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. Learn more in our Video Introduction

Hello AmeriCeltic Reader, • Organizer Patrick Michael Karnahan offers his reasons for moving the Celtic Heritage Celebration from March to June, and from Sonora to Calaveras. (See Below)
• Co-Founder Cecilia Fábos-Becker offers an cautionalry addendum to Patrick's story, describing the challenges to Creating Festivals. (See Below)
• April Halberstadt offers her opinion on the status of the statue of Thomas Fallon, the Irish-American who first raised the American Flag on the West Coast of the United States in San Jose, CA. (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)
• 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 Saturday, April 10th, the United Irish Cultural Center will stream Maire Clerkin telling the story of The Magic Shoes at 10:00 AM, as well as a LIVE interview with Gasman Cormac Gannon at 1:00 PM, and then LIVE music from 3:30 PM by those same The Gasmen, as well as outdoor dining under their 1800 sq.ft. 'Big Top', in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 10th, at 1:00 PM, Sin Silver, will perform her piano bar show with the theme Songs with 'Me' in the title. Stay safe at home, and stream it online from from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) in Concord, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 10th at 2:00 PM PST John Whelan conducts the 21st in his series of Online Master Sessions, featuring Wendy MacIsaac, Alasdair White and Anna Colliton! Also, on Wednesday, John offers two free events, a 'Tune Teach' and John's 'Taking Time' Session (See Below)
• On the weekend of April 10th & 11th, North American Convention of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will hold it's 2021 Convention, online via Facebook. (See Below)
• Saturday, April 10th 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, April 10th, 7:00 PM, it's Mari Black and Troy MacGillivaray live in your home Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• Sunday, April 11th 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 Patrick Hutchinson, joining us from Rhode Island, USA. (See Below)
• On Sunday, April 11th, at 1:00 PM, the Irish-American Crossroads Festival will host another virtual event on Zoom with Catherine Barry interviewing Geraldine Finn and Elizabeth Shaughnessy on their successful lives as Irish Immigrants. (See Below)
• On Sunday, April 11th, at 3:00 PM, Golden Bough will perform a free virtual concert, From Ireland to America, LIVE and streamed from their backyard to you Online via Vimeo. (See Below)
• On Wednesday April 14th, at 7:00 PM, and every 2nd Wednesday of the month, The St. Andrew's Society of San Francisco hosts another Whisky Wednesdays event online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Wednesday, April 14th, at 8:30 PM, Dan Vado hosts Peter Daldry in a LIVE streaming show online from his Art Boutiki Music Hall, in San Jose. Multi-camera video and professionally mixed stereo sound make this a show to put on your big screen. (See Below)
• On Thursday, April 15th, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Michael Eskin offers a free, Irish Whistle Master Class / Workshop / Geekfest live on Zoom! (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 17th, at 2:00 PM, the Jig Monkeys Duo (James Wilson & Bob Waller), will perform at Husick's Taphouse, just past the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 24th, at 9:00 AM PDT, Community Music School of Santa Cruz will present Spring Session, a weekend of online Celtic music workshops as part of our Redwood Music Camp, online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Saturday, April 24th, at 12:00 PM PDT, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas will present the fifth in their series of seven retrospective concerts, online via Mandolin.com. (See Below)
• On Sunday, April 25th, at 3:00 PM PDT, you can join a Canadian fiddling workshop with April Verch 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)
• 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)
• Over this pandemic period, Autumn Rhodes organized a phenomenal international project, Playing for The Plough and Stars to support that cherished Celtic cultural institution, and now you can enjoy the dozens of resulting videos. (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)
• 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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Changes for Celtic Heritage Celebration

CEO’s Open Letter to the Celtic Faire-going Public

By Patrick Michael Karnahan - Published 2021-04-09

Thanks to Celia Fábos-Becker of AmeriCeltic for asking why we are moving our Celtic Heritage Celebration back to the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. Please get your reading glasses out, because this is going to be a long answer.

