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September 23rd – 26th, 2010
www.johnnykeenan.com
After the tremendous success of the 2009 Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, the organisers are in intense negotiations to finalise the line-up for the 2010 event. Last year’s line-up proved to be a magical combination of Irish and American music.
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No Irish traditional band in the last twenty years has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan. Now, in celebration of their 25th year as a band, Altan are releasing the 25th Anniversary Celebration CD, recorded at RTE Studios in Dublin with the RTE Concert Orchestra and featuring 15 of the bands favourite songs and tunes from their storied career. The CD shows the band are at the peak of their skills. This new release firmly places them in the pantheon of Irish music alongside genre icons such as The Chieftains and The Dubliners all the while demonstrating an elegance and grace rarely found in the tradition. The CD was released in Ireland on February 19th, in the UK on the 22nd and will be carried by Compass in the USA and Canada where it goes on sale from the first week of March.
Celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2010, and featuring a new line-up, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn release their fourth album. Advance praise for By Night & By Day: “This is a gorgeous record. I’ve got a big collection of recordings and the Lasses’ CD’s are right at the top of them. This one is their best yet.” - Brian Rooney.
“Love the tunes, love the musicality, love the singing, love the arrangements, once again we’re treated to a concert and a party, all in one. You go girls (and Pete)!”- Liz Carroll.
Described by Irish Music Magazine as ‘one of the best bands of the scene today’, over the past decade The London Lasses and Pete Quinn have brought their unique sound to some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls, including Cambridge Folk Festival, the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Glastonbury, Ballyshannon, Philadelphia Irish Festival and the Royal Albert Hall, where the band performed the first ever ceili as part of the 2008 BBC Proms.
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All-Ireland concertina champion, Aoife Ní Argáin from Dublin will be performing at the 2010 Nyah Traditional Music Festival in Cavan and also on the occasion of the presentation of the Kerry Person of the Year Award to Daithí Ó Sé in the Burlington Hotel this month.
Over the past year Aoife has performed at many events and festivals around the country including, The Gathering Festival in Killarney, The Ballintogher Music Festival in Sligo, the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre, The Naul and The Lixnaw Traditional Music Festival in Kerry.
www.claddaghrecords.com
With the advent of portable music players such as the Ipod the MP3 format of digital music storage has become mainstream and we all know that many groups are now distributing their music via this electronic medium. Claddagh records have recently released a series of MP3 albums details of which can be found on their website.
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Another accolade for Donegal with Fidil’s Aidan O’Donnell, awarded TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year. From Dunkineely, Co. Donegal, Aidan O’Donnell has been described as one of the finest young Irish musicians at present. He released his critically acclaimed debut album in 2006, with Mayo flute player Kieran Munnelly, called ‘In Safe Hands’, which has been described as ‘a salute to the players who have gone before’ (Matt Molloy, The Chieftains). “Aidan’s incredible technical ability combined with his deep love of the music of his ancestors will see him become one of the most influential Donegal fiddle players of this generation.’ (Siobhán Peoples) This year’s Gradam recipients range over a wide spectrum of talents. The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2010 is: Gradam Ceoil – Seán McKiernan, Ceoltóir Óg na bliana (Young Musician) – Aidan O’Donnell, Gradam Saoil (Hall of Fame) – Seán Potts, Cumadóir (Composer) – John and Finbarr Dwyer, Amhránaí na Bliana (Singer) – Cathal McConnell, Gradam na gCeoltóirí (Musicians’ Award) - Muiris Ó Rócháin.
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By Night & By Day
www.londonlasses.net
Celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2010, and featuring a new line-up, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn release their fourth album.
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www.irishfest.com
MILWAUKEE— St. Patrick’s Day is rapidly approaching. The best way to get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit is to attend Milwaukee Irish Fest’s 11th annual Green Tie event at The Wisconsin Club on Saturday, March 6, 2010. In addition to Irish music and fun, performances by the McMenamin Irish Dancers and live and silent auctions, a new tradition will make its mark at the event: The Great Celtic Whiskey Debate. Green Tie attendees can learn about the wonders of whiskey from the Ambassadors of Jameson and The Glenlivet. The Ambassadors hail from Ireland and Wales and will engage in an enthusiastic and spirited discussion about Irish whiskey vs. scotch whiskey. Attendees are free to taste the whiskey if they choose; and decide which makes the grade! The Pub Gathering and Silent Auction with entertainment by àthas start at 5:30 p.m.
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- musical gatherings hosted by GAEL LINN
Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton Street
6p.m. – 8p.m. (Doors open from 5.45p.m.)
TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 2010
COLM Ó FOGHLÚ (Whistles) &
NOREEN O’DONOGHUE ( Harp )
will weave their musical spell and
MAIRÉAD NÍ FHLATHARTA (sean-nós singer)
will charm !
ADMISSION: €15 ( includes complimentary finger food )
Bar open/tea and coffee available
BOOKING RECOMMENDED ( LIMITED SPACE ! )
087/2547574
Featuring the Leinster youth group of Comhaltas
Comhaltas will be hosting a find raising concert in aid of Saint Vincent de Paul in Clasac, Alfie Byrne Road Clontarf, on the 20th of February.
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