There is a CMCAA ceili tonight at First Christian Church, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with a beginners' lesson.  Dancing starts at 7:30. Refreshments provided (I baked cookies last night!)

Tim Langen and friends will be playing music -- musicians are welcome to bring instruments and play. Maybe stay for a session at the end of the evening.  Kathryn Difoxfire will be calling the dances.

Admission is $5 for adults (kids 12 & under dance for free)
For more info:
http://www.moceltic.org/second-fridays.html

News article ---
There was an article in the Missourian last month following our November ceili. You can read it here:
http://columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=17097

Bernie and Barbara McDonald, Irish traditional music duo who play every weekly at McGurk's Irish Pub in St. Louis will perform at First Night Columbia and lead music for dancing at the Irish ceili during First Night. They play a great mix of traditional Irish tunes and songs with a few original numbers thrown in.

If you are new to Columbia, the First Night festival is an alcohol-free alternate New Years Eve celebration of the arts. There are eleven venues scattered throughout downtown that will host a wide variety of music performances, poetry, story-telling, children's activities and dancing from 6 pm to 11:45 p.m. There are two fireworks shows, a 5K run/walk, horse-drawn carriage rides and roving musicians.  It's a wonderful evening with something for everyone, no matter your musical tastes.

Bernie and Barbara McDonald will perform in WINDSOR LOUNGE AT STEPHENS COLLEGE at 7:30 p.m.

Then they will play music for the ceili at FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH from 9:30 - 11:30 p.m.  Local musicians are invited to join them in playing for the dancers. Bring your instruments or bring your dance shoes!

Christine Harker will be calling the Irish dances.

Admission buttons (it's a wearable ticket) are $7 for persons age 7 and older for the entire evening, all venues and activities.  First Night buttons make great stocking stuffers, by the way!

All the details for First Night are on the web site: http://firstnight.missouri.org/

There are lots of new venues this year, so be sure to check out the map of downtown. Many restaurants will be staying open to serve festival-goers.

FIRST NIGHT VOLUNTEERS --
First Night always needs volunteers, so if you love this festival and want to help it be a great success this year, please consider giving two hours of your evening to help out with button sales or stage crew duties. It's good fun and First Night couldn't happen without the help of volunteers like YOU! Contact Leigh Nutter, the volunteer coordinator at LCNUTTER@GoColumbiaMO.com

CONCERT REMINDER
Saturday, March 4 7:00 p.m. -- Liz Carroll and John Doyle.
Details are on the web site. Don't miss this! Pleas pass the word!

More local and regional events are listed on the web calendar at www.moceltic.org/calendar.html