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Hello AmeriCeltic Reader,

• New! Co-founder Celia offers her thoughts on the status of tomorrow’s 250th Anniversary of the founding or the United States, from a Personal and Celtic perspective. (See Details)

• From Friday, July 3rd, 1:00 PM until Monday, July 6th, 12:00 PM, the San Francisco Folk Music Club offers their regular Independence Day Weekend Campout, at the Boy Scouts Camp Herms in El Cerrito, CA. (See Below)
• On Friday, July 3rd, at 6:00 PM, the Katie Jane Band performs at Dullahan Irish Pub, in Lake Oswego, OR. (See Below)
• On Sunday, July 5th, at 5:00 PM, Celtic All-Star Grateful Dead Jam Band Wake the Dead, performs at St. Columba’s Church, Inverness, CA. (See Details)
• On Friday, July 10th, at 4:00 PM, Suzuki Cady and Jimmy Murphy perform at the Armstrong Redwoods Picnic Area in Guerneville, CA, and on Sunday, July 12th, at 12:30 PM, at Hopmonk Tavern, in Sonoma, CA (See Below)
• On Friday, July 10th, at 7:30 PM, Aberdeenshire folksinger, Iona Fyfe, begins here 3rd tour of the US West coast at House of Scotland, in San Diego, CA. This will be followed by more than a dozen shows and workshops all along the West Coast during July. (See Below)
• On Saturday, July 11th, from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, the still completely FREE, 50th annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival, happens at the Music Concourse, in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. There will be live music performances, workshops, dancing, story telling, open instrumental and song sessions and much, much more. (See Below)
• On Sunday, July 12th at 1:00 PM Pacific, Delaney McCormack will present, online via Zoom, the sixth episode of her 6 part lecture on Melmoth the Wanderer by Charles Maturin. This is one of the foundational texts in 19th Century Irish Gothic literature. The series is sponsored by the Celtic Arts Center. (See Details)
• New! On Sunday, July 12th at 4:00 PM, The Weeds will launch their debut album, Supernatural with a house concert in Santa Cruz, CA. (See Below)
• New! From Friday, July 17th, 4:00 PM through Sunday, July 19th, 2:00 PM, a loosely organized band of fretted dulcimer players and friends of the dulcimer will convene as they have done for the past 51 years, this time in person. This so-called Kindred Gathering will be held at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center in the foothills near Eagle Creek, OR, and you are all invited. (See Below)
• On Friday, July 17th, at 7:00 PM, the Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen, will perform at the Wheelhouse on Lincoln Avenue in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA. (See Below)

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Mostly Celtic, and
Born on the 4th of July

Reflections Upon U.S. History and Its Future

By Cecilia L. Fàbos-Becker
Published July 3rd, 2026

I was born on the 4th of July, 1949. I have never had my own birthday to myself. Every year, everyone around me reminds me that I SHARE my birthday with the U.S.–I’m tied to the U.S.

I spent many years doing what we now dismiss as ‘political activities’ that were once matters of good and evil, human rights versus human repression, life and death, all seemingly meaningless now.

Morality? What’s that today? ‘Greed is Good,’ never mind what Christ and thousands of leaders, religious and political, said about that after Him.

I lived through the Johnson and Nixon years, the stupidity of the Vietnam War, the destruction of democracy that had the temerity to have socialistic policies and practices to uplift more people in Latin America, and Watergate-crimes to maintain political power. I saw the mostly tacky low-key, commercial, bicentennial celebration after Nixon’s resignation. I had a little hope for the future with that resignation, when more people of both parties had morals, ideals and backbones. That was then. Now, we reach our 250th Anniversary with a President who is a convicted rapist and fraudster and a tool of foreign dictators, not just elected, but re-elected!

Read More …

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• On Fridays, from 5:00 PM on, Pub Scouts, plays great tunes at Duffy’s Tavern in Chico, CA. (See Below)
• There are several monthly Chantey Sings hosted by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. On the 1st Saturday of the month from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in person at the Maritime Museum in San Francisco, CA. On the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of the month, another in-person Chantey Sing is held at the Mare Island Coal Sheds in Vallejo, CA. Lastly, on the 4th Saturday of each month, at 11:00 AM, the San Francisco Virtual Chantey Sing at 11:00 AM happens Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Sundays, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, there is a Turf in the Bog performance at Yosemite Wine Tails in Oakhurst, CA. (See Below)
• On the last Sunday of each month, join Alexandra Annen for a Irish traditional instrumental music session at Sayla Music Academy in Lodi, CA. (See Below)
• On First Sundays, Grass Valley based Three Times Through plays at Grass Valley Brewing Company in Grass Valley, CA, plus several other weekend dates around the Gold Country of California. (See Below)
• On the first Sunday of the month, from 11 AM – 1 PM Pacific / 2 PM – 4 PM Eastern time, Lynn Noel hosts the Mermaid’s Tavern Ballad sing-around, online via Zoom from her home studio. (See Below)
• Beginning Sunday, April 5th, and on the 1st Sunday of every month, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, the Savage Craic Irish session performs at The Mad Dog in the Fog, 1568 Haight St., San Francisco, CA. See Details
• On 1st Sundays at 6:00 PM, 1st Thursdays at 8:00 PM, and other Thursdays at 8:30 PM, Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area organizes Irish set dancing in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• Phoenix Folk Ltd. was established in 2009 by Maurice Condie, Adam Holden & Marina Dodgson to promote participation and performance in folk and acoustic music, song and dance across the North East of England, and since the COVID lockdowns, they have expanded into the online world. Currently, they host three weekly online events on Zoom, happening at 8:00 PM UK / 12:00 PM Pacific on Monday’s, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays at 9:00 AM Pacific and Wednesdays at 3:00 PM Pacific, moreGaelic hosts Scottish Gaelic language events live on Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific Time, Mark Wallis & Alix Sandra Huntley-Speirs host the Moosehead Traditional Irish Music Session, a participatory online Irish instrumental music event, timed so our friends from Ireland and the UK and join in. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM Pacific Time, Irish born Maureen McNally hosts the Ag Teacht Le Cheile Irish Session, a participatory online Irish music event timed so our friends from Ireland and the UK can join in. Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Mondays, from 6:00 – 7:15 PM at her home in Sebastopol, CA, Suzuki Cady gives Irish Music Classses for All Instruments. (See Below)
• On Monday, December 15th, at 7:00 PM Celtic Arts Center host their annual Grand Music Session, Winter Holiday. On Mondays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, the Celtic Arts Center offers beginner level Irish classes online via Zoom and a full evening of Celtic in-person music and dance at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood, CA. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific Time, Tony Becker, hosts the Trans-Atlantic Session, an online traditional music event, featuring a mix of instrumental and vocal performances, timed so participants from Ireland and the UK can join in. Later on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM Pacific, Tony hosts the Pacific Evening Session. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, John Whelan conducts his free Play Along Sessions: Tune Learning at 3:00 PM Pacific and Taking Time at 4:00 PM both Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at 7:00 PM, Irish American Writers and Artists West’s Lori Cassels hosts a salon of local artists at Slainte Pub in Berkeley, CA. (See Below)
• Every Wednesday, at 8:00 PM Los Angeles based Stepwise, a young traditional band born of the COVID Pandemic by founders Liam Lewis and Olivia Breidenthal, performs at Griffins of Kinsale in South Pasadena, CA. (See Below)
• The Philo-Celtic Society offers four full quarters of multiple free classes focused on learning the Irish Language, and some quarters include classes in Irish Song. Fall Quarter 2024 classes began in mid-September and run through December, and include a Children’s Reading Class. All are accessible to everyone everywhere, Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, at at 8 – 9:30 PM Eastern / 5 – 6:30 PM Pacific, and again on Thursdays at 8 – 9:30 PM Pacific / 11 – 12:30 AM Eastern, Autumn Rhodes teaches Irish Session Repertoire for All Instruments online via Zoom from San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On 1st Thursdays, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Pacific Time, multi-instrumentalist Michael Eskin hosts the The Ould Sod Virtual Irish Sessions, the best and most popular participatory online Irish traditional music event. (See Below)
• On Thursdays, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time, One Eyed Reilly plays at The Delta King Bar & Grill in Sacramento, CA, and can be heard at several other venues in the Sacramento Valley. (See Below)
• On third Thursdays, at 6:00 PM, Phillip Taylor leads a Irish/Scottish tune learning session at the Strum Shop in Roseville, CA. (See Below)

