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Hello AmeriCeltic Reader, • On Wednesday, February 3rd, at 6:48 AM PST, the Earth will be halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This alignment was known to our Celtic ancestors as 'Imbolc'. (See Below)
• With public events going online because of COVID, the Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco, offers an interview with United Irish Societies of San Francisco's Liam Frost, who tells of their Saint Patrick's Day celebration plans. (See Below)
• On Saturday, January 30th, 6:00 PM, the Saint Andrews Society of San Francsico is offering a catered Robert Burns Dinner along side their online Zoom Show to honor Robert Burns the Poet as well as all things Scottish. You can still purchase 'Zoom Only' tickets and use Promo Code: 'FriendsOfCelts21' for 5% off your Tickets. (See Below for more details)
• There are a couple more Robert Burns Events coming, as Scots all around Northern California and the world gather to honor Burns the Poet as well as all things Scottish. (See Below)
• From Friday, January 29th through Sunday, February 21st, Jim & Suzie Malcolm will continue their Virtual Tour of Northern California and PNW online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Friday, January 29nd, at 1:00 PM, Sin Silver, will perform piano bar show with the theme 'Flying'. Stay safe at home, and stream it online from from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) in Concord, CA. (See Below)
• On Friday, January 29nd, 7:00 PM, join Kathryn Rose entertains with Folktastic Fridays With Kathryn Rose, via Facebook LIVE from Portland, OR. (See Below)
• On Saturday, January 30th at 2:00 PM PST John Whelan conducts the 12th in his new series of Online Master Sessions, featuring Catherine and John McEvoy! (See Below)
• On Saturday, January 30th, at 8:00 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)
• Sunday, January 31st 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 Michael McGoldrick joining us from Nashville, TN. (See Below)
• On Sunday, January 31st, at 1:00 PM PST Tune Supply presents Celtic Fiddle Festival with Kevin Burke (Ireland) & Christian Lemaître (Brittany) and guitarist Nicolas Quemener (Brittany) online via YouTube Live. (See Below)
• On Sunday, January 31st at 1:30 PM, Amelia Hogan will perform an online Concert for January via Zoom, LIVE from the Hobbit Hole in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Sunday January 31st, at 5:00 PM, the Irish Literary and Historical Society presents Historian Ciara Ryan speaking about Butte's Cultural Comrades and Political Poets: Seán 'Irish' O Sullivan and Séamus 'an Spailpín Fánach' Moriarty', via Zoom from San Francisco. (See Below)
• On Monday, February 1st, at 1:00 - 2:00 PM Eamonn Flynn will entertain you in your homes for his Lá Fhéile Bhríde, a LIVE streaming show, from his home piano bar in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Friday, February 5th - Sunday, February 7th, from 12:30 - 10:30 PM, Lark Traditional Arts presents its Virtual Lark weekend, three days of Zoom workshops, plus streaming concerts via Facebook LIVE, YouTube LIVE and Twitch. (See Below)
• On Saturday, February 6th, 10:00 AM PDT, the Mystic Seaport Museum host their virtual Chantey Blast, online at their website mysticseaport.org. (See Below)
• On Monday, February 8th, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Michael Eskin offers a free, Irish Whistle Master Class Workshop live on Zoom! (See Below)
• From Friday evening, April 9th through Sunday evening, April 11th, the Spring Harmony 2021 will happen online on Zoom, sponsored by the San Francisco Folk Music Club. (See Below)
NOTICE! Due to public health officials orders for social distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 infections, all in person events and festivals, especially those involving singing, wind instruments, etc. have been postponed or cancelled, and many will continued to be cancelled through at least the Winter. If you have plans to attend ANY such event, large or small, we recommend that you call and confirm that they are NOT cancelled.
• Returning from July 30th through August 7th 2021 Lark Camp, the annual Music, Song, & Dance event will return to the Redwoods near Mendocino, CA. (See Below)
• Co-Founder Cecilia Fábos-Becker's e-book Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics, is available for download now! (See Below)
• The United Irish Cultural Center, hosts many Irish and other events in their large facility in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• Cedar Dobson offers one-on-one whistle lessons live on Zoom! (See Below)
• Michael Eskin offers one-on-one Irish whistle and flute, Uilleann pipes, and Anglo concertina lessons live on Zoom! (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)
• 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 just recently re-opened The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant, offering outdoor service 7 days a week from 4pm to late. (See Below)
• Sláinte Pub offers a full menu of great food and drink with outdoor dining service Wednesday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at their location at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. (See Below)
• The Plough and Stars, a SF Legacy Business, and THE place for Live Traditional Music in the inner Richmond district of San Francisco. (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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Ancient Imbolc Festival

