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Hello AmeriCeltic Reader,

• New! On Saturday October 25th, at 10:30 AM Pacific time (6:30 PM UK/Ireland Time) Linn Phipps offers her ‘learn a Scottish Gaelic Song’ workshop, Siansadh, as part of the Portland Folklore Society’s online Folk Festival, FallSong. Register for free here at https://portlandfolkmusic.org/FallSong.
• On Sunday, October 26th, at 7:00 PM, Chanteymen Dick Holdstock, Travis Pratt, and Aaron Clegg, will give a concert to launch their new album, West Coast Shanties & Sea Songs, at Winters Opera House in Winters, CA. (See Details)

• On Friday, October 24th, at 4:00 PM, the United Irish Cultural Center hosts their regular Irish session in the Emerald Pub. Then, on Saturday, November 8th, The Karl McHugh Band + Matt Jaffe. All at their large facility in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Friday, October 24th, at 6:00 PM, North Bend, OR, Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter will play play the Public library a concert in North Bend, OR, followed by several more shows around OR in coming months. (See Details)
• On Friday, October 24th, at 7:00 PM, the Celtic Rock Band Tempest performs at Woodhouse Brewing, in Santa Cruz, CA. (See Below)
• On Friday, October 24th, at 7:30 PM, ledgendary Irish singer songwriter Andy Irvine continues his tour of the West Coast at the Comhaltas Oregon in Portland, OR, with two more dates around the in WA this weekend. (See Below)
• On Saturday, October 25th, at 12:00 PM & Sunday, October 26th, at 11:00 AM comes the 17th Annual Sonora All Hallows Faire, a Celtic Tradition in the Mother Lode of California. (See Below)
• On Friday, October 24th, at 8:00 PM, and continuing on Saturday, October 25th, at 1:00 – 9:30 PM & Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 – 10:00 PM, the 14th Annual Fairfax Irish Festival Of Music & Dance overruns the small town of Fairfax, CA, which, for the weekend, resembles a town in Ireland full of songs, tunes and dance. (See Below)
• On Saturday, October 25th, at 7:00 PM the Oregon based band, AML Trio, will perform at Nana’s Irish Pub in Newport, OR. (See Below)
• On Saturday, October 25th, at 8:00 PM and again on Sunday, October 26th, at 4:00 PM, Katie Jane’s Celtic Light Orchestra lights up the holiday season with an all ages electrifying spectacular, featuring hobbit accents, at the Echo Theater in Portland, OR. (See Below)
• On Sunday, October 26th, at 2:00 PM, legendary musicians Four Shillings Short continue their fall series of concerts with a Benefit Concert and Book Signing for HEAL Palestine with Michael Cooper at the San Gregorio General Store, in San Gregorio, CA followed by more Fall concerts around the West Coast. (See Below)
• New! On Thursday, October 30th, at 8:00 PM, the fabulous Shipwrecked Shanty Band performs at the Slainte Pub in Oakland, CA. (See Below)
• New! On Friday, October 31st, at 8:00 PM, at 7:30 PM hot new Scottish band Breabach takes the stage at the Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR for the first of twelve concerts all along the West Coast over the next three weeks. (See Below)
• New! From Saturday November 1st, at 10:00 AM through Sunday November 2nd, at 4:00 PM, it is the Yosemite Celtic Festival, at the Oakhurst Community Center in Oakhurst, CA. (See Below)
• New! On Saturday, November 1st at 10:00 AM, the new band, Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen, will perform at the Oakhurst Community Center, in Oakhurst, CA, and at 4:30 PM at the Yosemite Celtic Festival, and on Sunday, November 2nd, repeat the morning show and move their afternoon show to 2:00 PM. Next, on Sunday, November 9th, they will perform at 4:30 PM, at the Wheelhouse on Lincoln Avenue in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA . (See Below)
• New! From Saturday November 1st, at 10:00 AM through Sunday November 2nd, at 4:00 PM, it is the Yosemite Celtic Festival, at the Oakhurst Community Center in Oakhurst, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, November 1st, at 2:30 PM, Suzuki Cady and Jimmy Murphy perform at Murphy’s Irish Pub, in Murphy’s Irish Pub, CA, followed by several more gigs in the north Bay area during November. (See Below)
• New! On Saturday, November 1st, at 8:00 PM, Celtic All-Star Grateful Dead Jam Band Wake the Dead, performs at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA. (See Below)
• New! On Saturday, November 15th at 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM, it’s the How Halloween Stole Christmas Scottish Dance show at the Starbright Theater in Campbell, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, November 22nd, at 8:00 PM, the Doc Sawyers, a Saw Doctors Tribute Band, will bring their music to the Molly O’s Pub in San Carlos, CA. (See Below)

