Do you remember when we had sooo much fun at classes, ceilis and community events?!

With sadness Céilí of the Valley Society shares that long-time member Julie Cutler died on December 3rd from a brain hemorrhage. Remembered for her boisterous laugh, Julie enjoyed people and dancing. She generously contributed to our group in a number of capacities over time including serving as a Board member, substitute caller and volunteer. We remember her as our friend. Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Uirthi (Eternal Rest Be Upon Her).

We are going virtual | Starting Saturday, October 3rd!!

Due to COVID-19, the Ceili of the Valley Society has decided to move the 5th annual Samhain Celtic New Year Festival online. Starting October 3rd, this year’s event will be a month long of October Celtic surprises. It will feature all the things people have come to love experiencing at the event that celebrates the seven Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales,Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia and Isle of Man.  Look for music, workshops, children’s activities, weekly live events (including a Whisky tasting event), and vendors.

FESTIVAL OPENER | This Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7pm PT

We are excited to announce we will be kicking off the 2020 Samhain Festival with a live concert from Scottish folksingers and songwriters, Jim and Susie Malcolm! 

Check ​www.celticfestival.info​ for more information about the festival. You can also like us on ​Facebook​: ​facebook.com/orcelticfest​; follow us on ​Twitter​: ​twitter.com/orcelticfest​; andfollow us on ​Instagram​: ​instagram.com/orcelticfest

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The Samhain Celtic New Year Festival is organized by the Ceili of the Valley Society, a Salem-based nonprofit all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and perpetuating Irish and Celtic heritage and culture in the Willamette Valley primarily through social events that incorporate music and dance. (NOTE: In-person activities are currently on hold due toCOVID-19).

As wildfires rage through Oregon, there are some concerts and classes to hopefully lift your spirits. Please stay safe, be kind, and take care of yourself and each other. -Ceili of the Valley Society

Hanz & Colleen

Online Concert!

We’ve been invited to participate in an all-day festival of sorts for some friends out in California and will be coming to you live from the farm tomorrow, Thursday, Sept 17 at 9pm EDT/6pm PDT.

Click Here to Watch (it’ll be live on Thursday) | https://www.youtube.com/c/AmeriCeltic/

Maldon Meehan | Sean-nós for kids!

Did you know you can play our feet like a drum? It’s true!

In this class, children of all ages will learn the basics of Sean-nós dance and become familiar with the rhythms of traditional Irish dance music (jigs, reels, polkas, etc.) through games, call-and-response instruction, and improvisation. This fun, low-pressure dance class is a great introduction to Irish music, dance, and cultural heritage for kids and their families. And best of all, it’s right in your own home! All you need is a screen with an internet connection, some hard-soled shoes, and a little space to dance. Each month of classes will have a theme based on the Celtic calendar. The theme for October is Samhain (pronounced SOW-in).

Join us for weekly Zoom dance classes for children ages 3-12 (for children under 6, we request that an adult sit in; teens are encouraged to join the adult beginners class) and get ready to move your body!

For more information, read more |  https://maldonmeehan.com/kids-class/

Kathryn Claire

Our good friends , Brad & Linda , longtime Ceili of the Valley members celebrated their 40th Anniversary. You have probably seen Brad and Linda at our Ceili’s and some of our events. Brad has been our sound person for many years and has also provided traditional Irish music at our Ceili’s and events. Linda has also helped us out with numerous events.

Some Ceili of the Valley folks did a caravan drive-by on Sunday, May 31st to wish them Happy Anniversary. We were lucky enough to be offered cake so we stopped by and visited in physical distancing style. Ceili of the Valley Society has been so honored to have them as part of our family.

Ceili of the Valley Society is so lucky that our teacher Elisa also teaches Scottish Country Dance as well as Irish Social Dance.

Here’s a chance to learn a little Scottish Country dance. RSCDS is doing an online class each week.

Join a different RSCDS Teacher each week for a mixture of basic movements, warm ups, technique and steps to keep you active. Live every Wednesday at 19:00 UK time, the class will give you the chance to dance with RSCDS members around the world at the same time.

Each week, the classes will be recorded and shared through Dance Scottish At Home for those who can’t make a Wednesday evening, especially for those in a different time zone.

Hosted on Zoom, the classes will give you live video and instruction, with the opportunity to post written Q&As throughout the session, which can be answered at the end of class. You can also post messages on the ‘Chat’ area of the Webinar to other dancers.

Link to join RSCDS Online Class:
https://zoom.us/j/780126836

The first class will be on Wednesday 8^th April at 19:00 GMT (12:00 pm PT). It may take a few minutes for everyone to access Zoom, especially for the first time, so please join at 7 (12:00 pm PT) and class will start after approximately 5 minutes.
Notes: You will need to register your name and an email address, but that should take you straight into the session. Your camera and microphone will not be active.

7^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About

Ceili of the Valley Society and Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums lead the charge of everything Irish and GREEN on March 14th and hit the sidewalks for a walk-about through downtown Salem.  A few wee folks joined in our last event, St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About, before the Coronavirus “Stay Home, Save Lives” order.

Slainte – Celebrating Celtic Cultures Exhibit

Showing through February 19, 2020 At Pringle Park Plaza, 390 Liberty St SE, Salem

This exhibit is an exploration of the seven Celtic cultures: Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Mann, Scotland & Wales through customs, celebrations and more.

SALEM SAMHAIN FESTIVAL

A great way to spend a Saturday, even if you don’t have a Celtic bone in your body. The enticing aromas of Celtic food, particularly cock-a-leeky and bubble and squeak soup, permeated the venue but sold out too quickly. It was truly first come, first served. Multiple vendors displayed their wares so if you were searching for a wee gift for Christmas you would have had a good selection. The jewelry was particularly outstanding and such a large selection of Celtic items wouldn’t be found in any store. Perhaps it could be found online but at the festival you could see and feel it. Talent galore was on display, and not just in the jewelry craft. Some of our members were performing, including Christina and Victoria White who demonstrated Irish step dancing, and Maldon and Phil Meehan who demonstrated sean nos dancing. Newest AICS member Mary Carey was also on stage with an Irish song and the young dancers from the Oregon Irish Dance Academy demonstrated how much they have learned, to the delight of parents and onlookers.

A dedicated group of AICS members worked our tables, led by Julie and Jim O’Connell pictured below. Julie cleverly made some delicious scones to attract browsers to our table – and it worked! As you can see in the background of the photo numerous AICS events were highlighted and enticed Comhaltas member Mary Carey, seated at the next table, to join. Early birds Jim and Julie were reinforced by Louise Martell and Mary Rose Kerg who stayed until the remains of the day were done. A truly enjoyable and informative day.