us on Facebook
Your $<<Amount>> donation of any amount is very welcome and will help us prepare and distribute these newsletters, support our Mission, and continue our public outreach, as we did at several Celtic Events last year and will do online throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing period.
Join our Celtic-compatible community on Facebook in a modestly moderated meetup.
Join Group
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
.
Learn more in our Video Introduction
• On Saturday, July 31st, from 1:00 - 8:00 PM it's 'Goodbye July', at Wawona Gates, the United Irish Cultural Center's, 1800 sq.ft., 'Big Top', outdoor dining venue in, with Fret & Fiddle, LIVE from 4:00 PM, San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Sunday, August 1st at 11:00 AM, Piper Sundays, an hour and one half long Zoom meeting is hosted Patrick D'Arcy, returns with guest Michael Stribling joining us from Tallahassee, Florida. (See Below)
• Wednesday, August 4th, Lark Camp Online, the Zoom version of Lark Camp's annual Music, Song, & Dance event for 2021 that is usually held in the Mendocino Woodlands, starts a four day run through Sunday, August 8th, 2021. (See Below)
• On Friday, August 6th, from 10:00 AM through Saturday, August 7th, whenever, a loosely organized band of fretted dulcimer players and friends of the dulcimer will hold a so-called Kindred Gathering, as they have done for the past 46 years, and since this will be An Open Zoom affair, you are all invited. (See Below)
• On Saturday, August 7th, at 10:00 AM PDT (9:00 AM AKDT), it the Galway Days Festival, A Full Day Of Irish Song, Dance, Music, Poetry, And More, available virtually anywhere, as well as in person in Anchorage, AK. (See Below)
• On Sunday August 15th, Noctambule, Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor, release their new album, EVERY MIGRANT IS MY FELLOW, with a day of Online Concerts, beginning at 11:30 AM PDT, via YouTube and Facebook Live. (See Below)
• On Saturday, August 21st, Redwood Dulcimer Day kicks off at 9:00 AM PDT. Co-sponsored by Community Music School of Santa Cruz and Gourd Music, this annual day of dulcimer workshops takes place Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Saturday and Sunday, August 21st - 22nd the Midsummer Fairy Tale, An Indie Music & Faire Fantasy Experience, happens at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, CA. (See Below)
• Friday, August 27th - Wednesday September 1st, Heart of VOM, the reimagining of Valley of the Moon Fiddle Camp, returns Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th, from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, its the World's Largest Celtic Festival, aka the 155th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, in Pleasanton. (See Below)
• On Saturday, September 18th at 9:00 AM, its the 44th Annual Fresno Highland Games, at Kearney Park in Fresno, CA. (See Below)
• On Sunday, September 26th, Noon to 5:00 PM, the fine folks in Nevada County will host an in-person KVMR Celtic Ceilidh, at the Pioneer Park in Nevada City, CA. (See Below)
• From Thursday, October, 21st 7:00 AM CDT through Sunday October 24th, the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, the Irish Music Camp Like No Other, convenes in Midlothian, TX. (See Below)
• On Saturdays, at 1:00 PM, Sin Silver, performs her piano bar show, and this week the theme is 'Greatest Hits'. Stay safe at home, and stream it online from from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) in Concord, CA. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, well known button accordionist John Whelan offers two free events, a 'Tune Teach' and John's 'Taking Time' Session (See Below)
• The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, the local Irish Pub bringing the culture of Ireland to downtown San Francisco at 5th and Howard, NOW with LIVE MUSIC! (See Below)
• Music is returning to the cherished San Francisco Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. (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! Every Sunday, there 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 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.
Lughnasadh/Lúnasa/Lammas
Ancient 'First Harvest' Festival
Saturday, July 31st at Sundown
The first day of Autumn is one of the cross-Quarter days, and historically, one of the four Greater Sabbats, and marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Called Lughnasadh or Lughnasa in Gaelic, this festival was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Modern Irish it is called Lúnasa, in Scottish Gaelic: Lùnastal, and in Manx: Luanistyn.
In Irish mythology, the Lughnasadh festival is said to have been begun by the god Lugh as a funeral feast and athletic competition in commemoration of his mother (or foster-mother) Tailtiu. She was said to have died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture. Tailtiu may have been an earth goddess who represented the dying vegetation that fed mankind.
