Feuxcelt asked me on another thread where I was, because I said there were no local sessions. So I did some looking around and I think the closest actual sessions are in Philadelphia, halfway across the state.
I've checked the database here, but the session listed at Coakley's is long gone (I know the bartenders there, it hasn't been there for a while now). The one at Molly Brannigan's in Harrisburg is also finished.
I've just sort of been going to open mike nights and seeing what falls out of the trees. So far nothing but a shower of guitar players.
so I thought there might actually be somebody out there on the mustard board that was around York, Cumberland, or Adams Counties.
It's a long shot, but if there used to be some sessions in the area, there might still be a couple folks around
I used to live in South Central PA, but moved to the midwest---
Do you know about this ?
October 3 with
Kevin Burke with Cal Scott Stone Jug House Concert series in Biglersville - Gettysburg, PA
Call John to reserve a seat at 717-677-4420
That would be a way to tap into anyone in the scene.
Gettysburg has a Irish festival or something. I went one year about 3 years ago and was sadly disappointed with the music. But then again thats the nature of USA festivals in my experience.
Bev Conrad, who goes by Fiddlerwoman (you can find her on the net) is near you. She plays in a session near Harrisburg and she is a really nice gal; great fiddler. You might try looking her up.
Good Luck on either finding and/or starting a session in south central Pennsylvania Nate Ryan.
Before some other local musicians started an Irish Session here in Arkansas in 1995, I didn't even know that there were such things as Irish Sessions.
I knew that there were various types of music jam sessions and I was participating regularly in a local Blues Jam. However, I didn't have the slightest idea that people who liked Irish music as much as I did got together and met on a regular basis to play this music. Yes, I was that culturally deprived before 1995.
no, I didn't know about that. I'll look into it. I think there might be something going on in Gettysburg.
I actually went to the Irish festival back in July. It was ghastly hot that day, so I didn't stay for the whole thing. Got to see a local group from Lancaster, and see a dance group, but no luck hooking up with anybody nearby.
Ive been waiting for Kevin Burke to get within a reasonable drive for me... I thought living near Wichita KS would be a good thing but the traditional music scene there is dead.
I'l have to try and find fiddlerWoman. If she's really a good fiddler I probably should try and see if I could take lessons from her.
Harrisburg is close enough to go to, I'm between there and York and I have family and friends up there. I think that session used to be on 2nd St there in town, though, and if that's the one I'm thinking of, it isn't happening anymore.
Whether I find a session or not, I'm still playing Irish fiddle. Just try and stop me. I could use a mentor, though, to get the tradition right. I can't just start a new tradition.
But in the meantime, I'm playing solo for friends and family and going out and invading open mic nights at the local bars.
Starting to understand what a lonesome sound is all about, though. If I keep on playing alone I might get to be impossible to play with.
I live in York, and would be happy to get together to trade tunes. There are a few sessions in the area during the week. Unfortunately, I've not been too happy with the sessions I've attended. I sum up the problem this way: six musicians, five music stands, and that sixth musician has a lap dulcimer.
Now, I'm no great player, so I want to make it clear that I don't believe myself to be a better musician than any of the regular attendees. They simply aren't doing what I want to do.
Baltimore, on the other hand, is a great place for Trad. I've been going to a Sunday early evening session at Ryan's Daughter in Baltimore, and it's been much better. There's also a slow session at J. Patrick's on Monday evenings that I'm unable to attend, and I'm sure there are others.
@ oriley
Is this the Bev Conrad to whom you refer? http://www.fiddlerwoman.com/
If so, I'm not sure she's the best one for someone who wants to focus specifically on Irish Trad.
Yes, that is the Bev Conrad. And she does play mostly the traditional music of Scotland...HOWEVER, she knows many many musicians in that area of the land. This is why I thought she would be a fine contact person.
My brother lives in Hollidaysburg, near Altoona, that I visit occasionally. I'd love to take in a session if there were any in that area. I've contacted folks via this site, and while they've been kind and encouraging, it seems that particular part of the state is a bit of a Dead Zone.
Jeez, y'all make this area sound like something out of a Stephen King novel. Well, I got news fer ya, IT IS !!!
Whatever you do Nate, DON'T go to the McLain Irish Festival on 30 Aug., ya know, the one just outside Carlisle right of interstate 81. What's put into that festival is not what comes out of it !
