Music to forefront in centenary

A session at Pier A.

By Daniel Neely

As I’m sure everyone reading knows, Sunday the 24th was the 100^th anniversary of the Easter Rebellion, and here in New York there was an historic observance of the day, the likes of which will probably never again be seen. Called “Welcoming Ireland,” the event started with a solemn observance of the Rising and reading of the proclamation, and unfolded into a reverent cultural celebration that included film, theater, dance, and literary features. Traditional music took a very prominent role in the day and because it was so deserves a bit of documentation.

It could not have been a more beautiful morning – sunny, clear, and warm – and I arrived well in time for the opening events at Wagner Park. I happened to find a spot near the banner of Éamonn Ceannt, an uilleann piper and a founding member of the Irish Volunteers, which was a fortuitous location, as it gave me a great vantage point to see the morning’s events and to watch the ceremonial heads as they walked in. It was a lovely event. The solemn observance was well handled and efficiently timed, and paced in a way to reach everyone in attendance.

After the ceremony, I headed out to the main stage area, where We Banjo 3 opened the day. I’d not seen them perform before, but they put on a very engaging show. During their performance, I ran into Paul Brock and Dennis Carey of the Brock McCuire Band, who would performing later in the afternoon on the same stage. They seemed well up for the day, and looked on in interest as crossover stepdance act Hammerstep performed with fiddle player Caitlin Warbelow, who supplemented the group’s recorded music with her lovely playing. Things sounded great from where I stood, which isn’t a surprise as John Murray was the one handling the outdoor sound with a steady veteran’s hand.

From there, I made my way over to the musician’s tent where I ran into The Yanks (Dan Gurney, Dylan Foley, Isaac Alderson, and Sean Earnest), who were getting ready to perform on the main stage. I also saw Billy McComiskey, Robbie O’Connell, and Mick Moloney, of Green Fields of America, who were preparing for their main stage slot with the Niall O’Leary dancers. Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill and Cherish the Ladies were also lurking about and both group would later perform on Wagner Park’s main stage, much to the delight of the large appreciative audience.

The indoor traditional music events happened at Pier A Harbor House and centered in its Oyster Bar (www.piera.com). Event organizers tapped six session leaders from around the NYC to each lead an hour long session, who were given a free hand to set their own musical agenda. It worked beautifully. First up was Bernadette Fee (fiddle), who leads the Saturday night session at Niall’s on 52nd (www.facebook.com/NiallsIrishPub). Joining here were Deirdre Corrigan (flute), John Redmond (button accordion), and Dave Fahy (guitar), who played mighty music to which the crowd responded in kind.

I led the second session, representing the Saturday afternoon session at Lillie’s Union Square (unionsquare.lilliesnyc.com). David Doocey (fiddle), Séagda Coyle (button accordion), and Ivan Goff (flute) joined me, and we were all very proud to take part in such an august affair.

The third session was featured old-time American music, led by Stephanie Coleman, who was joined by fiddler Cleek Schrey, 5-string banjoist Luke Richardson, and guitarist Indiana Hoover. Their music spoke to the Appalachian route the Irish took in the US.

Then there was a session that included several members of the great band Lúnasa. Led by uilleann piper Cillian Vallely, he was joined by bandmate Kevin Crawford on flute, Lunasa’s recent touring guitarist Patrick Doocey, his brother David on fiddle, and Shane O’Sullivan on bodhrán. (Moe Mc Elhinney jumped in with them on the drum for a few, if memory serves.) Their music was incredible and absolutely one of the afternoon’s high points.

Two banners on display at Wagner Park during

the official Irish government commemoration.

PHOTO: PETER MCDERMOTT

Tony Demarco’s (Swift’s, 11th St. Bar) group was next. He was joined by Ivan Goff on uilleann pipes, and guitarist Ryan McGiver on guitar, who were brilliant. Siobhan Butler, who danced on the main stage with The Yanks, joined Demarco and crew and did a lovely job.

Don Meade (banjo; Landmark Tavern & The Long Hall) led the day’s final session. Joining him were Leah Rankin (cello), Tom Dunne (accordion), and John Dillon (guitar), who made lively and strong music and kept the still-strong crowd engaged as the day’s events drew to a close.

The events at Pier A Harbor House were handled by owner Danny McDonald and his partners and team, who did a spectacular job throughout. Tim Mitchell also deserve recognition for the fine job he did with the live sound, which was pumped throughout the building.

After things wound down at Pier A, a large contingent of musicians headed over to The Dead Rabbit on Water St. for further merriment, where Vallely, the Doocey Brothers, and O’Sullivan played until late. It was outrageously good. Other of the musicianeers headed up to the 11th St. Bar, where the music raged on until the proverbial wee hours.

Ultimately, it was a brilliant day of observance and celebration and fine showcase for some of New York City’s best traditional music. The feedback from the musicians was off the charts. I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a music event where praise for its organizers was so thoroughly universal, but it was surely the case at “Welcoming Ireland” and it was richly deserved. If ever there was a way to celebrate one of Ireland’s milestone moments with music, this was it – certainly one for the books!