• Co-Founder Cecilia Fabos-Becker’s e-book Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics, is available for download now! (See Below)
• On Fridays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, (Pacific time) as well as Mondays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Tuesdays – Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Online or In-Person, Oakhurst, CA born Cedar Dobson is offering lessons in all types of Irish whistles from Gandharva Loka World Music Store in Central Dublin, Ireland. Cedar is also gathering donations on gofundme to produce physical CDs of her new album, Decade. Click here to make a donation. (See Below)
• Slainte Pub continues to provide a proper Irish Pub experience at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. (See Below)
• Now in their 3rd year, Willow on the Green, operated by friend of the family Alex Sinclair and located on 9th Avenue in San Francisco, CA, is especially convenient to Golden Gate Park, and caters to the park revelers, offering a unique array of ready to eat culinary delights. (See Below)
• Well known Flying Scot and all round traditional musician David Brewer has launched his online music lessons, accessible to anyone, anywhere Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• The Starry Plough is now open everyday, with all the events it’s many long term customers had before the pandemic, in Berkeley, CA. (See Below)
• Music and Dance have returned to the cherished San Francisco, CA Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. (See Below)
• Sport your Celtic heritage! AmeriCeltic offers a colorful array of items, each emblazoned with the AmeriCeltic logo. (See Below)
• The Celtic Tea Shoppe, in San Jose is your source for Celtic and Celtic inspired carry-out fresh baked foods, confections and rare teas. (See Below)
• With an extensive selection of instruments and instructional material from around the world, Lark In The Morning in Berkeley, CA is open for in person and online sales and lessons. (See Below)

Scan our feature articles below, or as always, you can click here to check the full listings on our website.

For July 4th and Labor Day weekends this summer, The San Francisco Folk Music Club is hosting in-person gatherings at Camp Herms, a 20-acre camp high in the El Cerrito hills. Many came to our 2021, 2022 2023 and 2024 gatherings at Camp Herms, mostly for day use, and they loved it!

We will have participatory workshops, concerts, ‘open mic’, and open sessions for singing & playing, Jokes, Stories, Friends, late-night singing.

Workshops: Anyone can lead a workshop. Hour-long workshops will go from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday with some extra time in case they run a bit over: 11:00-12:30, 12:30-2:00, 2:00-3:30, 3:30-5:00, 5:00-6:00. There will be two workshops in each of these time frames. This year we will be setting up workshops in advance of camp. Email Daniel Hersh at hrshsand@earthlink.net if you are interested in leading one. Please include subject and time preferred. These will be posted on our website and advertised on the Harmony e-list. One workshop per person please.

Friday July 3rd
Evening song circle

Saturday July 4th
1:00-2:30 Memorial for Phyllis Jardine
2:30-4:00 Political songs led by Ed Hilton
4:00-5:30 Chord Melody for Guitar Players–Finding a Melody in a Chord led by Dave Sahn

6:30 Potluck Dinner followed by Open Mic and then a sing-along at the campfire

Sunday July 5th
2:00-3:30 North American tune session: Quebecois, old-time etc, led by David Brown, Tony Phillips and friends
2:00-3:30 John Prine songs led by Ed Hilton
3:30-5:00 Neil Diamond songs led by Danny Hirsch

Activities: similar to those we had at our previous summer campouts in Boulder Creek: workshops, open mics, and informal singing and playing sessions. (There are no swimming facilities at this camp.)

Please note that changes in our plans for these gatherings might be necessary if the Covid-19 situation changes or if the air is unhealthy due to smoke. If that happens, we will put out the word as widely as we can. We encourage you to occasionally check the website at Full Details for SFFMC Summer Gatherings! for possible changes.

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Katie Jane Band

Get ready for an enchanting evening of high-energy Irish tunes, Celtic favorites, and beloved classics.

Videos:
Katie Jane Band – Wild One with Irish Dancing

Anne Lacey’s, Spoodiskerry, and MacArthur Road

Violinist Katie Jane Lubiens grew up in the Bay Area, California, where she studied classical violin under the acclaimed teacher Nance Mitchell, and then under the world touring gypsy violinist Greg Mazmanian.

In 2008 Katie attended the University of Nevada, Reno, with a music scholarship where she led the symphony orchestra under the baton of Dr. Jason Altieri. While at university, Katie performed up and down the west coast with the classically driven Silver Strings Quartet and the traditional Irish band Whisky Before Breakfast.

Today Katie brings her fiery energy to the Katie Jane Band. With her unstoppable dancing feet and blazing fingers, she turns every performance into a party. From her extensive classical training, Katie is able to meld her impeccable technique and beautiful tone with the passion and excitement she finds in the traditional Celtic fiddle tunes.

