"FIERCE, brave and a bit of a one for the ladies, Brian Boru (941-1014) earned the title of Lion of Ireland during his reign as one of the greatest kings to rule in the Emerald Isle.
Today a contemporary Irishwoman is being referred to as a “lioness” but, in her case, it was a title earned through her fierce bravery as a musician.
Think of Irish music and it is tempting to conjure up spirited Celtic reels punctuated by the beat of a bodhran, or perhaps a bit of Sinead O’Connor quirkiness or U2 stadium rock."
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
LIVE THEATRE REVIEW — The Cripple of Inishmaan
Image via Wikipedia"Written by Martin McDonagh and directed by Mitchell Cushman, Studio Theatre’s The Cripple of Inishmaan is intricate and ambitious in both its design and dialogue. A looming backdrop of rocky cliffs is beset by the sea, confining the main action of the play to a compact set in center stage. Scene transitions are made with live fiddle and the Bodhran drum, giving the feeling of being transported to Ireland."
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Dundonald kids to get free music lessons
The village of Dundonald will host its own music festival at the end of the month, and the people behind it are not content with just performing to the public.
For the generous group will now give free lessons to the village primary pupils over the next school year.
The pupils will have the option to learn a wide variety of instruments like guitar, accordion and the hand held Irish drum called the bodhran.
Teacher Alison Armour said: “We’ll be teaching children right from primary one. They’ll probably be playing instruments like the penny whistle and recorder, but it’s about getting them interested in music.
“The primary one to three group will be called the Mini Music Makers and the primary four to sevens will be the Young Strums.”
Folk bands due to perform (From Worcester News)
"FOLK fans can see two of the region’s finest bands on one billing on Friday.
Meet on the Ledge and Greenman Rising are both performing tonight at the Marr’s Bar in Pierpoint Street Worcester.
The Ledge are back gigging after a two year break, combining a mix of original and traditional numbers to form what critics have called ‘a unique musical experience’.
Having played every major folk festival in the country, including the prestigious Cropredy festival, and top venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Greenman Rising fronted by ex Worcester Royal pupil Steve Bentley and his son Woody are an eight-piece band built around the power house of melodeon, bodhran & guitar, supplemented by fiddles, sax, clarinet, flute and bass.
Greenman are performing after playing the sold-out Bearded Theory Festival.
For tickets ring 01905 613336."
Meet on the Ledge and Greenman Rising are both performing tonight at the Marr’s Bar in Pierpoint Street Worcester.
The Ledge are back gigging after a two year break, combining a mix of original and traditional numbers to form what critics have called ‘a unique musical experience’.
Having played every major folk festival in the country, including the prestigious Cropredy festival, and top venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Greenman Rising fronted by ex Worcester Royal pupil Steve Bentley and his son Woody are an eight-piece band built around the power house of melodeon, bodhran & guitar, supplemented by fiddles, sax, clarinet, flute and bass.
Greenman are performing after playing the sold-out Bearded Theory Festival.
For tickets ring 01905 613336."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Bruce Cockburn impresses at Berklee Performance Center - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise
Cover of Bruce CockburnBruce Cockburn's stature as a folk-rock songwriter is well established, but his virtuosity as a guitarist, and skill as an arranger might be under-appreciated, even after all these years.Saturday night's 110-minute show by Cockburn and his trio at Boston's Berklee Performance Center reaffirmed the fact that the Canadian (and Berklee College of Music graduate) continues to pen interesting, literate lyrics, but also could have served as a primer on the endless ways to reinvigorate guitar-playing, and arranging for small acoustic groups.
That's quite a trick for someone whose indelible songs have been covered from everyone from Jimmy Buffett to Tom Rush to the Barenaked Ladies.
Cockburn's band on this tour consists of himself on an array of (usually) acoustic guitars, Jenny Scheinman on fiddle and mandolin, and Gary Craig on drums and bodhran. To say that just those three filled the auditorium with layers of marvelous music would be an understatement, as Cockburn's intricate finger-picking and rock-edged chording worked amazingly with Scheinman's jazz-inflected support, and Craig's economic-but-visceral foundation.
Read more:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Review: Riverdance opens in Regina
"REGINA — Riverdance, running at the Conexus Arts Centre this week, is a slick production full of talented performances by top-notch artists.
On opening night on Tuesday, people of all ages filled the arts centre to see the showcase of Irish and international music and dance. Riverdance premiered in 1995 and has earned fans around the world since then."
On opening night on Tuesday, people of all ages filled the arts centre to see the showcase of Irish and international music and dance. Riverdance premiered in 1995 and has earned fans around the world since then."
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