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Celtic Alabama News
Volume 2 Issue 9
Och hey! for the splendour of tartans!
And hey for the dirk and the targe!
The race that was hard as the Spartans
Shall return again to the charge."
Pittendrigh MacGillivray (1856-1930),
The Return
Alabama Highland Games hosting
the 2002 North-South Challenge Cup!
The North-South Challenge Cup, an
annual team competition between the best six amateur athletes in the
North and the best six athletes in the South, will take place at the
Alabama Highland Games on the Shakespeare Festival Grounds in Montgomery
on September 28, 2002. Each team will be comprised of 5 men and 1 woman.
The NSCC has been hosted previously in New Orleans LA, Kalamazoo MI,
Allentown PA and Jackson LA. The winning team keeps the trophy until
the next competition. The South Team is defending its title for the
second year in a row. It's a colorful and exciting event - one of the
best Scottish Athletic meets in the country.
The Alabama Highland Games has a wonderful array
of offerings including: Bagpipe Band competition, Border Collie
Sheepherding, Shetland ponies, Scottish Highland Dance competition, The
Gathering of the Clans, Celtic vendors and foods and much more! Lord
Hugh Montgomerie will be an Honored Guest. Featured Celtic entertainers
will be, Jack Tamson's
Bairns of Scotland and
Jennifer Roland of
Cape Breton. Both are critically acclaimed in Celtic music circles and
we look forward to seeing them perform at this event! The Alabama
Highland Games are the last weekend in September so mark you calendars
today! Details to at
www.alabamahighlandgames.com .
Fiddler Brian Conway and
Friends Performing at Killarney's on September 4
On Wednesday, September 4, renowned Irish
fiddler, Brian Conway will appear at Killarney's Irish Pub
in Birmingham with vocalist Julie Glaub and guitarist Don Tenzene at
7:00 p.m. Well known in the New York Irish/Celtic community, Brian
is acclaimed in fiddle circles as being THE premier sligo-style
fiddler. He has won numerous All-Ireland fiddle competitions, and has
been called by The Smithsonian "one of the best fiddlers of his
generation". His body of work reveals a musical conservationist,
preserving and passing along the best of the past while melding it
with the talent and imagination of the present. They will also appear
at Laser's Edge in Homewood at 5:30 p.m. to play a few tunes, meet
people and sign CD's.
Caledonian Society of Alabama - Scottish Fall Picnic and
Open House on September 7
The Caledonian Society of Alabama invites friends
who are interested in Scottish heritage and culture to join them at
Oak Mountain State Park for their annual Fall Picnic. Bring a covered
dish and dress comfortably (kilts are welcome!). The gathering is
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the White Oak Pavilion, Oak Mountain
State Park. For more details, call Angus MacQueen at
205-907-9281 or macqueen@charter.net
.
Birmingham Irish Dancers to Perform at
CelticFest in Mississippi, September 6-8
Irish Dancers from the Birmingham School of
Celtic Arts will be taking the stage at CelticFest,
Mississippi's annual celebration in Jackson. CelticFest
attracts many Alabama participants who take advantage of the top
drawer entertainment and workshops. It's a great time to come out
and support Alabama's Irish Dancers. This year’s CelticFest
will feature Liz Doherty (the virtuoso fiddler from County
Donegal, Ireland) and guitarist Dave O’Neill (an Australian
of Irish descent who is widely acclaimed as one of Australia’s
finest multi-instrumentalists), Brian Conway (the outstanding
NY/Sligo-style fiddler and winner of numerous All-Ireland fiddle
competition titles) along with traditional Irish singer Julee
Glaub, and Irish balladeer Danny O’Flaherty, as well as
over 25 additional music and dance groups. CelticFest is
held September 6-8 at the Agricultural and Forestry Museum on
Lakeland Drive in Jackson, Mississippi. For more details, visit
www.CelticFestMS.org .