The funeral games in her honour were called the Óenach Tailten or Áenach Tailten and were held at Tailtin in what is now County Meath. They were similar to the Ancient Olympic Games and included ritual athletic and sporting contests. Festival also involved trading, the drawing-up of contracts, and matchmaking. At Tailtin, trial marriages were conducted, whereby young couples joined hands through a hole in a wooden door. The trial marriage lasted a year and a day, at which time the marriage could be made permanent or broken without consequences.
A similar Lughnasadh festival, the Óenach Carmain, was held in what is now County Kildare. Carman is also believed to have been a goddess, perhaps one with a similar tale as Tailtiu. After the 9th century the Óenach Tailten was celebrated irregularly and it gradually died out, but it was revived for a period in the 20th century as the Tailteann Games.
Most activities however would have taken place on top of hills and mountains. The custom of climbing mountains at Lughnasadh has survived in some areas, although it has been re-cast as a Christian pilgrimage. The best known is the Reek Sunday pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July. Excavations on the top of Croagh Patrick determined that it had once functioned as a hill fort, with several dwellings on the summit, proving that this was an important pagan site prior to the arrival of Christianity. In ancient times the mountain was known as Cruachán Aigle, (Eagle Stack) being mentioned by that name in many of the ancient texts. In addition to its literal meaning, the word Cruach is also connected to the Crom Cruach and pre-christian traditions associate the mountain with the festival of Lughnasa.
A number of fairs are also believed to be survivals of Lughnasadh, for example the Puck Fair in Kilorglan, Co. Kerry. Where a wild goat is captured and pronounced 'King Puck' for the duration of the festival before being safely let back into the wild again.
The Christian Church later transformed Lughnasadh from an offering of the first fruits of the land to the first loaves baked from the new wheat, offered at the 'Loaf Mass', which became corrupted in pronunciation to Lammas. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet was born on July 31st, 'Lammas Eve,' the day before Lammas Day.
However, ancient pagan traditions still hold and the word for August in the modern Irish language is still Lúnasa.
↑Top↑
Irish Revolutionary Songs and Music
Irish Musical Event – Matt Seidel & others
Friday, July 30th, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PDT
San Francisco Laborfest
Join Matt Seidel and others for revolutionary folk music from Ireland.
Listen to these timeless songs and learn about the centuries of struggle against colonialism, imperialism, and fascism that inspired them.
Register Here: https://laborfest.net/event/international-laborfest-musical-event-matt-seidel
Find out more about Laborfest on the Laborfest Website
Or call them at (415) 642-8066 or email them at laborfest@laborfest.net
↑Top↑
Fret & Fiddle LIVE from 4:00 PM
United Irish Cultural Center
Wawona Gates 2nd Year!
Saturday, July 31st 'Fret & Fiddle'
Outdoor Dining and limited Indoor Dining
2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
1. Grilled Hamburger $8
2. Grilled Cheeseburger $9
3. Special: Shepherd's Pie $11
4. Grilled Hot Dog on Bun $7
5. Irish Sausage on Roll/Grilled Onions $8
6. Ron's Grilled Cheese $6
7. Chicken Wings with choice of sauce $7
8. Special: Corned Beef Slider $10
Soft Drinks:
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Root Beer
Hot Chocolate | Lucozade
Bottled water, sparkling water
Wine: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Rose
S. Blanc, Prosecco or Champagne
Draft Guinness and 805
Bud, Bud Light
Coors, Coors Light
Sierra Nevada Hazy
Lagunitas IPA
Corona and Modelo
Heineken
Magner's Cider
White Claw
Cocktails:
Margaritas, Mai-Tai, Hot Toddy,
Irish Coffee, Bailey's Coffee
Club Orange, Club Lemon
Club Rock Shandy
Wear mask unless eating or drinking
Maximum six per table
Respect social distance rules
On Saturday, we say 'Goodbye July' at Wawona Gates with Fret & Fiddle, on our outdoor #WawonaGates stage from 4:00 PM.
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 reductions in related restrictions, the UICC is also offering limited indoor dining in their spacious Saint Patrick's Room!
Anne Cassidy Carew is busy collating photos and stories for the San Francisco Irish Dance Exhibition later on this year.
Facebook Event
UICC website
UICC Facebook Page
'Irish Shoppe' Facebook Event
Michael Stribling
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 Stribling joining us from Tallahassee, Florida.