The explanation for our return to the Calaveras County Fairgrounds is three fold. The facility at Sonora, according to the State Fire Marshal, has numerous fire and safety code violations that have not been dealt with. The fire marshal came close to shutting down the facility in 2019 because of these deficits. We were inspected twice during our event. Once in 2019 and a return visit in 2020. The Sonora Facility had inadequate emergency lighting and many of the exit signs in the buildings did not work.

The State Marshal charges $230 an hour and also charges travel time from either Sacramento or Fresno. When the facility at Sonora got these bills, the facility manager passed the entire amount over to me to pay. The one bill for the Celtic Fair alone for the fire marshal visit was $4,300. Now mind you, that's after I've already paid the fairgrounds around $18,000. I feel this is major extortion to have somebody who's renting a facility pay for an inspection that involves the actual facility not being compliant. Let me tell you, it's pretty scary, when the State Fire Marshal tells you that the facility you are renting has major fire code violations, and threatens to close down the event that you've been planning a year, while you're sitting on hundreds of vendor and entertainment contracts. Think about it also this way: a state agency inspecting a state run facility, passing down the entire bill to the renter of the facility.

Our second reason, and you all know this already, is parking parking parking.

Read More...

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Editorial: Creating Festivals

Cautionary Addendum

By Cecilia Fábos-Becker - Published 2021-04-09

It is not just this current pandemic that threatens to cancel our cultural events. Patrick Michael Karnahan's story (above) is a cautionary tale about the challenges he has had in creating and maintaining one of our cherished summer festivals, and there are many more such stories. The next time you are inclined to complain about a ticket price for an all day event with multiple types of entertainment, food and beverages, you might want to remember these stories.

Each fairground and park operates and is managed differently. A few years ago, we made inquiries about setting up a Celtic festival at the History San Jose Park in San Jose, CA. We heard from the park manager that there was no non-profit discount, despite having heard from city officials there might be. We learned that it would have cost us over $15,000 minimum to hold the event, and we would have had to bring in all operational personnel ourselves.

In contrast, Ardenwood Historic Farm, a park located about 25 miles away in Fremont, CA, in another county, Alameda County, coordinated with organizers of the Celtic festival run by Gayle Wayne and Wee Hands Productions and made their own park staff available for many of the needs, and did offer discounts for different types of events. We were looking at San Jose as a possible venue since Gayle had moved to Seattle for several years. Since she returned, she has learned Ardenwood's policies have also changed, and additionally, they have much less interest in Celtic festivals, or Renaissance Festivals, perhaps due to the changing demographics of Fremont. We've heard, indirectly, that the new park management believes there are no longer enough persons in the local area who are Celtic and would be interested in such a festival, and that generally, ethnic groups do not go to each other's festivals. They suggested a 'bigger festival', and that we include more ethnic groups that comprise the California of today. It would not have allowed any group to stand out and would minimize each and all. It would have been hard to come up with a distinctive unifying theme. Apparently the park officials are studying the same demographics numbers we have. We've learned that as of 2010, there was both a smaller percentage of people who identified themselves as Irish or Scottish and a smaller overall number than even the Sacramento area. It's only about 6% in San Francisco County, and less in other bay area counties and the numbers for most bay area counties together are less than Sacramento and its fewere, less populous adjacent counties.

Read More...

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Editorial: Create task force to openly discuss SJ's Fallon statue

Controversy offers opportunity to explore our local history and perhaps come to understanding and consensus

By April Halberstadt — April 1st, 2021

In recent weeks there has once again been considerable discussion about events that shape our heritage. This debate has now reached the level of damaging community art and demanding that reminders of our Californio heritage be removed from public view.

This time the equestrian sculpture celebrating California statehood is the target; in recent years the Veterans War Memorial was damaged by protestors. As the result of the repeated damage and ongoing threats, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has sent an official memorandum to the Office of Cultural Affairs, requesting that the city begin the formal process of 'deaccessioning' the art piece, commonly referred to as the 'Fallon Statue'.