Guitarist / Mandolinist / Fiddler Adam Easley’s musical journey began at the age of 12 in Albuquerque, NM, in school guitar class. He then went on to the Conservatory of Music at UOP to study classical music, at which point he started learning about Irish fiddle music and lecture on Irish music there. He studied jazz at SF State where he was introduced to many styles of music and performed with Hafez Modirzideh in the Creative World Ensemble. Since then he has expanded his ability as a multi-instrumentalist to include mandolin, piano, guitar, fiddle, and percussion, and has taught violin and guitar for over 20 years. Guitar Lessons PDX

Learn More:
www.katiejaneband.com
www.facebook.com/katiejaneband
www.instagram.com/katiejaneband

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Wake the Dead is (l – r) Brian Rice (exotic percussion), Paul Kotapish (vocals, mandolin), Sylvia Herold (vocals, guitar), Cindy Browne (bass)
(front) Valerie Rose fiddle, Danny Carnahan (vocals, fiddle, octave mandolin).

Wake The Dead, the World’s Only Celtic All-Star Party Band, is a hot sextet combining Irish jigs and reels with the songs of the Grateful Dead and other ’60s iconic bands, delivering them with unique power and joy. Soaring vocal harmonies and daring instrumentals fuel Wake the Dead’s singular groove engine, delighting Celtoids and Deadheads alike.

Wake The Dead, was first known for weaving jigs and reels into the songs of the Grateful Dead, and so impressed the Dead themselves enough for them to release the début Wake the Dead CD on Grateful Dead/Arista Records. This hot Bay Area acoustic sextet now Celtifies the entire Summer of Love including the Airplane, Youngbloods, Buffalo Springfield and even the Beatles, and after twenty years of rocking acoustic joy and is still going strong.

After 26 years of touring, Wake The Dead has grown to embrace the entire Summer of Love—the Airplane, the Youngbloods, Buffalo Springfield, and even the Beatles now play joyful parts of the mix. Local fans are guaranteed many brand-new surprises. Their sound is unique, their energy extraordinary — a rare collision of worlds that leaves everybody dancing & grinning.

Click Here for the Studio-Produced Videos of Wake the Dead!

Wake The Dead Website
Wake The Dead Facebook Page.

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Suzuki Cady & Jimmy Murphy

Jimmy Murphy & Suzuki Cady specialize in traditional and popular folk songs and instrumentals on acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo.

Suzuki Cady plays the fiddle, tenor guitar, tenor banjo, and bodhrán (Irish frame drum). With an abiding love of traditional Irish music, she cut her teeth playing at pubs and private sessions throughout the Bay Area, Ireland, and beyond. Suzuki plays in Irish band New Wild Hog, teaches Irish music, and composes original tunes.

Check out Suzuki Cady’s Bio

Jimmy Murphy sings and plays guitar, mandolin, and banjo. He’s a member of New Wild Hog and other musical collaborations. With over two decades of experience in the Irish music scene in California, he developed a knack for bringing high-energy rhythms and a calming meditative feel to each performance. Jimmy has appeared in venues from the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles to temples in Japan.

Check out Jimmy Murphy’s Website

Check out Suzuki Cady and Jimmy Murphy’s Website

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Iona Fyfe

Aberdeenshire folksinger, Iona Fyfe, has become one of Scotland’s finest singers, rooted deeply in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. In 2021, she became the first singer to win the coveted title of Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. A two-time winner of Scots Singer of the Year, Iona has performed across Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. Iona is a fierce advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language, leading a successful campaign to pressure Spotify into recognising Scots and add it to its list of languages. Honoured at the Scots Language Awards with the title of Speaker of the Year in 2021, Iona performs both folk and pop songs in the Scots language, remaining true to her rooting in tradition. Iona has featured in several publications including The Sunday Post, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Times. She won the title of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2018 and was described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer.”

This is the third trip that Aberdeenshire folksinger, Iona Fyfe, has made to the West Coast of the US.

On her 2024 tour, at 26, Iona was already one of Scotland’s finest young ballad singers, rooted deeply in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. Winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2018, Iona has been described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer.” (Global-Music.de) Iona has performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as part of the World Premiere of Disney Pixar’s Brave in Concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

At only 21, Iona had a number of high profile appearances under her belt, including performances in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Czech republic, France, Poland, Australia, and Canada. Iona was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and won the Molloy Award at the Birmingham Trad Irish Fest. In 2018 Iona performed at Interceltique Festival Lorient, where she was described as “a Scottish folksinger, magical and charismatic.” (Rolling Stone, France).

Song and Language Workshops: Iona Fyfe also teaches interactive vocal and archival exploration Workshops, in which participants learn songs in the West-Germanic Scots Language, Doric dialect. These workshops will delve into the songs and traditions from traveller singers such as the Stewarts of Fetterangus, the Stewarts of Blair, the Robertsons/Higgins and the McShannons.

Here is sample video:

Iona Fyfe — Live at Carnegie Hall (Full Performance)

More Details on the Iona Fyfe website: https://ionafyfe.com

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On Saturday, July 11th, The San Francisco Folk Music Club presents the 50th annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival in the beautiful Music Concourse open-air plaza within Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

There will be stage shows scheduled all afternoon, as well as dozens of workshops. In the Bandshell, there will be Celtic Dancewith Treble by the Bay, at 1:00 PM, followed by a full Tempest show at 2:00 PM. There will be sea songs and oldtime and Quebecois sessions, and much more, and it’s all free!

Here is a promotional video from past years events: https://youtu.be/2I7Q_dh9Y38.

Check the Full Schedule for full performance and workshop details.

Click for full details and information on the San Francisco Free Folk Festival Website.

More Details on the Facebook Group.

This is a free event as always, but donations are appreciated Click Here to donate.

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The Weeds / Supernatural

Hailing from Carmel, California, The Weeds consist of fiddler John Weed (Molly’s Revenge/New String Project) and sons, Tyler Weed (Mandolin, Irish tenor banjo, guitar) and Evan Weed (Celtic harp, piano, melodica).

We are thrilled to announce a rare, all acoustic house concert at a lovely home near the UCSC campus. Julie, our host, will provide the address once your make your reservation. Tyler and myself will have a day off from a jam-packed run of playing in the pit orchestra for ‘Tom Sawyer,’ a live musical at Ariel Theater Salinas. What better way to spend a day off, than by playing more music with third member Evan Weed.

Next Sunday will be the Santa Cruz release of our debut album Supernatural. Supernatural, title track and composition from multi-instrumentalist Tyler Weed, was inspired by a particularly fruity African natural coffee roasted by fiddler and band-daddy John Weed.

This recording is a collection of ancient Celtic melodies infused with new compositions from the trio. Be prepared for a musical journey which begins and ends in ancient Ireland. Our journey will ‘cross the pond’ into the United States where these three accomplished instrumentalists will explore folk seasonings from Appalachian mountain hollers to occasional hints of modern jazz.

