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Sessions

There are a number of free Celtic music sessions in the area where many of the outstanding local Celtic musicians perform in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in or merely to enjoy the music and also have the chance to meet other people with interests in all aspects of the rich Celtic culture.

There's been an update on information for the sessions at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub, 25 N. San Pedro St. in downtown San Jose. Sunday sessions from 5pm to 8pm are by invitation from Art Friedman & appointed session leaders. Contact Art at friedman_art@yahoo.com, and to see how sessions are managed visit www.leap2three.com/id3.html. Tuesday sessions from 6:30pm until late are also by invitation. Experienced Irish style musicians should contact (408) 422-1463 or email leap2three@yahoo.com or visit www.leap2three.com.

There are sessions every Wednesday at a private home in Santa Cruz beginning at 7pm for experienced Irish style players. For info, contact (831)334-1523 or leap2three@yahoo.com.

There is a ‘Genuinely Slooow Session' on the second Saturday of every month at the Unity Temple, 407 Broadway (cross street: Ocean) in Santa Cruz from 11am to 12pm. All levels of musicians are welcome but this primarily targeted at beginners as they really, really will be playing slowly. Any help defraying the rental cost and/or with clean up afterwards is greatly appreciated. For further info, e-mail Ariel at fiddlegirl_sc@hotmail.com.

The sessions in the Monterey area are now being held on the first & third Sundays of the month at the Nifty 50 Café, 1760 Fremont Blvd., #B1 in Seaside starting at 3pm. Directions: Take Hwy. 1 to Canyon Del Rey Blvd. and then turn left on Del Monte, then right on Broadway, then left on Fremont Blvd. & it's in the Olympic Shopping Center on the right. For info, call Marc at (831) 333-1493.

There are three affiliated sessions; on the 1st Sunday of the month at Deli-Licious, 21505 E. Cliff Dr. in Santa Cruz from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, on the 2nd Sunday at The Britannia Arms, 8017 Soquel Ave. in Aptos from 7pm to 9pm & on the 3rd Sunday from 2pm to 4pm, at The Buttery Bakery & Café, 702 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz. For info, contact Tane at (831) 469-3710 or email tachyon@tachyonlabs.com or visit http://lists.sonic.net/mailman/listinfo/santa_cruz_celtic_slow_sessions.

On the second Friday of the month, a session is hosted by the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers Santa Cruz contingent led by Deby Benton Grosjean held at Calvary Chapel on Valencia in Aptos. There is an open session from 7pm to 8pm & from 8pm to 9pm from the massive repertoire of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers. There is one dollar in the basket for musicians. For more info, contact Deby at (831) 566-0441 or Deby.fiddler@gmail.com.

There are Mostly Celtic Sessions on the first & third Tuesdays of the month at 7pm at Caffe Trieste, 315 South First St. in downtown San Jose. The Mostly Celtic website is at www.geocities.com/mostlyceltic.

There is also a Mostly Celtic session every Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm at the La Di Da Café, 500 Purissima St. in Half Moon Bay. For details, e-mail Raymond at mtn_kahuna@yahoo.com.

There is a Tuesday slow session, hosted by the San Francisco Pipers Club, at St. Stephen's Green, 223 Castro St. in Mountain View from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. For info, email Bob.Wilson@acm.org.

Shay Black hosts The Starry Session every Sunday at the Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley from 8:15pm to 11pm. All ages & all musicians, singers & dancers are welcome. For more, visit www.starryploughpub.com/session.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES BY MARY McLAUGHLIN

Internationally renowned Irish singer Mary McLaughlin returns from her continuing studies in Ireland for workshop series & classes. Please register in advance as number of attendees is needed to prepare materials.

SINGER WITHIN WORKSHOPS : Thursday evenings from June 17 to July 29, except for July 8. Singer Within 1, from 6pm to 7:30pm, is for anyone who wants to discover (or re-discover) their inner voice, by learning basic singing skills & developing confidence.

Singer Within 2, from 7:45pm to 9:15pm, for those who have taken Singer Within 1 & are ready to move on to the next level. Register at www.capitolarecreation.com & you'll receive details of location, price, etc.

SPECIAL CHANT WORKSHOPS : Early chant – Gregorian & Byzantine polyphonic chant from the 10th to 13th century, on Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm at St. Andrew's Church in Aptos. Cost $30-$40. Register: mary@marymclaughlin.com. Mary is currently completing her Masters in Ritual Chant & Song at the Irish World Music Academy. You'll learn early Christian chants that have been the foundation of Western Music.

SEAN-NOS SONGS WORKSHOPS: Learn songs in the Irish tradition – Gaelic songs are taught phonetically. Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm, from June 12 to July 17, except for July 2, on Branciforte Rd in Santa Cruz. Cost: $30-$40. Register by e-mail at mary@marymclaughlin.com.

COR ANGLI GAELIC CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS: On Sundays from 1:30pm to 4:30pm, from June 13 to July 18, except for July 4, at St. Andrew's Church in Aptos. Cost: first one is free trial – after that choir fee. Register: mary@marymclaughlin.com.

CELTIC MUSIC NIGHT ON TUESDAYS

The marvelous Celtic music multi-instrumentalist David Brewer, from the popular band Molly's Revenge, hosts a free Celtic Music night that is held every Tuesday at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 9850 Monroe Ave. in Aptos from 7pm to 8:30pm. The evening is for people interested in listening to & learning more about the instruments in a casual, fun, friendly environment, with Brewer keeping things hopping, barley breaking a sweat in presenting music that could malt the coldest heart. Each week there will be a presentation of the music by different performers with related history & cultural context, question & answer and free coaching for those interested in learning Celtic technique & tunes on an instrument. There will also be an informal Celtic jam session with refreshments in the reception hall next door. Join your fellow Celtic music lovers in following the advice of A. Pope; ‘As some to church repair,/not for the doctrine, but the music there.' For more info, contact David at (831) 239-0602 or pipeyspice@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.davidbrewermusic.com.

updated 6/6/2010