Deaccession will be a time-consuming process and can be quite expensive, almost as expensive as creating and placing a piece of public art. The statue was originally designed to support San Jose's identity as the location of California statehood when America became a nation with two coasts. The equestrian sculpture was placed around 2002, one of a collection of San Jose art pieces celebrating Pueblo Uno, agricultural heritage, the work of Ernesto Galarza, and our Fondadores.

Read More...

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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.

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.

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 by April 6th to gain entry to the event. Register at: sffmc.org
• View the schedule at: https://tinyurl.com/yjg89a9d
• 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.

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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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.

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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United Irish Cultural Center

LIVE MUSIC! The Gasmen
Wawona Gates Outdoor Dining
Now offering limited Indoor Dining
All Saturdays in April from 1-8 PM

2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

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!

All this month, we will show NCAA basketball on our four outdoor TV's when open. At $13/month, UICC membership costs less than a Netflix subscription, and is an whole lot more fun!. Sign up today at the UICC website.

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

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Sin Silver

Saturday, April 10th, 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 Songs with 'Me' in the title. 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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John Whelan Master Sessions #21

Saturday, April 10th, 2:00 PM
Wendy MacIsaac, Alasdair White and Anna Colliton
Wednesdays: Free Tune Teach and 'Taking Time' Session

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 March 2020, 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, April 10th, 2:00 PM, with my friends Wendy MacIsaac, Alasdair White and Anna Colliton.

Hailing from Creignish, Cape Breton, in Canada, Wendy MacIsaac is renowned for her mastery and command of Cape Breton fiddling in its most traditional sense. She is also a sought-after fiddle teacher, piano accompanist, and step dancer. Wendy is a founding member of Beólach and has performed with Capercaillie, The Chieftains, Ashley MacIsaac, the Cape Breton Summertime Revue, and Heather Rankin and the Rankin Sisters. Wendy has recorded on more than 20 albums, including four of her own.

Originally from the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scottish fiddler Alasdair White may be best-known as the virtuoso fiddle player in the hugely popular Battlefield band. Alasdair was hailed as a maestro on the fiddle by age 13, and was selected to represent the Western Isles at the Millennium Dome in London. He began touring the world with the Battlefield Band at just 18 years of age, and released his first solo album, An Clàr Geal, in 2006.

A native of Chicago, Anna Colliton is one of the leading exponents of the bodhrán in the USA, regularly teaching and performing at festivals across the country. Anna is currently a member of the Boston-based traditional music quartet Ship in the Clouds, has played with numerous bands including Cherish the Ladies, Comas, the Paul McKenna Band, and Girsa, and recently returned from a three-year residency of daily performance at the International Showcase at Epcot Theme Park.

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.

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. We send 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.

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

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2021 North American Convention
of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

April 10th & 11th

Online via Facebook

The North American Convention of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the highlight of the calendar year on this side of the Atlantic. The CCÉ North American Convention 2021 will be hosted online via this Facebook page on the 10th & 11th April

The North American Convention brings together the 6 Regions in North America (West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Canada East & Canada West) for a weekend of fun activities, sharing culture, education and ideas on how to progress into the future.

The 2020 convention which was scheduled for San Francisco had to be postponed as a result of Covid-19, and subsequently the correct decision was taken to reschedule the next 'in person' Convention for 2022. Comhaltas as an organisation has shown its resilience over the decades and its commitment to the aims of preserving and promoting Irish culture, and we are delighted to give the 2021 Convention a virtual makeover taking all our events online.

Across the weekend we will feature a showcase concert, workshops with incredible musicians, singers and dancers, showreels from past convention & Fleadhanna and also hosting our all-important meetings around shaping the future of the organisation.

Details for all events will be posted on this page, and we will feature live broadcasts on this page too – so click the like button to subscribe to future updates and share with your friends too!