Martin Hayes and Dennis
Cahill coming to Birmingham on October 5, 2002
The Birmingham Music Club is bringing
Irish fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes and American guitarist Dennis
Cahill to town as part of the World Music Series on Saturday, October
5, 2002. Both have garnered international acclaim for taking
traditional Irish music to the very edge. Hayes, a six-time
All-Ireland fiddle champion is renowned for his slow building, fiery
performances of which Cahill provides the perfect harmonic and
rhythmic accompaniment. The Sydney Morning Herald says of
Hayes, "He is just so much better than anything you've seen before. He
redefines your concept of excellence and reveals levels of beauty and
artistry that previously hadn't existed in your frame of reference."
www.MartinHayes.com
www.DennisCahill.com . Tickets for the show are $15 and $22 and
are available by calling 205-975-2787. SPECIAL NOTE:
ACA has planned an Advanced Fiddle Workshop
with Martin Hayes for Saturday afternoon (October 5) in Birmingham.
There are only two spots remaining (class limited to 12) for the hour
and a half session and the cost is $25. For more details, contact
pgsmith@charter.net.
"Battle of the Celtic
Bands" coming to Killarneys September 23 - 28
Beginning on Monday, September 24, Killarneys Irish
Pub will host the "Battle of the Celtic Bands", a week full of the
best Irish Music in the region. The winning band will be determined
by both audience response and a board of Judges from the Celtic
community. There will be a $50.00 entry fee for each band.
Killarney's will give a $1500.00 First Place Cash Prize and $750.00
Second Place Cash Prize. Music will begin around 7p.m. each night
throughout that week. For more details, call 205-595-4088.
Tuscaloosa St. Andrew's Society hosts
Exhibit During September
The Tuscaloosa St. Andrew's Society is creating an
exhibit to be shown at the Tuscaloosa Public Library throughout the
month of September. This exhibit is in celebration of Scottish
Heritage Month. Additionally, on Sunday, September 8, from 3-5pm, the
Society will host a reception in the Rotary Room of the Library. They
are looking forward to meeting other Scots in Tuscaloosa community as
well as those who are interested in Scottish culture and history. The
Tuscaloosa Library is located on Jack Warner Parkway near downtown
Tuscaloosa. For more details, contact Serena Blount at 205-349-3173
or haygood0@yahoo.com
Alabama's Own Seanachie, Margayle
Williams, Carries Tales to Kentucky
The Seanachie, Margayle Williams, just returned
from a storytelling evening at The Homeplace, at
Land-Between-the-Lakes National Recreation Area, in Kentucky. The
Seanachie inaugurated Homeplace's new program, "Tales at Twilight".
Homeplace is a working re-creation of an 1850's farm. The evening
featured homemade lemonade and springhouse-chilled watermelon, a
session of singing, with everyone joining in and stories told by the
Seanachie until the full moon rose over the meadow and it was almost
too dark to walk up the path. Margayle Williams is a Seanachie, or
the Irish story-teller. Always proud of her Irish heritage, Margayle
uses stories and verse to preserve and share the rich Irish culture,
and has delighted audiences all over the Southeast as The Seanachie.
She is a charter member of the Alabama Celtic Association. Margayle
was trained from childhood in the theater and has directed drama
companies from Oklahoma, to Alabama, to Germany. Retired from The
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Margayle enjoys reading,
traveling, --- and spoiling her four grandchildren. She lives in
Huntsville with husband, Paul, two dogs, and a multitude of cats!
The Birmingham
Celtics - Birmingham's Own Scottish/Irish Soccer Club!
The Birmingham Celtics are a Club
Soccer team, run by a former Glasgow Celtic player, Sean
McBride, who played for the Celtic Under 21's for four years (1986 to
1990). The Birmingham Celtics have both male and female players on the
same team. They had a good season last year and are looking to bigger
and better things this year. They have played two games so far,
winning both. The Birmingham Celtics want to build a
successful club are looking for new members who want to play and of
course, supporters would be VERY welcome. Some supporters also get
together and contribute as season ticket holders for live telecasts
each week of Glasgow Celtic's games from Scotland at Bennett's Sports
Cafe. Visitors or weekly members can also come to select Games and pay
$10 per game ($20 for the big rivals or championships). For more
details, contact Dan Shields at 205-967-1747/205-956-4509 or Sean
McBride at 901-3206 /
smcbride@panther.bsc.edu
Erin Higginbotham Makes
the Grade at National Scottish Dance Championship !
At her first US Championship, Huntsville
resident, Erin Higginbotham received Judges Points. Erin got judges
points in all her dances and placed 6th in the sword at North American
Championship on Sunday. The top 90 dancers in the country were in
Denver. This was a great showing for her first time to the
Championships! Congratulations, Erin - we are all so proud of you!
