Hello - Anyone out there get down to Irish Arts Week in the Catskills??
I got down there Wed night and had a wonderful 4 nights. I couldn't take classes since I wasn't there for a full week, but I got to play in the Intermediate sessions led by different teachers. The concerts alone were worth the trip. But the most fun and best music happened between the hours of 2:00am and 8:00am in the morning. I heard that Jackie Daly had the record for least amount of sleep that week. I also heard several people say that it was the best festival in the Catskills ever. I totally believe it. My only regret was not being able to spend a whole week down there.
For me it was great to have Vermont's finest Irish musicians down at the Catskills along with other visiting musicians who mean a lot to me......
I will definitely be down for the whole week next year!
Anyone have any good stories or fond memories that want to share?
Joyce
PS - Anyone want to share stories about their accommodations? Who stayed in the worst dive? (east durham is not known for fine lodging). Saturday night the pipes and toilet in our room sounded like they were gonna explode.....the next morning when we stumbled in from the bar we found we had no water at all....One of my music buddies had a frog hop out of his shower.....too funny!!!
It was my 3rd and best time to East Durham. It helps to know a bunch of tunes. I was able to participate more in the intermediate sessions. I knew faces from the previous year. I sat next to my whistle teacher at the one session and she said my harmonica sounded good. Dierdre Connolly from Cherish the Ladies led a song session and complimented my daughter--only 7 yrs old--for a song that she sang. A bunch of children with button accordians played. Robbie O'Connel sang. The free concerts each night were outstanding displays of talent. You have your choice then of going out to beginner, intermediate or full sessions, song session, dance. I had to turn in at 11:30 because my daughter would always fall asleep about then so I don't know what the real late (early morning) sessions are like. I picked up a bunch of hard to find CDs, instructional books, tippers, etc. And set my ears on some new tunes to learn.
You can camp at the Blackthorne resort for only $70/week! The childrens activities start there so I just walk Shannon down and then run to my class. In the afternoon we take a long swim in their huge pool before going out in the evening. I love walking around and hearing ITM being played everywhere you go day/night.
It was my second trip there. The show of talent there was just incredable. Added many a tune to my repituare. Just an amazing experience.
If you haven't been there I reccomend that you go next year.
As for accomodations, I beleive that the Ferncliff is tops.
By the way, Sliabh Notes and Patrick Street will be headlining the Catskills next year. A lot of the great talent that was there this year will also be back: John Carty, Seamus Connolly, Brian McNamara, Tommy Keane, Jaqueline McCarthy, Mike Rafferty, Mike McHale, Jimmy Noonan, and many others.
It was my first time to East Durham and maybe the best time in my life - what a blast! Just meeting Paddy O'Brien was worth the drive (from Toronto) but the set dancing was absolutely awsome. Everyone was so friendly, the music incredible.As for accomodations, we were bumped from the Shamrock House to Michael Dee's and were told by others it was delux even though we needed a Swiss Army knife to turn on the hot water and the roosters out back always crowed at 4:30 AM and the room was full of flies. I can't wait for next year.
Heather
East Durham is always a blast, whenever you go. I know the sessions and gigs are more abundant during Irish Arts Week, but even on the off weekends, it's not hard to find a great gig to crash or a session to sit in on. I always warn anyone who comes with me that going to E Durham is like camping no matter what your accomodations are! Always wear tick/bug spray, and don't go in the shower without some flip-flops on your feet!
And don't jump into the pools unless you've recently had a tetnus shot...hahahaha......the water from the sink and shower in our room smelled terrible, but at least I didn't get a rash like last year.....the crummy accommodations are part of that East Durham charm : )
I also can't wait for next year....Patsy?...are you there?.....you and I should definitely team up for an epic week of great music, craic, and lots of laughter.....Catskills, look out!!!
I'm an alumn--3 years ago. I'd love to go back. Karan Casey, Mary Bergen, and many others (I didn't have enough savvy to know their names and international reputations) were there. They had a fabulous puppet show troup there on the last day. And, at the dance on the last night, the mixture of professionals in the band--East Coast and international--providing live music for the dancers really was cookin', so much so that the dancers ended up stopping and all turning to watch and listen to the musicians for about 5 minutes. It seemed as though the musicians couldn't stop playing. They received a rousing applause from dancers and listeners alike.
Now, accommodations! Ugh! The first 4 nights were liveable in a motel-type room. But, forget TV! It was all x-rated and a children's dance camp was staying there all week and the owners of the place didn't do anything to protect those kids. That bothered me a lot! Then, I got moved to a cabin where 8 of us were using one bathroom, and the rooms were so small you had to go outside just to change your mind! :^D
I should start up a post called "Top ten tips on surviving the East Durham accommodationsl" ........um....is that too cynical?.....hey if East Durham had nothing but plush Hiltons and 5 star hotels, it would loose part of it's character.....I mean, how funny is it to get towels that you can see through.....bathroom fixtures that date back to 1950...roosters out back, and other crazy wildlife in your rooms....I'm still laughing about the frog in the shower....
But yes! the music is top class and totally worth it!!!!!
Trip to East Durham
Trip to East Durham
Hello - Anyone out there get down to Irish Arts Week in the Catskills??
I got down there Wed night and had a wonderful 4 nights. I couldn't take classes since I wasn't there for a full week, but I got to play in the Intermediate sessions led by different teachers. The concerts alone were worth the trip. But the most fun and best music happened between the hours of 2:00am and 8:00am in the morning. I heard that Jackie Daly had the record for least amount of sleep that week. I also heard several people say that it was the best festival in the Catskills ever. I totally believe it. My only regret was not being able to spend a whole week down there.
