Celtic Corner
Ten Penny Beat - Hard at It
Ten Penny Bit isn't missing a beat this summer. I never thought I'd say "Grab your toga if you want to listen to some Irish music" but you'll need to if you go to the 2nd Annual Irish Toga Party on August 3 at the Thomas Family Winery, from 8-11 p.m. Central time. Put on your dancing shoes and go to the Monday night dance at St Andrew's on Woodbourne off Bardstown Road at 8 p.m. You can adorn the costume of any nation you wish when you catch their performance at the Louisville International Music Festival on August 9 at Jefferson Square in downtown Louisville at 11:30 am - 1 pm and the World On the Square Concert Series in Corydon Indiana on August 10. On August 17, they will be in Coshocton, Ohio, performing at the Coshocton Canal Days, from 1:30-3 p.m. and again from 6:30-8:30 p.m. I'm not up on the latest in "canal" wear, something Venetian, perhaps? And in other news for the band, five songs from their newest CD have been bought for a new documentary being filmed about Lewis and Clark by KET. Congratulations to Ten Penny Bit!
Silverwood for Lunch
Silverwood will be playing on August 14 from 11:30 - 1:30 for the munch and music in Theatre Square.
Kitty's For Dinner
My thanks to the folks at Kitty O'Kirwans for a wonderful evening on the weekend of the 4th of July. I had an attorney, his wife and their guest visiting from Illinois, and I took them to Kitty's. All of them found items in the shop that they were delighted to purchase, and now, weeks later, they are still raving about the meal. A nice impression for some out-of-towners. A pity I couldn't take them on a Sunday evening - don't forget to check out the live music every Sunday from 7-9 p.m. for the summer.
Noel Hill Irish Concertina School
Here's another reminder that the Noel Hill Irish Concertina School will be in Cincinnati, Ohio, from August 18-23. Go to the website at "www.noelhill.com" to get information and register. Whether you are new to the instrument or have played it for years, don't let this marvelous opportunity pass you by.
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp In A New Location
Last month I mentioned that the Rocky Mountain Fiddle camp was having location difficulties due to the fires in Colorado. Fortunately, they found another site, right outside of Estes Park, Colorado. As luck would have it, I am sitting in Denver as I write this column. (Now to find a way to get myself there.) The great thing about these camps is that increasingly we are seeing bluegrass and Celtic crossover fiddle being taught. Maybe these crossover workshops can be incorporated into our own bluegrass festivals in town.
Learn to Play
Interested in learning how to play Irish tunes on the fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, flute, bodhran, accordion or banjo but didn't know someone who could teach you? It seems every time I play someone comes up and wants to know where they can take lessons. The problem is solved with Scoiltrad, (pronounced "skull-trad") an interactive music school on the Internet. Check out "www.scoiltrad.com" - they are having a summer special and for $19.99 you can be on your way learning and performing Celtic music.