Dancing, Singing 1st Sundays of every month: The American Hotel
4:00 pm 7304 E. Main Street, Lima, NY
2rd Friday of every month: 8:00 pm CCE music session Now at Jo’s Place, 1768 E Main St. Last Sunday of every month: 3:00 pm Music Learning Session Johnny's Irish Pub 4:00 pm Singer Session with Jean & Becky 4:30-5:00 Comhaltas branch meetings 1342 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 5:00 pm Regular session Set Dancing Every Wednesday: McGinnity's Bar & Restaurant 7:30 pm 534 West Ridge Road
No experience, no partner necessary. Instructors: Arlene Miller (585) 663-4438 and Matt Ruf. James Coughlin, caller.
OTHER TRADITIONAL IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC SESSIONS Every Monday: Colie’s Café, Nazareth College campus
Leader: Jane Sturmer
6:00 pm waltz session
7:00-9:00 pm: jigs, reels, etc. same tune set each week (mostly)
Ben’s website for the Monday session:
https://sites.google.com/site/rocnyslowsession/
Every Tuesday:
7:00 pm (study session) Charlotte Tavern, 2 River Road & Lake Ave.
Every Saturday: Barry’s Old School Irish, Webster.
