They’ll be up in Ridgefield, WA just north of the border tonight if you want to see them. This will be your last chance to see them in this form. Pete, the old guy, is retiring from the band. He and his wife have been like Mom & Dad for the boys for 10+ years. I’ll miss Pete’s wit and bazouki. They’ll be trying out new people to fill the hole. In January they’ll be up at Sam &  Aine’s Winona Grange with Coleen Rainey doing vocals. An event not to miss.

Ceili of the Valley is in conversations with Molly’s Revenge for a Salem appearance. It won’t be until 2013, but we’re planning on a BIG St. Patrick’s Day show. I’m shooting for March 15, 2013. If all goes as planned it’ll be videoed and broadcast by CCTV. I would like to get Beth and Anne and KMUZ in there too for a LIVE broadcast. I can dream, can’t I?

Beth and Anne had their second broadcast of ‘The Celtic Music Hour’ on KMUZ last night. I missed it, being at the concert, but I heard they were going to be playing some Hanz Araki and Kathryn Claire. They’ll be in Salem at the Grand Theater on Thursday night Dec. 22 with a full entourage of musicians. You won’t want to miss this one.

A Celtic Conspiracy Winter Solstice Celebration. maybe we can have a bonfire out in the street out front!

http://thecelticconspiracy.com/

2011- December 9 can be marked as a big day for the Ceili of the Valley Society. We had a spectacular Ceili Mor and very successful Silent Auction. Thanks to Brad Johnson and Roy Rowland for providing the tunes at the ceili and Sam Keator for calling the dances. Sam was his usual jovial soul and kept us all hopping to the wonderful tunes.My thanks to all the people and companies that donated items for our benefit. Thanks to the 50+ patrons that perused these items looking for the perfect item or gift for that special someone. Speaking of special gifts, we had our first ever marriage proposal as the last auction item. Chris Snow is lucky he wasn’t outbid for that beautiful young maiden, Jenn Webb.

Besides the proposal, auction and ceili we had our first radio broadcast on KMUZ- Turner/Salem. Beth and Anne did a fantastic job at the station. You can listen in to their show- The Celtic Music Hour- on Friday evenings from 7-8 PM. Just tune in on the web at KMUZ.org. Brad was recording the ceili so I hope to be able to use some of it on the show. Soon- hopefully just after New Years- you’ll be able to tune in at 88.5 FM. The signal is aimed toward South Salem, so you people in N. Salem and Keizer might only be able to hear it in your car. If you have ideas or comments let us know, we’re new to this and open to all suggestions and criticisms. Keep a watch on this website for podcasts of the show. As soon as we figure out how to load them you’ll be able to listen at your liesure.

Don’t forget about our Tuesday classes- 6:30-8-30 PM. We won’t be holding class the week between Christmas and New Years. But, we’ll be back in 2012 with more ‘All Things Irish!”

It was the last Salem ceili for one of our favorite youngsters. Jared Wilde is moving to Walla Walla, WA. He’ll be missed by all of us and by any of those ladies who like to spin fast. I wish him well up north and hope he can find or start another fun ceili group up there.

I want everyone to be aware we have our Silent Auction coming up in December and if you know of anyone or anything that will make a donation to the cause please let us know. Attaining our Federal 501(3)(c) non-profit status allows you or them to take a tax deduction for the donation. If you also donate to the Oregon Cultural Trust the whole amount is 100% deductible right off the top.

I want to thank Ann and Beth for attending the KMUZ 88.5 FM orientation and open house. It looks like we’ll be hosting a radio show in the near future. If you want to help or have ideas for the show let me know. I think we have our local Irish Gaelic native tongue speaker, Aislinn Adams, and traditional Irish music aficionados, Brad Johnson and Hanz Araki, lined up to be special hosts/guests. We still need to decide on a radio host because I don’t do well with public speaking.

In the coming week we have our regular class on Tuesday night, I’ll see you there. On Wednesday we are doing a Holiday Greetings video at CCTV and on Thursday I am meeting with the KMUZ Programs Manager to sell him on our radio show ideas.

So it looks like another busy week. See you at class. Keep your radio tuned to KMUZ 88.5 FM to hear us on the air really soon.

I look forward to seeing these gents again and see how they’re doing on there pizza box bodhrans. They’ll probably have someone that can play rhythm for Brad, or whoever we get to come play, and really make it a group endeavor. So, when the next time comes be sure and get signed up or you’ll miss out on the fun!

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please contact instructor Maldon Meehan at: maldon@maldonmeehan.com. This workshop is not affiliated with the Ceili of the Valley Society.

Location:
VFW Hall
630 Hood St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301

Dates:
Saturday, October 15th, 2011
Saturday, November 12th, 2011
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Times: 1:30-3 p.m.

Sliding Scale Pricing: 4 weeks $60-80

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Instructors’ travel from Portland necessitates a head count for each class with a minimum of four students to each workshop.  If this minimum is not met, workshops will be cancelled and fees refunded.

Award-winning Japanese-American Hanz Araki is the quintessential world musician. With no prior musical training, Hanz took up the shakuhachi, the traditional bamboo “Zen flute” of Japan, at age 17. Later, influenced by his mother’s Gaelic roots, he began teaching himself Irish and Scottish tunes on the flute and penny-whistle, inspired by the many excellent pipers and fiddlers of Seattle. His ability on the flute and his uncanny command of traditional songs with his voice quickly made him a fixture of the Irish music scene in America.

Musician Kathryn Claire’s violin-playing exhibits a technical grace that is matched only by her truly captivating voice. Her deep love and respect for traditional music has long been a driving influence in cultivating her unique style and approach to music as a violinist, singer and songwriter. Cary Novotny, who has been playing guitar and singing professionally for two decades, possesses a powerful musical style, with strong rhythm and a sure sense of harmony and tone. Novotny has recorded and performed with many great bands in the world of Irish music, including Cul An Ti, Kevin Burke, The Bridies, and An Tua.

For those unfamiliar with the custom, an Irish Céilí (pronounced Kay-lee) is a merry social gathering for the purpose of enjoying music, songs, dancing, friends and refreshments. During a Céilí, a traditional Irish band will play lively tunes while a caller leads everyone through the dances (much like square and contra dancing). Each dance is walked through before the music begins, so even the newest dancer can maneuver like a pro. And if you get confused, as we all occasionally do, there are plenty of helping hands to guide you along the way. Calling the dances in October we have Sam Keator.

Salem’s 2nd Friday Irish Céilí dance is a monthly event hosted by the Céilí of the Valley Society that takes place at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood ST NE in Salem, OR. Unlike regular months, October’s event will begin with a Celtic Concert from 7-8 PM followed by a complimentary dance lesson (with paid
admission) and Céilí with live music from 8-11 PM. All ages are welcome. No partner or experience is necessary. This is a great mixer for singles, too.

The Céilí of the Valley Society is a 501(c)(3) federally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, preserving, and celebrating Irish culture and heritage. For further information, please contact the Céilí of the Valley Society at: info@ceiliofthevalley.org

Keep an eye on this page to stay up to date with the Irish community of the Mid-Willamette Valley!