BILL BLACK'S "CAPEIRISH"
NEWS/INFO PAGE
A LISTING OF EVENTS AND RESOURCES RELATING TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC
IN THE CAPE COD AND NEARBY S.E. NEW ENGLAND AREA
email:bill@capeirish.com
updated: 11/20/24
Getting my tree up early this year!
I'll be happy to include your SE New England traditional event if you send me an email with the details - try to include as much information as possible, including ticket prices, relevant websites, etc.
NEWS, NOTES, & COMMENTS
THANKS AND THANKS AGAIN
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
. . . to our Cat's Melodeon musicians, through whose efforts at the Auld Triangle session in Hyannis $1700 was raised for the Mass. Special Olympics. As always a big "Bravo Zulu" (well done!) to all who helped.
Nice to see some of "the regulars" back at the Triangle. It hasn't always been easy running a session during the Summer but we got through it somehow!
Next fundraising effort (to mid-December) will benefit the wonderful "Toys for Tots" program that the Marine Corps Reserve has been running for many years. UPDATE: we delivered a check for $1220 to Tim Harrington, the local TfT coordinator, on Sunday 10/27. Goal is to reach $2000 by 12/8!
CHATHAM FIDDLE ACTIVITIES
FROM NIK ENGSTROM - "STANLEY & GRIMM"
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Hi Everyone
It is hard to believe it is November already!!
We are gearing up for our favorite concert of the year and it will be our 15th year at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. So we hope you will join us and help us spread the word.
Here's the flyer I promised everyone:
15th Annual Cape Cod Celtic Christmas Celebration! with Stanley & Grimm
(you might have to "zoom out" a bit on your browser to see all of it)
Saturday December 14th, 7:30 PM
Cultural Center of Cape Cod
307 Old Main St. South Yarmouth, MA
For tickets visit www.cultural-center.org or call 508-394-7100
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Ongoing Sessions:
The Red Nun, Dennisport, Saturdays 6-8PM
The Chatham Squire, Sundays 4-6:30PM
SOUTH COAST MUSIC UPDATE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
From Colin Everett:
Here are the dates and times of some upcoming sessions:
Davoll’s session will continue on the third Sunday of the month, 2:30 to 4:30
Troy City Brewery Fall River: second Wednesday in November & December, 7:00-9:00.
The Mattapoisett library session is scheduled for the first Sunday of the month until May.
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
CAPE COD IRISH SESSION
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Saturdays 3 - 5 pm
featuring Bill Black and musicians of "Cat's Melodeon"
Auld Triangle Pub, 412 Main St., Hyannis
(formerly British Beer Company)
phone 508.771.1776
email info@theauldtriangle.com
JRHSP* for further orders, songs too
* jigs reels hornpipes slides & polkas
My sincerest thanks to "the regulars" (you know who you are!) and guests who make my job as "session alpha" so much more enjoyable.
The Cats at work (?) at the "inaugural session". Thanks to Mrs. Black for the photo!
GOLDEN LANE
= = = = = = = = =
After our Plymouth show on October 9th, all quiet until March. But if anything changes, I'll post it here!
CAPE COD SESSION UPDATES
from Michael Pavan
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Cape Cod Scottish Session
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Scottish and Cape Breton tunes from sheet music.
1st Mondays 7-9 pm East Falmouth
(other dates and locations at times)
Info: https://CCSS.groups.io
Tuesdays - West Dennis
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 to 7:30 pm
Olde Inne "Back of the House" slow session
host: Pam Paine
was Wednesdays; new day effective Jan. 1
Info: https://BotHSS.groups.io
Thursdays - Hyannis (Cape Cod)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5pm to 7pm
Bogey's Pub
(off the main lobby of the Emerald Resort / Irish Village (the old Resort and Conference Center across from the Melody Tent)
35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis.
A mix of genres, not exclusively Irish. Nice folks in charge.
host: Reese Brewer
Info: https://BotHSS.groups.io
IRISH TRADITIONAL TUNE LIBRARY
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I'm pleased to announce that the "ITTL" - my digitized repository of over 9500 trad tunes - is finally finished and available to any musician willing to try it. I have tried to make the site as user-friendly as possible. All the details are on the home page:
www.capeirish.com/ittl/index.html
Have a look when you can. Comments, criticisms, suggestions, etc. are welcome.