Here are a couple video clips/preview of what could potentially go down in Santa Cruz…
The Curlew Set
Robert Jordan

We hope to see you Sunday, July 12th at 4:00 PM! 
John Weed realjweed@hotmail.com

The Weeds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weedstrio

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Kindred Gathering

What is Kindred Gathering? KG is a weekend of volunteers presenting workshops, jam sessions, and a concert where each participant can perform 2 selections. All levels of players and all instruments are welcome, with a special emphasis on mountain dulcimer.

What has come to distinguish the Kindred Gathering is that all musical forms are welcome. We delight in hearing the dulcimer adapted to world music, rock and roll, jazz, swing, Hawaiian as well as traditional music usually associated with the instrument like Old Time, Appalachian and Irish. All instruments are welcome. Some folks even bring brass and other wind instruments. A few people come to draw and paint and just listen. To get a feel for what goes on there, you can sample the dozens of YouTube Videos from previous KGs here: Videos from previous KGs.

Workshops scheduled thus far:
1. Randy Wilkinson: Fingerpicking the Blues On Dulcimer
2. Lance Frodsham: Irish Music on Dulcimer
3. Dwight Holmgren: Reading Tablature to Play ‘O, Holy Night’ On Dulcimer
4. Beverly Hoback : Using a Noter to Play ‘One I Love’
5. Beverly Hoback: Easy Method For Playing Harmonies On the Middle String of the Dulcimer
6. Beverly Hoback: Beginner’s Workshop if requested
7. Emily Frodsham: Embroidery
8. Mishele Mennet: Intro to Clog Dancing (in tennis shoes)

Exciting Update: John Ellis, dulcimer maker from Washington State, will be bringing some dulcimers he’s made specially to sell at Kindred Gathering!

Where will Kindred Gathering be held in 2026? Alton L. Collins Retreat Center, 36 minutes from Portland, OR, 32842 SE Hwy 211, Eagle Creek, OR, with rooms for single, double, triple, or quadruple occupancy, EACH WITH ITS OWN BATHROOM with a shower, a balcony, ceiling fan, screen door leading to the balcony, and opening transom window, plus a heater. There is one ADA room still available as of April 18th. Bedding and towels are provided but attendees bring their own toiletries.

What is the retreat center like? The three main buildings are in close proximity, with a short covered walkway from the sleeping rooms to the main building, and a chapel located close by, very accessible for those with wheelchairs, walkers, or canes.
 The main building includes a dining room with a baby grand piano and a large outside balcony. Meeting rooms are upstairs and downstairs, accessible by elevator or stairs, with pianos in a downstairs meeting room and the chapel. Several rooms have whiteboards.
 There is WiFi in the main building and the chapel, but not in the sleeping rooms. There is a refrigerator and a freezer in the main building for guests to store snacks or medications.
 No alcohol can be consumed in public areas. Smoking can be done only in the designated area near the pump house. Burn bans are always in effect in July so no campfires are allowed.
 There is one level 2 electric car charger (J-1722 connector) which attendees can use if they ask the o?ce to turn it on. Tesla owners need to have an adapter but other electric cars will work with the charger.
 The forested acreage of the center includes trails, a creek, a grassy lawn area with a volleyball net and horse shoe pits, a labyrinth and herb garden.

Concerts: The main concert will be Saturday, July 18th, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. If there isn’t time for everyone to perform on Saturday night, there will be an additional one-hour concert on Sunday before lunch.

How much will KG cost? Room costs include 6 meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch. 2 nights in a double room plus meals costs $335 per person. 2 nights in a single room plus meals costs $417. Triple rooms plus meals are $265 per person. Quadruple rooms (two sets of bunk beds) are $245 per person. This can be paid to the host, Beverly Hoback, at the end of the event. Bev will then write one check to the retreat center.

For those who wish to camp in tents or RVs, Milo McIver State Park is 15 minutes away and Barton County Park is 7 minutes away. Both have RV and tent sites. There is also a Best Western in Sandy, about 10 minutes away.

A day use fee is required for everyone attending Kindred Gathering but not staying overnight on site. For those eating all 6 meals at the center, the day use fee is $166. For day use plus one lunch and one dinner the fee is $75. Day use plus one lunch is $60. Day use plus one dinner is $40. Day use with no meals is $20. The center requests that if you are on site at meal time, you pay for the meal and join us: no outside food can be substituted for the day use/meal fee.

How do I sign up? Text Beverly Hoback at 425-330-5146 and give her your name and email address. Bev can cancel a reservation up to mid June with a full refund, so please notify her of changes. (She has already paid the down payments.)

REGISTRATION ENDS MAY 31.

Jim Burrill maintains the event website here.

Check out the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center website here.

If you have questions about the KG, text Beverly Hoback at 425-330-5146 with your name and email address.

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Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen

Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen is a dynamic trio that fuses the heart of traditional Celtic music with the energy of rock rhythms, lush harmonies, and modern flair. Their sound is both enchanting and electrifying – offering audiences a fresh take on timeless tradition.

• Michael Mullen ignites the stage with fiddle fireworks, masterful fretwork, and soaring vocals.
• Alison Kline dazzles on whistles, recorders (sometimes two at once!), fiddle, guitar, and radiant harmonies.
• Lynda MacNeil grounds the group with evocative lead vocals, keys, harp, guitar, and melodica.

Together, they weave a spellbinding tapestry of sound – one that celebrates Celtic heritage while reimagining it for today’s audiences. From delicate ballads to driving reels, Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen promises an unforgettable musical journey that will leave you inspired and uplifted.

Michael Mullen says:
The music is generally Celtic “plus”: trad songs, various cover songs (Loreena McKennitt, Blackmores Night, Mary Black, Steve Earle, etc), and plenty of rigs and jeels. People finally get to see me play an evening full of fiddle tunes!

Lynda MacNeil says:
We’ll have another evening of Celtic folk-rock, stories, and good company, along with songs, stories, smiles, and sing-along moments sprinkled throughout the night, so bring your voice and join us for a few lively choruses.

Video: Welcome Video

Website: https://gaelicmuses.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaelicMuses

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Pub Scouts

The Pub Scouts, an Irish band, plays every Friday (30+ years) at Duffy’s Tavern, Chico, from 5pm-8pm.

A Chico Tradition for over 30 years – Great Tunes – Good Friends – Cocktails and Pints

pubscouts@mac.com

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SF Virtual Chantey Sing on Zoom

The San Francisco Chantey Sing is a beloved Bay Area musical tradition. Chanteys are the work songs of seafaring, dock labor, fishing and rowing, are one of the most compelling ways to celebrate our maritime heritage. International and multi-cultural in scope, they tell stories of life in long-ago History, but resonate today with tales of bravery, fear, international port of call, and of longing for a better life.

NPS Ranger Casey Fenton says:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park currently offers three chantey singing events per month.

