August 2010




August 15th: Pendragon Presents the Ryan Collection Concert: An American Masterpiece performance sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.  2PM at the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI.  Admission is free.  For more information, please see www.riverfolk.org for this and other upcoming concerts and events.

Elias Howe, Jr., was born in 1820 in Framingham, Mass., of a New England family known for everything from sewing machines to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” By the 1840s Howe was selling music and repairing instruments (and umbrellas!) in Providence, RI before heading north to a brilliant career in Boston. Having learned to play the fiddle as a child, Howe had a fondness for collecting tunes from the old timers, so it is not surprising that in 1883, this prolific music entrepreneur published "Ryan’s Mammoth Collection 1050 Reels and Jigs, Hornpipes, Clogs, Walk-arounds, Essences, Strathspeys, Highland Flings and Contra Dances, with Figures, And How To Play Them." This chapter of New England musical history and its Rhode Island connection will come to life at the Blackstone River Theatre today with a free concert to celebrate the legacy of Elias Howe and his partner William Bradbury Ryan, for whom the “Mammoth” collection is named. Consisting primarily of traditional Irish dance tunes, the collection also offers composed tunes that provide a window from which to view the ballrooms and barn dances of old time New England and a young nation.

The “Ryan’s Mammoth Collection” Concert represents the continuing work of the BRT’s Heritage Arts Studio, originally supported by a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts American Masterpieces / National Endowment for the Arts grant to convey the story of Elias Howe and music of the Ryan’s Collection to new musicians as well as audience in a time-honored tradition. Performers include Pendragon, step dancer Kevin Doyle, fiddler Cathy Clasper-Torch, and several of her fiddle students from Blackstone River Theatre’s Heritage Arts Studio.

August 20th:  Eddie Dillon's Irish American Family: The Irish Cultural Centre of New England welcomes Eddie Dillon's Irish American Family Performance.  This entertaining productions is a fantastic collaboration of heartwarming storytelling and a dynamic achievement of original Irish Music.  Eddie is the only American to have toured with the Clancy brothers and he is joined this evening by his wife Aoife Clancy.  8PM.  Tickets are $20 for non-members and $15 for ICCNE members.  Irish Cultural Centre of New England, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA.  For full information and directions, please see www.irishculture.org.

Friday, August 20, 2010 - On the Edge Rated R
Friday, September 17, 2010 -TBD

August 28th: South Shore Ceili Club Dance: The South Shore Ceili Club will host a ceili ▪ ~ 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.   at the Viking Club ▪ 410 Quincy Ave, Braintree MA. Admission $10 and music will be provided by Larry Reynolds and the Boston Comhaltas musicians.

August 28th: Pendragon at the Chase Farm Concert Series:  5:30 PM at Chase Farm, Great Road (Rte 123), Lincoln, RI 02865.  5:30PM with Free Admission!.  Bring a chair and blanket and a picnic and make an evening of it!.  For more information, 401-333-8424.





August 28th and 29th:  GAA Finals Weekend:  All summer the Boston GAA have been holding Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie matches at the beautiful fields at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton MA.  After the games, there will be a DJ playing the Hottest Hits of Ireland and Pop Culture from 6:30-9:30PM.  Also, the ICC Chef will be cooking up a grand buffet from 5-8PM.  Buffet $5.00  Join us in cheering on traditional Irish sports!  For full schedule of games, please see www.bostongaa.com and for further info and direction to the ICCNE, please see www.irishculture.org.

September 2010

September 4-6th: Newport Waterfront Irish Festival: Paint the town green as the Emerald Isle sends some of its most entertaining exports and expats to Newport in this three-day celebration of continuous Celtic shenanigans! Kick up your heels and let your Irish lilt ring loud with traditional Irish step-dance, comedy routines, and the spirited sounds of nonstop Irish music, including The Elders, Eileen Ivers, The Screaming Orphans and many more. From the "Rainbow's End" kidStop to the creamy Guinness on tap, there's something for everyone at this shamrockin' festival! Tickets on sale Now! for full information, schedules, ticket info, lodgings, etc., please see, www.newportwaterfrontevents.com

September 13th: Set Dancing Mondays at the Knights of Columbus in Cranston, RI. 7:15PM - 9:15PM. Taught by Pat and Barry Callahan. Beginner's Welcome! No Experience or Partners Needed! Start anytime and pay as you go. $7.00.  1047 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI (2nd floor).  For more info, contact Barry Callahan at 508-339-6231.

September 13th: BCMFest Celtic Music Mondays: "Blue and Green"  with Susan and Stephen Lindsay and friends. Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA. For full schedule, further information and to purchase tickets, please see www.passimcenter.org.

September 17th-19th: 20th Annual Irish Festival!: Sponsored by the Irish Cultural Center of Canton, MA, this festival is the biggest of it's kind in New England.  To be held on the grounds of the Irish Cultural Centre of New England the festival will feature live Irish and Celtic music, Step Dancing, Children and Family Activities, Food, Amusement rides, Geneaology, Author Readings, Language and Craft activities, Shopping and so much more! $15/day or $35 weekend pass (3 days) for non-members and $10/day or $25 weekend pass.  Children under 12 free with a paid adult.  For full information, schedule, directions or to buy tickets, please see www.irishculture.org, email at festival@irishculture.org.  200 New Boston Road, Canton, MA. Vendors and sponsors welcome.

