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Hello AmeriCeltic Reader, • Founder Celia offers a historical context for the current UK-Australia trade deal negotiations, and the objections of UK Farmers. (See Below)
• The cherished San Francisco Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, has re-opened (softly) from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM! (See Below)
• The United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco has engaged with architects Studio Banaa, and they have posted conceptual drawings for an impressive new structure on the site at the corner of 45th and Wawona Street. Check out their design ideas here: https://www.studiobanaa.com/project/irish-cultural-center, and you can take their public input surveys here: https://irishcenter2025.org. • On Friday, May 21st, 11:00 AM PDT it's Accordion Fridays, with TOP NOTCH Celtic accordion masters streaming Online via Facebook Live. (See Below)
• On Saturday, May 22nd, at the United Irish Cultural Center, there will be outdoor dining from 1:00 - 8:00 PM with LIVE Jazz from 4:00 PM by Terrence Brewer & Friends, all under under their 1800 sq.ft. 'Big Top' in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 PM PST John Whelan conducts the 27th in his series of Online Master Sessions, featuring Katie McNally and Neil Pearlman! Also, on Wednesdays, John offers two free events, a 'Tune Teach' and John's 'Taking Time' Session (See Below)
• On Saturday, May 22nd, 11:00 AM Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham will give a concert of Sea Music from the UK, presented by The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. (See Below)
• On Saturday, May 22nd at 4:00 PM, Culann's Hounds kickoff their reentry rock at Peri's Bar in Fairfax, CA. (See Below)
• Saturday, May 22nd at 5:00 PM, the fabulous Shipwrecked Shanty Band are back online via Facebook Live and in person (keepin' their distance) from Sláinte Irish Pub in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM, new, young Scottish Trad quartet, Fàrsan, will give a free, live stream concert, sponsored by the good folks at the Seattle Folklore Society. (See Below)
• On Sunday, May 23rd at 11:00 AM, it's the Piper Sundays, Zoom meeting for an hour and one half with host Patrick D'Arcy and his guest Tom Klein, joining us from Attleboro, MA. (See Below)
• On Tuesday, May 25th, 12:00 - 1:00, Catherine Flynn will interview Peter Glazer, of UC Berkeley's Theater Dept. about about AIrish, Flynn's research project. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• From Friday evening, May 28th through Sunday evening, May 30th, the San Francisco Folk Music Club offers their regular Memorial Day Weekend Campout but this time it will be Virtual (online via Zoom). (See Below)
• On the weekend of Saturday, June 5th — Sunday, June 6th, Random Acts of Harping will be happening Everywhere. (See Below)
• On Saturday, June 5th at 5:30 PM, The Celtic Society of Monterey Bay and the The Freight and Salvage and others offer an online live-streaming concert from Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. (See Below)
• From June 10th — July 14th, 5:00 AM & 11:00 AM PDT each morning, Clifton House, Belfast is offering 11 lectures on humanitarian and activist Mary Ann McCracken, and it is available to anyone, anywhere Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• Saturday, June 19th and Sunday, June 20th, The Celtic Heritage Celebration returns with regional bands, famous jousting and much much more happens in Angels Camp. (See Below)
• On Fridays, at 5:30 PM, the Cross Keys band, Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O'Neill, sing out at the Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden in Fairfax, CA. (See Below)
• On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at 7:00 PM, The Black Donnellys, Dave Rooney and Dave Browne, will stream their high-energy show to you from the RiRa @ Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV as you stay safely sequestered in your homes. (See Below)
• On Saturdays, at 1:00 PM, Sin Silver, performs a 'piano bar' show from her recreation/piano room. This week's theme is '60's'`. Stay safe at home, and stream it online from from 'Murray's Pub' in Concord, CA. (See Below)
• Co-Founder Cecilia Fábos-Becker's e-book Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics, is available for download now! (See Below)
• Sláinte Pub Jack London Square in Oakland, CA is open Tuesday - Sunday, with a full menu of great food and drink with outdoor and limited indoor dining service and on Sundays from 4 PM to 7 PM offers traditional Irish music from their house band, Buncrana. (See Below)
• On the first Sunday of each month, a small group of Starry Plough regulars stream a re-newed online Irish Session from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. (See Below)
• Multi-genre violin teacher (especially Irish Traditional Music) and performer Darcy Noonan is available for gigs and lessons. (See Below)
• Sport your Celtic heritage! AmeriCeltic offers a colorful array of items, each emblazoned with the AmeriCeltic logo. (See Below)
• The Celtic Tea Shoppe, in San Jose is your source for Celtic and Celtic inspired carry-out fresh baked foods, confections and rare teas! (See Below)
• Live music is slowly re-emerging in California! On Sunday, April 18th, and every Sunday, their are now LIVE Irish tunes at the Auld Dubliner in Long Beach, CA. (See Below)
• While Lark In The Morning in Berkeley, CA and Exploring Music in the outer sunset neighborhood of San Francisco, CA are closed for walk-ins, both stores are open for online sales and lessons. (See Below)
• Publican Stan Gamble has re-opened The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant, offering outdoor service 7 days a week from 4pm to late. (See Below)
• The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, local Irish Pub bringing the culture of Ireland to downtown at 5th and Howard in San Francisco. (See Below)
• The Celtic Society of Monterey Bay, has a 32 year record of producing Celtic Concerts in various venues in and around Santa Cruz and Monterey, CA. (See Below)
• Catherine Barry's Irish Culture Bay Area , offers a succinct listing of Irish events around Bay Area. (See Below)