Here is a video preview: Piper Sunday trailer with Tom Klein
- August 1st, Michael Stribling — Details
- August 8th, Ben Jaber — Details
- August 15th, Mac Dara Mac Donncha — Details
- August 22th, Leo Rickard — Details
- August 29th, Kara Doyle — Details
- Sepember 5th, Debbie Quigley — 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
↑Top↑
Lark Camp Online
Wednesday, August 4th — Sunday, August 8th
10:00 AM — 5:00 PM PDT
Online via Zoom
(Main Room)
Th 8/5: Old Time Jam with WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
Fr 8/6: Breton tunes with Shira Kammen & Jim Oakden
Sa 8/7: Swing Dance with David Brown & Simon Lace
Su 8/8: Kids' & Improv Showcase with Susan Spurlock/Yael Schy.
(Room 1)
Th 8/5: Greek Session with Greg Jenkins
Fr 8/6: Euro Slow Tune Session with Jason Adajian
Sa 8/7: Greek Tent Session with Paul Wernick
Su 8/8: Chantey Sing with Peter Kasin and Richard Adrianowicz.
Lark Camp will be Online via Zoom this August 4th - 8th! Registration is open now and it's FREE!
Each day will include 18 workshops, beginning at 10 AM and ending at 5 PM, with a Breema session and lunch break in the middle.
Lark Camp offers workshops for professional and beginner, adults and families — take as many as you like.
These will be followed a happy hour and two evening sessions every night.
Plenty of new friends and musical stimulation!
For the schedule, registration form and details, visit their Website: https://www.larkcamp.org/lark-online-workshops
Register now for workshops, Breema, happy hours, a virtual swap meet, and TWO evening sessions every night. Campers reported they loved the live sessions in February, so we're offering an additional session each day (more variety!) in lieu of having pre-recorded concerts.
• Irish sean nos dance with Maldon Meehan
• Irish Mandolin with Marla Fibish
• Celtic Bodhran with Christa Burch
• Celtic tunes for cello and strings with Summer McCall
• Latin percussion with Emilio Davalos
• Middle Eastern percussion with Mark Bell
• Quebecois tunes with Kevin Carr
• North Indian music with Wade Evans
& many more... See which full workshops are right for you!
• Medieval and Renaissance songs with Shira Kammen
• Greek Rebetiko with Greg Jenkins
• Gaita ornamentation with Suso Vaamonde and Tesser Call
• Mariachi and Traditional Songs with Nydia Gonzalez and Martha Montoya
& many more... See which full workshops are right for you!
View the full details on the Lark Camp website.
↑Top↑
Kindred Gathering
Kindred Gathering Dulcimer Festival XLVII
Friday August 6th - Saturday August 7th
10:00 AM to whenever
Online via Zoom
Here is the Zoom link and info:
Meeting ID: 635 686 8515
Passcode: 524100
More information on the
.
Yes, YOU have been invited to a Kindred Gathering, (KG), happening. Just show up, no pre-registration. You don't need to play fretted dulcimer, But even if you're not one of the regular / semi-regular KG folks, this year – like last – is a special opportunity... The gathering is again being held right there in your house! Just find us there and join in!
This is the 47th Kindred Gathering, KG-47. And again there's no attached flyer with a map, because it's happening in your house. And this year there IS a KG bulletin board with a workshop and concert list. You can write up a workshop, and sign up for a concert slot on the bulletin board!
Last year's KG announcement included jokes about going viral, and about corona.com and covid.com. (Those companies have survived much better than a certain sugar-free candy company did in the 1980's.)
If you have questions about the KG, you can email Jim Burrill, JBurrill@gmail.com, or you can join the Facebook Group, http://facebook.com/groups/kgxl2014/, and post inquiries there.
↑Top↑
Galway Days
Saturday, August 7th, 9:00 AM AKDT
A Full Day Of Irish Song, Dance
Music, Poetry, And More!
Online via Zoom and YouTube or In Person
Sydney Laurence Theatre, 621 West 6th Ave., Anchorage, AK
Join the Irish Club of Alaska for a day of concert sets, workshops, singarounds storytelling and more! This year the we are hosting our local Galway Days Irish Festival as a hybrid, live and virtual event.
Join us in person at the Sydney Laurence Theatre in Anchorage or join us from wherever you happen to be in the world to take part in the fun on our YouTube channel, or hang out in our Reilly's Virtual Irish Pub, where a variety of Zoom breakout rooms will feature friends from Alaska and across the world, let you participate, and visit with friends old and new.
• Free and paid Zoom workshops beginning at 9:00 AM AKDT
• Live and pre-recorded performances beginning at 11:00 AM AKDT
Get Tickets Now to Attend in person
You can find full details and registrations for our free and fee workshops, singarounds and storyteller, or stop in and make your own music at Irish Club of Alaska Website!