The Comhaltas North America Virtual Convention 2021 will be hosted over the weekend of April 10th & 11th

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Sláinte's Sea Shanty Saturday

Saturday, April 10th 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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Mari Black and Troy MacGillivaray

Saturday, April 10th, 7:00 PM

Online via Zoom

It goes without saying that last year caused an impact on our popular concert series at St. Mary's resulting in the cancellation of two fantastic shows featuring brilliant fiddlers, Mari Black and Troy MacGillivaray. So, we are so pleased that these two are back, and have teamed up to bring us a virtual event to celebrate spring! It will be a high impact evening, with music from Ireland to Scotland to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Mari always has a few interesting tricks up her sleeve, and Troy always brings that energized Cape Breton dance beat! Your ticket purchase will benefit the artists and our Celtic music program at St. Mary's By-The-Sea. Please use this link: https://noonchorus.com/stmarys-mariblack-troymacgillivray.

For more info or if you are having trouble with the link, call or text me at 831-224-3819 or email fiddlejamjp@gmail.com.

This will be an exciting show exploding with the joyous sounds of spring and the promise of good things, including live music, to come! For more info about the artists and the show, see below. Please support performing musicians by purchasing a ticket today!! For more info about St. Mary's see www.stmarysbythesea.org <http://www.stmarysbythesea.org.

More details in the Facebook Event

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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 Patrick Hutchinson, joining us from Rhode Island, USA.

• April 11th, Patrick Hutchinson — Details
• April 18th, Will Woodson — Details
• April 25th, Donnchadh Gough — Details
• May 2nd, Chris McMullan — Details
• May 9th, Tom Klein — Details
• June 13th, Eoin O Riabhaigh — 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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Oral Histories of the Irish

Sunday, April 11th, 1:00 PM

Sponsored by Irish-American Crossroads Festival
Online via Zoom

In this 10th anniversary event of the Irish Oral History Archive of the San Francisco Bay Area, we feature two Bay Area Irish participants in the archive, Elizabeth Shaughnessy and Geraldine Finn. Elizabeth Shaughnessy is founder of the Berkeley Chess School and regularly represents the Irish national team at the Chess Olympiad. She has lived in Berkeley for more than 30 years. Geraldine Finn is Senior Director, People Strategy & Innovation at Twitter. Catherine Barry, lead interviewer for the Irish Oral History Archive, will moderate this event.

Registration is required: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RqmyG39xRzm6Za5vgqKLkQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Golden Bough LIVE online
From Ireland to America

Sunday, April 11th, 3:00 PM

Online via Vimeo

Acclaimed trio, Golden Bough, will perform a free virtual concert, From Ireland to America, LIVE and streamed from their backyard to you. RSVP to paul@goldenboughmusic.com and a concert link will be provided. All you need is an internet connection!

Rooted in the traditional music of the seven Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, The Isle of Man, French Brittany and Spanish Galicia), Golden Bough has become a popular and in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic. Since their formation in 1980, this trio of modern day minstrels has traveled great distances to numerous countries, to bring their music to enthusiastic folk fans the world over. Backing themselves on an array of acoustic instruments; Celtic harp, guitar, octave-mandolin, mandolin, accordion, violin, penny-whistle and bodhran, they blend their voices in the pristine harmonies that have become a Golden Bough trademark. To date they have released over 30 recordings. In the recording studio, as well as on stage, Golden Bough captures the essence and joy of traditional music.

Here a link to their many music videos

For more on Golden Bough, email margie@goldenboughmusic.com or check the website: www.goldenboughmusic.com.
More information on the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/786545635609210

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Whisky Wednesdays - Charitable Benefit

Presented by The St. Andrew's Society of San Francisco
April 14th, 7:00 PM, and every 2nd Wednesday

Online via Zoom - By Alex J. Sinclair

The Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco is excited to announce another virtual whisky tasting event in our Whisky Wednesdays series.