Scan our feature articles below, or as always, you can click here to check the full listings on our website.

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Editorial: UK-Australia trade deal

Tory Ministers discuss British farmers' concerns

By Cecilia Fábos-Becker

After exiting the European Union last December, United Kingdom (UK) Prime minister Boris Johnson and his ministers, aimed to conclude their first major post-Brexit trade deal with Australia by Friday, but instead spent much of the week discussing British farmers' concerns.

This BBC article sums up the issues well.

This first Post-Brexit trade negotiation is an important issue to Americans of Celtic descent for a variety of reasons. First, many Scots, northern English and even Irish ended up immigrating to what became the U.S., and later the U.S. proper, as a direct result of the UKs inheritance laws, especially primogeniture, and agricultural and herding policies.

To this day, in the UK, primogeniture--MALE primogeniture, is the law of the land and the bulk of inheritances in aristocratic and other well-to-do families, especially property, goes to the nearest direct male heir: son, or failing that brother or nephew. UK farmers, numbering about 100,000, constitute a very small fraction, about 0.15% of the UK total of ~ 68 million persons. Of these 100,000, most of them inherited their farms through primogeniture. In contrast, the number of farmers in the US is about 2.6 million people out of a population of 328.2 million, about 1.3%. Ten times as many!

Starting just after the 1745 Scottish rebellion, and ending in defeat at Culloden, Scottish nobles and other large landholders began replacing humans with sheep. At the peak of these so-called 'Highland Clearances,' between about 1818 and 1850, hundreds of thousands of Scots were deported to Canada and the U.S. The same types of evictions were happening in northern England under the 'Enclosures Act.'

Read More...

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The Plough and Stars Re-Opens

Soft Opening Hours: Wednesday — Sunday 4 to 12 PM

The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, 116 Clement Street at 2nd Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Sean Heaney says:
We have opened as of Friday, May 14th. It is a kind of 'soft' opening. We shall see how it goes. Seating is limited to 25% indoors but we have added additional seating out front. Drop by for a pint!

The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, is known around the world for hosting incredible Irish music and pulling beautiful pints of Guinness since 1975. Since then, it has evolved to host live music every night of the week, except Monday, including all genres of music; Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Zydeco, acoustic Americana, and of course, Irish Traditional.