↑Top↑
Bruce Victor & Marla Fibish
(photo by Alli Novak)
Noctambule Album Release
EVERY MIGRANT IS MY FELLOW
Marla Fibish & Bruce Victor
Sunday August 15th
Brunch Set: 11:30-12:30 PM PDT
Tea Set: 4:30-5:30 PM PDT
Soiree: 7:30-8:30 PM PDT
Online via YouTube Live and Facebook Live
To attend, just point your browser to Noctambule's YouTube Channel or Facebook Profile, and then look for the little red LIVE button.
Marla & Bruce say:
All the music on our new album depicts, celebrates, or mourns for those who are in life-altering transit: vagabonds of all sorts, migrants, refugees, those newly born, those departing this life.
In keeping with our theme and out of respect for those in these passages, our event will benefit the International Rescue Committee. The IRC responds to the world's most dire humanitarian crises and helps those whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and get control over their lives. In more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, their dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.
Noctambule is Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor. They play a variety of musical forms – traditional Irish tunes and songs, their own compositions written in traditional forms, and compelling settings of a broad range of poetry. This unique collaboration brings out surprising qualities in these seasoned musicians. Their work is rendered with lush beauty, sensitivity and humour on an unusual array of strings - different guitars in varied tunings, mandola, mandolin, cittern, tenor guitar - and their blended voices. A Noctambule experience is like no other - a wake-up call for body and soul.
Noctambule video samples http://bit.ly/2ndIy0x
More music and info:
www.noctambulemusic.com
| noctambulemusic@gmail.com or call 510-205-1617
https://www.facebook.com/noctambulemusic.
Top Row left to right
Jessica Cameau Lois Hornbostel Ehuaki Teves Deborah Hamouris
Middle Row left to right
Laura Devine Burnett Steve Eulberg Dusty Thorburn Neal Hellman
Bottom Row left to right
Ron Beardslee Kevin Roth Peter Tommerup Janet Herman
Redwood Dulcimer Day
Saturday, August 21st, 9:00 AM
Registration is Now Open!
Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves
Now in its 21st year, our annual event - staying virtual in 2021 - offers beginning to advanced music workshops on playing both the mountain and hammered dulcimers. Redwood Dulcimer Day offers a low-pressure, low stress environment where everyone can relax and have fun playing and learning about the dulcimer and just making music.
This year's special guest artists are Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves.
Cost: $60 for the Saturday workshops, $15 for the Friday concert, or $70 for both.
Tickets: https://www.communitymusicschool.org/dulcimer-day
More information (including descriptions of the workshops) is online at the official Redwood Dulcimer Day website.
For additional information contact Neal Hellman: 831-425-4939 or e-mail: neal@gourd.com
↑Top↑
Bountiful and delicious array of themed foods and drinks.
Kingdom Concession will have a variety of themed foods
Auburn Odd Fellows will have a variety of meads, wines and beers from local breweries.
Wicked Stage Shows, Mesmerizing Characters, Interactive Experiences…
Midsummer Fairy Tale
An Indie Music & Faire Fantasy Experience
Saturday, August 21st 10:00 AM - Sunday, 22nd, 5:00 PM
Amador County Fairgrounds, 18621 Sherwood St, Plymouth, CA
The Tossers
Young Dubliners
Old Sea Brigade
The Hunt's
Brother Angus
Adam Hurst (Worldcello)
The Pikeys
Beta Radio
Jessica Malone
Adam Hurst
Black Eyed Dempseys
Come and get lost in dance to the thrilling tribal drums, watch in awe of Indie, Celtic, and Folk bands, be a part of amazing stage shows that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and entangle yourself with otherworldly entertainers and beings…
Buy Tickets NOW! https://midsummerfairytale.eventbrite.com
Full Details at https://kingdomofharron.online/midsummer or on the Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/773778636903396.
↑Top↑
Heart of VOM
(Re-imagined Valley of the Moon)
Scotland, Galicia, and Beyond!
Friday, August 27th - Wednesday September 1st
Online via Zoom
Heart of VOM, the online reimagining of Valley of the Moon Fiddle Camp, returns Aug 27 - Sep 1, 2021 as an intensive 5 days of instruction, camaraderie, and spontaneous zaniness. You are invited to join this joyful adventure in music and community.
