Newsletter - May 16, 2002
In this issue -- news you should know and dates to highlight:
1. Mojos brings in Celtic music - Seven Nations May 22 and The Paperboys May 24
2. CMCAA planning meeting Sunday, May 19
3. Changes to previously announced events - June 23 (new date), June 9 (tentative)
DADGAD Workshop with Aiden Brennan June 23 - sign up now
4. Boone Co Fire Protection Pipe Band performances coming up
5. Westport Irish Fest in KC May 25-26
6. St. Louis Renaissance Faire, next two weekends
Celtic Music at Mojos -- yes, you read it right! Many thanks to Richard King for bringing
these acts to Columbia.
Seven Nations, Celtic rock band, will bring their fiddles, flutes, highland pipes, electric guitars, bass, drum kit and step-dancing-feet to Mojo's in Columbia next Wednesday night, May 22.
tickets - $10, doors open at 7:30
** This will be a NON-SMOKING show.**
Seven Nations is hot stuff! Don't turn your nose up at "Celtic" and "rock" in the same phrase until you have given these guys a minute of your listening time. The first time I saw them, I got dragged along reluctantly to the "rock stage" at the Milwaukee Irish Fest and ended up dancing on the bleachers with 20,000 other fans. They are great! I went back for their shows the next two days and the year after. We tried to book them to play at First Night Columbia after that, but it was toooooo expensive to bring them for just the one event. They are on tour now, though, and conveniently passing through. I guess this will be
a little different than the bleachers, but good music nonetheless!
You can learn more about them and listen to a few sound clips (not really enough, though) at
www.sevennations.com
Then.... The Paperboys will play at Mojos on Friday, May 24. I'm not personally familiar with this band - here's the promo blurb:
Formed in Vancouver in 1992 by Tom Landa, The Paperboys have been tearing up stages across North America with their fusion of Celtic, Bluegrass, Latin & Roots Pop. The band has been praised for their remarkable talent and show stopping performances, which have taken them from Coast to Coast over 16 times. This six piece group has built an impressive following, playing over 180 shows annually for the past 5 years.
"This young band never fails to deliver a great party and that wonderful feeling in your toes you get from dancing to much. They are not just another Pogues retread. They have their own tapestry of traditional Scot, Brit, and Irish tunes and a growing, excellent bunch of original songs." -The Magazine, Victoria B.C.
"The mixture of swirling violins, the energy of the banjo, guitar, accordion, drums and more, make it impossible to sit still... But lead singer Tom Landa's voice and songwriting talents are reasons to sit still and listen." -The Hour , Montreal.
www.paperboys.com
There will be a gathering this Sunday, May 19 from 3 - 5 p.m. of members of the Central Missouri Celtic Arts Association who want to help guide the future development of the organization. Discussion will include evolving the structure, forming a steering group, examining non-profit status options, ideas for future events, workshops and interest groups,
and promotion/marketing of events.
A separate e-mail has been sent to members with full details. If you are interested in participating but have not yet become a dues-paid member, you're invited to join us and get signed up at the meeting. Drop me a note and I'll forward the details. kakers@chivalry.com
Just in case you're wondering....
Funds generated by membership dues allow us to present the concerts and other events we hope you enjoy attending. Up-front fee guarantees to national and international artists, plus venue fees and marketing make presenting these concerts a bit risky, and having funds to weigh that risk against allows us to book a concert with the confidence that should
something go awry (like INS visa approvals not coming through in time), the folks organizing the event won't personally have to offset any losses. So those membership dues really do make a difference in our ability to hold events. And it gets you a discount for most
concerts, too! There's a membership form on the web site: www.moceltic.org
Some changes to events previously announced --
Eigse 2002 in St. Louis has been cancelled. This event was planned for Memorial Day Weekend by UMSL and St. Louis Irish Arts, but unfortunately they did not get enough advance registrations to make it viable. Bummer!
Concert with Johnny B. Connolly (button accordion) and Aiden Brennan (guitar and vocals) was planned for June 30, the day after the duo finishes their run at McGurk's in St. Louis, but unbeknownst to their agent Aiden had already booked his return flight to Ireland for that day. So, instead, they will come play in Columbia on Sunday, June 23. Venue TBA.
DADGAD Workshop with Aiden Brennan!
Would you like to learn about playing guitar in the DADGAD tuning? If we have at least 10 people to participate, Aiden will teach a DADGAD class Sunday afternoon, before the concert. He teaches regularly at festivals and music camps in the US and Europe. Great opportunity! Send me a note if you want to attend.
kakers@chivalry.com
Anyone want to take a button accordion lesson from Johnny B. Connolly? Come on, all you closet accordion players 'fess up!
www.johnnybconnolly.com
Barachois concert on June 9 at The Blue Note (thanks again to Richard King!) is uncertain just now -- we noticed that the festival they are playing in Salina KS has them scheduled for a set at 4 p.m. on June 9. Perhaps they didn't realize it was 5 hours from there to here. Or perhaps they have a portable worm hole. More info on this as I get it.
The Boone County Fire Protection District Pipe and Drum Band will be performing at the following events:
May 25 & 26 at the Memorial Day Weekend Airshow at the Columbia Regional Airport. Performance time is 12:15 p.m. both days.
Monday, May 27 -- Memorial Day Parade in downtown Columbia at 10 a.m. and they will play in front of the BC Courthouse at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 22 -- Booneville Heritage Days, performance at 1 p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend -- Westport Irish Fest (Kansas City)
Headliners are Cherish the Ladies, Clandestine, The Paperboys and The Elders plus KC-area groups including Tullamore (they played at First Night this past New Years) and The Jolly Rogers (of KC Ren Faire fame). There will be carpooling options for Saturday. Send me a note if you want a ride or can offer a ride.
Details: www.kcirishfest.org
The St. Louis Renaissance Faire takes place this weekend and Mem. Day Weekend in Wentzville. Entertainers include Brollywacker, 3 Pints Gone (formerly Wild Mountain Thyme), Elvendrums, belly dancers, jugglers and more. Details: www.stlrenfaire.com