Over the years The Plough and the Stars in San Francisco has hosted many well-known musicians from Ireland and around the globe, but the current pandemic and related public health restrictions have put a stop to all that for over a year now. The resulting business losses threaten to put The Plough out of business permanently, but there has been a sustained community crowdfunding effort that gives hope to resist and keep this iconic Celtic business going, if the community can sustain this support long enough.

For now, there is no music, but Autumn Rhodes has organized a series of new videos from many of these musical alumni to help keep the Plough going. Just click on the links to the right, and then please show your support with a contribution here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sfplough

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Accordion Fridays

Celtic Accordion World Masters in Concert

Online via Facebook Live!

Accordion Fridays is back with musical guests from Lafayette, LA, Brooklyn, NY, Oakland, CA and Hamburg Germany. Come by this Friday for some wonderful free live shows!

Renée de la Prade, (featured in photo) brings a set of stomp-and-holler tunes with her button accordion, voice, and her boots, mixing Cajun, blues, reggae, Irish, French, punk, and other flavors that taste good together for a rocking show. https://www.facebook.com/Accordion-Babes-128066897203923

Cedric Watson (featured in photo) plays a variety of old-school zydeco styles, original material, and Creole traditionals. The polyrhythmic and syncopated sounds of Africa and the Caribbean echo in his ensemble. He plays old La-La French music (traditional Creole music) in accordion, fiddle, and guitar. Moving with ease between fiddle and accordion, his natural playfulness on stage makes him just plain fun to watch. Lafayette, LA https://www.facebook.com/cedric.watson.140

Susan Hwang, literary soul-music squeezebox diva with a powerful voice, and her very own book club. She presents her original songs with groovy percussion and backup vocals by Marlon Cherry. Brooklyn, NY USA https://www.facebook.com/susanhwanglalala

Salane's "The Dark Family Hour": dark mysterious music, polkas and waltzes, psychedelia, comedy and Tom Waits covers. Salane is an unforgettable performer who brings us to other worlds. Oakland, CA USA https://www.facebook.com/The-Dark-Family-Hour-105784227882339

All shows are LIVE, FREE, and HAVE ACCORDIONS. You know you want - some bellows-shaking cheer!

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United Irish Cultural Center

LIVE MUSIC by Terrence Brewer & Friends!
Wawona Gates Outdoor Dining
Now offering limited Indoor Dining

2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

On Saturday, "Terrence Brewer & Friends", bring their Jazz to the #WawonaGates stage at 4pm.

Despite the pandemic, the United Irish Cultural Center has successfully operated a large event facility near the Zoo in San Francisco, serving the Irish and other Cultural communities, in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Thanks to our hard working small staff and dozens of volunteers, the UICC Wawona Gates Outdoor Dining has operated a bustling outdoor dining space under a 1,800 square foot open-sided canopy since January 2021.

And now, thanks to the just announced reductions in related restrictions, the UICC is also offering limited indoor dining in their spacious Saint Patrick's Room!

Facebook Event
UICC website
UICC Facebook Page
'Irish Shoppe' Facebook Event

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Whelan Master Session #27:
with Katie McNally and Neil Pearlman

Saturday, May 22nd, 2:00 PM

Online via Zoom

Since March 2020, John has stepped up his online activities, and his latest project is Master Sessions with John Whelan. This edition of Whelan Master Sessions features Katie McNally and Neil Pearlman.