Celebrate the Arrival of Spring

Traditional Date: Wednesday, February 3rd, at 6:48 AM PST

Imbolc, is also known as Candlemas, or Brigid's Day, or just Brigid. The name Imbolc derives from Old Irish i mbolg, meaning in the belly, a time when ewes conceive their lambs, their udders fill, and the grass begins to grow. As Samhain does the fall, the Imbolc festival occurs half-way between the solstice and the equinox, and celebrates the onset of spring.

All such 'cross-quarter' times are defined as the moment the Sun moves into the 15th degree of the four Fixed Signs (the Cross Quarter moments) and when the Sun moves into 0 degrees of each of the four Cardinal signs (the Solstices and Equinoxes).

These 'cross-quarter' stations of the Earth and Sun are also called the Eternal Eight.

In Celtic cultures, this was cause for a pagan festival associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid in her role as a fertility goddess, and later Christianized as the feast of Saint Brigid. Reed weavings like the one in the illustration at right are still made at this season every year, and are still called by this ancient name: 'Saint Brigid's Cross'.

Imbolc is very ancient festival, at least 5000 years old in Ireland. At the neolithic Mound of the Hostages on the Hill of Tara, in County Meath, Ireland, the inner chamber is aligned with the rising sun on the dates of Imbolc and Samhain.

Imbolc is still celebrated around the Celtic world, often with great pageantry. There are several such events scheduled around the Bay Area every year.

The Pagan Interest Circle invites you to gather 'round with us in virtual ritual space this Saturday, January 30th, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. via Zoom. To get the ZOOM link to attend, contact Christine Patch-Lindsay at cplhealer@comcast.net BEFORE 3:00 P.M. Saturday, the day of the ritual.

The Wheel of the Year turns and we are just days away from the cross-quarter Sabbat of Bride (Brigid), also known as Imbolc, on February 2nd. In the Old Calendar, this fire festival marks the first signs of Spring, a time when sheep give birth and buds on bare branches begin to bloom. The Irish Triple Goddess Brigid resumes her Maiden aspect of youth and fertility.

But we have not yet shed the cloak of Winter. So, in this ritual, we will call on Brigid, the Goddess of Fire, Inspiration, Poetry, Smithcraft and Healing. We will go to Her Holy Well. Be prepared for a ritual of Personal and Collective Cleansing and Healing. You may want to have a white taper Goddess candle to light on your altar.

You will need:
1. a broom
2. altar space with:
• a glass or cup of water, for drinking
• a bowl of water, soup-bowl size or larger
• pinch of salt in a small cup or bowl.
• a birthday candle, white or green, anchored in a base of sand or dirt or playdoh
• as many candles/tea lights as you like!
• matches
• bread, cracker or some grain to eat when we Bless the Bread
3. any object(s), drawings, written notes that symbolize what, for you, needs healing.

For more information, contact Christine Patch-Lindsay at cplhealer@comcast.net.

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Irish in the West: Liam Frost

UISSF Virtual Saint Patrick's Day Plans

By Elizabeth Creely at the Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco

In our series, 'Irish in the West', we spotlight a member of our diaspora community currently living in one of the states we represent.

Liam Frost, a genial man known for his positive attitude, is feeling reflective as the season of St. Patrick draws near. For the past 169 years, marchers and participants have lined the streets of San Francisco, usually along Market street, and cheered as pipers, dancers, union members and community organizations have walked past them. Things are different this year: everything will be celebrated online.

