How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?

Subject: BS: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Skivee
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:39 PM

My partner and I played at a private country club. No drunks, no puke, well paid, a GREAT Irish meal including Colcannan, back home by 10pm...and we only sang Danny Boy twice!
WIN.
How about you?

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:08 AM

Well, I had three gigs - all private affairs; home by 8:30; had fish and chips and Smithwicks with my wife; watched our Red Wings beat the Flyers in the third period, and didn't sing Danny Boy once - all-in-all it was a pretty nice day. Cheers,...............mwh

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:14 AM

I had an afternoon gig at a retirement home. It was great - the folks really appreciated us. In the evening we played at a small pub that tends to be more family oriented from 7:00 to 10:00 and it was fine, several of our friends turned up and there was a nice crowd, but nobody got really drunk or rowdy. Last year we played a pub where people got really drunk and were vomiting and it was very unpleasant. Last Saturday we played at a private St. Pat's party put on by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. That went very well. They always make great corned beef and cabbage and are a good crowd. All in all I've enjoyed this St. Pats!

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Amos
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:38 AM

MAn, to play Saint PAtrick's and only do Danny Boy twice--tht's going some! :D


A

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 04:56 AM

Took my daughter to dance in 2 retirement homes. I'll be busy Thursday & Friday.
St. Patrick's day on a Tuesday is a bit of a non starter, really.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:36 AM

We played a paying gig at an "Irish" pub in Stokenchurch,Bucks,on Sunday afternoon---Didn't do Danny Boy even once,but did a lot of other stuff,mainly,but not exclusively,Irish,of course. Had nice time (despite the rowdy TV -watchers !),got paid,had lots of free drinks,free food in the attached restaurant,and they want us back !Yes,they gave us those silly,unbearable "funny hats " to wear,but we managed not to use them !
         Last night was different--We played our "home pub" in Marlow Bottom,and played for about three hours (including one "Danny Boy",I'm afraid). Sadly,the pub was too crowded and too hot,understaffed,and,unusually,the food was crap.Not looking forward to doing another gig there on Friday now !

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 07:40 AM

Friday we 'did' a Church Social club in trio mode and had a great time except for one (No Names) Professional Entertainer who did not come any where near us , but DID phone the agent to complain that we were not LOUD enough - She was in a SEPARATE room Dammit ! NO problem with Organisers - They want us back next year !!
Last night , same trio , doing a small bar full of Barristers in Grays Inn ! Nice crowd , but the drive in and out was , to say the least , 'interesting' !

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Jayto
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 07:59 AM

Great!!!!

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Lady Nancy
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:29 AM

Played in a Retirement complex at tea-time - it was great. We never sang Danny Boy once, but played whilst a lady who will be 100 in a fortnight sang it really very well!

Followed on to a pub afterwards. Some really great local-ish musicians turned up to play but the audience were too wrapped up in daft hats and guiness, so we quit about 10.00 and some went on to a lock-in at a local village:)

LN

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Zen
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:39 AM

An enjoyable night at my regular local and session pub. No rowdiness or drunkenness and an appreciative crowd of local punters.

A number of Irish songs were sung but no Danny Boy. One silly hat was spotted.

Zen

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Alice
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:46 AM

Skivee, I've never seen gig spelled that way before. Where did you come up with gigue?

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Victor in Mapperton
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:59 AM

Spent the day with a friend and his wife, lost touch with him for twenty years. He was born in Limerick, he is going back there for the first time in thirty six years in June. We got in touch over Christmas, it was a wonderful day. He sang a beautiful song called "My old man" never heard it before, very touching. A wonderful day was had by all.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:11 AM

Spent the first 3 hours of our jig wondering why they'd asked for a caller since there was no room to dance.
And the next 2 hours wondering why they needed a caller when they were doing their own thing (mostly).
They seemed to be enjoying it, and the band were wearing silly hats with the rest of them.

All the drunks were friendly.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:16 AM

My wife and I entered a familiar neighborhood restaurant/bar and were told there would be a musician in for some St. Patrick's Day singing. The gent arrived with a pair of his own very large speakers, sound system, microphone, etc., and a brand new Ovation cutaway. So far, so...? The crown was big and pretty loud by this time. He did nothing to call attention to himself, but stared dreamily ahead as if in his own little universe, started in playing a nice, quiet John Denver tune, followed by a Neil Diamond piece, followed by a James Taylor song, and it didn't get any better. The only "Irish" song was "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," though he sang so softly you would have thought it a dirge. The owner is a friend of ours. Still.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: GUEST,John from Kemsng
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:16 AM

I played darts(Mickey Mouse) at " The Queens Arms" and was beaten into third place and my round cost me £13.85. Bill Greenaway won with borrowed darts. There was no Irish music from the session in the other bar. Nonetheless, I shall be back there week.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:18 PM

Alice, I know Skivee...and I just assumed that he and his sort would have a name for a gig that went well.

(Perhaps a really bad one is a 'gag')

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: G-Force
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 12:54 PM

Our Wednesday tune session was moved to Tuesday and declared Irish. Late start due to glass-throwing drunks having to be ejected. Then free drinks and nibbles from the pub landlord/lady. Only a few songs, not Danny Boy, but including 'Fields ...' and 'Green Fields...'. Good tune session.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: gnu
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 01:20 PM

I was set upon! One lad arrived with NO notice. Once inside the door, he phoned the others. They arrived, replete with instruments and ale.... and attempted to take advantage of me by involving me in their gigs downtown at two pubs.

I did as best I could in the kitchen, briefly, but sent them packing without a Hranner. Perhaps it was best. I dunno. None have phoned to tell me I should (not) have attended.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:33 PM

Went to see the Twagger Band at the Six Bells in Chiddingly (Sussex). Not specifically an "Irish" night, but it was somehow comforting to see Derek (the leader, from Yorkshire) playing an Irish tune or two on his Northumbrian small pipes. Now that's what I call integration! And not a Danny Boy within sight or hearing.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Skivee
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:45 PM

All great tales!
Alice and Bill: there's a long tedious story in the "gigue" spelling. Let's just chaulk it up to being a personal qwirque of mine.
I've spelled it that way so so long that I do it without thinking about it.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:50 PM

The gigue or giga is a lively baroque dance originating from the British jig. It was imported into France in the mid-17th century and usually appears at the end of a suite.

the title of this thread is an obvious play on the word

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Gulliver
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 12:05 AM

Am I the only "Paddy" here? I played with the band I used to play with last year in their local pub in the Liberties. Fortified myself with a big curry beforehand as we were playing from 1:00 to almost 7:00. The place was packed, not only locals but lots of tourists as well, some of whom were invited up to sing. A chap from the West Country brought the house down with "I've got a brand-new combine harvester". We varied the Irish songs and tunes with country and gospel songs, which got people up dancing, then did waltzes to slow them down. Afterwards went to a local pub where my friends were playing and a group of Riverdance-style dancers arrived and put on a great show. All-in-all a great day - some pics are here.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 07:59 AM

I played in a "Brew-pub in Sherbrooke, Canada. I'm guessing there may have been someone there with a bit of Irish in their family tree. It was a wild time; I had all the puking drunks that didn't go to your shows. I enjoyed myself immensely.

Subject: RE: How Was Your St.Pat's Gigue?
From: Skivee
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 01:15 PM

Thanks for sharing the puking drunks, Marc. This is the kind of international cooperation that we need in these dark times.
Graet pictures,Gulliver! It looked like a smashing time was had.