CATSKILLS IRISH ARTS WEEK & TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL

Folk music fans in the Northeast often overlook how lucky they are. During the summer months, there is usually a festival or an event that can be attended as a day trip and offers opportunity to sample some of the finest practitioners of the folk genre.

There is one event that always shocks me by the lack of attention it receives – The Catskills Irish Arts Week, and in particular the trad festival that draws the week to a close. An amazing gathering of talent finds itself in the gorgeous “Irish” Catskills, drawing musicians from Ireland, New York, Boston, and Washington as well as other enclaves of trad music. These artist come to the mountains not just to perform, but also to share their skills with interested students. This is the Northeast’s version of the Swannanoa Gathering, but just 2 1/2 hours from New York City.

From July 9 through the 15th, over 60 teachers/performers will hold morning and afternoon classes in various disciplines. Imagine learning tin whistle tips from Joannie Madden, the Uilleann pipes with Jerry O’Sullivan, fiddling with Matt Cranitch, singing with Aoife Clancy, performance style with Robbie O’Connell, step dancing with Donnie Golden and so much more. Over 60 artists leading classes in their specialties. With the volume of performers, class sizes are not too crowded and the teacher/student relationship will allow for a great deal of interaction.

Classes are available for various skill levels. Some basic knowledge of the instrument is a must. If you know a few tunes, have less then 2 years of playing under your belt but never played in a session – you will be comfortable. If you have more experience you will fit in to the intermediate or advance classes. The choices are amazing.

In the evening, the action shifts to various pubs and venues that dot the East Durham area for some outstanding sessions. There are also concerts each evening, and all of these events are open to the public – you do not have to be a registered student to attend.

Even if you can’t make it for the week, there is a gem of a festival that takes place on Saturday July 15 from noon to 8pm. Over 75 performers will be on hand including special guests the David Munnelly Band, Brian Conway, and the Boston and Albany Comhaltas. All the teacher/instructors will be performing as well.

This festival is a rare opportunity to see these artists, many of whom do not normally travel to the U.S. Coming over from Ireland will be Gerry Harrington & Peter Horan (who released a brilliant CD in 2005 called “Fortune Favors the Merry”), Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly, Martin Donohoe, Paul deGrae, Tim Dennehy, Maeve DDonnelly, Chris Droney, Seamus Fay, Edel Fox, Kathleen Gavin, Liz & Yvonne Kane, Josephine Keegan, June McCormack, Catherine McEvoy, David Munnelly, Muireann nic Amhlaoibh (singer with Danu), Michael O’Raghlallaigh and Michael Rooney.

From the U.S., musicians including Felix & Brendan Dolan, Tony Demarco, Patrick Mangan, Patrick Ourceau, Don Meade, Mike Rafferty, Seamus Connolly, Bridget Fitzgerald, Fr. Charles Coen, Karen Ashbrook and many, many others will be participating.

The festival is a bargain – $15 (children under 12 are free) and it takes place at the Michael J. Quill Centre Irish Festival Grounds in East Durham, New York.

For more information contact 1 800-434-3378 or go to the website – www.east-durham.org/irishartsweek .

Artistic director for this event is Paul Keating. Paul has been one of the guiding lights of the trad scene for decades. An accomplished set dancer, Paul is also the traditional music columnist for the Irish Voice. Paul will be my guest on my “other” radio show THE SESSION which can be heard on Friday June 30 from noon to 1pm ET on WFDU-FM. Listen in on the net at www.wfdu.fm .

I urge anyone with an interest in Irish music to mark their calendar. This festival offers an outstanding opportunity to see some of the finest musicians of this genre, gathered together in a beautiful setting. Irish festivals have fallen by the wayside in recent years. The late lamented Washington Irish Music Fest has left us with many fond memories. I feel that the Catskills festival offers equally talented musicians and has the opportunity to really become a major festival. Take a nice drive and visit the Catskills!