Each Whisky Wednesdays virtual event explores the regionality of Scottish Whisky, bringing together five tasting samples in one box sent directly to your door.

Flight for April: Glen Moray A Tale of Barrels and Casks
Port Cask
Cabernet Cask
Chardonnay Cask
Sherry Cask
12 Year Aged Heritage

Tickets for April's Whisky tasting will be available till April 7th at the latest so we can make sure we have the best chance for it arriving at your address in time. After then observer tickets will still be available.

Whisky Wednesdays tickets include free shipping for the whisky within the continental United States. If you are purchasing from outside of California, please order well in advance. There is also a reduced ticket for anyone who only wants to observe. All participants must be aged 21+.

The profits of this event will help fund our benevolent activities. Thank you for supporting this event and let me know if you have any questions!

Whisky Wednesdays tickets are priced at $50 for SASSF members and $75 for non-members. Each ticket holder will receive five curated Scotch whiskies (50ml per tasting, 250ml per ticket) highlighting Scotland's regions during our monthly tasting event from the comfort of your home.

For more information and tickets, go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/saintandrewssocietyofsanfrancisco

Alex J. Sinclair
2nd Vice President
2ndvp@saintandrewssocietysf.org
Saint Andrews Society of San Francisco
https://saintandrewssocietysf.org

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Peter Daldry — Scottish Balladeer

Wednesday, April 14th, at 8:30 PM

Streaming Live online via 'Passage' from Art Boutiki Music Hall, 44 Race St, San Jose

Scottish Balladeer Peter Daldry came from Clydebank, Scotland to Northern California has been playing and singing his original and traditional songs all around the West Coast for more than a decade, delivering powerful and passionate vocals, in a Celtic folk contemporary style. Blessed with a strong, smooth tenor voice, Peter sings the only way he knows how, with power, passion and depth of feeling.

'Peter Daldry is a corker with a strong stage presence and a grand way of singing and presenting a song." Ink Notes April 18, 2009 --- By Jean Bartlett, Managing Editor of Jean's Magazines' — Jean Bartlett, Jean's Magazines

'Peter Daldry has a truly remarkable instrument, the voice of a true balladeer. His singing can tell you a thousand stories with just a phrase.' — Baxter Labatos, Sounds New! 2

Click Here for Click Here for Peter Daldry videos. For more on Peter, check www.peterdaldry.com.

Tickets are free, but registration in advance is required at Tickets All Ages.

For more on Art Boutiki, check www.artboutiki.com, call 408-971-8929 or email Dan Vado kahuna@artboutiki.com.

Click Here for full details on Facebook!

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Irish Whistle
Master Class / Workshop / Geekfest
with Michael Eskin

Thursdays, 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.

The next workshop will be a open one. 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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Jig Monkeys (James Wilson & Bob Waller)

Saturday, April 17th 2:00-5:00 PM

Husick's Taphouse, 36510 Riverview Dr, Clarksburg, CA

James Wilson says:
Well, it looks as though Bob Waller and I (James Wilson) will be venturing out to Clarksburg to play some music on April 3rd (and April 17th) from 2:00-5:00 pm at Husick's Taphouse.

Thanks to Mathew Hagan and Lisa Tucker for the venue referral. Come out and join us for songs, tunes, beer, and bbq.

For those who don't remember, I even made a 'gig flyer' as used to be used by musicians to advertise live music performances, but this AmeriCeltic thing wants to do this their own way.

Husick's Taphouse is located just past the Old Sugar Mill, as a beer and bbq oasis in a sea of great wine. Initially opened in 2013 replacing the previous country store, like other such businesses, Husick's was closed down by the pandemic restrictions.

Josh Says:
We are incredibly moved by the support of our loyal customers and the Clarksburg community, your support and continued patronage has lifted our spirits and hearts. We are doing the absolute best to continue to serve you in the safest and most expeditious manner possible. In order to comply with CDC and local health ordinances we have taken all the steps required.