Seriously, Nate--look for me there. I'll be fiddlin' with a band
called Una Rose (11:00--12:00 A.M.)-grab me, we'll talk
Chris Hauke
Hey, Chris, that's great! I didn't know about that one over the holiday weekend. Glad you mentioned it, I was tempted to enter this 100 mile bicycle thing that day. I'll come and accost you after your set instead.
and Hotsauce, I'll try and get ahold of you. You're actually pretty close. I'm just north of York out by Ski Roundtop
Also, in the fall through spring, there's the Susquehanna Folk Music Society's "Folk Jam" at Fort Hunter barn (usually the 2nd Sunday) in Harrisburg.
It's not strictly an Irish session (they also do bluegrass and gospel and "general" folk music like Bob Dylan/Woodie Guthrie), but there's a lot of good musicians and they'll play along with a jig or a reel if you start one....
There are 2 monthly sessions in Lancaster, a monthly session in Elizabethtown and a weekly session in Reading. There are some others as well around the area as well. I think that most, if not all these sessions are listed in the "sessions" section of this board. Search in Pa.
Look at the Centralpaceltic Yahoo group as suggested above for more information.
Hello there, I'm in Mechanicsburg! I'm a semi-professional musician and oboist with the Harrisburg Symphony, but I picked up the Irish whistle this past Christmas and am loving it. I went to the Adams County Festival and met a very helpful Bodhran player from the Baltimore area. (I'm also in the market for a Bodhran for my high school aged son.) Is the McClain gig a good chance to meet other players?
to Nate Ryan & tombom11:
Had to bow out of this gig (McClain) for good reasons (last minut replacemen). Couldn't say about the level of music.
But certain to meet other players w/ common interests.
I'm also looking for some people in south central Pa. How about choosing a night and we all invade a local open mic session? I know of a couple in the area. I'm in Adams county.
so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Feuxcelt asked me on another thread where I was, because I said there were no local sessions. So I did some looking around and I think the closest actual sessions are in Philadelphia, halfway across the state.
I've checked the database here, but the session listed at Coakley's is long gone (I know the bartenders there, it hasn't been there for a while now). The one at Molly Brannigan's in Harrisburg is also finished.
I've just sort of been going to open mike nights and seeing what falls out of the trees. So far nothing but a shower of guitar players.
so I thought there might actually be somebody out there on the mustard board that was around York, Cumberland, or Adams Counties.
It's a long shot, but if there used to be some sessions in the area, there might still be a couple folks around
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
I used to live in South Central PA, but moved to the midwest---
Do you know about this ?
October 3 with
Kevin Burke with Cal Scott Stone Jug House Concert series in Biglersville - Gettysburg, PA
Call John to reserve a seat at 717-677-4420
That would be a way to tap into anyone in the scene.
Gettysburg has a Irish festival or something. I went one year about 3 years ago and was sadly disappointed with the music. But then again thats the nature of USA festivals in my experience.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Bev Conrad, who goes by Fiddlerwoman (you can find her on the net) is near you. She plays in a session near Harrisburg and she is a really nice gal; great fiddler. You might try looking her up.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by oriley
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Good Luck on either finding and/or starting a session in south central Pennsylvania Nate Ryan.
Before some other local musicians started an Irish Session here in Arkansas in 1995, I didn't even know that there were such things as Irish Sessions.
I knew that there were various types of music jam sessions and I was participating regularly in a local Blues Jam. However, I didn't have the slightest idea that people who liked Irish music as much as I did got together and met on a regular basis to play this music. Yes, I was that culturally deprived before 1995.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
no, I didn't know about that. I'll look into it. I think there might be something going on in Gettysburg.
I actually went to the Irish festival back in July. It was ghastly hot that day, so I didn't stay for the whole thing. Got to see a local group from Lancaster, and see a dance group, but no luck hooking up with anybody nearby.
The dance troup was worth the drive, though.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Ive been waiting for Kevin Burke to get within a reasonable drive for me... I thought living near Wichita KS would be a good thing but the traditional music scene there is dead.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
I'l have to try and find fiddlerWoman. If she's really a good fiddler I probably should try and see if I could take lessons from her.
Harrisburg is close enough to go to, I'm between there and York and I have family and friends up there. I think that session used to be on 2nd St there in town, though, and if that's the one I'm thinking of, it isn't happening anymore.
Whether I find a session or not, I'm still playing Irish fiddle. Just try and stop me. I could use a mentor, though, to get the tradition right. I can't just start a new tradition.