But the absence of in-person events won't dampen the spirit of celebration, says Frost, the president of the United Irish Societies of San Francisco for the past four years, who sounds characteristically upbeat as he discusses the plans for the season. 'Yes, it's a challenge,' he said. 'But it was a challenge 170 years ago. How did they get parades together back then? The most important thing is that it's been going on for 170 years, and we need to keep that tradition alive.'

Frost, whose grandparents immigrated at the turn of the century from counties Louth and Clare, was born and raised in San Francisco and got his experience working with the city and planning large scale events from his career in law enforcement, first walking beats in the Haight in the eighties and later serving as a Sergeant in the Bay View. He did a four-year stint on the San Francisco Entertainment Commission, but stepped down after that ('It conflicted with grandfatherly duties').

This year, March 17th will be marked by virtual events celebrating St. Patrick and the Irish influence on the city of San Francisco. The entire month of March is the celebration, Frost pointed out- not simply the parade itself. 'The biggest goal is to make it understood that this is a season, not just a parade,' he said. 'The St. Patrick's Day season starts in March- late February, really- with the Grand Marshal's Dinner, and the flag raising at City Hall.'

All throughout the month, the United Irish Society practices one of its oldest and strongest traditions: benevolence and community service. 'We visit Laguna Honda, the Veterans Hospital, St. Anne's,' said Frost. 'We bring Irish dancers with us, and it's so cool to see the kids shaking hands with the patients.'

Frost sees the parade as an intergenerational, small-town event that just happens to take place in a big city. Parents bring their children to the parade they once marched in themselves. 'Some people have wanted to plan a bigger parade, something with more flash,' he said. 'But it's about families and the people on the sidelines, watching and cheering. The kids get to walk down Market Street past City Hall just like their parents did.'

As President, Frost is one of the first to walk down Market Street to open the parade. 'I see people looking and wondering who that old man is,' he laughed. 'I tell them that the best stuff is behind me!'

The theme of this year's parade, which has not been finalized yet, will revolve around service to the community and support for the city's essential workers, past and present. 'We'll be highlighting Kate Kennedy and Father Peter Yorke,' Frost said. 'Kate Kennedy did a lot to get equal pay for female teachers in San Francisco, and Father Yorke for his work on behalf of labour.'

Frost also wants to make sure that the city's small businesses are supported. 'They've been some of our most loyal supporters, and now we want to show loyalty to them," he said. "We're figuring out how we can support them financially, through advertising, which wouldn't happen if we took a hiatus. They are still out there and they need our support'.

The parade celebrates Irish history in its totality, and includes the whole city of San Francisco. 'The Chinese community marches with us, and the unions. Carpenters Local Union 22 is one of our biggest supporters. I think Manny Flores, who's also a city boy, thinks he's Irish!'

Planning for this year's season of events, including the events on March 17th, is in the works. Frost admits it's a challenge. 'It's a huge learning curve,' he said thoughtfully. 'The season is not just about the Irish. It's about the Irish in San Francisco and celebrating our history with other communities. It's really about having the right people, in the right place, at the right time, and we've got that.' Follow them at http://uissf.org.

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Robert Burns Events in Northern California

Celebrating the National Poet Of Scotland

Robert Burns (January 25, 1759 – July 21, 1796) was a poet and a lyricist. Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is the best-known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a 'light' Scots dialect which would have been accessible to a wider audience than native Scottish speakers. Burns wrote many blunt political and civil commentaries about the Scottish condition. For more on Robert Burns, Click Here.

This is also the time of year when Scots everywhere organize formal gatherings to commemorate Robert Burns and all things Scottish at Burns Suppers, with plenty of Burns poetry, Highland Dancing, Pipers, readings of Burns 'Address tae the Haggis', Toasts to the Lads & Lassies, and Entertainment of all kinds Celtic.

Since the first supper was held in July 1801 by the bard's close friends as a memorial dinner, it has morphed into a worldwide event celebrating Scotland's distinctive heritage and culture. But now, as part of The Burns Supper in History and Today project at the University of Glasgow, their Centre for Robert Burns Studies has created a new Burns Supper World-Wide Map. This interactive map features 2,500 Burns suppers across five continents and gives an inventory of their menus, settings, entertainments, and orders of ceremony.