John says:
The vibrant musical traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton take on new life in the hands of Katie McNally ("Formidable" - The Boston Globe) and Neil Pearlman ("a tremendous pianist" -BBC Radio Scotland). Based in Portland, ME, this young musical couple is making waves internationally with their fresh approaches to traditional forms. Katie McNally has already made her mark on Scottish music in North America and her 2020 release "Now More Than Ever" has been praised as ground-breaking on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to fronting her own trio, Katie performs with Fàrsan, fiddle supergroup Childsplay, and has toured with such Celtic music luminaries as Carlos Nuñez, Karan Casey, and John Whelan. Katie has performed in the US and abroad at Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours, the Newport Folk Festival, and The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes. Called “a force to be reckoned with” by WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan, Neil is recognized in many Celtic music circles for his unique approach to the piano. Rooted in traditional Cape Breton piano styles, Neil brings in ideas from many other genres and the result is an exciting new sound that remains true to its traditional roots. An accomplished Cape Breton step dancer as well, Neil grew up in the family band Highland Soles, led by father and mother Ed Pearlman and Laura Scott, both influential Scottish music and dance figures in the US. Neil currently performs in a duo with Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson and in the Gaelic band, Fàrsan.
https://www.katiemcnally.com
https://neilpearlman.com

Go to www.johnwhelanmusic.com/master-sessions for details on how to get your Zoom link.

On Wednesdays, John also offers a free one-hour tune teach from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM followed by John's 'Taking Time' slow session at 4:00 PM Pacific - Check them out here: http://johnwhelanmusic.com/slow-session. John sends out a tune list and Zoom link for them on Wednesday mornings. Email John at whelanbx1@me.com to get on the list or for more details.

Seven-time All-Ireland Button Accordion Champion John Whelan is one of the world's best living Irish button accordion players. John was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, and learned his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O Connor and his teacher Brendan Mulkaire. Along with his All-Ireland Championships, he was twice awarded musician of the year from the Irish Music Association. He has over 15 CDs and has performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. John's music has been featured on such TV shows as 'Sex in the City,' 'History's Mysteries' and 'History Detective.' John performs with the John Whelan Band and has also teamed up with his old pal Brian Conway forming the group Gailfean, which also features Máirtin De Cógáin and Don Penzien have released their first new CD. For over a decade, John has performed 'Monday's with John' every Monday evening on his Facebook Profile.

Get more details on John's website: http://johnwhelanmusic.com

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Sea Music Concert: Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham
Streaming live from their home in Derbyshire, England!

Saturday, May 22nd, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Online via givebutter.com website

This Saturday, May 22, 11am-12:30pm Pacific Daylight Time (USA), outstanding performers and recording artists Keith Kendricfk and Sylvia Needham will be performing a virtual sea music concert, livestreaming from their home in Derbyshire, England. FREE. Registration required to receive the livestream link. Registration, plus photos and bios of the performers at: Get Tickets Here: https://givebutter.com/SeaConcert

Keith and Sylvia sing mainly English traditional and traditionally influenced contemporary songs and work extensively all over the globe. Both have a wide ranging (predominantly English) repertoire, frequently accompanying themselves and playing lively dance tunes on three different systems of the only English invented musical instrument – the Concertina. Their strong voices and uncannily compatible styles of delivery produce striking acapella harmonies.

With a formidable history of performing experience behind them, their recorded work is matched only by their live gigs which are always a vocal and musical revelation as well as a hoot and when they're not doing that, you'll probably find them playing the music for the Winster Morris Dancers.

Please note that our staff will electronically "check-in" your device automatically at 10:55AM on event day. Your browser should automatically start streaming the event around 11AM. If not, please refresh your screen and click on the large image to activate the live event.

Presented by The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

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Culann's Hounds at Peri's Patio

Saturday, May 22nd, 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Peri's, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA

Fierce like their namesake, Cu Chulainn, Culann's Hounds have built a reputation for stage shows filled with high-energy and a ruthless dedication to rocking their audiences. Folk melodies, sensibilities, and stories permeate their music with origins in Ireland, France and early America. This mash-up of tradition and energy is at once thought provoking, accessible and infectious. The Hounds original material is a mirror of their lives, tales of distant lands, love, elation and loss.

Steve Says:
Whew! We just played Peri's a few weeks ago... Wait, no... months? Oh, right, March 13, 2020 was our last Hounds gig. At Peri's in Fairfax.