THE PROGRAM: An expressly-designed website at https://heartofvom.com will provide the gateway to 'Zoom' spaces that recreate our beloved VOM Fiddle Village. From there, participants can venture into classes led by our fabulous instructors, meander into village gatherings, forums, and even morning yoga. Evening sessions will include a camp ceilidh, late night socializing and games, and more. Active participation and creative collaboration with other online campers will be encouraged. Technical assistance will be available. Please see current draft schedule for details. Classes will be recorded and made available to registrants in the Heart of VOM archive for 3 months after camp.
Let's create some memories to share when next we all meet. What better way to do that than around music, dance and song – with shenanigans thrown into the mix! Whether you attend on your own, or in embrace of a 'pod' of fiddle-minded folks learning and jamming together, we hope you'll be uplifted with a sense of shared experience and connection.
Contact us at heartofvom@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4813337181
Website Address: heartofvom.com
155th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton — Labor Day Weekend,
Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM PDT
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, CA
NOW ON SALE!
Come join us for some Celtic Craic!
This year's Games will be an outdoor-only event featuring Scottish country and Irish dancing, celtic heritage stages, folk singers, heavy athletics, gathering of the clans, highland dancing, living history, piping and drumming, opening & closing ceremonies, Scottish vendors and whisky tasting.
Thanks for your patience, and we hope you can join us on Labor Day Weekend.
Check our event website, https://thescottishgames.com for updates.
↑Top↑
44th Annual Fresno Highland Games
A Family Event To Be Enjoyed!
Kearney Park, 6725 W Kearney Blvd, Fresno, CA
Saturday, September 18th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Event Opens @ 9:00 to 5:00 PM
Scottish Athletic Events @ 9:30 AM
Clan March @ 12:00 Noon
Seniors (60 +), Students and
Military with ID is: $10.00
Children 12 and Under are Free
Mandatory County of Fresno Parking Fees
$5.00/Vehicle — CASH ONLY!!!
The tradition of gatherings of the clans dates back to the origin of the clans, and in Summer we gather, renew old acquaintances and friendships, make new friends, catch up on news of the clans, and compete. On September 18, 2021 we celebrate that tradition here in California’s Central Valley.
You will have the opportunity to hear the pipes, watch, or participate, in the heavy athletic competitions, taste a bit of highland fare, and listen to music both traditional and more contemporary.
Company of The Gauntlet and Rose will perform armored combat — Your paid Admission to the Scottish Games allows you to see their exhibition show. Check them out at https://www.companyofthegaunletandrose.org
Advance tickets and full details available at fresnoscottishsociety.com
↑Top↑
KVMR Celtic Ceilidh
Sunday, September 26th, Noon to 5:00 PM
Pioneer Park, 421 Nimrod St, Nevada City, CA
Please join us for a gathering of the clans during KVMR's Celtic Ceilidh where there will be world-class artists plus our very own Nevada County Youth Arts Program entertainment. Our main stage will host some very exciting, world class Celtic musicians.
Musical headliners for this year will be Alasdair Fraser, Ryan McKasson & Colin Cotter, The String Sisters, Youth Arts Ensemble, Celtic musicians from Nevada County and Chico will host the 'Salem Street Session' to open the day's festivities, beginning at noon.
For a Video Review of a past KVMR Celtic Festival, Click Here!
The Festival is the main fundraising event of the year for KVMR Community Radio which operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity. Held in the early fall, the festival regularly draws over 7,000 attendees for the two days and the promotional outreach extends throughout KVMR's listening area including a worldwide live streaming broadcast over the internet through iTunes and the KVMR website. Proceeds support publicly supported KVMR radio.
Can't make it?
KVMR-FM 89.5 MHz will broadcast the event live on the radio and that audio broadcast can be streamed on their website, https://www.kvmr.org. While there, you can make a donation to support the station: Click here to make a donation.
More information check The KVMR Celtic Ceilidh website or email celtfest@kvmr.org or call 530-265-9073.
↑Top↑
O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat
An Irish Music Camp Like No Other!
Thursday, October, 21st 7:00 PM CDT - Sunday October 24th
Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center, 8060 Singleton Rd, Midlothian, TX
The 18th annual O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat will be this year's premiere gathering of Irish music lovers nurturing the tradition that we hold close to our hearts.
This unique event immerses you in a complete traditional Irish music community for four days of classes, sessions, concerts, dances, camaraderie and learning in depth on dozens of aspects of Irish culture, including Enrichment classes, Informances, and dozens of Workshops.
Each year we invite internationally respected musicians from within the Irish music tradition to perform and teach our classes. Organized by the Traditional Irish Music Education Society (TIMES), we also engage a core group of local and area-wide volunteers and staff who are dedicated to making the retreat a memorable experience for each participant.