• San Francisco: The event is held on the first Saturday of the month from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM at 900 Beach St, the Maritime Museum, 900 Beach St, San Francisco, CA.
• Mare Island: The event is held from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM on 2nd or 3rd Saturdays, in person, at Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. The events hosts two concurrent sings, one aboard the historic 1895 schooner, CA Thayer, as well as one in the coal sheds due to accessibility and occupancy concerns aboard CA Thayer. Reservations will not guarantee you a spot aboard the ship, but we will be trying to give everyone a chance to sing in the hold. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the event, please reach out to erin_conner@nps.gov. There is parking available at Mare Island. Public transportation is difficult, but possible and will require a 2.5 mile walk from the Vallejo Transit Center. There are two restaurants at Mare Island. Mare Island Brewing Company is at the Coal Shed. The Quarters Coffee House is half a mile from the ships. We will have bottled water available.
• Virtual: the virtual sing is held on the fourth Saturday of the month from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Pacific time Online via Zoom. Virtual Singing participants, who have signed up for performing slots in advance, will share their favorite songs, either accompanying themselves on traditional instruments, or a cappella. If not leading a song, no registration necessary. givebutter.com/ChanteySing activates on 4th Saturdays at 11:00 AM, where lead singers will be in the “Hollywood squares” (gallery view) and you can sing along from home! Visit https://maritime.org/events-home/chantey-sing for complete details, including links to an online signup sheet, instructions for lead singers, and some suggested virtual backgrounds (just in case your bunk isn’t completely ship-shape). You’ll need a good internet connection, and should be prepared to have fun!

For more information, please email casey_fenton@nps.gov or visit NPS.gov/SAFR. If you would like to attend one of the in person events, reservations would be appreciated at casey_fenton@nps.gov.

Donations to the Association are always welcome, especially during the events. https://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP

The San Francisco Chantey Sings became a park program in 1981, led by it’s founding Park Ranger Dave Nettell from 1981 to 1989 aboard the Schooner C.A. Thayer and the square-rigged ship Balclutha. Over the years, the sings popularity, led by Park Rangers, required them to be held in a larger venue, and, up until Covid, were held aboard the historic ferry Eureka, garnering 100 to 200 people monthly.

If you’d like to learn more about this fascinating folk music tradition, the Park Maritime Research Center’s Chantey Pathfinder has links to books, music and scholarly journal articles at https://go.nps.gov/chanteyinfo.San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. Visit the Park online at http://www.nps.gov/safr

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Turf in the Bog

Eric Owens is an Irish flute player.

Eric Owens Says:

Every Sunday I play jigs and reels solo or with friends for 4 hours in the large room in the Yosemite Wine Tails wine bar. I’m joined by a bodhran player approx 25% of the time, but I also play with other friends as well as all across California under the name Turf in the Bog to include my musician friends from around the state.

Many such gigs have a completely different lineup, with some regulars as well depending on the location and venue. Last year we played the Kern County Scottish games, Oakhurst Harvest Festival, Tradfest West, Rock the Gates, Fairfax Irish Music Festival and many more events.

Some of these events can be viewed at my YouTube channel (see below).

On Saturdays, I attend the session at the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco. All levels are welcome and audience is welcome as well.

Eric Owens woden.eric@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@ericowensflute

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Let’s Learn Irish is an online Irish community, providing daily classes, conversation sessions and workshops for learners throughout the world. First established by Dr. Ronan Connolly in Washington DC in 2009, the Let’s Learn Irish story of ‘the online Gaeltacht’ has resonated with a global online audience. Let’s Learn Irish is now the largest provider of online Irish courses and comhrá sessions for learners.

The Let’s Learn Irish online community was developed at University of Galway, Ireland to support Irish learners throughout the world.

They provide daily online classes, comhrá sessions and community workshops, and weekly courses for all levels. Learners from all over the USA and further afield attend these classes, and since all sessions are video recorded, many more learners follow along in their own time and/or timezone each week. If you want to attend one of our Cúrsaí, but are unable to attend the live sessions, then you can still join us by following our video recordings! Use coupon ‘VideoOnly’ at the checkout for a 25% discount.

The upsurge in interest in the language, and the success of the Oscar-nominated ‘An Cailín Ciúin‘, marks a watershed moment. On their website, there are links to learner profiles, articles and news from their community. Their Press page provides further insights into their story and online activities.

Links:
YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/letslearnirish
Courses: LetsLearnIrish.com/cursai
Press: LetsLearnIrish.com/press/
Articles: LetsLearnIrish.com/ailt/
Learner Profiles: LetsLearnIrish.com/member-profiles/
About: LetsLearnIrish.com/about
Contact Info: LetsLearnIrish.com/contact/
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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One Eyed Reilly

One Eyed Reilly is a genre-bending Celtic/Americana rock band from Sacramento that blends dynamic originals with Celtic rock, Americana, and energetic, innovative versions of Irish and Scottish trad. One Eyed Reilly’s original songs draw on musical influences from Irish folk to Celtic punk with occasional unexpected nuggets ranging from the likes of Bob Dylan, John Prine, Tom Waits, Wilco or the Old Crow Medicine Show. This musical mash-up forms the perfect beer-and-whiskey drenched milieu for a good time night out at the Pub.

For a One Eyed Reilly sample video, Tipperary Blood, Click Here.

More on One Eyed Reilly on their website.

One Eyed Reilly is:
• Rick Meagher, lead vocals/acoustic guitar
• Geith St John Fraser, fiddle; harmony vocals
• Aaron Hendel, bass & electric guitars
• Tim Kurteff-Schatz, drums/percussion

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Maria Hawthorne

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Three Times Through

Three Times Through is Gale Peach, Jeff Peach, Greg Mirken and Margie Mirken. We are a colorful funky kinda Celtic string quartet. We re-imagine and blend traditional and modern tunes and songs with hammered dulcimer, bodhran, concertina, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, fiddle and guitar. The emphasis is on eclectic Celtic music; spirited instrumentals, engaging vocals and haunting melodies.

People stop, stare, and ask us, ‘What is that instrument?’ Whether you’re a devoted fan of Celtic music or simply curious to experience its enchanting allure, Three Times Through invites you to join them for an unforgettable musical experience.

People often don’t realize they love Celtic music until they hear it, and the mashups are only adding to the popularity. Our a cappella vocals transport you to the North Sea, the Caribbean, or to a remote village pub in County Clare

Watch a video of the Band here: https://youtu.be/ZUq7MxtpUfM

For more on the band, check their website, www.threetimesthrough.com, Three Times Through Facebook page, Three Times Through YouTube Channel or email Jeff Peach at jwpeach@gmail.com

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The Mermaid’s Tavern

The Mermaid’s Tavern is the moniker Lynn Noel gave the online folk sings she began when the COVID pandemic began and as of March, 2026, Lynn still hosts a monthly Ballad sing on the first Sunday of each month, online via Zoom.