Gerry O'Beirne
at "House Concerts" in Birmingham and Montgomery
Irish songwriter, guitarist and singer Gerry
O’Beirne was born in Ennis in County Clare and raised in the West of
Ireland and in Ghana in West Africa. Gerry is not only a self-taught
master of the six and twelve string guitar, he is also a renowned
songwriter. He has toured around the globe with several bands and
artists including Patrick Street, The Sharon Shannon Band, Midnight
Well (which featured his unique slide guitar playing), The Waterboys,
Andy M. Stewart, Martin Hayes, Kevin Burke and Andy Irvine. He has
performed at the White House, opened for the Grateful Dead, and played
electric guitar with Marianne Faithfull. Up close and unplugged is one
of the best ways to enjoy Celtic music. House Concerts offer a rare
opportunity to connect with an artist without the distractions in a
larger venue. Seating for the two Gerry O'Beirne performances will be
intimate and limited so don't delay getting your foot in the door!
In Montgomery - Gerry O'Beirne will be appearing on
Friday, October 25. Earlybird tickets are $12 ($15 after August 12).
Refreshments are included and CDs will be available. For more
details: gorel@asf.net
In Birmingham - Hosted by
Webb and Mae Robertson, the Birmingham concert on Saturday, October 26
will open its doors at 7:00 for the show which starts at 7:30.
Desserts and coffee and tea will be available. Donations of $15 will
hold a place for you and all proceeds go directly to the artist. If
you would like to reserve a seat for the show, you need to send an
email to Mae@LyricPartners.com
to get on the list. Once seat availability is confirmed via email, you
can send a check, payable to Lyric Partners, to: Lyric Partners, PO
Box 531165, Birmingham, AL 35253.
Madison Coffee Company hosts Celtic
Music Session on September 26
Huntsville/Madison area Celtic musicians will be
meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 at Madison Coffee
Co./Acoustic Cafe for session. North Alabama Celt-o-philes are
encouraged to come by and enjoy coffee, Celtic music and good
company. Madison Coffee Co. is in the Kruger Plaza at the
intersection of Hughes Road and Madison Pike in Madison. For more
details,
rabennett@knology.net .
ACA is creating web pages which will highlight
Alabama's connections to Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Each page
will include biographies of Celtic settlers in Alabama, interesting
facts and anecdotes about Alabama's connections to the British Isles
and more. The first page,
Welsh
in Alabama, is devoted to Wales and its links to our
state. The first item for inclusion is a story about Alabama's
unique and fascinating connection with the Welsh legend of Madoc!
We welcome ideas and input directed toward growing and
connecting Alabama's Welsh community. If you are interested or
would like to know more, e-mail Jenny Honeycutt at
daftlass@mindspring.com
Don't Miss NEW Photos in the This
Month's Photo Gallery!
Great Photos from: August
Pub Night at Killarney's, Session at Castlebay Cafe', Henri's Notions
and Southwind at Sundilla, Photos from the North Alabama Scottish
Festival and MORE !! Visit
the PHOTO GALLERY HERE
Celtic Alabama Announcements
Bagpipe Classes in Montgomery, Alabama
Huntingdon College is offering an introductory
course for aspiring pipers, ages 12 to adult. Under the expert
tuition of Dr. David Rock, Huntingdon Professor and Pipe Major of the
Montgomery St. Andrews Pipes and Drums, participants will learn the
fundamentals of bagpipe music, including the scale, gracenote
embellishments, and a few simple tunes. No, you do not have to buy a
set of bagpipes in order to take this class! Beginning pipers learn
on a "practice chanter" (available from the instructor at an
additional cost.) The classes will be on Thursdays, October 3 -
November 21 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Flowers Hall, Huntingdon College in
Montgomery. Tuition is $99, chanter and lesson book are $30 if
purchased from instructor. For more details, call 334-833-4522.
Castlebay Cafe hosts Session on
September 14
Don Neil will host a Celtic music session at his
new Scottish-themed shop, Castlebay Cafe' in Birmingham on Saturday
evening beginning around 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to come by the
Cafe' to enjoy Celtic company and tunes. It's a great time to
treat yourself to coffee and dessert. For more details, call
205-437-3484 or
dsneil@bellsouth.net .
