A couple things to mention this week. First, I was over at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City last Friday to see Padraig Rynne, Tara Breen and Jim Murray at the as part of Don Meade’s “Blarney Star” concert series and it was incredible. The music was truly outstanding, Rynne was brilliant, both on the concertina and as the group’s leader and Breen, who spent many years playing with the Chieftains, was absolutely superb – they made for a perfect melodic pairing. Murray, whose guitar backing and singing is top shelf, rounded out the group’s sound most effectively. Just gorgeous music all around. I’ve written about their albums here in the past, but you can learn more about them at http://breenrynnemurray.com.
If you’re not going out to LIC for the shows, you really should. Meade is a great curator and the folks at the NYIC make the shows fabulously intimate. (You often see lots of high-profile musicians in the audience, too, which generally bodes well for good music!) Long Island City is a lovely spot, too – lots of restaurants around for pre-show meals/drinks and they’re all easy to get as well, as the NYIC is located just across from the 7 train station, just one stop into Queens from Grand Central.
On Friday May 9, the Blarney Star will feature great Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan, so expect another outstanding evening of great music – make your plans now! Keep up with future Blarney Star events by signing up for the mailing list at https://www.blarneystar.com/.
In other eventful music news, the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh will take place this weekend, April 25-27, at the Crowne Plaza Princeton in Princeton, N.J. Young performers from across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southern U.S., and Eastern Canada will gather down in Princeton to showcase their talents for a chance to qualify for the big Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ireland where the lucky hopefuls will vie to become “All-Ireland Champion” on their respective instruments. (This year the Fleadh Cheoil will take place in Wexford, Aug. 3–10, visit http://fleadhcheoil.ie for extensive details.)
It will be a superb weekend of competition and camaraderie. Each day, young folks will give their all in individual instrumental, solo, duet, trio, céilí band, grúpa cheoil, singing sean nós dance, céilí dance, set dance, and Irish language competitions. These folks have spent months preparing for their moment or two in the spotlight and their performances are the highlights of the weekend. These young people who have put the work in to prepare and have gathered the courage to test their mettle in front of a judge are not just stars but stand as testaments to the power of traditional Irish music. This weekend is all about their hard work and dedication.
But Fleadh organizers always do their best to enhance these efforts and as usual the big spectacle they have in store is the gala Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place on the Saturday night. This year, Martin Reilly, Kathleen & Dom Lavin, and Frank Curran (RIP) will join the ranks of folks like Martin Mulvihill, Andy McGann, and Jack Coen in the Region’s Hall. It’s a well deserved honor and each deserves a hearty congratulations. Katherine Ball-Weir will also be recognized at the ceremony with this year's Service Award for all the good work she’s done over the years. A céilí will follow the induction ceremony with music provided by the Kingsbridge Céilí Band (Séagda Coyle, Eugene Bender, Krista Charles, and Michael Fee). Alanna Callendrello, Chair of CCÉ’s Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley branch (https://cceboston.org/), will do the calling.
Now, I know some of you out there are saying “Saturday night? But what about the children?” Well, the Fleadh’s organizers have thought of that too. During the banquet, arrangements have been made for a chaperoned youth session/pajama pizza party with tunes led by Brendan Callahan and Matt Mulqueen. These parties have been great successes in previous years and are a wonderful way for young people to socialize over music in a safe, protected environment.
On Sunday, in addition to the remaining competitions, there will be Mass in the morning, and then, from 10:00-12:00, a set dancing workshop hosted by Callendrello, who will teach everyone the Knocknashee set.
The Mid-Atlantic is a vibrant celebration of Irish music, dance, song, and language, and one of just two qualifying events for traditional musicians in North America. The other, the Midwest Fleadh, http://midwestfleadh.org, will take place in Chicago next weekend as well. Best of luck to everyone competing in both events – everyone is rooting for your success now and in the future!
The journey to Wexford begins in Princeton! Head on out for the competitions or just the crack – as always, it promises a great time for lovers of traditional music! For much more information about the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, and to sign up to their email list, which will help ensure you stay up-to-date year ‘round with all things Fleadh related, visit https://ccemidatlantic.com/.