• Saturday, January 30th, 5:00 PM, San Francisco, CA, Saint Andrews Society of San Francisco. Online via Zoom. 159th Annual Robert Burns Event, sponsored by Isle of Arran Distillery. Advance Orders purchased by Tuesday, January 19th include the complete, traditional 'Burns Supper' four course meal delivered to your door anywhere within 70 miles of San Francisco and all the add-on’s like wine/whisky! You can still purchase 'Zoom only' tickets here and use Promo Code: 'FriendsOfCelts21' for 5% off your Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/saintandrewssocietyofsanfrancisco/310695# Email questions to Alex Sinclair 2ndvp@saintandrewssocietysf.org.
• Saturday, April 10th, 6:00 PM, Amador City, CA Mother Lode Scots Burns Supper, Imperial Hotel, 14202 Old Highway 49, $60, Registration and Details at Tickets Contact burnsdinner@motherlodescots.com
• Dixon Scottish Association is talking about a virtual event on January 30th.

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Jim and Susie Malcolm
Virtual Tour of NM, CA, OR, WA

Friday, January 29th through Sunday February 21st, 2020

Online via Zoom

Jim Malcolm's family roots are in Perthshire and Strathclyde, and he is a graduate of Edinburgh University. Like many folk musicians, he began his career by singing in pubs, clubs and hotels in his native country. Solo tours to England, Ireland, Denmark and Germany followed, and then further adventures to such far-off places as Uganda in Africa. Joining the already established and popular Celtic folk/rock band Old Blind Dogs brought him fame in the acoustic music festival scene across Europe and North America.

Video - Jim Malcolm: Flowers of Edinburgh

Malcolm is considered one of the finest voices and interpreters of Robert Burns songs in Scottish traditional music today. He was the lead singer for the world-renowned band Old Blind Dogs for eight years before returning to his solo career as a singer-songwriter.

A Jim Malcolm concert is always an entertaining mix of his own and traditional songs, including those of Burns, peppered with funny stories and observations in the tradition of Scottish bards through the ages. An accomplished guitarist, he plays mostly in the Celtic tuning dadgad. He is also considered to be one of the top simultaneous guitar and harmonica players in the world.

For this tour Jim will be joined by his wife Susie Malcolm, herself a prizewinning traditional singer. Susie has a special interest in the bothy ballad tradition and loves the old ballads, though she is in her element adding harmony to Jim’s performances.

Malcolm has recorded ten solo CDs, and has performed his songs with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In 2004, he was voted songwriter of the year at the annual Scots Traditional Music Awards. Along with his own songs, he enjoys reworking old songs that form the kernel of Scotland's great folk tradition.

Website: https://www.jimmalcolm.com
Donations: PayPal.me/TheMalkies or to PayPal account jim@jimmalcolm.com.

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Sin Silver

Friday, January 29nd, 1:00 - 2:00 PM PDT

Online via 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 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 'Flying'. Find Sin's Live Performance by checking 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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Folktastic Fridays with Kathryn Rose

Friday, January 29nd 7:00 PM

Online via Facebook Live

Join Kathryn for Folktastic Fridays! Click Here to go to her Facebook Profile, and then look for the little red LIVE button.

Kathryn Rose is a folk singer and recording artist from Oregon. She has been singing since she could talk and grew up listening to Irish and Scottish folk music.

Kathryn says:
Join Me For My FRIDAY Evening Live-Stream Show!! Message Me With Any Requests. Your tips mean more than you could ever know!
paypal.me/kathrynrosefolk or Venmo -- @kathrynrosefolk
I Am Official Now!! Listen - Buy The New CD Here!! https://kathrynrose.hearnow.com/

Kathryn began seriously collecting songs after her grandmother passed away and she discovered a treasure trove of handwritten Irish folk songs tucked inside the piano bench. After that discovery, Kathryn transitioned from a classical singing background into the folk world. Her favorite musical style is Sean-nós, and she is working on her Gaeilge to perform more of these songs in the future. She performs folk music from both sides of the pond, with an emphasis on Ireland and even a dash of Gaeilge here and there.