Peri's, a nexus of live music in the North Bay, remains closed as a bar, but somehow 20 bands have agreed to play Saturday afternoon concerts outside through the summer. There is no admission charged, no alcohol service, no seating. Funny how that would have sounded downright awful in 2019, but now it seems like quite a party. Last Saturday, Koolerator played to a large and happy crowd. Live music is a-comin'!

Last Tuesday, we shook off the cobwebs and started to get back in form. It was a blast.

We'll be looking to book some more shows in the near future, but if you want to get your jig on, swing by downtown Fairfax Saturday afternoon and say hi.

Steve Gardner brings his virtuosic violin style uncut. With seeming effortlessness he plays Irish traditional music, Cajun, country and rock pairing with the accordion at breakneck speed. Steve also grabs the guitar and sings his irreverent brand of classic and original songs.

Mike Kelleher sings from the gut, giving his own songs and those of centuries past a particular urgency. A key to The Hounds' tireless rhythm, Mike's guitar playing cuts to the core of song, strongly framing the vocals and the traditional melodies.

Longtime Bassist Dan Duffin and Bodhran player Scott Marshall complete the lineup.

When The Hounds play, they take more than just the stage. They take control and make you love them. Give in to screamingly high energy, dance with wild abandon, and connect to music of the people made on real instruments in front of your eyes.

More Details on the Facebook Page or the Hounds Website.

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Sláinte's Sea Shanty Saturday

Saturday, May 22nd at 5:00 PM

Online via Facebook LIVE, from Sláinte Pub, 131 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Born out of Covid, kicked out of venues, a rag-tag group of Sea Shanty lovers became shipwrecked...but the band played on! The Shipwrecked Shanty Band, appears LIVE and LIVE STREAMIN' on Facebook for you land-locked, from Sláinte in Oakland! For the live stream, just navigate to the Shipwrecked Sea Shanty Crew Facebook group, click 'Join', and then look for the little red LIVE button.

The Shipwrecked Shanty Band:
• Jim Nelson - Banjo
• Micha Dunston - Whistle, Bodhran
• John Palme - Guitar
• Steven Strauss - Stand up bass

Micha says:
Come and SHANTY with us OUTSIDE, AGAIN at Sláinte's! Sláinte's is OPEN for drinks and take out food, so Bring yer' mask and Keep yer' distance!

Sláinte! host Jackie says:
Welcome back to Sláinte Oakland! We’re here Tuesday through Sunday, 12-8pm with over 75 whiskeys, the perfect pints and a delicious new menu. Come on by. Cead Mile Failte!!!

We love you all so very much xxx.

The menu at Sláinte features Irish cuisine from Irish-born Executive Chef, Jackie Gallanagh, with dishes that include both imported & local ingredients and a bar menu of classic cocktails, a well-stocked selection of whisky, premium spirits, and local & imported beers.

More Details on the Sláinte Facebook Page.

Check the Sláinte's & Shipwrecked Sea Shanty Crew Facebook group
for updates. Contact them at (510) 823-2644 @slainteoakland or check the website https://slainteoakland.com.

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Fàrsan Live Streaming Concert

Saturday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Online via Zoom from Seattle Folklore Society

Buy Tickets here: https://knct.club/3tSHpss
Details: https://www.konnectclub.com/branded/events/289172094993

Powered by four of the brightest voices in a new generation of traditional musicians, Fàrsan unites song, dance and instrumental music from the Gaelic traditions of Scotland and North America. Gaelic has long been a culture on the move; with strongholds in Scotland and Cape Breton, the language and music have travelled to the farthest corners of the New World, finding new homes and nurturing communities in the unlikeliest of places.