• On Fridays, from 5:00 PM on, Pub Scouts, plays great tunes at Duffy’s Tavern in Chico, CA. (See Below)
• On the 1st Saturday of each month, at 6:00 PM, the San Francisco in-person Chantey Sing is held at the Maritime Museum in San Francisco, CA, and then on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of the month, at 11:00 AM, the San Francisco Virtual Chantey Sing 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 first Sunday every month, at 9:00 AM Pacific, Dr. Ronan Connolly offers a Lets Learn Irish free workshop on Irish Language, free of charges and available everywhere Online via Zoom. They also offer a free, on demand starter course of three short videos. (See Below)
• On Sundays, from 8:00 UK time / 12:00 PM Pacific, it’s the Loch Down Folk Club, timed so our friends from the US and Canada can join in, Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On first Sundays of the month, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time, the Cross Keys band, Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O’Neill, sing out at the Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden in Fairfax, 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)
• 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 First Mondays, at 12:00 PM Pacific, the Clé (Left) Club of Dublin, Ireland meets for a Zoom session devoted to traditional music, verse and song Online via 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 Chéile 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 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 2:30 PM Pacific and Taking Time at 4:00 PM both Online via Zoom. (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, and also on 3rd Thursdays, from 12:00 – 2:00 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 1st Thursdays at 8:00 PM, and other Thursdays at 8:30 PM, Irish Dance – San Francisco Bay Area organizes Irish set dancing at the Plough and Stars Irish Pub in San Francisco, CA. They also sponsor dances at 7:30 PM on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at Ireland’s 32 Pub in San Francisco, CA as well as set dancing lessons there on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. (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 Fábos-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)
• Sláinte 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)
• The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, the local Irish Pub bringing the culture of Ireland to downtown San Francisco at 5th and Howard. (See Below)
• Multi-genre violin teacher (especially Irish Traditional Music) and performer Darcy Noonan is available for gigs and lessons. (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)
• Publican Stan Gamble has re-opened The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant, offering full service 7 days a week from 4pm to late. (See Below)

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

Every Saturday, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, there are free Irish Traditional Music Fast Session in the UICC’s Emerald Pub. Email Cormac Gannon for details.
On the Last Saturday of every month, at 2:00 PM, there are free, Irish Traditional Music Slow Sessions in the UICC’s Members’s Room.
Email Matt Moore for details.

Youth Music Classes are ongoing at UICC-SF. On Mondays, drumming classes at 5:00 PM, on Wednesdays for fiddle at 7:00 PM and on Thursdays at 7:00 PM for tin whistle and bag pipe classes. They are gauging interest in button accordion classes, and organizing a youth ceili band. These music classes are offered in partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Cooley Keegan Branch, and scholarships are available to defray the cost of tuition. For info., email class instructor Dan Cotter terrimaverick@yahoo.com or call him at 650-784-9347, or email organizer Liam Reidy lreidy@irishcentersf.org or call him at 415-860-1854.

The United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco (UICC-SF) operates a large event facility serving the Irish and other Cultural communities, in the Sunset District near the San Francisco Zoo. Thanks to our hard working small staff and dozens of volunteers, the UICC Wawona Gates Outdoor Dining has operated a bustling outdoor dining space under a 1,800 square foot open-sided canopy since January 2021, and offers indoor events in their St. Francis Room as well as their spacious Saint Patrick’s Room!

UICC website
UICC Facebook Page

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Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter

Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter perform with two Celtic harps, the rare Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Cittern and more. The audience will hear music hailing from Celtic and Nordic Traditions as well as heartwarming original compositions. The multi-instrumental duo will present a unique blend of music and tales from their adventures as modern day troubadours.

Here is a video of some excerpts from their recent live shows: https://youtu.be/NvJdFA0ktsw

Lisa Lynne is a multi-instrumentalist and performer who has gained worldwide recognition for her original music featuring her Celtic Harp. She is widely acclaimed for composing memorable and heartwarming melodies on the Windham Hill/Sony music labels that have repeatedly placed in the Top 10 & Top 20 on the Billboard New age music charts. Lisa tours year round performing at large US festivals and performing art centers. Her work in Therapeutic music has gained recognition from NBC, CNN, Fox News Atlanta and numerous newspaper and magazine articles including Wall Street Journal. Lisa’s music is heard throughout the award winning PBS special ‘Alone in the Wilderness,’ amongst many other soundtracks for commercial television and independent films. She performs regularly as a solo artist, with Aryeh Frankfurter, Patrick Ball and the Windham Hill tours. She was recently named one of the 50 most inspiring women by Los Angeles Magazine. http://www.LisaLynne.com

Aryeh Frankfurter is a renowned Celtic harper and multi- instrumentalist who went from virtuosic progressive rock violin to intricate Swedish folk and Celtic Music. He began with Classical violin at the age of three, and studied music throughout his life. He has 17 albums to his credit, works on film and television scores as composer and arranger, and continues to teach himself to play a variety of instruments, most recently the rarely seen Swedish Nyckelharpa. He earned his masters in philosophy as he was becoming one of the most successful street performers in the US. He is a full time musician and producer whose uncommon approach to the Celtic harp and folk harp repertoire, his critically acclaimed albums have earned him high regard as an artist of extraordinary talents and abilities. www.Lionharp.com

Check out Lisa’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LisaLynne
Check their calendar at: https://lionharp.com/calendar
For more information, please contact: Lisa Lynne 541-972-3068 Lisa@LisaLynne.com.