This year, we gather on Thursday, October, 21st at 7:00 PM CDT for a BBQ dinner followed by a concert and the airing of a documentary video that was made about last year's virtual event. Classes and other activities begin Friday morning.
Check out our YouTube Channel for videos of everything you can expect at O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.
Named in honor of Jim O'Flaherty, a musician who immigrated from Ireland to North Texas spreading the Irish music tradition through his family, friends and community, the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat continues with Jim's commitment to help others learn, enjoy, and grow in these rich traditions. Read More about our history…
For details, tickets, lodging, etc., please go to our website! www.oflahertyretreat.org
↑Top↑
Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O'Neill
The Cross Keys
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.
↑Top↑
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 'Greatest Hits'. 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 on 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.
↑Top↑
John Whelan
John Whelan Tune Workshop & Session
Wednesdays, 2:30 - 5:00 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 The McCarthy Family.
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
↑Top↑
Break Through your Ancestry Brick Walls!
by Cecilia Fábos-Becker
There are many good basic manuals, both in print and online, that can help you get started researching your ancestors and finding lost cousins, but in over fifty years of research into our own Scots-Irish, Irish, Scottish and Welsh ancestry, I've learned what works well and what doesn't, as well as many useful sources and links.
Now, I have written a book, Ancestry & DNA - Beyond the Basics , to help you, and all Americans find their origins. My book will be especially useful to especially Celtic Americans doing family history research, and it is available for immediate download!
Author Celia Fábos-Becker
• Introduction to Family History Documents
• What are REAL Primary Sources?
• America's Dark Age (1783 to 1850)
• Finding Family Records with online services
• Introduction to Family History DNA
• Using DNA Tests to help Find Family History
• How autosomal, MtDNA, or Y-DNA tests can help
• DNA Testing Company Reviews
• Loads of Examples
Debbie and Mark Nagle
The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant
198 5th St, San Francisco
The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, is a bustling SoMa spot with delicious food offerings to choose from. Large beer selection, wine menu and cocktail list to feast from.
This local Irish Pub brings the culture of Ireland to San Francisco, offering a full bar, Happy Hour specials, and a full Irish restaurant menu, including favorites like Fish And Chips and our signature Spicy Potato Bites which go with any style of sport, music or fun.
Says Publican, Mark Nagle:
We are glad to be back in action and are since re-opening Thursday, July 8th. We plan to go back to 'normal' as best as possible, asking only that you wear a mask and practice Social Distancing if you are not vaccinated.
Good health to you all and look forward to seeing you back at The Chieftain soon! — Mark Nagle
The Chieftain hosts live performers every Friday and Saturday, often featuring new musical talents.
For the latest happenings, check the Chieftain facebook Page, or call 415-615-0916, or email Mark Nagle at mark@thechieftain.com or check www.thechieftain.com.
↑Top↑
The Plough and Stars Update
Wednesday — Sunday 4 to 12 PM
The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, 116 Clement Street at 2nd Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Sean Heaney says:
Music at the Plough is back. We aren hosting an instrumental Irish Traditional session Sunday afternoons at 3:00 PM and a song session lead by Christy O'Connell and Vince Keehan on the second Wednesday of every month at 8:00 PM. 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 COVID pandemic and related public health restrictions put a stop to all that for over a year. The resulting business losses threatened to put The Plough out of business permanently, but a sustained community crowdfunding effort helped keep it going, and now it appears to have emerged intact.
Check The Plough and Stars Website for the latest updates.
↑Top↑
Buncrana at Sláinte
Susan Spurlock, Tedd Colt, Darcy Noonan, Hector Bragado,
Michael Stack, Patricia Ross, Tim Hill, and Autumn Rhodes.
"Buncrana" @ Sláinte Pub, Oakland Sundays
Sláinte is open outside Tuesday through Sunday, 12-8 PM
Sláinte Pub, 131 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Since opening in April 2017, Sláinte has also featured some of the finest local and regional singers and musicians, in live, acoustic performance and quickly become the hot new place for Irish music in the East Bay.
Host Jackie says:
Welcome back to Sláinte Oakland! We’re here Tuesday through Sunday, noon - 10 PM and until midnight Thursday - Saturday with over 75 whiskeys, the perfect pints and a delicious new menu. Come on by. Cead Mile Failte!!!
We are overwhelmed by the support you all gave us on St Patrick's Day! After only being open for a few days before, it was super crazy and we apologize for the long wait times and thank you for your patience and advice. Hopefully we entertained you all while you were waiting. Here's a photo of just one of the wonderful things you might have missed due to the insane crowd - our brand new Irish house band Buncrana! - and they will be back this Sunday, 4 PM to 7 PM!