The Drake School will offer an Irish
dance workshop, Saturday, Sept 7 from 12:00 to 3:00 at Time Step
Studios in Irondale. The cost is $30. Mr. Karl Drake (TCRG) and
World Class Champion Irish Dancer, was born and trained in Dublin,
Ireland. He came to the U.S. and established the Drake School of
Irish Dance in Atlanta, Georgia and South Florida in 1990, later
adding schools in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Mr.
Drake is a full time professional teacher and travels regularly to all
of his studios to teach. For more details,
vonbart@bellsouth.net or
visit www.drakedance.com
.
Harp Lessons available from Cynthia
Douglass
Internationally known recording artist and Harp
teacher, Cynthia Douglass, will be offering lessons in Mountain
Brook for those who would like to take up of the world's most
beautiful and ancient instruments. Cynthia offers lessons weekly
in Mountain Brook, master's class once a month and harp ensemble
for more advanced players. For more details, call 205-879-2248.
(Cynthia is playing most Wednesdays at Castlebay Cafe' in
Birmingham).
Irish Dancers performing at Castlebay Cafe' on September
20
The
Birmingham School of Celtic Arts will be performing at Cafe
Castlebay on Sept 20th from 6:30-8:00. Bring the family out for
great-tasting food, a smoke free environment and Irish dancers
showing off their steps! For more details, 205-979-9653.
Celtic Author Billy
Kennedy coming to Gadsden, Alabama on October 15
Belfast author and journalist, Billy Kennedy,
will be offering a lecture for the Northeast Alabama Genealogical
Society at the Elliot Community Center in Gadsden on October 15,
2002. Mr. Kennedy has just released the seventh book of his highly
popular chronicles on the Scots-Irish diaspora, The Making of
America: How the Scots-Irish Shaped a Nation. Previous books
include: The Scots-Irish in the Hills of Tennessee, The
Scots-Irish in the Shenandoah Valley, The Scots-Irish in the
Carolinas, The Scots-Irish in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, Faith and
Freedom - The Scots-Irish in America and Heroes of the
Scots-Irish in America. Copies of his books will be available
at the lecture. For more information on his appearance in Gadsden,
contact Rosemary J. Hyatt 256-538-1122 or
rhyatt@hiwaay.net .
The Band that made the movie 'Titanic'
rock - Gaelic Storm is coming to Birmingham!
The Hoover Library Theatre kicks off its
2002-2003 season with two performances from the contemporary Celtic
quintet, Gaelic Storm. Gaelic Storm gained fame
as the "steerage band" in the movie Titanic. Their mix of
traditional Irish tunes, rousing Celtic dance music and rowdy pub
songs has brought down the house from Brooklyn to New
Zealand. Gaelic Storm will be performing at 8 p.m. on Friday,
September 20 and Saturday September 21. Tickets are $15 and may
reserved by calling 205-444-7888.
Photo of Gaelic Storm
Birmingham School of Celtic Arts - NEW Class Schedule and Open
Sessions
Classes for
the Birmingham School of Celtic Arts will be held at the
Children's Dance Foundation and are as follows: Tuesday 5:30-6:30
Beginners, Tuesday 6:30-7:30 Beginners Level 2, Tuesday 7:30-9:00
Intermediate 12 and over, Wednesday 7 - 8:30 Intermediate 11 and
under. Special Open Sessions will be held on the following dates
from 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. for beginners and 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. for
intermediate on the following Sundays: Sept. 15th, Oct 13th, Oct
27th, Nov 10th, Nov 24th, Dec 8th. Cost is $5.00 per person and
all are welcome.
Shillelagh Law - EVERY Sunday Night at
Killarney's!
The famous foursome of Beau Goss, Jeremy Burns,
Beth Weatherall and Jason Bailey are the band that moves the crowd
at Killarney's Irish Pub every Sunday night. Shillelagh Law leads
the listeners through familiar favorites as well as tunes both
traditional and new every week. For the uninitiated - it can be
surprising to see members of the audience draw drums of every size
from hidden places and occasionally join in with the band. It's all
part of the experience. Shillelagh Law definitely raises the best
toasts in town. Stop by Killarney's on a Sunday, claim a seat (and
a pint) and check out the Shillelagh Law experience. Details at
205-595-4088 .