Kathryn accompanies herself on the tenor guitar, but at various times in her life has had encounters with the piano, violin, lap harp, ukulele, and tin whistle. Her influences include Susan McKeown, Christy Moore, the Clancy Brothers, Seamus Begley, Sarah Ghriallais, Moya Brennan, and more. With her melodic voice, her love of world cultures and her attention to detail, she continues the tradition of Celtic folk music as an artist, a performer and an inspiration for peace and harmony in a complicated world. Kathryn and her husband live in somewhat peaceful harmony with their brood of hooligan cats.

More on Kathryn Rose Facebook Profile: https://facebook.com/kathrynrosefolk or check the Facebook Event.

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John Whelan Master Sessions #12

Catherine and John McEvoy
Saturday, January 30th, 2:00 PM

Online via Zoom

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.

Since last March, John has stepped up his online activities, and his latest project is Master Sessions with John Whelan.

John says:
My next Whelan Master Session is happening next Saturday, January 23nd, 2:00 PM, with John' friends Catherine and John McEvoy.

Born in Birmingham, Catherine McEvoy (flute) came to live in Ireland in 1977 and joined the vibrant revival of traditional music happening at that time. She was a member of the ground-breaking, first all-female group 'Macalla' who recorded two albums on the Gael-Linn label in the early '80s. Catherine was also a member of the 'three in a row' All-Ireland Tain Ceili Band.

Catherine is a regular performer and teacher at many festivals around Ireland and worldwide, including the Willie Clancy Summer School in Co. Clare, and extensive teaching and performing tours throughout the USA, including the Catskills Irish Arts week, Minnesota Irish Music Festival, Friday Harbour Irish Music Festival, O'Flaherty Retreat in Texas and the Tionol in St. Louis. Most recently, in early 2020, she toured Australia and New Zealand with Boxwood. Catherine is a regular guest teacher at the University of Limerick, where she conducts masterclasses with both BA and MA students.

Catherine has performed on RTE Television, Radio BBC, and TG4. In 2019, she joined the prestigious list of musicians who have been awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Musician.

Catherine has two solo recordings, 'Music in the Sligo Roscommon Style' (CIC, 1995) and 'The Home Ruler,' (CIC, 2008), and a number of compilation CDs. Catherine also recorded 'The Kilmore Fancy'(2005), a fiddle/flute duet album, with her brother John McEvoy a much-respected fiddle player, performer and tutor throughout the traditional music community. All of these recordings have been in the top three Traditional albums in their respective years.

Catherine has also toured for the Arts Council of Ireland and also the Arts Council of Northern Ireland with fellow musicians Mícheál Ó (Concertina) and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (fiddle), who now performs with 'The Gloaming.' The culmination of this tour was a CD called 'Comb Your Hair and Curl it' (2010) which received critical acclaim.

John McEvoy is a fiddle player, composer, and member of the Irish traditional group Gatehouse. He spent his early years in Birmingham, UK, where he performed with the local ceili Band and in a much lauded fiddle and flute duet with his sister — well-known flute player and 2019 Gradam Ceol winner, Catherine McEvoy.

Settling in Ireland in the late '70s, John he was invited to join a number of groups including Keeperhill, Kelp, Donal Lunny's Orcheilteach and Sean Pott's Bakerswell tour of the USA in 1988.

Returning to Birmingham in 1989 he became a regular at the Bull's Head in Digbeth and performed extensively throughout the UK with the popular Ivy Leaf Ceili Band.

Since returning to Ireland, John has been involved in a number of initiatives with many of Ireland's leading musicians, guesting with Providence during their successful 2003 tour of the USA, featuring with his sister on their highly acclaimed album The Kilmore Fancy, and with John Wynne on Pride of the West. In 2011 he completed a very successful Music Network Tour, Crossing the Shannon, with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, John Blake, and John Wynne. In 2012 he released his second solo CD, described by Folkworld as '… pure, timeless trad.'

More recently John has been performing with the group Gatehouse, described by The Living Tradition, as '… a band to look out for in your travels…' A tutor at the Willie Clancy Summer School since 1980 and an adjudicator for CCE in Ireland and the UK, he has broadcast on numerous Radio and TV programmes and conducted fiddle workshops throughout Europe, the USA, New Zealand and the UK. Recently he featured in the highly successful Meath Beo 2020 and Roscommon Art Centre's 'Reel thing' series of recitals and in an online concert for the 'Return to London' festival.

