From Mark Sustic: This weekend, May 5-7, is Young Tradition Weekend, a series of events celebrating the talents of young musicians and dancers as well as the traditions that they perpetuate, and the connection they have with their teachers and mentors. Each event during the weekend to cultivates and features young performers and intergenerational sharing, from … More Event Alert – Young Tradition Weekend
To those who don’t listen to Irish music all that often, listening to a set of tunes may sound like one long song that goes on forever, kind of like what techno sounds like to me. If you listen long enough though, you begin to recognize the unique style of each musician. If you’ve ever heard Martin Hayes play … More Learn to play like yourself
St. Patrick’s Day is the day the world celebrates the patron saint of Ireland. As an Irish musician, it is usually one of my favorite holidays. Mostly because, for me, it’s a recognition of this amazing music — everyone wants to hear Irish music on St. Patrick’s Day. Regardless of why we have celebrated St. Patrick’s … More Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in a new way
This Sunday, March 5th join Irish musicians from around the country, in participating in the Sanctuary Sessions, traditional music for civil rights. Whether you live in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York or Oregon, you too can make a difference. This is a massive session taking place around the country, and in Ireland, to help raise money … More Irish Session to benefit ACLU
Being able to play traditional Irish music is truly a blessing. Not just because it’s beautiful music that spans hundreds of years, but because it brings people together, from around the globe. I have traveled through the US and many countries and sometimes have hopped in to listen to or play in a session. And even … More This land was made for you and me
One of the best ways to work on mastering your instrument is to immerse yourself completely in the music as much as you you possibly can. Music is just like a language and the more you hear it and are surrounded by it, the more you pick up. Coming up next month, you’ll have an opportunity … More Winter Cape Breton Fiddle and Dance Camp
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out the Celtic Winter Gathering and Green Mountain Performing Arts Winter Dance Showcase at Main Street Landing in Burlington, VT. Here is the press release: Celtic dancers from the northeast U.S. and Canadian provinces will convene in Burlington, VT, Saturday, January 21 from 9:00 am-3:00 … More Celtic Winter Gathering – This Weekend Jan 21-22nd
If you’ve ever played at a session and sat next to a flute player, you know full well what the drippy side of the flute is. It’s not pretty, the condensation, I mean. The sound of a good flute player is, however. Though the drip can be a drag, listening to the flute sing effortlessly in … More The drippy side of the flute
Everything comes full circle and I’m reminded of that more often than not. Take for example, bell-bottoms and leg warmers. Who would have thought they’d be cool twice in my life-time? Or platform shoes, of which I’m still afraid to walk in. Even when it comes to my writing. I come up with an idea, I start … More The joy of coming full circle
No matter how many tunes you learn, or how good you play them, it’s always more fun to play with other people. Whether it’s just getting together in someone’s house, performing for an audience or playing in a session, music is a social thing and is meant to be shared. One of the things I love … More Irish sessions: because playing with others is more fun
Session Obsession 