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Tempest 1994 (vintage)

clockwise from top left: Ian Butler, Lief Sorbye, Jon Berger
Adolfo Lazo, and Rob Wullenjohn

Lief and Adolfo return with The Piedmont Highlander to Main Street Brewery in Pleasanton this Thursday! As a special treat, their Mando / Drums Duo will feature acoustic versions of songs from the Tempest repertoire as well as some musical surprises.

Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy Folk Rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 30-plus years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area-based act release eighteen critically acclaimed albums and play more than 2,500 gigs.

The current line-up of the band features all the original members, performing a variety of selections from the band’s extensive repertoire, sparking with vitality and energy.

Hailing from Oslo, Norway, founder and lead singer/electric mandolinist, Lief Sorbye, is recognized as a driving force in the modern folk-rock movement. Lief started Tempest after years of touring and recording on the folk circuit.

Lief is joined by Bay Area native Rob Wullenjohn on guitar and San Diego’s Ian Butler on bass. Rob and Ian rejoined the band after performing an impromptu reunion concert in Berkeley, California, that rekindled the original spirit of Tempest.

Vermont born fiddler Jon Berger first joined the band in 1993. Jon is now back, bringing his passion for Celtic and British Isles traditional music.

Audience favorite, Cuban-born drummer Adolfo Lazo, thickens the band’s sound with inventive rhythms, and rock-steady drumming. After more than three decades Adolfo has never missed a Tempest gig!

Tempest is regularly featured at prestigious festivals such as The Philadelphia Folk Festival, and has also appeared at Denmark’s Skagen Festival, Britain’s Cropredy Festival and The Winnipeg Folk Festival in Canada. The band is a mainstay at countless American Celtic festivals, as well.

While signed to Progressive Rock label Magna Carta records Tempest released a number of critically acclaimed albums over the years. However their latest album “Going Home’ was produced on their own independent label, and it’s one of their best to date!

In honor of their 35th Anniversary, they released Tempest Through the Ages the video! This exciting two-hour movie documents our first 20 years together as a band. (It was previously released as a Bonus Disc on the Prime Cuts Compilation in 2008, but has been out of print for many years.) It features Tempest archival material; performed live on stage, TV, and in rehearsal. It includes 30 songs with interviews and rare photos. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/V7iYkAwzNEA

Subscribe to their YouTube Channel and get more videos like this! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4JqYpFfiN97uXq1XW45Fg

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TempestCelticRock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sorbye
Artist sites and sounds: www.tempestmusic.com.

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Andy Irvine

Musician, singer and songwriter, Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as ‘a tradition in himself.’ Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his over 55-year career, and shaped the landscape of Irish and world music. Deeply influenced by Balkan music, Andy blends traditional Irish song with global sounds and his own timeless songwriting.

From Sweeney’s Men in the mid 60s, to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, his duo with Paul Brady, his collaborations with Dónal Lunny in the later 70s and then from Patrick Street to Mozaik, LAPD and Usher’s Island, Andy has been a world music pioneer and an icon for traditional music and musicians.As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie. Andy’s storytelling and musicianship continue to inspire, earning him a Lifetime Achievement Award from RTÉ in 2018. To quote The Irish Times, ‘Often copied, never equalled’, his repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dances and a compelling canon of his own self-penned songs.

Video: Andy Irvine – LIVE at the Irish Cultural Centre in London, 2022, full set https://youtu.be/Z1cg_R4T1ck

Don’t miss a rare chance to see one of Irish folk music’s living legends live on stage as he makes his way on his US Solo Tour.

Andy Irvine’s website: https://www.andyirvine.com/

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The Original 17th Annual All Hallows Faire returns to the Calaveras Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, California on October 25 & 26. It’s our Modern Themed Costume Play Fantasy Festival and we are going to create an exciting world of fun never seen before! This original event creation will bring historical Celtic cultures alive with costume characters and non-stop entertainment. The festival will also have the ever-popular Burning of the Harvestman, and a Fire Extravaganza not to be missed– so come early and celebrate the Celtic New Year in style…

KIDS ARE 100% FREE- BOTH DAYS (AGES 0-5)

Save money by buying tickets on-line: www.allhallowsfaire.com

The Fantasy Faire is a two-day all inclusive costume play event! Patrons are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and immerse themselves into our themed encampment realms. The encampments will be filled with Celts, Vikings, Ancient Warriors, Pirates, Mythical Creatures, Gypsies, Witches, and a Fire Breathing Dragon. Kids can trick or treat through the entire realm, with free candy at every corner and a costume contest. On Sunday, the faire offers three new venues just for kids: a pumpkin carving area, a super fun pumpkin rolling competition, and the new exciting midway game arcade!