The Saturday master session is open to players and listeners of all levels, from anywhere in the world. It'll start at 2pm Pacific time, 5pm Eastern time, 10pm GMT, and run for two hours. The master sessions do have a requested $20 donation for attending and we need at least 30 attendees to ensure the musicians are adequately compensated, so please share this with anyone you know who might be interested. Just email John at whelanbx1@me.com for more details.

All attendees need to do is make their donation via paypal.me/buttonboxman or by Venmo to John-Whelan-37, and make sure to note that it is for Whelan Master Session #9. We'll send out the Zoom link and tune list for the master session on Friday, and any last-minute sign-ups will get the link and tune list about an hour before the session starts on Saturday.

Easily sharable information on all John's master sessions lives here.

P.S. John's Wednesday 'Taking Time' slow session is still continuing as well - Check it out here: http://johnwhelanmusic.com/slow-session. It remains free and open to all, and we'll send out a tune list and Zoom link for tomorrow's 'Taking Time' Wednesday sessions. Email John at whelanbx1@me.com to get on the list or for more details.

Get more details on Johns website: http://johnwhelanmusic.com

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The Black Donnellys LIVE

Dave Rooney and Dave Browne
Saturday, January 23nd, 8:00 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.

The 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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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 Michael McGoldrick joining us from Nashville, TN.'

• January 31th, 2021: Michael McGoldrick — Details
• February 07th, 2021: Máire Ní Ghráda — Details

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

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Kevin Burke / Celtic Fiddle Festival
with guest appearance by Andre Brunet

Sunday, January 31st, 1:00 PM PST
Presented by Tune Supply

Online via YouTube Live

Tune Supply is proud and honored to present Kevin Burke and the Celtic Fiddle Festival with a guest appearance by Andre Brunet.

Watch LIVE at https://youtube.com/tunesupply

Join this world-renowned quartet as they celebrate the violin in all its globe-trotting variations. Fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaître (Brittany, France) and Charlie McKerron (Scotland) showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles. With acclaimed guitarist Nicolas Quemener (Brittany), the quartet combines their talents, musical traditions, and spontaneous humor for an evening of dazzling energy and subtle grace.

A guest appearance by Québécois fiddler and former band member, Andre Brunet, will be a delightful bonus. This is Celtic Fiddle Festival's first online performance.

This concert is free and open to the public, but it is entirely made possible by community contributions. If you are able, please consider contributing what you would pay for a concert ticket, with our sincere thanks!

https://donorbox.org/ts-presents-cff

See you at the concert on January 31st!

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Amelia Hogan LIVE ONLINE
from the Hobbit Hole in San Francisco

Sunday, January 31st, 1:30 PM

Online via Zoom

Amelia Hogan sings traditional Irish, Scottish, English and American folk songs from across both sides of various ponds.

Watch LIVE on Zoom — Get $10 Tickets Here.

Amelia says:
As those of you who followed my 2020 quarantine concert series know, my concerts create an intimate, thoughtful atmosphere. Come join me this Sunday at 1:30 PM as I sing and play both lap harp and shruti box, live on Zoom!

Our music will take you on a journey, from light and fun songs, through soulful and meaningful works addressing the challenges in life, to uplifting sing-alongs that leave you ready to conquer the world, or at least the laundry pile!

There will be two sets of approximately 40 minutes each, with a ten-minute intermission to refresh.

Amelia's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/user/ameliaisaverb
Amelia's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ameliahogansings

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ILHS Speaker Series
with Historian Ciara Ryan
Butte's Cultural Comrades and Political Poets:
Seán 'Irish' O Sullivan and Séamus 'an Spailpín Fánach' Moriarty'

Sunday January 31st, 5:00 PM

Online via Zoom

The ILHS Speaker Series returns on Sunday January 31st at 5:00 PM via Zoom. This month's speaker is Historian Ciara Ryan who will discuss Butte Montana's Irish community in the early 1900s, and Butte's Cultural Comrades and Political Poets, Seán 'Irish' O Sullivan and Séamus 'an Spailpín Fánach' Moriarty'.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89961706935
Meeting ID: 899 6170 6935 

Hailing from Gaeltacht areas throughout Ireland's west coast, these Irish were immersed in Gaelic culture, language and oral tradition, all of which they cultivated assiduously while in the United States. Like most exiles of their time, O Sullivan and Moriarty left Ireland with minimal education, yet they became two of the most respected and prominent leaders supporting the Irish language and its cause at a pivotal period in both Butte's and their native country's history.