Fàrsan's music is a product of this legacy of movement and migration. Màiri Britton, Katie McNally, Neil Pearlman and Elias Alexander each represent an engaging new take on their cultural traditions. Màiri's Gaelic song and stepdance repertoires have a foundation in her native Scotland but are heavily influenced by her current work teaching and researching song and dance in Nova Scotia. Katie's fiddling and Neil's piano and stepdance continue the strong connection between New England and Maritime Canada, both having grown up in the Scottish and Cape Breton music community that surrounds Boston. Elias brings an American flair to the Scottish border pipes, merging a love of the tradition with a wealth of new ideas.

Song, instrumental and dance traditions are sometimes viewed as three separate worlds, but Fàrsan challenges that notion. They bring together the melodies of Gaelic songs and puirt-à-beul (mouth music) with their instrumental counterparts and draw rhythmic stepdance seamlessly into the mix. The result is a unique combination of sound and movement which delivers vibrant energy to every performance.

The Seattle Folklore Society mission is to preserve and foster awareness and appreciation of folk and traditional arts in the Seattle area. Check us out at http://www.seafolklore.org

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Piper Sundays

Sundays at 11:00 AM
Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club

Online via Zoom
Join the Zoom Event:

Event Website: http://socalpipers.com/piper_sunday.html

Host Patrick D'Arcy says:
'It's every Sunday from 11:00 AM (PDT) for about 90 minutes. I try to get high profile Uilleann piper guests from Ireland and elsewhere. It's not so much a concert as it is a talk show with the guest playing a handful of tunes throughout. Drop by this Sunday to check it out. Our guest will be Emer Mayock, joining us from Attleboro, MA.

Here is a video preview: Piper Sunday trailer with Tom Klein

• Sunday, May 23th, Emer Mayock —  Details
• Sunday, May 30th, Brendan Ring —  Details
• Sunday, June 6th, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail —  Details
• Sunday, June 13th, Eoin Ó Riabhaigh —  Details
• Sunday, June 20th, Nicolas Brown —  Details
• Sunday, June 27th, Tim Hill —  Details

From 1:30 PM on this will become our monthly So Cal Pipers Club social call

Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club Facebook Events: https://www.facebook.com/SCUPC

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'AIrish': Exploring Irish Theater and Artificial Intelligence

Tuesday, May 25th, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Hosted by Irish Studies at UC Berkeley
Sponsored by United Irish Cultural Center
Online via Zoom

Collective life and individual subjectivity are increasingly routed through and constituted by data and digital space. Meanwhile, the use of AI increases in nearly every domain of human endeavor. How are areas of culture that we understand to be deeply human€'the arts, creativity, the humanities - reshaping and reshaped by ever-improving forms of machine intelligence? How can theater respond to machine learning? What would it mean to read or write a play composed by artificial intelligence?

Peter Glazer (Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies) will talk with Catherine Flynn (Department of English, Director of Irish Studies) about AIrish, Flynn's research project that blends traditional and digital humanities methods to explore Irish drama from the seventeenth to the twenty-first centuries. The conversation will focus on an undergraduate seminar Flynn taught during the Spring 2021 semester on a set of Irish plays, using computational analyses to enhance the discussions of dramatic works that span 250 years. Flynn and Glazer will also discuss the plays the students composed using lines from plays on the syllabus, lines composed by an AI text-generator, and lines of their own composition.

For details, visit: https://ies.berkeley.edu/irish/airish

AIrish is generously supported by the Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme.

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Memorial Day Weekend Virtual Campout 2021

Friday evening, May 28th through Sunday evening, May 30th

Online via Zoom
Sponsored by the San Francisco Folk Music Club

Join with friends new and old to celebrate our global music community, as with in-person camp, we will have participatory workshops, concerts, 'open mic', and open sessions for singing & playing, Jokes, Stories, Friends, late-night singing. Memorial Day Weekend Virtual Campout 2021 is a benefit in support of San Francisco Folk Music Club programs.

As with in-person camp and our online New Year's Camp, there will be Workshops, Jam Spaces, Dances, Games, Jokes, Stories, Friends, late-night singing. There are multiple Scottish and Irish events scheduled on all three days.