Music is always one of the crowd favorites at the faire, and this year we have two full stages of music. Click for the Full Schedule

It’s all about coming dressed up for fun! A costume contest for adults and children of all ages with prizes will be offered all weekend long. And then on Saturday Night- the Big Fire Extravaganza, the worlds most amazing fire show by nationally known fire-juggler and fire walker instructor, Kevin Axtell & Friends. All will want to also witness the ever-popular Burning of the Harvestman – an old Celtic Tradition that opens the door to our loved ones on the other side.

Full details and Tickets at www.allhallowsfaire.com

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14th Annual Fairfax Irish Festival

The town of Fairfax, CA will again host an October weekend of Irish music and dance from Friday, October 24th, Saturday, October 25th, & Sunday, October 26th. Some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians and dancers will be performing in venues all over town.

Venues will include Way Station, The Pavilion, Wu Wei Tea Temple, Revolution g, Sorella Cafe, Nave’s Bar, Sonas, Denim, Barefoot Cafe & Peri’s Tavern.

For more info, check Fairfax Fest Website, or The Fairfax Fest Facebook Page, or email fairfaxirishfestival@gmail.com or call Cormac Gannon at 415-902-2947.

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The AML Trio are an Oregon based band performing Celtic folk & rebel music alongside original material. After nearly a decade of friendship, the musical trio debuted in 2023 and are now entertaining audiences across the US.

The AML Trio are:
Trent Adams– Bodhran, 8-String Classical Guitar, Vocals

Jeff Martin– Tin Whistle, Harmonica, Mandolin, Guitar, 5-String Bass, Vocals

Joseph Linahon– Irish Bouzouki, Bodhran, Vocals

Last summer, the AML Trio released their first album, titled Sons of Erin’s Isle. Here are links to two of their YouTube music videos:
• Down by the Glenside
• Whiskey in the Jar

The entire Sons of Erin’s Isle album is available for listening, free of charge, on their AML Bandcamp webpage. Give it a listen – I promise your time will be well spent.

Website & Schedule: https://amltrio.com
Social Media: www.facebook.com/amltriowww.instagram.com/amltrio
www.youtube.com/@amltrio
www.tiktok.com/@josephlinahon

Email the AML Trio

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The Celtic Light Orchestra is the world’s only light up orchestra!

Each one-of-a-kind production features rousing Celtic fiddle music played on the group’s revolutionary patented Glow Bowz invention- LED light up violin bows that react to players’ movements and dance with the music. Combined with traditional Celtic instrumentation, Irish step dancing, Celtic folklore, dazzling lights, and theatrical storytelling featuring hobbit flavors. Each Celtic Light Orchestra production is a can’t miss event for the whole family!

The Celtic Light Orchestra is an all-ages, all-inclusive community orchestra founded by Portland-based music teacher and Celtic fiddle virtuoso, Katie Jane Lubiens. This spirited fiddler started the CLO to share her love of Celtic music and culture with audiences of all ages. Many of the Celtic Light Orchestra members are students of Katie Jane, and many are local school music teachers with a shared passion for making Celtic music and traditions accessible to everyone. 

This multi-media production promises to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family with beloved melodies from the original Hobbit cartoon, fan favorites from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, iconic Tolkien quotes, rousing Celtic fiddle music, rocking Led Zeppelin arranged for string orchestra, stunning aerial dance, LED lights, Irish step dancing, dazzling costumes, and more! Featuring Portland’s renowned Celtic fiddle virtuoso, Katie Jane Lubiens! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Celtic concert experience, you tricksy hobbitses!

Learn more about Katie Jane and the Celtic Light Orchestra at www.celticlightorchestra.com

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Four Shillings Short

Four Shillings Short is rooted in Celtic and American folk, inspired by Indian Raga and Ethnic idioms; a diverse and inventive Traditional Music Experience.

The husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, have been performing together since 1995. They tour in the US and Ireland, are independent folk-artists with 12 recordings, perform 150 concerts a year and live as the Troubadours of old traveling from town to town performing at music festivals, theatres & performing arts centers, folk & historic societies, libraries, museums and schools.

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Christy Martin was born into a musical family. She began playing the sitar at the age of 16 and took up folk music in the ’80s. Christy has been playing hammered dulcimer since 1993 and plays mandolin, mountain dulcimer, banjo, ukulele, bowed psaltery, and more. She was formerly in a band called Your Mother Should Know.

Aodg Og O’Tuama is a vocalist and plays tin whistles, doumbek, spoons, gemshorn, bowed psaltery, recorders, crumhorn, Native American Flutes, and many others. Born in Cork, Ireland, Aodh Óg (pronounced, ayog) studied Medieval and Renaissance music in college. He received a music fellowship to study at Stanford University in 1984. Played in a group called Drivelling Druids before forming the group Four Shillings Short.

https://4shillingsshort.com

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The Shipwrecked Shanty Band proves once again that sea shanties are cheaper than therapy, and they sound even better with beer!