This talk sheds light on the two men's friendship, their similar interests and writings and traces their involvement in cultural and political activities in Butte and San Francisco. Ciara Ryan was born in Limerick and  received her PhD from University College Cork, Ireland.

Ciara Ryan was born in Limerick, Ireland and first came to the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship to teach with the Irish Studies program at University of Montana. She received her PhD from University College Cork, Ireland. She recently contributed a paper on Butte's Irish bard Seán 'Irish' O Sullivan in the collection North American Gaels: Speech, Story, and Song in the Diaspora published by McGill-Queen's University Press (2020). Her talk draws primarily from her doctoral research.

For more information in the Irish Literary and Historical Society, check the website: http://ilhssf.org

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Eamonn Flynn's Lá Fhéile Bhríde

Monday, February 1st, 1:00 - 2:00 PM PDT

Facebook LIVE, from San Francisco, CA

Join Eamonn for another piano man show! Click Here to go to his Facebook Profile, and then look for the little red LIVE button.

Eamonn Flynn says:
Join us for a virtual holiday for songs and tunes in honour of Brigid and the first day of Spring.

St. Brigid's Day is linked to the Celtic festival of Imbolc, heralding the return of spring on February 1. The Celtic Goddess Bríd was regarded as a goddess of healing and the ancient Celts acknowledged her on this day as the day that signaled renewal, new growth, and escape from darkness.

Please send me requests ahead of time if you can at eamonnflynnmusic@gmail.com. If not I'll just go ahead and attempt and possibly murder them anyway. Donations not expected but gratefully accepted from $1 to $1 million at paypal.me/EamonnFlynn371 or Venmo: Eamonn-Flynn-2.

Click here to check out the Black Coddle video: Click Here to view the music video 'Black Coddle'

Eamonn's recent album, Black Coddle , has a unique blend of Irish and American music and featuring Eamonn's original songs, vocals and piano front and central. The album features contributions from some amazing Irish and American musicians, including Michael, Shay and Róisín O from the Black Family, Chris Cain, Jeff Tamelier, Todd Denman, Darryl Anders, Kevin Hayes, Tamar Gillette, Sanara Pippins, Jamie Brewer, Conor Brady, Joel Jaffe, Mike Rinta, Shelly Bukspan, Jorden Bukspan, Andrew MacNamara, Cormac Gannon, Blyss Gould and Ruth Davies.

Dublin, Ireland born keyboardist, singer and songwriter Eamonn Flynn was the session Hammond organist and pianist on the 14 million selling movie soundtrack 'The Commitments'.

More on the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/252296956255147

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Virtual Lark Camp

Friday, February 5th - Sunday, February 7th 12:30 - 10:30 PM

Online Events via Zoom, with evening concerts on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live

Last time was so much fun we decided to do it again! Join us Feb 5 — 7 for special Virtual Lark events! REGISTER FOR FREE to enjoy events each of the three days. Each day will include a combination of Zoom workshops and concerts:

• Eight virtual workshops via Zoom (yes — each day!)
• Zoom Happy Hours with fellow Larkies
• One hour performances by instructors and campers
• One+ hour Zoom Jam Sessions

Lark Traditional Arts is dedicated to creating educational events that bring people together through traditional song, music, dance, and arts, and hosts  Lark Camp, the annual eight-day music, song, and dance camp held in the Mendocino Woodlands.

Check out the Virtual Lark schedule, the workshop instructors, and the concerts here: https://www.larkcamp.org/virtual-lark

More info on the website: http://larkcamp.org.