WELLFLEET SESSION
= = = = = = = = = = = = =
Following received from Denya LeVine:
Hi folks, Hog Island Surf Lodge, at 842 Route 6, in Wellfleet, is the new site of weekly indoor sessions every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 beginning May 21.
Please please spread the word! If I left off anyone do forward to those who will be interested.
Musicians: just for the first session, let me know if you'll be there so I can arrange enough chairs.
Currently only open for breakfast and lunch, beginning 5/20 Hog Island Wellfleet will be open 7 days a week for breakfast through 9PM.
I understand the website is not always updated in a timely manner. [hogislandbeerco.com/wellfeet]
I'm happy to field any questions. I beg you not to Reply All.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Denya 508-255-5090
IRISH MUSIC INSTITUTE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Earlier this year I received an announcement from piper Seán Gavin about the formation of a new entity called the "Irish Music Institute", which has been created to provide online traditional music training. Quoting from the announcement:
"It is my great pleasure to announce the launch of a new non-profit organization, the Irish Music Institute. Its purpose is to encourage people of all ages to explore the traditional music and song of Ireland. Based in Southeast Michigan, IMI connects a broad network of players, learners, and enthusiasts worldwide. We offer private, online lessons from a top notch faculty with instructors throughout North America and Ireland."
A complete copy of Seán's announcement is here. This sounds like a most worthy endeavor and I wish them the best of luck going forward!
"SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS" Dept.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Elizabeth Sylvia, wife of our good friend and bandmate Colin Everett,
has published a book of poetry inspired by women in the works of
William Shakespeare (you may have heard of him). If you're interested,
the website is:
https://www.elizabethsylviapoet.net
As an aspiring (expiring?) writer myself, I wish her the best of luck.
A very wise man named Don Marquis once described the process of
bringing out a volume of poetry as akin to dropping a rose petal into
the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo. Let's hope that Elizabeth
has more success than he did!
Please take advantage of our links to other websites to keep current on what these and other local musicians are doing these days!
Check out my Goods and Services area - let me know if you want me to list something for you. My commissions are negotiable - or should I say negligible?
GOODS AND SERVICES DEPT.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Various friends have asked me over the years to post information about goods and services they have to offer, which I am happy to do free of charge for anyone who provides me a short description of what's involved and a website or email contact where potential clients can find out more.
Disclaimers:
(1) I reserve the right to decide what goes on this website
(2) I'd like to think these folks know what they're doing, but no guarantees of any kind are implied.
"No Ugly Boat"
----------------------
Since moving to the banks of the Cape Cod Canal in June of 2014, I have assembled a collection of pictures of the various watercraft of all sizes and types that use the Canal. I have put these photos onto a website called "No Ugly Boat"(which name expresses our belief that there are in fact no ugly boats - they're all beautiful, in varying degrees). There are galleries in which photos of vessels of the same type are included. Posters are also available. Click here to go to the homepage!
Artistic services
-----------------------
Andrea Pluhar, local artist, designer and musician, does graphic design for CD’s and can help you set up a website for your self or your band on Squarespace or Weebly. Andrea has decades of experience in design, is technically skilled, is quick, responsive, loves Irish and traditional music of all kinds, and offers reasonable rates. http://www.pluharcreative.com
Duet for weddings, etc.
---------------------------------
Olde Inne session regular Heather Swanson and her daughter Krista Lucich have a violin/cello duet that would be available for gatherings of any kind. Click www.capeviolincello.com for all the details!
Math tutoringCertified math teacher; six years experience teaching on Cape Cod. Available after school, evenings and weekends; MCAS review and preparation. Call Sean Murphy 508.790.0438 for details.
--------------------
Smile - Say Cheese! Dept.
-------------------------------------
Fiddler Casey Atkins is also a photographer who does photojournalism, portraiture, events, etc. You can find examples of her work on her website.
Casey Atkins Photography
www.caseyatkins.com
617.955.5063
"He's Got the Power" Dept.
--------------------------------------
Philip C. Waters
Master Electrician
Residential and Commercial Wiring
Service work, remodeling, fuses to circuit breakers, lighting, heating, phone, cable and data wiring, extra sockets added.
Smoke detectors, ceiling fans and generator installation. Rewiring and general repairs. Small jobs welcome.
Licensed and Fully insured. Lic # A19901
Call Phil @ 508-564-6188 website: philwaterselectrician.com
"Sweet Tooth" Dept.