The time slot for these sessions is a bit inconvenient for those in South Asia, (11:30 PM – 1:30 AM in New Delhi), and in Australasia, (4 – 6 AM Monday morning in Sydney), but for participants in the rest of the English speaking parts of the world it is daytime or evening on Sunday: 11 AM – 1 PM in the Pacific Time Zone / 2 PM – 4 PM Eastern / 7 PM – 9 PM in Ireland and the UK.

David Kidman is a regular participant from Yorkshire, UK. David says,

The sessions are well steered, with no idle chat and yet there’s always time for a cordial welcome. The host’s respect for the participants goes hand-in-voice with the sense of mutual trust that this engenders. Singers therefore experience a feeling of being valued, not least for adding value to the shared experience.

Lynn has undertaken a significantly larger role in the ‘new online music community’. Lynn Noel says,

We connect and coach participatory audiences, session leaders, and performers pivoting to digital to create and cultivate online community.

For details and links, check out The Mermaid’s Tavern website, and then check out the rosters to see who joins us and what we sing, and join the mailing list for links to more online sessions.

Tips and patrons keep us on the air and releasing new music on Bandcamp, so thanks for your donations toward studio services.

More details on Lynn Noel’s personal website

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Savage Craic Irish Session

We are an open Irish traditional session in San Francisco. We meet every Sunday at various venues for music and fun. Everyone is welcome!

Facebook Page: Savage Craic on Facebook

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Irish Set Dancers

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go partner dancing in Ireland? Well, set dance events have been happening in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 30 years, and more recently, Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area has been continuing that tradition.

Set dancing is the social form of folk dancing. It is NOT the performance style dancing you may have seen on ‘Riverdance’, rather, set dancing is very beginner friendly, but engaging enough to appeal to experienced dancers. So whether you are an experienced dancer looking to try something new, or an absolute beginner who wants to give dancing a try, set dancing may be for you.

If you would like to see what set dancing looks like, here are a few example videos:
•¢â‚¬Å¡‚ Dance: Polca an Ri – Clare Lancers

•¢â‚¬Å¡‚ Dance: Clare Meserks – Sona S†â€™ƒâ€ ¢â‚¬â„¢¢â‚¬Å¡‚³l

Set dancing may look complicated if you have never done it before, but it is fun and the moves and patterns become easy to do with a bit of instruction.

On the first Sundays of every month, Yevgeny Binder leads an Irish set dance class followed by dancing to live music at O’Reilly’s Pub in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Lessons at 6pm sharp and dancing 7-10 PM. Beginners welcome and encouraged! No partner needed. The environment is very friendly to newcomers. RSVP required: https://sundays.irishdancesf.com

No prior dance experience of any kind is necessary. You don’t need to bring a partner – there will always be one available – but feel free to take one (or more!) along. You can wear any clothes and shoes that you’re comfortable dancing and sweating in, as dancing can be quite a workout. Removable layers are suggested, and flat shoes are recommended over heels.

Admission is only $10 per person.

If you are not yet a set dancer but are curious, their ‘Meetup’ group is the easiest way to get started: https://www.meetup.com/irishdance. If you are already a dancer, you too should join the Meetup group to get updates on upcoming events and stay in touch with other dancers.

Thank you for supporting over three decades of Irish dancing in the Bay Area!

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Established in 2009, Phoenix Folk exists to promote performance and participation in folk music, song and dance. We offer regular folk sessions, events and ensemble opportunities, both in the North East of England and online. Additionally, we provide a range of resources aimed at helping people to engage with folk music as both participant and listener. We put participation at the centre of all that we do, and aim to provide a comfortable space where musicians of all levels of ability can experience the joy of making music with others, extend their repertoire, challenge themselves and be inspired.

On Mondays, Maurice & Marina host a Play Along tune session leading mostly Irish Traditional Music tunes at a steady pace.

On Tuesdays, Maurice & Marina host a ‘Folk Singaround’, featuring mostly (but not exclusively) folk and traditional tunes and songs from the British Isles and North America. This regularly includes acappella and self accompanied songs, tunes, poems and readings from many attendees.

On Thursdays, Maurice & Marina host another ‘Play Along’ tune session, leading lots of Celtic tunes at full speed. They have a particular interest in Northumbrian music and see their online presence as a great opportunity to share local tunes with musicians from outside the region/outside the UK.

Phoenix Folk Website: https://phoenixfolk.co.uk

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Since 2021, More Gaelic has been supporting Scottish Gaelic learners beyond the classroom with online and in-person conversation circles, game sessions, book clubs, Gaelic swag like stickers and t-shirts in the Scottish Gaelic language, and Gaelic content on Instagram and TikTok. Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig!

Dé Tha Dol, weekly on Wednesdays, at 3:00 PM Pacific.
Scottish Gaelic Conversation
Come speak Scottish Gaelic with a friendly group of learners! We meet on Zoom for an hour on Wednesdays. Gaelic conversation is a great way to practice and improve your speaking and listening skills. All levels of Gaelic are welcome. For more information and to register visit https://www.moregaelic.com/dol
Registration: To receive the link, register on the Google form here: https://forms.gle/uHeYpuJzj2vgdX1b6

An Sàs, weekly on Mondays, at 9:00 AM Pacific.
Gaelic Co-working session.
Come on Mondays and be a part of the first ever online Scottish Gaelic co-working session!
In a co-working space, each person brings a bit of their own quiet work to do and uses the energy of the group to help focus, stay on task, and get things done. You can bring whatever task you choose, anything from work emails, books to read, or socks to fold.
After a quick hello, we settle in for 45 minutes of independent work. At the end of 45 minutes, we check in and have a quit chat before going on our way until next time.
Registration: To receive the link, register on the Google form here:
https://forms.gle/cjPqFRUoBpHiYzsR9

Join the newsletter to get details about future events, language classes, song workshops, and game sessions https://www.moregaelic.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moregaelic/
Website: https://www.moregaelic.com/
Email: Ceana hello@moregaelic.com

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The Moosehead Session

Welcome to the ONLINE ZOOM Moosehead Traditional Irish Music Session! Hosted by Mark Wallis & Alix Sandra Huntley-Speirs.

All are welcome to attend to play, and/or listen and enjoy!This is a traditional Irish tune instrument session only, Read More …

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89155330559?pwd=NHF4aTU0TSsxd01aUVdNbXhoODRGQT09
Meeting ID: 891 5533 0559
Passcode: tunes

Please also join our Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/trad.irish.music.session

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Welcome to the Ag Teacht Le Cheile Irish Session! Hosted by native Irish singer Maureen McNally, this Traditional Irish Tune and Song Session meets every Monday at 11 PM Ireland/UK | 6 PM Eastern | 3 PM Pacific, online via Zoom.