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Mystic Seaport virtual Chantey Blast

Saturday, February 6th, 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT

Online at https://www.mysticseaport.org

Wondering what the #ShantyTok trend is all about? Join us for our socially-distanced Virtual Chantey Blast and you will find out! Bring your singing voice, instrument (or both), cozy up with your computer, phone, or other streaming device and enjoy this online musical experience.

This event is free with a recommended donation, so Sign Up Here!, and then, on Saturday, February 6th, at 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT, join us at https://www.mysticseaport.org

Traditionally, we host a Chantey Blast every year as a fundraiser for our annual Sea Music Festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Sea Music Festival was canceled. However, thanks to two generous gifts from a festival supporter, the Museum saw the safe return of sea music to its grounds. Exclusively via this fund, performers A.J. Wright, Richard Donohue, Don Sineti, Geoff Kaufman, Rick Spencer, Dawn Indermuehle, Denise Kegler, Marc Bernier, Chris Koldewey, Craig Edwards, Chris Maden, Yves Corbiere, Mark Lambert, and April Grant as well as the delightful and renowned musical groups 'The Johnson Girls,' 'The Vox Hunters,' and 'Skylark' were invited to perform throughout the summer, fall, and early winter months of 2020.

The Museum continues to follow the guidance of public health officials with all of its programming decisions and the feasibility of a live Sea Music Festival in 2021 remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is the need for financial support to keep sea music and its traditions alive at Mystic Seaport Museum.

So bring your voice and join the fun!

While the event is free, your donations are greatly appreciated. We encourage you to make your donations online. Donations are also accepted by check payable to 'Mystic Seaport Museum' as well. On the check memo line or in the online tribute box please write either 'Music at Mystic Seaport Museum' or 'Stan Hugill Endowment.' Checks can be sent here.

Explore the #ShantyTok trend by starting on our TikTok account.

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Irish Whistle Master Class with Michael Eskin

Monday, February 8th, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM PST

Live via Zoom

Free workshop best suited for intermediate level tin whistle players with some experience on the instrument.

This week we'll be back to the theme format, and we will be covering how to play 'Slow Airs'.

It would be ideal if you already can play some tunes on the instrument and have at least some basic understanding of ornamentation on the whistle. This is not a new beginner's class, but certainly newer players may benefit from the workshop.

Here’s the Zoom meeting link:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6193681854?pwd=eXd3L2ZEeWNnMDBZYVI0RkJ2c3Vudz09
or if you prefer:
Meeting ID: 6193681854
Password: session

Bookmark my Website here: http://michaeleskin.com/whistle

Check the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/216422536688999

This workshop is free, but if you find the event useful, I would very much appreciate it if you would consider donating a few dollars to my PayPal tip jar:
https://paypal.me/MichaelEskin
Venmo: @MichaelEskin

Michael Eskin
http://michaeleskin.com
Michael's Facebook Profile

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Spring Harmony 2021

Friday evening, April 9th through Sunday evening, April 11th
Pacific Daylight Time

Online via Zoom
Sponsored by the San Francisco Folk Music Club

Join with friends new and old to celebrate our global music community with participatory workshops, concerts, and open sessions for singing, playing, and dancing to traditional music. Spring Harmony 2021 is a benefit in support of Camp Harmony, our annual New Year's gathering, and other San Francisco Folk Music Club programs.

Spring Harmony 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.

• You must register to gain entry to the event.
• Registration will open on March 1st and close on April 1st.
• Workshop proposals will be accepted through March 15th. (See registration form for details.)

Register at: sffmc.org

If you would like to volunteer for this event, prior or during, in any capacity, please contact us at:onlinecampharmony@gmail.com

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

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

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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Lark Camp

July 30th - August 7th, 2021

World Music, Song, and Dance Camp

Mendocino Woodlands State Park

Spend idyllic days and nights in the magical redwood forest filled with music, dance, and good times — that's the Lark Camp experience.

Click Here for the Video by Doug Plummer.

Take as many or as few of the workshops as you like; jam sessions 24 hours a day, big dances every evening. Plenty of good food, new friends, and musical stimulation for adults and families. Workshops for professional and beginner, alike.

Check out the Mendocino Woodlands website: Click Here

Visit http://larkcamp.org, Questions, email: registration@larkcamp.org or call (707) 397-5275 (LARK)

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