Memorial Day Weekend Virtual Campout 2021 is open to musical friends everywhere. Donation $0 - $100 or more! (suggested donation $10 per day) No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please share this with folks near and far who may not yet be members of the SFFMC, as attendance will be open to all.

Leading workshops and other events is reserved for Folk Club members so be sure to confirm that you are a paid member and invite friends who would enjoy going to this online event, maybe to become members and lead something! Please visit the main website www.sffmc.org to become a member through the 'join us' tab.

And if you'd like to lead a workshop, dance, other activity, or perform in a concert this year, let us know within the registration form questions at the end of the form. Likewise, are you a wiz at Zoom? Let us know and help us fill a chore slot!

Check www.sffmc.org regularly for updates on zoom tutorials, what to plan for, and on workshop session spaces as they fill up early. For Questions, you can contact the registrars at onlinecampharmony@gmail.com.

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Random Acts of Harping!

Saturday, June 5th & Sunday, June 6th, all day

Everywhere

In June of 2011, Harpist Joanna Mell started an idea called Random Acts of Harping in Perkasie, PA. To participate, take your harp to any public place and play for an hour or as long as you like, perhaps move around and play in several places if that appeals to you. The important point to remember is that this is to be offered for FREE.

Joanna says:
Random Acts of Harping will take place on June 5 and 6 this year! Most people have never seen or heard a harp up close and personal before, so - all you harpers, harpists, etc., take your beautiful harp out into public - a park, a library, outside the local food market - wherever! and make someone's day.

If you would like to be included in the Folk Harp Journal article, snap a pic and send it to me via PM https://www.facebook.com/joanna.mell, or email joanna@joannamell.com, along with a short paragraph of your experiences. Happy Harping!

Remember to get permission first from the owner of the property where you choose to play. Some towns have rules about public performances so even if you play in the park, it would be wise to check out those rules. Bookstores, farmer's markets, and nurseries are very pleased to have live music, especially the harp.

More Details in the Facebook Event

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Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Saturday, June 5th, 5:30 PM

Online via Tessatura at https://thefreight.org/stream Live

The Celtic Society of Monterey Bay is joining with The Freight and Salvage and several other promoters to present an online concert with Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas on Friday May 14th 2021 at 5:30PM.

This will be the seventh in a series of seven retrospective concerts, each dedicated to revisiting and updating part of their 20 years of recording and performing together. Join Alasdair & Natalie on a Zoom call after the concert to continue the festivities.

The musical partnership between consummate performer Alasdair Fraser, 'the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,' and brilliant Californian cellist, Natalie Haas, spans the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. Over the last 16 years of creating a buzz at festivals and concert halls across the world, they have truly set the standard for fiddle and cello in traditional music. They continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding, and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music.

For a sample of what to expect at the concert, check out this video: https://youtu.be/08zd3hI87bc

Tickets are available on a $5.00 - $20 sliding scale at this link. You'll receive instructions on how to tune in to the concert after your purchase.

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Mary Ann 250: Series of FREE
Irish History Talks from Belfast

June 10th — July 14th, 5:00 AM & 11:00 AM PDT
(1:00 & 7:00 PM BST)

Online via Zoom

From 10th June 2021 to the 14th July 2021, Clifton House in Belfast, along with our partners, will run a series of unique free events to celebrate the life, legacy and relevance today of Mary Ann McCracken, on what would have been her 250th birthday.

Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866) was born and lived in Belfast. In life and in the recorded history that followed, she was often overshadowed by her brother, executed United Irishman Henry Joy McCracken. However recently her name and her achievements are becoming more widely known. Mary Ann was an abolitionist, social reformer and activist who fought for the rights of women and championed the disadvantaged at both home and abroad. She lived a long life that encompassed the most turbulent years of Irish history. Her radical, humanitarian zeal and generous strength of character were indefatigable, and her contribution to Belfast life is still felt and celebrated today.