FREE Bagpipe Lessons being offered
in Birmingham on Saturdays
Free bagpipe lessons are being offered by
various members of Heritage Pipes & Drums, including Ryan
Morrison, Kathleen Ryan and John Douglas. Lessons offered on a
first come first served basis from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. at Reformed
Heritage Presbyterian Church, 1401 Montgomery Hwy in Vestavia.
Heritage is also offering free lessons for Scottish snare from
John Kirkpatrick and for tenor drum from Ryan and Sherry Morrison.
Contact Ryan Morrison at home at (205) 836-2306 or work at (205)
823-1988 or e-mail at
ampiobaire@aol.com. Also check out the new HPD web site at
www.hpd-pipeband.org . Now's the time to take up the
Pipes!
Developing Celtic Music Session in the Decatur Area
Anyone
interested in starting an Irish session in the Decatur area
please contact Craig Pitman at Decatur Presbyterian Church
256-351-6010 or email
craig@decaturpca.org .
Alabama Acadeny of Irish Dance Classes begin on September 3
For more
details, call 205-324-6848
Please share your Celtic Calendar
Items and Announcements with us!
The Celtic Alabama News
is always looking for news of, announcements for and photos of various
Celtic events around the state to share around through the CAN
and the web site. We depend on you to share photos and news with us.
IF YOU DON'T LET US KNOW - WE CAN'T LET EVERYONE ELSE KNOW - so send
your news today! ALSO - www.CelticAlabama.org
is now easier to view. We've reduced the file size on most of the photos
so they will load faster. Check out the
Celtic Alabama News Photo Gallery ! Also, be sure
to visit the NEW Photo Gallery Archives for 2001 and
2002.
How can I ensure Alabama's Celtic Legacy?
Become an ACA Patron!
ACA depends on the support of
our friends in the Celtic community for all of its operating
expenses. Patrons make ACA Possible! ACA Patrons receive four quarterly
issues of the deluxe version of Celtic Alabama News
for as well as the occasional preferred seating or ticket option. It's
a great way to show your Celtic Pride and ensure our cultural legacy in
Alabama! You can become a Patron of ACA today by sending a $25 check
to: Alabama Celtic Association, P.O. Box 724, Trussville AL
35173. Please include your preferred mailing address.
(For more details:
Click Here for ACA Patrons)
Celtic Alabama News Calendar
Sept 4 -
Fiddler Brian Conway with Julia Glaub and Paul Tenzene
Where: Killarney's Irish Pub and Restaurant Details: 205-595-4088
Sept 6 -
Henri's
Notions - Live Celtic Music
Sept 6 -
Hooley - Live at Killarney's
Sept 7 - Caledonian Society of Alabama Fall Picnic
Where: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Covered Dish, White Oak Pavilion, Oak
Mountain State Park Details: 205-907-9281,
macqueen@charter.net
Sept 7 - Birmingham School of Irish Dance at
CelticFest
Sept 7 - Irish Dance workshop with Karl Drake - Drake
Irish Dance School
Sept 14 - Celtic Music Session at Castlebay Cafe'
Where: 5 p.m. at Castlebay Cafe on 280 in Greystone Details:
205-437-3484
Sept 19 - Scottish Society of Mobile Meeting
Sept 20 - BSCA performing at Castlebay Cafe'
Where: Castlebay Cafe on 280 in Greystone 6:30 - 8 p.m. Details:
205-979-9653
Sept 21 - Hooley - Live at Killarney's
Sept 18-21 -
Henri's
Notions - performing at Walnut Valley Festival
Sept 24-28 -
Battle of the Celtic Bands (all week)
Where: Killarney's Irish Pub Details: 205-595-4088
Sept 26 -
Celtic Gathering and Session at Madison Coffee Co.
Sept 28 -
Alabama Highland Games - Featuring the
North-South Challenge Cup
Sept 28-29 - Henri's Notions performing
Cincinnati Celtic Festival
Oct 5 - Fiddle Workshop with Martin
Hayes
Oct 5 - Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill -
Live in Concert
Visit our ACA Calendar for more details and EVERYTHING ELSE that you
don't want to miss!
The on-line version of
Celtic Alabama News is a free service of the Alabama
Celtic Association. Help us grow the Celtic Community - Share this
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Celtic Association at
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