Thanks again-and if you missed out on St Patrick's Day, we’re back in the kitchen today for delicious Irish food, rain or shine because of our new table coverings!
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.
Contact them at (510) 823-2644 @slainteoakland or check the website https://slainteoakland.com.
↑Top↑
Starry Session Online
First Sunday of each month, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM
Online via YouTube for The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
The pandemic shut down the well loved Starry Plough in Berkeley a year ago, halting the Sunday night Irish session and Monday night Irish dancing that had been hosted there for decades.
A small group of Plough regulars are convening electronically, and have begun a monthly open session online, on the first Sunday of the month, running for two hours and starting at 8:00 PM. It kicked off on Easter Sunday, as that holiday has always been a time for new beginnings--particularly in Ireland.
The online Starry Session is live-streamed on YouTube allowing other people listen, play, sing or dance along. It works like this: individuals among a pre-selected group of musicians will be called upon to lead a dance tune or song in rotation. Everyone else is on mute; they can follow the music at home with their own instruments or voices or whatever. It's not as magical as being able to hear each other, but it can still be surprisingly therapeutic.
You can tune in on THIS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMR8XRkX_HX9NdL7bRKCp-g
Other ringleaders of this effort are Don Clark, Sean Wahl, Michele Delattre and Shay Black, so you might see communications from any of them as this process goes forward.
www.thestarryplough.com ↑Top↑
Darcy Noonan
Darcy Noonan
Available for Performances or Lessons
darcynoonanviolin@gmail.com
Darcy Noonan is an accomplished violinist based in the Bay Area. Following her heart, she has studied and performed a variety of musical genres including classical, ragtime, mariachi, Greek, and (closest to her heart) Irish traditional music. In fact practically the second after graduating from High School she was off to Ireland to study with her idols for a few years.
Darcy has played with numberous bands and orchestras, including Jammy Dodgers, Violins of Hope, Noonan, Howard, and Straw, The Get Happy String Band, Disciples of Markos, Tipsy House and Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano.
Darcy is now back in the Bay Area, and Darcy is accepting students as an expert fiddler and Suzuki certified teacher with years of experience performing and teaching.
If you are interested in booking Darcy for a gig or for violin lessons, send her an email at darcynoonanviolin@gmail.com or visit her website at darcynoonanviolin.com
↑Top↑
AmeriCeltic Logo Items
→ AmeriCeltic Logo Gifts! ←
Shirt, Hat, Mug, Apron or Patch
5 FULLY EMBROIDERED - MADE IN USA
Celebrate your rich AmeriCeltic history and heritage in style and class and support AmeriCeltic by sporting a shirt, hat, mug, apron or patch, all except the mug, embroidered in full color with the AmeriCeltic logo! And don't forget to give one to yourself!
Click Here for the full line-up of AmeriCeltic Logo items.
The AmeriCeltic logo, styled like a coat of arms, commemorates your MIXED, Scots, Irish, Welsh Celtic American heritage! Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the thirteen colonies of mostly Scots, Scots-Irish, Irish and Welsh who joined with many others from many other countries, and together fought tyranny to assert our Independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Click for more information about the AmeriCeltic Logo design
↑Top↑
The Celtic Tea Shoppe
Home of Artisan Candies
4432 Pearl Avenue, San Jose CA | 408-267-7090
The Celtic Tea Shoppe offers a great selection of Celtic and Celtic inspired foods, including:
• Meat Pies
• Sausage Rolls
• Liquor Cakes
• Irish Soda Bread
• Salted Caramels
• Gift Boxes
• Premium Loose-leaf Teas
Everything is handmade at our shoppe in San José, CA and curbside pickup service and shipping are available.
To check The Celtic Tea Shoppe Facebook Page, Click Here!Call us directly at 408-267-7090 or check our website www.celticteashoppe.com for all our other baked goods and confections. To order, contact Kristen Scott with a call to 408-267-7090, or an email to sales@artisancandies
↑Top↑
Auld Dubliner Session Resumes!
Rotating Hosts / Live Irish Tunes
The Auld Dubliner, 71 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA
The Auld Dubliner is a classic, convivial Irish haunt with across-the-pond grub, live music & a full bar turning out pints.