All are welcome to attend to play, sing, and/or listen and enjoy!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://link.americeltic.net/atlc

Long time participant Cornelius (Connie) McEleney passed on in early 2023, but we still have his playlist, with lyrics and recordings of Connie singing 33 of his Irish songs to learn ourselves. Cornelius McEleney Collection.

Please email questions to:¢â‚¬Å¡‚ maureenmcnally6@gmail.com

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Suzuki Cady

Irish fiddle player, singer, and teacher Suzuki Cady brings a dynamic mix of acoustic Irish and American folk music to San Francisco Bay Area venues, and now she is teaching others to learn the same!

Suzuki has room for 2 more folks to join her current session at $30/week. A new 6-week Session Starts February 24 ~ $150

Suzuki says:
Discover the hypnotic melodies, pulsing rhythms, and worldwide customs of traditional Irish music! Classes are held at a private home in Sebastopol, California (address provided upon signup). *We have room for a couple more folks to join the current class session at a $30/week rate.

Learn to play captivating tunes and build your repertoire! Have fun and build a musical community in the process. We will focus on learning tunes by ear, which is part of the folk tradition. Please bring a recording device to class.

Website: https://www.suzukicady.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/suzuki.cady
Classes Webpage: https://www.suzukicady.com/irish-music-class-for-all-instruments
Email Suzuki: suzukicady@gmail.com
Call Suzuki: 415-302-9658

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Every Monday night the Celtic Arts Center offers a free introductory Irish language workshop online via Zoom for complete beginners that starts at 7PM and TraditionalCelticmusic jam session in the Lounge – Musicians and singers are welcome!

Check out the full details on their website here: Online Beginners Irish Language ClassMondays, 8PM. This beginners level emphasises on pronunciation, lower level grammar and basic conversation practice. Classes are FREE for first-timers and Celtic Arts Center members. The current term began on Monday, February. 5th, 2024, but they are still accepting new students. Email James Murphy at language@celticartscenter.com with any questions.

In addition, CAC hosts many in-person events at the Mayflower Club, 11110 Victory Blvd., in North Hollywood, CA. On Monday, October 28th, at 7:00 PM Celtic Arts Center, presents Samhain 2024, A Celtic New Year Celebration and Hallowe’en Party at The Mayflower Club! Check out the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/907760217385097. They also host a half-dozen more annual Festivals, starting with Saint Patrick’s Day, and continuing through the Celtic Year. Check out the venue website here: https://mayflowerclub.com

Weekly, on Mondays, they host several social events, beginning at 7PM with an in-person Irish Traditional Music Learners session where musicians can learn and practice traditional Celtic tunes. At 8PM there is a free Irish ceili dance workshop for both beginner and intermediate level students. All that is followed by the Center’s famous traditional music seisiun where singers and musicians from all across the L.A. area gather to play and share their love for the music of the Celts. There is no admission fee for performers or audience members and everyone is welcome to participate or just listen and watch. You may also hear the recitation of a Celtic-themed poem or even a joke told in Irish! The Center has seen many of its young members, traditional Celtic musicians and performers grow into accomplished performers who successfully tour and compete both in the U.S. and internationally.

Check out the Celtic Arts Center Website

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The Trans-Atlantic Session on Zoom

Tony Becker of San Jose, California hosts this Trans-Atlantic Session for all interested parties on Wednesdays, at 7:00 PM Ireland and UK time, 3:00 PM Eastern or 12:00 PM Pacific in the USA.

Later that same evening, from 11:00 PM Eastern or 7:00 PM Pacific Time, Tony hosts the Pacific Evening Session, timed to for participants on the West Coast of the US and across the Pacific Ocean.

Both are a participatory online music events via Zoom.

Click here to Join the Zoom Meeting!

Each of these two sessions is open for a couple of hours to all who play or sing traditional music and with the obvious limitations of Zoom in that only one musician can play at a time but we go round the ‘room’ and take it in turns – no pressure though and the baton can be passed if you just want to listen.

On a good day we have a variety of tunes with instruments from pipes to melodeon, banjo to fiddle and an equal number of songs, with some from other cultures and languages like Irish or Scottish Gaelic! The participants are very friendly and we welcome everyone – it can be a good way to pick up any of the above! The only criterion is we try to have some of the offerings in Celtic traditional genre(s).

Please come along if you can!

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John Whelan

Seven-time All-Ireland Button Accordion Champion John Whelan is one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players. John was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, and learned his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O Connor and his teacher Brendan Mulkaire. Along with his All-Ireland Championships, he was twice awarded musician of the year from the Irish Music Association. He has over 15 CDs and has performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. John’s music has been featured on such TV shows as ‘Sex in the City,’ ‘History’s Mysteries’ and ‘History Detective.’ John performs with the John Whelan Band and has also teamed up with his old pal Brian Conway forming the group Gailfean, which also features M†â€™‚¡irtin De C†â€™‚³g†â€™‚¡in and Don Penzien have released their first new CD. For over a decade, John has performed ‘Monday’s with John’ every Monday evening on his Facebook Profile.

Every Wednesday, live on Zoom, John hosts two free, play along style events: a ‘Tune Learning’ workshop, and after a break a ‘Taking Time’ slow session, both of which regularly draw attendees from around the world (see box for times).

This is also a great opportunity for learning new tunes, as everybody except the session leader (John) will be muted while they play. Unlike an in-person session, you can noodle along to your heart‚¢¢â‚¬Å¡‚¬¢â‚¬Å¾‚¢s content, and nobody will ever know unless you tell them.

Check them out here: http://johnwhelanmusic.com/slow-session. We send out a tune list and Zoom link for them on the same mornings. Email John at whelanbx1@me.com to get on the list or for more details.

Get more details on John’s Facebook Page or John’s Website

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On the second Wednesday, of each month at 7:00 PM, the Irish American Writers and Artists West, hosted by Lori Cassels, will conduct another in-person salon at the authentic Irish pub, Slainte Oakland in the historic Jack London Square district, of Oakland, CA.

Sign ups are available now. Please submit your email to to Lori Cassels lcassels@aol.com.

Click here to RSVP mailto:lcassels@aol.com

After a short introduction sizzle reel about Irish American Writers and Artists the host will introduce the organization and the talent that will share their work.

IAW&A Artist Salons are a curated collections of artists: musicians, writers, playwrights, poets, and filmmakers that share their talent.

Click this link for all the latest information on the IAW&A Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IrishAmericanWritersAndArtistsInc and be certain to visit the IAW&A website, https://iamwa.org.