Born out of Covid, kicked out of venues, a rag-tag group of Sea Shanty lovers became shipwrecked…but the band played on! The Shipwrecked Shanty Band, appears LIVE and IN PERSON!

Micha says:
BACK AT Sláinte Oakland for our 5th “SHANTIVERSARY”, celebrating YOU, US, the community, having weathered the Covid storm, and continuing to stay the course every day!

PLEASE mark ‘going’ on this Facebook event … seating is limited and we need to know how much space to make

Check the Shipwrecked Sea Shanty Crew Facebook group for updates. Contact them at (510) 823-2644.

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Breabach

Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative musical ferment of their Glasgow base.

They have released six increasingly acclaimed albums, whilst fuelling their creative appetites in collaborations with indigenous Australasian artists Moana and the Tribe & The Black Arm Band, Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord, video game composer Big Giant Circles, and as artists-in-residence at the 2019 Celtic Colours Festival.

Breabach show no sign of slowing their creative endeavours with tours and festival appearances across the UK, Europe, and the US to mark the release of their 7th studio album Fàs, produced by renowned musician Inge Thompson (Karine Polwart, Hen Hoose, Northern Flyway).

Video: Breabach – Fàs (Official Video)

Breabach are Megan Henderson (Fiddle, Vocals, Step Dance), James Lindsay (Double Bass, Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Bagpipes, Whistle, Bouzouki, Vocals), Conal McDonagh (Bagpipes, Whistle, Vocals) and Ewan Robertson (Guitar, Vocals, Cajon).

Acknowledging and respecting the origins of both the music they play and the roots of the band whilst embracing the future with new ideas, energy and belief is a key attribute of the band and has remained a constant theme throughout their 17 years.

‘As polished as it was passionate, matching fiery intensity with exquisite finesse, this was a magnificent set’ —The Scotsman

‘Breabach are in an electrifying new phase – one that illustrates the band’s strength and interest in experimentation. Exhilarating, energetic and accomplished’ —Songlines

https://www.breabach.com

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Welcome to the Yosemite Celtic Festival, a vibrant celebration of Celtic heritage set against the stunning backdrop of Yosemite National Park. Join us for two exciting days filled with music, dance, food, and fun, as we honor the rich cultures of the Celtic nations. Explore a diverse array of vendors offering unique crafts, goods, and authentic Celtic merchandise. Experience the thrill of traditional games, admire the elegance of ancient clan traditions, and enjoy whisky tastings while celebrating the unbreakable bond shared by Celtic communities around the world. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Celtic culture or a newcomer, this family-friendly event promises something for everyone. Come for the celebration, stay for the magic – let the spirit of the Celtic nations unite us in harmony and joy!

Entertainment includes Highland Games, a Whisky Tasting, Pipe & Drum Competitions, Highland Dance Exhibitions, Beard, Pie Eating and Bonnie Knees Contests, music from Celtic Rock band Tempest, Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen, Celtic Alchemy, Fresno Stag & Thistle, Ariel Barker, Mariposa Ukelele Ensemble, and Golden Chain Theatre’s School of Performing Arts.

Website: https://www.yosemitecelticfestival.com/

Contact Kimberly Vaughn: Kimberly@YosemiteCelticFestival.com

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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 have songs, stories, smiles, and hopefully you to share it all with.

Video: What to Expect

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Do you fancy going to the Folk Club?

Join Maria Hawthorne Boyle and her world-wide group of singing friends using Zoom, and you can give us a song or a tune from the comfort of your own home or just listen in. UK based Loch Down folk club is hosted by Maria Hawthorne Boyle every Sunday evening.

Topic: Loch Down Folk Club
Join Zoom Meeting
https://link.americeltic.net/lochdown

To find out more contact:
Maria Hawthorne Boyle: lochdownfolk@gmail.com or mariaboylegalway@gmail.com

Join Alexandra Annen as she leads a free community class in Irish traditional instrumental music. No experience is required to join us on the last Sunday of each month. Bring an Irish instrument.

Website: https://www.saylamusicacademy.com

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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 October, 2023, 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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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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Dublin’s Clé (Left) Club has in person traditional music and song sessions at the Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, but on the first Monday of each month, at 8:00 PM, their Séamas Sheils hosts an Online music and song session on the Zoom platform, called Clé Abhaile (Left Home).

At these Clé Abhaile monthly Zoom meetings, the host for the evening, usually Séamas Sheils, seeks contributions in song, music or verse from the attendees, and generally gets enough to fill a couple of hours with pleasant performances.

The Zoom code needed to join the meeting changes for each month, so one must send an email to Seamus at info@cleabhaile.com, a day or so ahead, asking to be added to his email list, and he will send you a reply with the Zoom code for that month.

The Clé Club is devoted to traditional music and song, and currently meets in person at historic Liberty Hall, Dublin at 7:30 PM (Doors from 7:00 PM) on the third Wednesday of the month (except July and August). If you are in Dublin, drop in!

