Calling all musicians! Jams are open to musicians of all skill levels and experience, and each jam will be facilitated by jam-seasoned local musicians. The Irish session is ably hosted by Jake Schumacher. Spectators welcome.
Saturday, November 3rd, 2:30pm-4:00pm
Rose Bowl
Free
The Shanties – In bars and in concert setting they are New Irish music, an energetic infusion of traditional and pop. Solid for 12 years, according to its fans, and more over the top than ever; rowdy fun with powerful Celtic and pop melodies driven by great fiddle, vocals, mandolin, guitar, bodhran, whistle.
Jay and Pat Landers (Donnybrook) have played traditional Irish music since 1983. Their Intro to Irish Music will include demonstrations on the piano accordion, tin whistle and bodhran drum, and some vocals; plus some recordings and comments about the music they’ve come to know and love to share with audiences. Examples and sources of printed music will be included. The symbols and history of Ireland and its music will be explored. Bring your accordion or tin whistle and we’ll have a “ceili”!
Saturday, November 3rd, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Urbana Free Library Conference Room
Free
Rose Duffy’s dedication to Irish music began at a young age. Her father and sisters played tunes after dinner in the family kitchen, and when she started to study Irish dance, it exposed her to the music before she first picked up a fiddle. At the age of eight, she began to take lessons and has since become a part of Chicago’s thriving Irish music scene, playing alongside musicians such as Liz Carroll and Maurice Lennon. She has played at Millennium Park, has been a member of the Broken Pledge Ceili Band, and is the newest member of Chicago Reel, representing the next generation of Midwest Celtic stars. Rose’s appearance is sponsored by Heartland Gallery and the Piper’s Hut Concert Series.
Monster Buttermilk is a performing unit comprised on musicians who participate in C/U’s weekly Irish music session (every Wednesday 8:30p to 10:30p at O’Neil’s, 301 N. Neil St. in Champaign). We take our name from the creative spelling on an old 78 rpm record of jigs. Continue reading
The Bodhrán is a simple frame-drum, a skin stretched over a wooden hoop, that is played with one or more beaters or bare-handed. Most cultures develop frame-drums and there are a wide variety of instrument configurations and resulting playing styles. Irish music, and more generally “Celtic” music, is no different. The drum adds to the pulse or swing of the melody and emphasizes aspects of the melody in partnership with the melody players. Continue reading
Jay and Pat Landers (Donnybrook) have been deeply involved in performing traditional Irish/Celtic music since 1983, when they were founding members of “Drowsy Maggie,” one of the first Irish folk groups in Louisville, Kentucky. Pat has played the piano for over 50 years and the tin whistle for 29. Jay began private lessons on the piano accordion in 1958. His instrumental repertoire includes many different ethnic genres, plus light jazz and “whatever the occasion calls for.” Jay and Pat can both lay claim to some legitimate Irish and Scottish heritages as part of their lineage and cultural background.
Saturday, November 3rd, 11:45am-12:45pm
Urbana Free Library, Busey-Mills Room
Free
Come learn the basics of Irish Ceili and Set dancing, regarded as the equivalent of contra and square dancing in America. This energetic style of Irish uses sets and figures to progress or dance around the set. Continue reading
The Mugdock Pipers were founded in the 1960s by Mr. Jim Lynch, Urbana, to promote the art of the Highland Bagpipe in the Champaign-Urbana area. Members have been drawn from among UIUC students as well as from the wider community. Current members are from Champaign, Urbana, Villa Grove, and Oakland. Continue reading