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Stepwise

Traditional Celtic folk duo Stepwise, Liam Lewis (mandolin, guitar, fiddle, voice) and Olivia Breidenthal (fiddle and voice) performs a mixture of traditional Irish songs with tight vocal harmonies and traditional Irish tune sets. Olivia is a practitioner of the Galway fiddle style with influences including Kevin Burke, the Kane Sisters, and Liz Carroll.

In 2022 they completed a new album of original music, Stepwise.

Click to watch a video of Stepwise performing Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still: https://youtu.be/geC8snZoqqM

Seeking a safe and socially distant place to meetup and play tunes, Stepwise was created very organically in the park; purely because it was too much fun to play so many good tunes together and not share it with an audience.

Together, Olivia and Liam’s instrumental arrangements feature intricate twin fiddles or groovy rhythm guitar fit for a traditional Ceili or the discerning ears of an Irish-enthusiast audience.

Check their Website.
Check their YouTube Channel.
Check their Facebook Page.
Email Stepwise:stepwisemusic@gmail.com

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The Philo-Celtic Society

The Philo-Celtic Society offers four full quarters of multiple free classes focused on learning the Irish Language, and some quarters include classes in Irish Song. Fall Quarter 2024 classes began in mid-September and run through December, and include a Children’s Reading Class. All are accessible to everyone everywhere, Online via Zoom

With so many different classes running at once, the school is organized using an online Group membership method. Unlike in-person classes, there is a separate Group.io webpage for each particular Class. The use of separate Groups.io webpages for administration functions avoids having the teachers directly collect and email reminders to every student. Join the particular Group.io ‘Group’, then ‘sign in’ to that particular webpage, and you are registered to attend that class.

To attend class, students simply point their browser at the Class webpage, and then open the Zoom link posted there. Since the meetings are video recorded, they remain accessible on Groups.io along with class materials, and if a student misses a class, they can always review these posts and ‘catch up’.

Here is a document that will guide you, step-by-step, through the registration process on Groups.io: Getting Started Guide (PDF)

The Basic Level ‘Starting to Learn’ class in the Irish language happens on Fridays. ‘Starting to Learn’, taught by Jerry Kelly, is suitable for Absolute Beginners — This is where you start. https://groups.io/g/philo-startingtolearn.

Spring Quarter classes begin the first week of February. Check on the many other Irish language classes available on their Groups.io Messages webpage here: https://groups.io/g/philo-celtic-society/messages. Follow the links and sign into your class(es), and spread the word !!!

Current classes are also summarized on the Philo-Celtic Society Main Groups.io webpage: https://groups.io/g/philo-celtic-society

Check the Philo-Celtic Society Website: https://www.philo-celtic.com

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Autumn Rhodes

Autumn Rhodes was raised in a rural Indiana household full of Irish music. At the age of 12, Autumn got a tin whistle for a birthday present and a year later was performing professionally

Shortly after, Autumn progressed to the flute and concertina and learned from master players such as Laurence Nugent, Kevin Henry, and John Williams. Autumn is equally renowned as a singer in the Sean-nos style of Irish tradition.

Autumn plays wooden flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, and concertina in several bands, including Buncrana, Soltre, Bardic Apostles, Slaggy Maggie, Meitheal, Mira, Na Cailini, and a few others, in styles including traditional Irish, jazz, classical, Breton, folk, and Bulgarian/Romanian music.

Autumn says:
Join us for a weekly drop-in Irish tune learning class for all instruments. The only requirements are for you to have an instrument that can play in D, a little bit of experience playing Irish music, and an internet connection.

I have more than 20 years of experience teaching students of all levels. Join my class for all instruments and learn classic session tunes along with technique, ornamentation, and phrasing. We will be mostly learning by ear, but I’ll provide sheet music and recordings.

On my website, https://sites.google.com/view/irishtuneclass,
I’ll be posting tunes, sheet music, recordings, history, and other resources. It’s a work in progress at the moment, but you can e-mail me with questions: autumn@cei.li (yes, it’s a real email address). Stay tuned (pun 100% intended).

$15-20 suggested donation (but nobody turned away) via PayPal, paypal.me/concertinachick or @Autumn-Rhodes on Venmo, or CashApp $ConcertinaChick, Apple Pay, or other.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/irishtuneclass
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/irishtuneclass
Email Autumn: autumn@cei.li

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The Ould Sod Virtual Irish Traditional Session

On the first Thursday of each month, multi-instrumentalist Michael Eskin hosts the The Ould Sod Virtual Session.

These are easily best and most popular online instrumental sessions in the world. The music is 95% Irish traditional dance tunes and the participation level is massive!

The Zoom meeting detailed information is posted on Michael’s website:

Get the Zoom Link

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Our friend Phillip Taylor is hosting an Irish/Scottish Instrumental Tune learning session at the Strum Shop in Roseville, CA. We are a group of Irish/Scottish instrument learners supporting one another’s musical growth and knowledge of Celtic tunes. Advanced musicians should be aware and bring their patience as well as their instruments. Newer musicians are welcome, but we are not instructors…

Phil says:
It’s a learning session, meaning we have a stable list that changes slowly to allow people to practice between sessions. It is slower than a normal session, and we hand out written music and may practice the same song more than once at different speeds. You can contact me at phillipetaylor@yahoo.com

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The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, is known around the world for hosting incredible Irish music and pulling beautiful pints of Guinness since 1975. Since then, it has evolved to host live music every night of the week, except Monday, including all genres of music; Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Zydeco, acoustic Americana, and of course, Irish Traditional.

Over the years The Plough and the Stars in San Francisco has hosted many well-known musicians from Ireland and around the globe, but the COVID pandemic and related public health restrictions put a stop to all that for over a year. The resulting business losses threatened to put The Plough out of business permanently, but a sustained community crowdfunding effort helped keep it going, and now it appears to have emerged intact.

Sean Heaney says:
Music and Dance at the Plough are back. See the boxes for the latest details or check our website or just drop by for a pint!

Check for the latest updates:
The Plough and Stars Website
The Plough and Stars Facebook Page

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Debbie and Mark Nagle

We Are Open!

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, is a bustling SoMa spot with delicious food offerings to choose from. Large beer selection, wine menu and cocktail list to feast from.

This local Irish Pub brings the culture of Ireland to San Francisco, offering a full bar, Happy Hour specials, and a full Irish restaurant menu, including favorites like Fish And Chips and our signature Spicy Potato Bites which go with any style of sport, music or fun.

Says Publican, Mark Nagle:

Good health to you all and look forward to seeing you back at The Chieftain soon! — Mark Nagle

For the latest happenings, check the Chieftain facebook Page, or call 415-615-0916, or email Mark Nagle at mark@thechieftain.com or check www.thechieftain.com.

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