GOOD NEWS!! You can now eat at Husick's again! We have expanded our patio to allow for outdoor dining! Remember, per Yolo County Health Code you are REQUIRED to wear a mask when entering our building.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! - Josh Kress & The Husicks Taphouse Family

Check out Husick's Website.

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Community Music School of Santa Cruz
Spring Session

Saturday, April 24th, 9:00 AM PDT

Online via Zoom

Community Music School of Santa Cruz is once again hosting a weekend of online Celtic music workshops as part of our Redwood Online Music Camp series. 'Spring Session' will take place April 24th and 25th, and includes classes for fiddle, guitar, whistle, harp, Irish tenor banjo, bodhran, and voice. Joining regular faculty Jesse Autumn, David Brewer, Adam Hendey, Rebecca Lomnicky, and John Weed will be Janet Herman (Irish tenor banjo, mandolin) and vocalist Eilis Kennedy from Ireland (voice).

Classes are $10 each, or $75 for an all-weekend pass. Details and registration are all online at https://www.communitymusicschool.org/events/2021springsession. 

More on the Facebook Event.

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Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
The Golden Age of Scottish Fiddle Music

Saturday, April 24th, 12:00 PM PDT

Online via Mandolin.com

Tickets: boxoffice.mandolin.com/products/alasdair-fraser-natalie-haas-the-golden-age-4-24

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas say:
This will be the fifth in a series of seven retrospective concerts, each dedicated to revisiting and updating part of their 20 years of recording and performing together. This concert celebrates their early recording, 'Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Volume 2.' Tunes from the Golden Age of the Scottish Fiddle.

More on the Facebook Event.

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April Verch
Fiddle Workshop

Sunday, April 25th, 3:00 PM PDT

Online via Zoom

Sign Up via Eventbrite

There are many regional styles of fiddling in Canada including Ottawa Valley, Western Canadian, Métis, Maritime, Cape Breton and French Canadian. April Verch will be choosing 2 tunes to teach, that represent 2 of these regions. Instruction will be 'by ear' where April will break the tunes down slowly into small, repeatable sections.

April will show how to take the tunes and build them from the basic melody into your own version of the tunes by implementing left hand ornamentation and bowing techniques. These “tools” will be useful for you to apply to other tunes you play as well. She is mindful of keeping with the roots of this tradition – getting together to make music and have a great time in a relaxed, social environment!

For over two decades, fiddler, singer, songwriter and step dancer April Verch has been recording and captivating listeners worldwide. The Ottawa Valley native has garnered praise from music's heavy hitters including NPR, Rolling Stone, No Depression and more, for her fresh and feisty approach to deep North Americana. Verch's signature sound blends together regional Canadian, American old-time, classic country and more, resulting in a well-rounded tour-de-force of traditional sounds.

On stage is where her diverse repertoire comes to life, with a presence that is versatile, robust, and masterfully executed. Her delicate voice, energetic footwork and stunning playing have brought her to stages across the globe, wowing audiences with her jaw-dropping performance. With 13 albums and over two decades of touring under her belt, she is a seasoned veteran.

Verch won't be the one to tell you about her championship titles, nominations, and awards, or the fact that she was one of 6 fiddlers who represented the Canadian fiddle tradition to the world at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, as part of a segment called 'Fiddle Nation'. Instead, in speaking with her, you'll hear about how passionate she is about sharing her music; in small gatherings in remote communities in Iqaluit, to large prestigious concert halls like Mozartsal in Vienna.

Verch's ability to preserve the authentic folk traditions of the past and reintroduce them into the musical landscape of the present is a testament to her masterful musicianship and widespread appeal.

On July 24, 2020 April Verch released a new album, Top of the Hill , made for children & for the young at heart! April has also released a video, I Want to Help (an April Verch original) of one of ten tracks from Top of the Hill

More details and downloads on April's website: https://aprilverch.com

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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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