September 17th: Cranston Set Dancers Present the 1st Ceili of the Season!: The regularly scheduled Mediator dances previously held on the 3rd Friday of each month have been moved to a new location at the RI Ceilidhe Club.  Located at 50 America Street, Cranston, RI.  More information to come!





September 17th-19th: New Hampshire Highland Games:  The New Hampshire Highland Games, the largest Scottish cultural festival in the Northeast, is presented by The New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the furtherance of the music, dance, athletics and customs of the Scottish people and to the continuance of the Gaelic culture. Loon Mountain Ski Resort, Lincoln, NH.  Known as one the most diverse games in the country, NHHG highlights include the Gathering of the Scottish Clans, with over 60 clans and societies, Massed Bands, Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, the New England Regional Scottish Fiddle Championship, Scottish Athletics, National Highland Dance Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming, Scottish Harp (Clarsach) & other instrument competitions.  Join us for three days of music, food, competitions and more at the 35th New Hampshire Highland Games! For full information of schedules, directions, festival times, lodgings and directions, please see www.nhscot.org.




September 18th:  Concert with Rud Eile: Featuring Colm O'Brien and Sean O'Connor: 7:00PM - 11:30PM. To be held at the Irish Ceilidhe Club of Rhode Island, 50 America Street, Cranston, RI. Donation $20 per person (includes corned beef sandwich). Cash bar. Tickets to be purchased in advance - tickets are limited and already selling fast! Please contact Kathy Greenwell at 401-737-3319 to purchase tickets. Also, please see www.irishclubri.org for information and directions.

September 20th: Set Dancing Mondays at the Knights of Columbus in Cranston, RI. 7:15PM - 9:15PM. Taught by Pat and Barry Callahan. Beginner's Welcome! No Experience or Partners Needed! Start anytime and pay as you go. $7.00.  1047 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI (2nd floor).  For more info, contact Barry Callahan at 508-339-6231.





September 26th: Humans of Tulla at the Everyman: 555 Valley Street, Providence.  Session and set dancing from 6PM - 9PM with sets called by Pat and Barry Callahan. No cover - just great food, great music and great dancing.  For further information, directions and menus,  see www.everymanri.com.
 

September 27th: Set Dancing Mondays at the Knights of Columbus in Cranston, RI. 7:15PM - 9:15PM. Taught by Pat and Barry Callahan. Beginner's Welcome! No Experience or Partners Needed! Start anytime and pay as you go. $7.00.  1047 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI (2nd floor).  For more info, contact Barry Callahan at 508-339-6231.




October 2010

October 2 - November 20th: EIGHT-WEEK IRISH STEP DANCE CLASSES: All classes to be held at the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland RI.  Saturdays only. For full information, please see www.riverfolk.org. or the Dance Links page on this site.

8-week Irish step dance class for Beginner Children Ages 6 to 10 (non competitive): With instructor Terry Songini. 8-week class for beginner children ages 6-10 offered October 2 through November 20th, from 9-9:45 A.M.

8-week Irish step dance class for Adult Beginners, and children age 11-and-up (non competitive): With instructor Terry Songini. 8-week class for beginner adults (and children age 11-and-up) offered October 2nd through November 20th, from 10-10:50 A.M.

8-week Irish step dance class for Advanced Beginners, adults and children age 11-and-up (non competitive)
With instructor Terry Songini. 8-week class for advanced beginner adults (or qualified children age 11 and up) October 2nd through November 20th, from 11:00-11:50 A.M.





October 2nd: Irish Comedy Tour at the ICCNE: The Irish Cultural Centre presents: THE IRISH COMEDY TOUR.  8PM. Comedians will be followed by a great locally known Irish Band (to be announced).  Tickets are $25 general admission and $20 for ICC Members.  VIP packages including dinner, drinks, reserved seating in the first 5 rows and a meet/greet with the band are also available in limited quantities.  The show is 21+ and includes adult content and humor.  For tickets call 781-821-8291.  For full information and directions to the ICCNE, please see www.irishculture.org.





October 6th: 2nd Shamrock Club Luncheon: Join the ICCNE for their second Shamrock Club Luncheon for Seniors.  Hot lunch along with live music starting at 12PM.  $10.  Irish Cultural Centre of New England, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA.  For further information and directions, please see www.irishculture.org.






October 10th: Irish Heritage Festival, Dorchester: 10AM-8PM at the Adams Corner in Dorchester.  The second year in a row, the Irish Heritage Festival in Dorchester is a locally sponsored event that covers several blocks of Adams Corner. The festival highlights the best of locally Irish culture with music, vendors, food, dancing and more.  The festival is free and so is the parking with shuttle service to the festival.  For full information and schedule of events, please see www.irishheritagefestival.com.






October 10th: 23rd Annual Scotland Connecticut Highland Games: Rain or shine 10AM - 5PM.  Edward Waldo Homestead, Waldo Road, Scotland CT.  Admission: $12/adult, $10/senior, or student, $5/children 6-12 and under 5 is free.  Pendragon will be headlining.  For full information with schedules, lodging information and directions, please see www.scotlandgames.org