---------------------------
Our great daughter-in-law Kristen has started a home baking business called "Cape Cakes by Kristen". She'll produce any kind of cake you want for any occasion (think "Cake Boss" on TLC), while at the same time acting as parent for some of the most exquisite, delightful, intelligent children in Barnstable County. If you have a cake requirement (and who doesn't?), contact her.
Phone is 774.392.3469, email capecakesbykristen@yahoo.com.
Expanding Your Repertoire Dept.
-----------------------------------------------
***** Our "Music from the Works of James Joyce" webmaster Frank Weaver has put both recordings on CD Baby so you can purchase individual tracks. (To refresh your memory: these are two great CDs featuring songs mentioned in various works of JJ, performed lovingly by tenor Kevin McDermott and pianist Ralph Richey.)
***** James Kelly's original tune collection, www.jameskellymusic.com. James is a great fiddler originally from Dublin now living in Florida. He made several classic LPs with box player Paddy O'Brien that are "must have" items in any collection of recorded Irish trad.
Update: I have been in contact with James (after many years) and have received a copy of the book and his permission to process it for inclusion into my webABC site. I'll get started on it shortly.
Violin repairs/rentals/sales
--------------------------------------
Dave Swanson, www.swansonviolins.com
Fritz Sonnichsen, Falmouth, 508.274.2632
Rose Clancy, Chatham, 917.416.0139 - roseclancyfiddler@gmail.com
Bodhrán maker/repairs/lessons
------------------------------------------
Mance Grady, www.mance.com
Traditional CDs, books, instruments
------------------------------------------------
The Celtic Fiddler (John Kearney)
Ossian USA (Mary Lou Philbin)
The following session list still needs updating. If you can help, please email me with details. The personal link is for email; the venue link will take you to a website or some other source of phone numbers, directions, etc. All sessions listed are "open" but may not necessarily be "beginner friendly". Check if you have questions. Please email any corrections, additions etc to me at bill@capeirish.com. |
Sunday - West Dennis ------------------------------- 4:30 pm O'Shea's Olde Inne, Route 28 hosts: Sean Murphy and friends phone: 508.398.8887 Sunday - Chatham - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5:00 - 8:00 pm The Squire 487 Main Street 508.945.0945 Rose Clancy & friends |
Monday - Hingham ----------------------------- 5:30 pm (note early start hour) The Snug, 116 North St., Hingham host: Skip Toomey Monday - Cape Cod Scottish Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scottish and Cape Breton tune from sheet music. 1st Mondays 7-9 pm East Falmouth (other dates and locations at times) Info: https://CCSS.groups.io |
Tuesdays - West Dennis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 to 7:30 pm Olde Inne "Back of the House" slow session host: Pam Paine was Wednesdays; new day effective Jan. 1 Info: https://BotHSS.groups.io Tuesdays - Wellfleet click here for the May update |
Thursdays - Hyannis (Cape Cod) ----------------------------------------------- 5pm to 7pm Bogey's Pub (off the main lobby of the Emerald Resort / Irish Village (the old Resort and Conference Center across from the Melody Tent) 35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis. Phone: 508.771.0100 A mix of genres, not exclusively Irish. Nice folks in charge. Thursdays - Providence ----------------------------------- 8:00 pm Patrick's Pub Smith St. (Federal Hill) hosts: Bob Drouin & friends phone: 401.751.1553 |
Friday - Canton ----------------------- 6:00 pm Irish Cultural Center 200 New Boston Rd. (off Rte.138) hosts: John Kearney & Eamonn McGrath info: Mark Lespasio |
Saturday - Dennisport - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5:00 - 7:00 pm Red Nun 673 Main Street, D'port 508.394.2869 Rose Clancy & friends |
Martha's Vineyard ----------------------------- No regularly scheduled sessions on the island but a call or email to Sara Piazza before you go is always a good idea: 617-872-6110 email sarapiazza@sarapiazza.com The Alison Boylston Piazza House 117 Upper Main Street Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts |
Saturday - Plymouth - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 to 9 pm CJ's Pub in the John Carver Inn 25 Summer St. 508.746.7100 contact: Tom Gosselin, phone 617.721.4011 Lots of singing, pleasant but not necessarily for tune hounds Saturday - Hyannis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Click here for info on the Auld Triangle session |