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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.

Wednesday evening sessions in Santa Cruz, are held in private homes. To find out where, e-mail crooked.road@yahoo.com or call (408) 422-1463.

There is a session in Monterey on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Duffy’s Tavern, 282 High St. in Monterey beginning at 3pm. For info, call Marc at (831) 333-1493.

Irish sessions are held every Sunday, from 5pm to 8pm, at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub, 25 San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose, alternately led by button accordionist John Lavelle & fiddler Art Friedman. O’Flaherty’s has also added a weekly Tuesday night session from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. The pub’s phone is (408) 947-8007 & website at www.oflahertyspub.com. For session info, contact Art at (650) 224-5604 or friedman_art@yahoo.com.

The Clifford-Hoban branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann sponsor sessions on the 2nd Sunday of the month at The Britannia Arms, 8017 Soquel Ave. in Aptos from 7pm to 9pm & a session on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm, at The Windmill Coffee Spot, 2-1231 East Cliff Dr. in Santa Cruz. For info, contact Tane at (831) 469-3710 or tachyon@tachyonlabs.com.

There are also CCE sponsored sessions on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm at homes in the Monterey area. For info, call Marc at (831) 333-1493

There are ‘Mostly Celtic Sessions’ on Tuesdays at CB Hannegan’s, 208 Bachman Ave. in Los Gatos which begin around 8pm and you can call (408) 395-1233 for info.

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 grsjn@cruzio.com.

CELTIC MUSIC NIGHT
The marvelous Celtic music multi-instrumentalist David Brewer, from the popular band Molly’s Revenge, has organized 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 about the instruments in a casual, fun, friendly environment. Each week there will be a different presentation of the music 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. Regions to be covered will include Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, Brittany, Galicia & Asturias. Instruments demonstrated will include Highland pipes, cauld wind pipes, uilleann pipes, whistles, Irish flute, mandolin, guitar & bodhran with special guests presenting fiddle, accordion & harp, as well as singing & dancing traditions. To see what the evening is like, visit www.myspace.com/saintandrewcelticmusicnight. For more info, contact David at (831) 239-0602 or pipeyspice@hotmail.com to get on his mailing list or visit one his websites at www.davidbrewermusic.com, www.david-brewer.com or www.myspace.com/davidbrewerceltic. If it’s Tuesday, don’t Belgian waffle about coming out to join the free fun where lashings of great music is Brussels sprouting.



IRISH FESTIVAL CRUISE
Sail along with Mary Black, The Black Brothers, Cherish the Ladies, Tommy Sands & many others from January 31st to February 7th 2009. Departs from San Juan with calls at St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire & Aruba. Rates are from $1190. Details are at http://www.irishtours.com.

updated 6/12/08

Other Links of interest

The website for our friends at The Clifford-Hoban branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is at www.folkplanet.com/cce.

An excellent website for local folk concerts is Kevin McCarthy's, newly relocated at www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html

For Celtic events throughout Northern California, the best website s run by Jim Scarff at www.sfcelticmusic.com.

All items in this newsletter are listed free of charge. E-mail items to celtsoc@aol.com or post to myself, Bob Breheny, 3415 Dryden Ave. Gilroy, Ca. 95020 or phone (408) 847-6982

updated 6/6/07

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Also, Irish Dancing...

Irish Ceili Dances are sponsored by The Clifford-Hoban Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and held on the second Friday of the month at The Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9 in Felton. Ceili dancing is easy to learn and fun for all ages as the lively jigs and reels will carry your feet along. No partner or experience is necessary. Learning the basic steps starts at 7:40pm. The dancing to the CCE's outstanding ceili band starts at 8pm and runs to 10:30pm. Dancers, musicians and listeners are all welcome at this family-friendly event. For info, call Janet at 429-1691 or Linda at 688-5729. Irish Ceili Dances are also being held on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd St. in downtown San Jose.

Scottish Country Dance Classes, led by Bob McMurtry & fun for all, are held Friday at The Grange Hall, 2800 Porter in Soquel at 7pm. For info, call Bob at 335-7459.

The Loch Lomond Celtic Society have board meetings on the last Thursday of every month 7pm at The Ben Lomond Library, corner of Mill & Main Streets, at which all are welcome to attend should you have interest in helping out at The Highland Games and other events. For info, call 457-6716 or log on to www.lochlomondceltic.org.