To see the full list of events and to register, visit https://belfastcharitablesociety.org/mary-ann-mccracken-foundation

We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the pond to these events. If you would like any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Caroline McCoubrey
Freelance Marketing Consultant on behalf of Clifton House, Belfast
mccoubreycaroline@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CliftonHouseBelfast.

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The Celtic Heritage Celebration

Saturday, June 19th — Sunday, June 20th,

Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gunclub Rd, Angels Camp, CA

The 35th Annual Celtic Heritage Celebration returns with the Largest and Biggest Celtic Event on the West Coast! Celebrating the cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Isle of Mann, Galacia and Asturias

We are welcoming back the Imperial Knights Tournament of Champions!

Imperial Knights Production Company produces an exciting medieval tournament with spectacular stunts on horseback, jousting and top-of-the-line, hand-to-hand combat with a variety of medieval weapons, cheer on your favorite knight!

We pride ourselves on our sword fighting and heavy armor jousting capabilities. With practice and hard work, we get better every day. Don’t miss any of the excitement when the Imperial Knights take the field!

Here is their promotional video: 2019 Celtic Faire Promo — Joust.

For complete details, show schedule and tickets, check http://celticheritagecelebration.com.

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The Cross Keys

Fridays, 5:30 - 8 PM PDT

Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden, 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA

The Cross Keys are a Folk Explosion, with Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O'Neill.

Cormac says:
Looking forward to playing with my comrades!

Here is a sample video featuring Stacy Samuels: https://youtu.be/8wKMcbIzKzs

Located in beautiful Fairfax, in the heart of Marin County, the Way Station has risen from the site of a former gas station into a family-friendly beer garden and smokehouse. The Way Station team prides itself on super friendly customer-focused service.

Check waystationmarin.com or The Facebook Page or call (415) 300-3099.

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The Black Donnellys LIVE

Dave Rooney and Dave Browne
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 7:00 PM

Facebook LIVE, from the RiRa @ Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV

Each Saturday, The Black Donnellys, (Dave Rooney and Dave Browne), stream their high-energy show to you from Las Vegas, NV as you stay safe at home.

Watch the Black Donnellys streaming show via Facebook LIVE by pointing your browser to the Black Donnellys Facebook Page, where you will find the little red LIVE button.

The Daves say:
Tune into our Residency Gig at Rira at the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay!! Join us and our audience for a live performance and a few Requests!!

Last year, the two Daves from Dublin had the crazy idea to attempt a new World Record: 60 shows. 50 states. 40 days. What could go wrong? Find out what happened along the road as their beloved Irish band, The Black Donnellys set out to break this ambitious world record when Vision Films and Frequency Pictures present An Irish Story: This Is My Home.

This EMMY nominated film was released, on March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day, 2020 and is available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Vimeo. Here is a link to the WATCH IT NOW!

For more, check Dave Browne's Facebook Profile.

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Sin Silver

Saturdays, 1:00 - 2:00 PM PDT

Online via YouTube and Facebook LIVE, from Concord, CA

Sin Silver is an Irish singer songwriter based in the Bay Area in California. To watch the show, go to Sin Silver's YouTube channel or Facebook Profile, and then look for the little red LIVE button.

Sin live-streams from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) every week and this week's theme is 60's. Find Sin's Live Performance by checking Sin's YouTube channel or Sin's Facebook Profile, or go to www.livestream.com/watch and search for Sin Silver.

During the live stream, just drop your requests in the comments.

Virtual Tip Jar:
PayPal https://www.paypal.me/sinsilversin
Venmo @Sin-Silver

With a unique style, her 'Irish piano' and angelic voice are delighting audiences. A featured artist at Northern California's Graton Casino Resort, she brings a unique flavor to her craft. Whether she is playing her expertly crafted originals, covers with her own twist or celtic music, Sin Silver is someone that deserves to be heard live.

Check out her website here:  www.sinsilverandtheavenue.com or email her at sinsilverandtheavenue@gmail.com.

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