Clé Abhaile Online Session email: info@cleabhaile.com
Clé Club email: mailto:cleclub@gmail.com
Clé Club Webpage: https://cleclub.org/home/

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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 Chéile 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: 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 Traditional Celtic music jam session in the Lounge – Musicians and singers are welcome!

Check out the full details on their website here: Online Beginners Irish Language Class Mondays, 7–8PM. 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 céilí dance workshop for both beginner and intermediate level students. All that is followed by the Center’s famous traditional music seisiún 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 Máirtin De Cógáin 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’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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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-nós 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 two Thursdays each month, multi-instrumentalist Michael Eskin hosts an The Ould Sod Virtual Session.

These are easily best and most popular online sessions in the western hemisphere. The music is 95% Irish traditional instrumental dance tunes with an occasional song, 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 Tund 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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Break Through your Ancestry Brick Walls!

A printable e-book
by Cecilia Fábos-Becker

Ancestry & DNA

Family History Research: Beyond the Basics

There are many good basic manuals, both in print and online, that can help you get started researching your ancestors and finding lost cousins, but in over fifty years of research into our own Scots-Irish, Irish, Scottish and Welsh ancestry, I’ve learned what works well and what doesn’t, as well as many useful sources and links.

Now, I have written a book, Ancestry & DNA – Beyond the Basics, to help you, and all Americans find their origins. My book will be especially useful to especially Celtic Americans doing family history research, and it is available for immediate download!

Author Celia Fábos-Becker

My Book includes:

• Introduction to Family History Documents
• What are REAL Primary Sources?
• America’s Dark Age (1783 to 1850)
• Finding Family Records with online services
• Introduction to Family History DNA
• Using DNA Tests to help Find Family History
• How autosomal, MtDNA, or Y-DNA tests can help
• DNA Testing Company Reviews
• Loads of Examples

Download Ancestry & DNA – Beyond the Basics here:

Get Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics NOW!

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The Plough and Stars

Wednesday — Sunday 4 to 12 PM

The Plough and Stars Irish Pub, 116 Clement Street at 2nd Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Tune Session

Sundays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Various hosts and players

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Set Dancing

Thursdays, 8:00-10:30 PM

Dancing Details: Irish Dance Meetup Group

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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The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

Open 7 days a week
Monday – Thursday 3:00 PM til close
Friday – Sunday 12:00 PM til close

The Chieftain, 198 5th St, San Francisco, CA

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

The Chieftain hosts live performers every Friday and Saturday, often featuring new musical talents, and Live Irish Music on Sundays from 6:30 PM.

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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Cedar Dobson

Irish Tin Whistle Services
New Album Coming soon: Decade
One on One Lessons:
Fridays: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Mondays: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Tu,We,Th: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
(Pacific Time)
Online via Zoom or In-Person

Gandharva Loka World Music Store, 62 South Great Georges St., Dublin, Ireland

Cedar Dobson

Cedar Dobson, 24, is a multi-credentialed visual artist, photographer, videographer, musician and composer specializing in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Cedar plays the Tin Whistle, Irish Flute, Bodhrán, Mandolin, Uilleann Pipes, and Guitar.

For a nominal fee, Cedar will record your tune, or compose a new one exclusively for you, as a birthday gift to a friend or loved one.

On Friday, November 15th, 2025, Cedar released her 3rd Album, A Whistle Wonderland – Christmas Melodies in a Celtic Style, on BandCamp. Check her Facebook Page for links and updates https://www.facebook.com/CedarDobsonMusic

Videos:

Whistle Demo

Cradling Arms of Croaghan/Back to Belfast

Two Jigs and Two Reels with John Doyle

Cedar says:
I’m so excited to be currently creating my fourth album, and my first Irish traditional/contemporary trad solo album, Decade! This project is a heartfelt journey through the most influential tunes of my ten-year whistle-playing career. Every donation will directly support the brilliant musicians who bring this album to life and fund the production of physical copies. Join me in celebrating this beautiful genre and the incredible talent behind it! Click here to make a donation Thank you so much for your support! – Cedar

Lessons:

Cedar offers private, affordable and enjoyable tin whistle lessons! Lessons, either in-person or via Zoom, are taught from the studio at Gandharva Loka World Music Store in Central Dublin, Ireland. Lessons are available at Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced levels, as well as Low Whistle and Percussive and Improvisation style lessons.

Your first lesson is a free trial. If the student would like to continue lessons, they can book four or eight of them (one a week for four/eight weeks) for an affordable set price. The lessons are 45 minutes long and the student will be given notes and resources from the lessons.

Contact Cedar at cedardobsonmusic@gmail.com
Message Cedar on Facebook
Hire Cedar on Fiver

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Sláinte Pub

Fridays 12 PM – 12 AM
Saturdays: 11 AM – 12 AM
Sundays: 11 AM – 10 PM
Tues, Wed, & Thurs: 3 PM – 10 PM
Pacific Time

Sláinte Pub, 131 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Sundays: Buncrana

Buncrana at Sláinte
Susan Spurlock, Tedd Colt, Darcy Noonan, Hector Bragado,
Michael Stack, Patricia Ross, Tim Hill, and Autumn Rhodes.

