If you play or simply love traditional Irish music, consider becoming a member of one of the newest branches of the CCE. Since 1951 the Comhaltas (pronounced COAL-tus) has supported and nurtured Irish traditional music and the Irish language with active branches throughout Ireland, England, Australia, the USA and even Japan! The new Kentucky chapter is known as Craobh Riley (Riley Branch). For more information check out the web site(http://cce.irish-music.net/CCE.htm). All interested persons are welcome to an open house and session on Sunday, December 3 at 3:30 p.m. the home of Dan Curtin, 148 Brentwood Place, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. There will be music (including a room with a "speed limit"), lively conversation (craic) and refreshments. Children and listeners are full welcome. Here are the directions: I-71 north, to I-471 north to exit 2 "Fort Thomas-Southgate," south on Route 27 (past the Oasis), left at the second light (Rt. 445 or Grandview). At the top of the hill, proceed straight on Brentwood through a four-way stop. House number 148 is about a half mile on the left.
For more information you can contact Dan at (859) 441-7682 or curtin@nku.edu.
Join the fun with Ten Penny Bit at O'Shea's, 956 Baxter Avenue on Saturday, December 16, from 9:30 pm to 2 am. O'Shea's has a great selection of beers and a lively atmosphere, which no doubt will be greatly elevated by the tremendous musicianship of this great band.
Louisvillians needn't suffer post-Christmas depression, thanks to The Irish Rover, which has since its opening celebrated the day AFTER Christmas with a breakfast/brunch complete with Christmas crackers, excellent food and superior beverages, not to mention the great Appalachian-flavored Celtic music of our own Ten Penny Bit! Boxing Day is the British tradition of collecting the alms boxes and distributing them on this day to the needy. Siobhan and Michael Reidy's event has been a local tradition for the émigrés of the Isles seeking a little bit of home during the holidays.
You can catch members of the Louisville Pipe Band strolling down the street at the Bardstown Road Aglow on Saturday, December 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For many years, members of the LPB have also been a part of the cast of the Boars Head Festival at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2000 Douglas Boulevard. There will be six free shows on December 27, 28 and 29, but you MUST make reservations. There is a dinner option as well. Call 459-1595 to make reservations. This is a marvelous production and should be experienced at least once. Rock goes EVERY year.
I think its five years now that the-Galloglas-produced "Celtic Christmas" program at the Rudyard Kipling has been a sell-out. Sheila and Ken Pyle always prepare a special Celtic buffet. This year's program is on Saturday, December 16 at 8 pm. Special guest Karen McKenzie will perform on the Great Highland Bagpipes as well at the Scottish smallpipes. In order not to miss out, you can make reservations by calling 636-1311.
Galloglas will also present a preview at a Christmas program at the Peterson-Dumesnil House at 5:30 pm on Thursday, December 14, an event sponsored by the English-Speaking Union. Call 459-2326 for more information.
This is a man you will hear more about in next month's edition. Richard Thompson has described him as the finest songwriter in England today, which is high praise indeed! Something of an "English John Prine," with a bit of a traditional and even Celtic flavor, Jez Lowe and his band The Bad Pennies will be in Louisville on Sunday, January 14 for a concert. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The time and place will be announced in this column and well as the general media soon. Do not miss this one!
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the Celtic Community of Louisville and all Louisville Music News readers! Thank you for your support.
Slan, Decimus Rock