But in the meantime, I'm playing solo for friends and family and going out and invading open mic nights at the local bars.
Starting to understand what a lonesome sound is all about, though. If I keep on playing alone I might get to be impossible to play with.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
I live in York, and would be happy to get together to trade tunes. There are a few sessions in the area during the week. Unfortunately, I've not been too happy with the sessions I've attended. I sum up the problem this way: six musicians, five music stands, and that sixth musician has a lap dulcimer.
Now, I'm no great player, so I want to make it clear that I don't believe myself to be a better musician than any of the regular attendees. They simply aren't doing what I want to do.
Baltimore, on the other hand, is a great place for Trad. I've been going to a Sunday early evening session at Ryan's Daughter in Baltimore, and it's been much better. There's also a slow session at J. Patrick's on Monday evenings that I'm unable to attend, and I'm sure there are others.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
@ oriley
Is this the Bev Conrad to whom you refer?
http://www.fiddlerwoman.com/
If so, I'm not sure she's the best one for someone who wants to focus specifically on Irish Trad.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Yes, that is the Bev Conrad. And she does play mostly the traditional music of Scotland...HOWEVER, she knows many many musicians in that area of the land. This is why I thought she would be a fine contact person.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by oriley
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
I live in Arizona, but have a couple of friends in York and Harrisburg who might know more. Drop me a note directly-
Sharon
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by azfiddle
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
My brother lives in Hollidaysburg, near Altoona, that I visit occasionally. I'd love to take in a session if there were any in that area. I've contacted folks via this site, and while they've been kind and encouraging, it seems that particular part of the state is a bit of a Dead Zone.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by fidkid
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Jeez, y'all make this area sound like something out of a Stephen King novel. Well, I got news fer ya, IT IS !!!
Whatever you do Nate, DON'T go to the McLain Irish Festival on 30 Aug., ya know, the one just outside Carlisle right of interstate 81. What's put into that festival is not what comes out of it !
Seriously, Nate--look for me there. I'll be fiddlin' with a band
called Una Rose (11:00--12:00 A.M.)-grab me, we'll talk
Chris Hauke
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by hauke
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Hey, Chris, that's great! I didn't know about that one over the holiday weekend. Glad you mentioned it, I was tempted to enter this 100 mile bicycle thing that day. I'll come and accost you after your set instead.
and Hotsauce, I'll try and get ahold of you. You're actually pretty close. I'm just north of York out by Ski Roundtop
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Feel free to private message me. I live just off I-83, so it's pretty easy to get to my place.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Check out the CentralPACeltic Yahoo!Group:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/centralpaceltic/
There's a couple of sessions in Lancaster County, as well as one going on in Elizabethtown and a fairly big one in Reading.
The Harrisburg/New Cumberland ones, sadly, all died out.... :(
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Also, in the fall through spring, there's the Susquehanna Folk Music Society's "Folk Jam" at Fort Hunter barn (usually the 2nd Sunday) in Harrisburg.
It's not strictly an Irish session (they also do bluegrass and gospel and "general" folk music like Bob Dylan/Woodie Guthrie), but there's a lot of good musicians and they'll play along with a jig or a reel if you start one....
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
There are 2 monthly sessions in Lancaster, a monthly session in Elizabethtown and a weekly session in Reading. There are some others as well around the area as well. I think that most, if not all these sessions are listed in the "sessions" section of this board. Search in Pa.
Look at the Centralpaceltic Yahoo group as suggested above for more information.
# Posted on August 13th 2008 by flutedoog
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Doogie------
Where ya been lately ??
Missed you big time at the last three E towns.
Please come back again.
# Posted on August 16th 2008 by hauke
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
Hello there, I'm in Mechanicsburg! I'm a semi-professional musician and oboist with the Harrisburg Symphony, but I picked up the Irish whistle this past Christmas and am loving it. I went to the Adams County Festival and met a very helpful Bodhran player from the Baltimore area. (I'm also in the market for a Bodhran for my high school aged son.) Is the McClain gig a good chance to meet other players?
# Posted on August 24th 2008 by tombom11
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
to Nate Ryan & tombom11:
Had to bow out of this gig (McClain) for good reasons (last minut replacemen). Couldn't say about the level of music.
But certain to meet other players w/ common interests.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by hauke
Re: so is anybody in South Central Pennsylvania?
I'm also looking for some people in south central Pa. How about choosing a night and we all invade a local open mic session? I know of a couple in the area. I'm in Adams county.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by shanty