After opening in April 2017, Sláinte Pub in Oakland featured some of the finest local food, drink, and regional singers and musicians, in live, acoustic performance and quickly became the hot new place for Irish hospitality, culture and music in the East Bay.

Contact them at (510) 823-2644
@slainteoakland
Website: https://slainteoakland.com.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/slainteoak

Email: cheers@slainteoakland.com

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Willow on the Green

1327B 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA

Open 7 days a week

Weekdays 11:00-7:00
Weekends 10:00-7:00

Willow on the Green

Friend of the Family Alex Sinclair, has now operated his Celtic business Willow on the Green, for a more than a year.

The shop is on the not-so-quiet 9th Avenue, which is directly in front of the main entrance to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.

Alex says:
We cater to the ‘Day in the Park’ crowd, offering all manner of Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish goodies, one might like to have for a Picnic In The Park, including cheese, chutney, clotted cream, cuppa, kippers, and many other delectable wares that don’t begin with a ‘c’. With a bit of prior notice, Celtic musicians and buskers are welcome to our store front on 9th Avenue, just a stones throw from the main entrance to Golden Gate Park.

Perusing Goodies

Willow on the Green is dedicated to British and Californian fine foods, cheeses, meats, provisions, and products. Located in the heart of the Inner Sunset District, San Francisco, just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Golden Gate Park.

Facebook Page: Willow on the Green
Phone: (415) 259-1811
Email: indulge@willowonthegreen.com

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David Brewer Music Lessons

Online via Zoom!

David Brewer Music Lessons

Celtic music recording artist and multi-instrumentalist David Brewer is Fired up on teaching music over Zoom—Anytime, from Anywhere!

David is offering relaxed and fun, yet informative and in-depth lessons on any or all of these topics:

• Penny-whistle
• Bodhran
• Scottish Bagpipes
• Uilleann pipes
• Tune-writing & composition
• Music theory
• Accent City & phrasing
• Performance techniques
• Guided recording project consulting
• And more!

For more information, to schedule a lesson on Zoom, or to find out more about David’s upcoming tutorial series launching on Patreon later this summer, please email: davidbrewerbooking@gmail.com

David Brewer is a member of the Scottish folk band, The Fire, and has performed around the world with Molly’s Revenge, The Chieftains, and The Old Blind Dogs.

For more about David Brewer, visit: www.davidbrewermusic.com

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The Starry Plough

3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA

Everyday, 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Events

Sunday: Irish music sessions
5:30-7:00 PM Moderate-Pace
7:30-10:30 PM The Starry Session
Monday: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Irish Ceili Dancing
Tuesday: 7:30 PM Open Mic Night
Wednesday: 8:00 PM The Berkeley Poetry Slam
Thursday: 8:00 PM Trivia with Miss Jenna
Friday/Saturday: See our Schedule!

Manager Shahin Naima reopened The fabled Starry Plough on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022. We are now open 7 days a week with all of the Plough’s treasured events returning, from Irish dancing to open mic nights (except Funk Night, for now).

We Are Back! We are so happy to be back and look forward to serving you all for many years to come. To keep our community space thriving we have partnered with our fiscal sponsorship, Haven of Hope, to begin accepting donations from our loyal patrons and members of The Starry Plough community. This provides the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the expenses that go into making our famous community events so special. Please consider donating through thehavenofhope.org/donate to keep the Starry Plough in our amazing community for the future generations of Berkeley.’ — Starry Plough manager Shahin Naima

The pub was open for Saint Patrick’s day with a ‘scratch band’ of staff to serve the traditional corned beef and cabbage, and songs, tunes and dancing filled this treasured Arts institution one again, as explained in this Detailed Article by Madeline Wells of SFGATE.

Website: www.thestarryplough.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StarryPlough

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Darcy Noonan

Darcy Noonan is an accomplished violinist based in the Bay Area. Following her heart, she has studied and performed a variety of musical genres including classical, ragtime, mariachi, Greek, and (closest to her heart) Irish traditional music. In fact practically the second after graduating from High School she was off to Ireland to study with her idols for a few years.

Darcy has played with numberous bands and orchestras, including The Black Brothers, Eamonn Flynn, Jammy Dodgers, Violins of Hope, Noonan, Howard, and Straw, The Get Happy String Band, Disciples of Markos, Tipsy House and Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano.

Darcy is now back in the Bay Area, and Darcy is accepting students as an expert fiddler and Suzuki certified teacher with years of experience performing and teaching.

If you are interested in booking Darcy for a gig or for violin lessons, send her an email at darcynoonanviolin@gmail.com or visit her website at darcynoonanviolin.com

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AmeriCeltic Logo Items

→ AmeriCeltic Logo Gifts! ←

Shirt, Hat, Mug, Apron

3 FULLY EMBROIDERED – MADE IN USA

Celebrate your rich AmeriCeltic history and heritage in style and class and support AmeriCeltic by sporting a shirt, hat, mug, apron or patch, all except the mug, embroidered in full color with the AmeriCeltic logo! And don’t forget to give one to yourself!

