Irish Ceil (kay-lee) Dance (social dancing) this Friday, June 8

Caller -- Kat DiFoxfire
Guest musicians this week -- Turlach Boylan (flute, whistle & banjo) and Jen Hamel (guitar & vocals)

Turlach Boylan, originally from Derry, currently lives in KC where he teaches Irish music and performs with traditional band Glen Road.  (Turlach performed with Glen Road and Connie Dover in Columbia on March 11.)  Turlach is a former all-Ireland champion on both flute and whistle and has two solo albums to his credit as well as an album with Glen Road.

Jen Hamel used to perform with Houston-based Celtic band  Clandestine (4 CDs  with them) and has a solo album of her own original songs called  "A Fine Small Storm."  She currently resides here in Columbia where she's a reclusive Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences.  This will be a welcome Jen-sighting!

This ceili will be well worth attending for the music even if you wouldn't be caught dead dancing. ;)  (You know who you are!)

Location: First Christian Church is at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. Enter through the back door, facing Ash Street (glass door under the portico).  Free parking.
Beginners' lesson from 7:00 to 7:30
Dances start at 7:30
Refreshments are provided.

All ages are welcome -- this is a family-friendly event!  No experience and no partner necessary.
$5 admission for adults, kids 17 & under attend free.

SUMMER CLASSES START NEXT WEEK

Yes, it's really here! School's out, the hot weather is moving in.... and so is Brian Hart, our summer artist-in-residence!   You can still sign up for one of these great classes:

New addition -- Sean nos dancing.  When? I haven't figured that out yet.  Let me know if you are interested and we will work out a day and time.  Sean nos is "old style" dance that is freestyle and very percussive. It's an individual dance form (as opposed to couple or group dances) with a long and colorful history.

Evening classes, June 11 - Aug 9
*  Irish language -- meets Monday and Wednesdays 5:45 - 6:45.  $110
*  Traditional singing class -- meets Wednesdays  6:45 - 8:30 pm $85
*  Beginning Tin Whistle -- meets Tuesdays  5:30 - 6:30 p.m.   $60
*  Improvers Tin Whistle -- meets Mondays 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.  $60
*  Tunes by Ear -- meets Mondays   7:45 - 9 p.m.  $60
*  Beginning concertina and accordion: meets Tuesdays  6:30 - 7:30 p.m.  $60
*  Improvers concertina and accordion: meets Tuesdays  7:30 - 8:30 p.m.  $60

The children's Irish Arts Class for ages 6 - 12  (Thursdays 9 - noon) is full.  However, if there is enough interest (at least 5 students), we can offer this class again on Thursday afternoons.  Cost is $125. Contact me if you are interested.

Families that have enrolled in the kids class will receive permission forms and more info by e-mail by Tuesday.  If you don't receive them, call me. (573-442-2048)

More details about the classes plus Brian's bio are online here:
http://www.moceltic.org/2007/summer-classes.html

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at MU is also offering a 4-week traditional singing class taught by Brian Hart and a 4-week Irish Set Dance class taught by Kat Difoxfire.  For more info and registration for these, see :  http://extension.missouri.edu/learnforlife/

Irish music at Twilight Festival this week and next week

Thursday June 7 (tomorrow!)  6- 8 p.m.
Irish music INSIDE at Kayotea on Broadway -- come on in to escape the crowds for a bit!
The front window of Kayotea is under construction, but they are open.

Thursday June 14 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m
Irish music in front of Blue Stem Missouri Crafts on Ninth St.
We'll be "opening" for the big concert at the corner of Ninth and Cherry that will start at 7 p.m.   Summer artist-in-residence Brian Hart will be performing with the local sessioners for this TF.  Come out and meet Brian and welcome him to Columbia!

Please note that  Ninth St will be closed during TF this year.  There are a few other changes as well.  For the full scoop, see this article in the Tribune:   http://showmenews.com/2007/Jun/20070606TwilightMap.asp

You can download the TF program (including music locations) for each week here: http://www.twilightfestival.com/programs.html

Going to Ireland this summer? (or whenever)

If you are planning a trip to Ireland yet this summer,  there are a few useful items available for loan:
- Irish cell phone (pay-as-you-go type)  - very useful. Approx 1 Euro/minute to the US. Free incoming calls.  There are almost no public phones in Ireland, so it's really handy to have a phone with you to book lodging etc.
- various travel/guide books
- loads of brochures and maps from all over Ireland

and Kevin and Paula Kelly just returned and have some leftover Euros for sale.

Drop me a note if you are interested in any of these.

Regional events & festivals on the horizon

Pat Broaders and Andrew O'Brien perform at The Focal Point, Sunday June 17, 7 p.m.
http://thefocalpoint.org/concerts.html

Young Irish Musicians Weekend June 22-24, 2007 St. Paul, MN
www.centerforirishmusic.org

Dublin, Ohio Irish Festival  Aug 3, 4 & 5
http://www.dublinirishfestival.org/entertainment/index.php

Milwaukee Irish Fest University Aug 12 - 16
http://www.irishfest.com/summerschool/index.htm

Milwaukee Irish Fest, Aug 16 - 19
http://www.irishfest.com/entertainment/index.htm

Kansas City Irish Fest -- Aug 31 - Sept 2
http://kcirishfest.com/entertainment.php

Entertainment lineup is looking GREAT for this festival.   Different Drums of Ireland are a definite "DO NOT MISS." Solas and The Saw Doctors are very impressive additions to this year's roster.

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