St. Patrick's Day, '98

Subject: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: Marc B
Date: 10 Mar 98 - 01:15 PM

In joining the thread about favorite St. Patrick's Day songs it occured to me that for many of us the next few days will be a busy, crazy, for some a "grin-bear-it" and for others a hoot.

I thought it might be fun to share stories of St. Patrick's Day '98 with each other. In spite of the Irish wannabe's that come out of the woodwork, or maybe because of them, St. Patrick's Day is always special for me. It has a flavor all it's own. When I first began performing traditional music over a quarter century ago it was a St. Patrick's Day gig in Seattle that got me started. Over the course of the years I have seen establishments come and go, have come and gone from establishments. But it will always be special.

This year will be special because I'll be re-joining some folks that I used to play full time with but haven't performed with in about 10 years. And at a new establishment owned by the fella who owned the first establishment I played St. Patrick's Day with.

So what are your plans(and then experiences) for this year?

Marc B

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: Bert
Date: 10 Mar 98 - 05:09 PM

We are going to start celebrating this Friday at our monthly sing.
I have persuaded Theresa to cook the corned beef and cabbage a few days early.

She has been corning the beef for the past three weeks, so it will be ready in time.

We usually sing an Irish song or two but this month we will be singing more of them.

Come along this Friday and practice for the 17th.

Email me for directions. Bert. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: MarcB
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 12:41 AM

Hey Bert, Good on ya. Where are ya?

I reread my first message and realized that I've got stop writing these at 2 in the morning. My syntax goes to hell!

I'm flying to Seattle in the morning(I live in Dallas) ostensibly on a business trip but really to sing(well, actually to both). Will hook up tomorrow night with old friends and partners, The Magical Strings and William Pint & Felicia Dale. Practice. Practice. Practice.

We're all playing a concert in Spokane, WA on Friday night. Will be a nice chance to play and sing in a situation where people can hear. Best get the quiet stuff off my chest.

Saturday night and then all day and night St. Patrick's Day William & Felicia and I(and a fiddler named Gary Haggarty) will be at the new Jake O'Shawnessy's in Bellevue, WA. I mentioned in my first post that the original Jake's is where I had my first "big city" professional gig. Had done coffee house, concert work and artist-in-residence stuff out in the county I'm originally from before that.

I'll let you know how it goes as it goes. Sure wish I could come to the corn beef and sing along!

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: Helen
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 06:35 AM

Our regular music session group (all amateurs, i.e. the defintion of amateur is to do it for the love of it, not for money) have been invited to play at a local pub for St Patrick's night, here in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. There will be lots of rowdy footballers there, so we don't expect to be heard above the noise, but at least they won't hear the mistakes either. Should be lots of fun.

Helen

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: Bert
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 09:08 AM

MarcB,

We. are in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Just outside of Philadelphia to the North West.

Where abouts in Dallas do you live? I used to live in Carrollton.

Bert.

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: Tim O'K
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 04:04 PM

We are starrting the day as we always do - at an elementry school where we'll give a one hour culture and music presentation to a class of 5 year olds. We do this every year, but never the same school twice. This year we are going to my nephew Conor's first grade class in Fauquier County Virginia.

Then we are heading up to "Mother's" in Baltimore's Federal Hill for an afternoon gig, then a 50 mile jaunt out I-70 for the big all nighter at Bushwaller's in Frederick MD.

From past years, I know that my feet will be the first thing to start hurting, then my fingertips, then finally my voice. Thank God it only comes once a year.

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: O'Boyle
Date: 12 Mar 98 - 04:53 AM

We start the weekend out playing a St Pat's party for the LA Police Emerald society at a pub called Maggies in Santa Fe Springs. Sunday is the Fair at the Brothers of St Patrick Novitiate in Westminster and a session that night at our neighborhood pub. Then on St Pat's, we play at Durty Nellys in Costa Mesa. In between gigs we are expected to show up at about 5 picnics and parties. So it should be a fun weekend.

Slainte

Rick

Subject: RE: St. Patrick's Day, '98
From: MarcB
Date: 12 Mar 98 - 07:52 PM

Well, the adventure started off with the usual chaos. I flew into Seattle yesterday afternoon. Planned to hook up with the Magical Strings, William Pint & Felicia Dale and others for dinner and long night's practice to prep for a concert in Spokane Friday night.

Opened my little book of phone numbers to call and say I'm on my way and I didn't have the right phone number. Called everybody's answering machines hoping somebody would think to check when I was late showing up. Somebody did, but not till they were in the dregs of rehearsal. Magical Strings(Phil and Pam Boulding) live out in the boonies and I hadn't been there for 8 years so didn't want to chance it.

I decided to make the run even though it was late and so missed practicing with everyone but did get in some work with Phil on harp and Pam on hammered dulcimer(me singer).

It's been 8years since I've played with these folks and it was such a joy to reunite. We have our favorites and a tried a few new. Minstrel Boy. Mo Ghile Mear. Red is the Rose. Lannigan's Ball.

Tonight I'm practicing with William and Felicia. Both "modular" practice ie. work out with them what I worked out with Phil last night. We'll put it together on stage!

And also putting our own stuff together and getting ready for Saturday and Tuesday. Since I play mostly solo it is always wonderful to be back working with ensemble.

Marc