On Sunday's, The Auld Dubliner hosts a classic Irish tune and song session:
Session Leaders:
1st Sunday: Melanie Nolley and co-host
2nd Sunday: Michael Eskin & John O'Hara
3rd Sunday: Patrick D'Arcy & Kira Ott
4th Sunday: Patti Amelotte and co-host
th Sunday: Tim Taylor and co-host
(562) 437-8300
http://aulddubliner.com
New Store in San Francisco
Lark In The Morning Stores in Berkeley and San Francisco
Tuesday - Saturday, noon - 6 PM
Sundays, noon - 5:00 PM
Lark In The Morning, 1001 Camelia Street, Berkeley, CA
and Exploring Music, 814 Clement Street, Inner Richmond of San Francisco
Eric says:
"Our Berkeley location, 1001 Camelia Street, Berkeley, CA, is open for online lessons and instrument sales and Exploring Music, 814 Clement Street in San Francisco, CA, is open and actively seeking new online students. Lark Berkeley is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 – 6:00 PM, and is offering free lessons with the purchase of a ukulele or guitar!"
Thorn Land and Eric Azumi
Lark in the Morning has been a folk musician's favorite since 1974 and has musical instruments and instructional material from all over the world.
You can shop online at https://larkinthemorning.com, call us at 707-964-5569, or check out our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/LarkInAM.
↑Top↑
Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant Across from Apple Park |
The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant
Open 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM every day of the year
10801 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA
Many of you have heard the rumors about the The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant.
For details, Watch the official Video!
The Duke is, and will remain, THE only Authentic, (and we do mean AUTHENTIC!), British Pub in the Bay Area, located across the street from Apple Headquarters on Wolfe Road in Cupertino.
The atmosphere at the 'The Duke', is the same as you would find in any pub in the British Isles, full of friendly patrons who come in to socialize, play darts, have a pint or two, and eat a meal. If you are looking for a comfortable elegance, pints of beer and authentic food, in an authentic English Pub, there is no a better choice in the Bay Area. The Duke offers a large number of beers on draft and by the bottle. Almost anything English, Scottish or Irish is available. Murphy's Irish Stout brewed in Cork, Ireland and Scotch Eggs is always a good choice.
The servers are excellent and very knowledgeable about the beer and food menu. The menu is expansive and worth exploring. The dark pubsy feel with old regulars in their respective, but not crowded corners around lunch hour in Cupertino, is a great boon.
You can't find more 'authentic' atmosphere, because the entire building was built in jolly old England, then disassembled, shipped and reassembled on site in Cupertino. With the red velvet seating and wall paper and ornate, dim lighting, you are transported to London as soon as you enter the etched glass door.
More info. on The Duke Facebook Page, website www.theduke.com or call 408-446-3853.
↑Top↑
Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay
The venerable Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay has a 32 year record of bringing world class Celtic musicians to the Monterey Bay Area and is a key sponsor of AmeriCeltic.
ALL EVENTS CANCELLED DURING COVID-19 PANDEMICClick here for full details of All Celtic Society of Monterey Bay Concerts on the CSoMB website! (Click on 'Video' button for videos.)
↑Top↑
Irish Culture Bay Area
Catherine Barry maintains a separate Irish Culture Bay Area website, with a calendar focused on Bay Area Irish events, supported by the Consulate of Ireland in San Francisco.
ALL EVENTS CANCELLED DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Click here for details of these events and more on the Irish Culture Bay Area website!
Wanna help, comment or get published?
We publish articles or comments that relate to our Mission (see below), to our thousands of Celtic concordant readers. If you have one, email us: Tony and Celia Becker, americeltic@gmail.com
↑Top↑
Click to display the combined AmeriCeltic Calendar, covering the Northern California Coast and Bay Area, and the Celtic Events Calendar, from Chuck Jamison, covering the Central Valley.
To submit an event for listing in our Calendars, email your Celtic event info., including Who, What, Where, Why & Description to us.
Coastal Celtic events - Email AmeriCeltic. Central Valley events - Email Chuck Jamison.
Click Here to use the online form.
We love videos! Include a link to an online video, and you will likely get featured in this weekly newsletter!
AmeriCeltic Mission
AmeriCeltic is a user supported, non-profit service organization. Our Mission is to restore awareness, celebrate and preserve the culture and history of Celtic Americans by promoting live Celtic music, festivals, history & ancestry as well as report and comment on related current events. To help fund our efforts, click here or click on the Donate Button on our AmeriCeltic Website www.americeltic.net.
↑Top↑Copyright 2000 - 2021 www.AmeriCeltic.net
AmeriCeltic@gmail.com