Click Here for the full line-up of AmeriCeltic Logo items.

The AmeriCeltic logo, styled like a coat of arms, commemorates your MIXED, Scots, Irish, Welsh Celtic American heritage! Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the thirteen colonies of mostly Scots, Scots-Irish, Irish and Welsh who joined with many others from many other countries, and together fought tyranny to assert our Independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Click for more information about the AmeriCeltic Logo design

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The Celtic Tea Shoppe offers a great selection of Celtic and Celtic inspired foods, including:
• Meat Pies
• Sausage Rolls
• Liquor Cakes
• Irish Soda Bread
• Salted Caramels
• Gift Boxes
• Premium Loose-leaf Teas

Everything is handmade at our shoppe in San José, CA and curbside pickup service and shipping are available.

To check The Celtic Tea Shoppe Facebook Page, Click Here!

Call us directly at 408-267-7090 or check our website www.celticteashoppe.com for all our other baked goods and confections. To order, contact Kristen Scott with a call to 408-267-7090, or an email to sales@artisancandies

Brigadoon

Important Announcement: Going forward in 2023, we are looking to give scholarships to young dancers in local Scottish and Irish dance schools, and would love to have your help. Dance is very near and dear to Dean and Kristen’s hearts, and they want to help those dancers who show much promise and talent, but who have less resources and thus barriers to success compared to others who do.

If you are interested in participating, please let us know and how much you would like to give toward this scholarship. We are currently looking at a candidate for whom we’d like to raise $1000 – to help them with their dance studies, whether it be shoes, costumes, lessons, travel funds, etc. If you are interested in contributing, please let us know ASAP. We must stress that this is not a charity organization we are contributing to, but it is a fundraiser to help local dancers in need. Cheers!

(photo is of Dean Scott in a Los Angeles professional company of Brigadoon, 1984)

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Lark in the Morning has been a folk musician’s favorite since 1974 and has an amazing selection of musical instruments and instructional material from around the world.

Eric says:
“Our Berkeley location, 1001 Camelia Street, Berkeley, CA, is open for online lessons and instrument sales Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 – 6:00 PM!”

Thorn Land and Eric Azumi

Call us at 707-964-5569
Shop online at https://larkinthemorning.com
Check out our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/LarkInAM.

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Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant Across from Apple Park

The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant

Open 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM every day of the year

10801 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA

Many of you have heard the rumors about the The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant.

The Duke is, and will remain, THE only Authentic, (and we do mean AUTHENTIC!), British Pub in the Bay Area, located across the street from Apple Headquarters on Wolfe Road in Cupertino.

The atmosphere at the ‘The Duke‘, is the same as you would find in any pub in the British Isles, full of friendly patrons who come in to socialize, play darts, have a pint or two, and eat a meal. If you are looking for a comfortable elegance, pints of beer and authentic food, in an authentic English Pub, there is no a better choice in the Bay Area. The Duke offers a large number of beers on draft and by the bottle. Almost anything English, Scottish or Irish is available. Murphy’s Irish Stout brewed in Cork, Ireland and Scotch Eggs is always a good choice.

The servers are excellent and very knowledgeable about the beer and food menu. The menu is expansive and worth exploring. The dark pubsy feel with old regulars in their respective, but not crowded corners around lunch hour in Cupertino, is a great boon.

You can’t find more ‘authentic’ atmosphere, because the entire building was built in jolly old England, then disassembled, shipped and reassembled on site in Cupertino. With the red velvet seating and wall paper and ornate, dim lighting, you are transported to London as soon as you enter the etched glass door.

More info. on The Duke Facebook Page, website www.theduke.com or call 408-446-3853.

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Wanna help, comment or get published?

We publish articles or comments that relate to our Mission (see below), to our thousands of Celtic concordant readers. If you have one, email us: Tony and Celia Becker, americeltic@gmail.com

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Click to display the combined AmeriCeltic Calendar, covering the Northern California Coast and Bay Area, and the Celtic Events Calendar, from Chuck Jamison, covering the Central Valley.
To submit an event for listing in our Calendars, email your Celtic event info., including Who, What, Where, Why & Description to us.
Coastal Celtic events – Email AmeriCeltic. Central Valley events – Email Chuck Jamison.
Click Here to use the online form.
We love videos! Include a link to an online video, and you will likely get featured in this weekly newsletter!

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AmeriCeltic Mission

AmeriCeltic is a user supported, non-profit service organization. Our Mission is to restore awareness, celebrate and preserve the culture and history of Celtic Americans by promoting live Celtic music, festivals, history & ancestry as well as report and comment on related current events. To help fund our efforts, click here or click on the Donate Button on our AmeriCeltic Website www.americeltic.net.

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