Well, there's a few takes here, from where I sit.

You can do the things that are popular, and done quite often. The ones crowds come to know and love like a well worn, favorite sweater.

You can break the mould, and do things that are rarely done...perhaps do them in a unique and different way, and carve your own path.

Or you can do some of both.

For me, I like a little of both. I would check out the bar scene, listen to some old standards, and then give a listen to those that step off the beaten path.

As you are so near my own home stomping grounds, I can recommend quite a few places to start. Check out the House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD. There are a metric buttload of recordings (local artists), and a further metric buttload of information on where to see some of them, and yet another metric buttload of sheet music and song books.

There are also a huge amount of bars that sport Celtic music regularly in the area. If you are in/close to Annapolis, Seamus Kennedy plays regularly at Harry Brownes in the historic district. There are many in Baltimore, but they all escape my memory right now (We even played one at one point, and I can't even remember *it's* name).

Additionally, there is the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. A wonderful organization that is worth joining, if for nothing else, their support of local artists. Here's the URL for their calendar: http://ceimd.com/fsgw/calendar.php3

You can always listen to Mary Cliffs show, or Shamrock and Thistle, and pick out the tunes you like to do.

Not to mention the many Celtic festivals around these parts as well.

And, when you get it together, let us know. I'd personally love to come see what yet another local Catter is doing! :D

Break a leg!