News and Updates
July 2008
The Portarlington Celtic Festival was a huge success. Many of our players attended and all reported back on the high quality of the performances and friendly atmosphere. The warm weather and beautiful location on the shores of Port Phillip Bay added to the quality of the weekend. Those of you who didn't attend this year need to put this festival on their calendar for next year.
On Saturday afternoon the 28th of June we had a fantastic session at the Royal Oak Hotel in Kilmore (click on picture to enlarge). We had over 20 musicians show up along with their family and friends. It was cold outside, but it was great to play around the fireplace. Many people came up to me during the afternoon to mention how good we sounded. It was a wonderful afternoon for everyone who participated.
There are some interesting music events scheduled for July. The first weekend has the launch of the 2009 Lake School along with the inaugural Newport Fiddle and Folk Club Festival (near Williamstown) which is FREE! Both are worth attending. See below for additional information.
Finally, we recently learned of 2 session that have been going for some time:
1) Dan O'Connell in Carlton. It is primarily a Singer's Session held on Sunday nights from 9 till 11.30. It features Celtic and traditional singing, although other styles and instruments are welcomed. They sing and play in front of the open fire, which I hear is very pleasant. It is run by Peter Anderson (aka Captain Accordion). For additional information call the Pub at 9347 1502.
2) Keatings Hotel (Holgate Brewhouse) 3rd Sunday of the Month. 3 -5 pm. 79 High St, Woodend. Run by the Black Forest Rogues. Phone 5427 2510 for information.
Beginner Session tune list
We have created a list of 25 tunes that we play on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month for the beginner session. Click here to get a list of the tunes.
Flanagan's Mob Tune Set List
To get the most up-to-date Flanagan's Mob tune set list which we use for our performances click here or download a copy by clicking on one of these formats PDF or MSWord.
Celtic Music Events
5 July 2008 Lake School Launch, Micky Burke's Koroit Hotel, 6:30 pm. Meal and entry $20. Tommy Carty will be inducted as a Legend of the Lake. Rant (Lake School Band) will perform and there will be a session led by Paddy Fitzgerald and Tommy Carty. For additional information call Felix 0413 801 294 or send him an email felix@bushwahzee.com
To down load the pdf flyer for the Launch click here.
2009 Lake School Dates: Sunday 4 January to Friday 9 January
To down load the 2009 Lake School flyer click here
For more information about the next Lake school check out their website: www.bushwahzee.com
This is
the first year of the festival organised by the Newport Fiddle and Folk
Club. It is free and it provides many opportunities
to play, sing, dance and learn new things. It is not your typical festival so I suggest you click on their website
for a schedule of events and venues http://nffc.org.au/
July 2008 Sessions
Fr Flanagan's Pub, Tuesday, 7:30 - 11:00 pm
Slow: July 1
Intermediate: July 8
Slow: July 15
Intermediate: July 22
Slow: July 19
Tune for July 2008 is Martina's Polka 2 (KH Vol. 1, pg 32)
Tune for June 2008 was Martina's Polka 1 (KH Vol. 1, pg 32)
Click on the tune names to hear them played slowly.
For additional information about Celtic music events in the greater Melbourne area check out the Blarney Bulletin. If you would like to get on the Blarney Bulletin mailing list send Kevin McCarthy an email (macca@blarneybulletin.com). If you are a fiddler you definitely should check out Sean Kenan's website which is chock full of fiddle news and events. He also maintains an updated list of all types of music sessions in Victoria.