For me it was great to have Vermont's finest Irish musicians down at the Catskills along with other visiting musicians who mean a lot to me......
I will definitely be down for the whole week next year!
Anyone have any good stories or fond memories that want to share?
Joyce
PS - Anyone want to share stories about their accommodations? Who stayed in the worst dive? (east durham is not known for fine lodging). Saturday night the pipes and toilet in our room sounded like they were gonna explode.....the next morning when we stumbled in from the bar we found we had no water at all....One of my music buddies had a frog hop out of his shower.....too funny!!!
# Posted on July 21st 2003 by JMH
Re: Trip to East Durham
It was my 3rd and best time to East Durham. It helps to know a bunch of tunes. I was able to participate more in the intermediate sessions. I knew faces from the previous year. I sat next to my whistle teacher at the one session and she said my harmonica sounded good. Dierdre Connolly from Cherish the Ladies led a song session and complimented my daughter--only 7 yrs old--for a song that she sang. A bunch of children with button accordians played. Robbie O'Connel sang. The free concerts each night were outstanding displays of talent. You have your choice then of going out to beginner, intermediate or full sessions, song session, dance. I had to turn in at 11:30 because my daughter would always fall asleep about then so I don't know what the real late (early morning) sessions are like. I picked up a bunch of hard to find CDs, instructional books, tippers, etc. And set my ears on some new tunes to learn.
You can camp at the Blackthorne resort for only $70/week! The childrens activities start there so I just walk Shannon down and then run to my class. In the afternoon we take a long swim in their huge pool before going out in the evening. I love walking around and hearing ITM being played everywhere you go day/night.
# Posted on July 21st 2003 by Madharp
Re: Trip to East Durham
It was my second trip there. The show of talent there was just incredable. Added many a tune to my repituare. Just an amazing experience.
If you haven't been there I reccomend that you go next year.
As for accomodations, I beleive that the Ferncliff is tops.
# Posted on July 21st 2003 by Urger
Re: Trip to East Durham
By the way, Sliabh Notes and Patrick Street will be headlining the Catskills next year. A lot of the great talent that was there this year will also be back: John Carty, Seamus Connolly, Brian McNamara, Tommy Keane, Jaqueline McCarthy, Mike Rafferty, Mike McHale, Jimmy Noonan, and many others.
Joyce
# Posted on July 21st 2003 by JMH
Re: Trip to East Durham
It was my first time to East Durham and maybe the best time in my life - what a blast! Just meeting Paddy O'Brien was worth the drive (from Toronto) but the set dancing was absolutely awsome. Everyone was so friendly, the music incredible.As for accomodations, we were bumped from the Shamrock House to Michael Dee's and were told by others it was delux even though we needed a Swiss Army knife to turn on the hot water and the roosters out back always crowed at 4:30 AM and the room was full of flies. I can't wait for next year.
Heather
# Posted on July 21st 2003 by boxielady
Re: Trip to East Durham
East Durham is always a blast, whenever you go. I know the sessions and gigs are more abundant during Irish Arts Week, but even on the off weekends, it's not hard to find a great gig to crash or a session to sit in on. I always warn anyone who comes with me that going to E Durham is like camping no matter what your accomodations are! Always wear tick/bug spray, and don't go in the shower without some flip-flops on your feet!
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by irishfiddler32
Re: Trip to East Durham
And don't jump into the pools unless you've recently had a tetnus shot...hahahaha......the water from the sink and shower in our room smelled terrible, but at least I didn't get a rash like last year.....the crummy accommodations are part of that East Durham charm : )
I also can't wait for next year....Patsy?...are you there?.....you and I should definitely team up for an epic week of great music, craic, and lots of laughter.....Catskills, look out!!!
Eddie
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by JMH
Re: Trip to East Durham
I'm an alumn--3 years ago. I'd love to go back. Karan Casey, Mary Bergen, and many others (I didn't have enough savvy to know their names and international reputations) were there. They had a fabulous puppet show troup there on the last day. And, at the dance on the last night, the mixture of professionals in the band--East Coast and international--providing live music for the dancers really was cookin', so much so that the dancers ended up stopping and all turning to watch and listen to the musicians for about 5 minutes. It seemed as though the musicians couldn't stop playing. They received a rousing applause from dancers and listeners alike.
Now, accommodations! Ugh! The first 4 nights were liveable in a motel-type room. But, forget TV! It was all x-rated and a children's dance camp was staying there all week and the owners of the place didn't do anything to protect those kids. That bothered me a lot! Then, I got moved to a cabin where 8 of us were using one bathroom, and the rooms were so small you had to go outside just to change your mind! :^D
Music rating: 5 stars Accommodations: 0 stars
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by linda
Re: Trip to East Durham
I should start up a post called "Top ten tips on surviving the East Durham accommodationsl" ........um....is that too cynical?.....hey if East Durham had nothing but plush Hiltons and 5 star hotels, it would loose part of it's character.....I mean, how funny is it to get towels that you can see through.....bathroom fixtures that date back to 1950...roosters out back, and other crazy wildlife in your rooms....I'm still laughing about the frog in the shower....
But yes! the music is top class and totally worth it!!!!!
Joyce
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by JMH
hey, so what place had the x rated tv????? only joking......
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by JMH
Re: Trip to East Durham
LOL sounds awesome!
Eddie, fill me in darling, did you see Eliot? Did you learn any tunes? Do send me an email, dear, I'm dying to hear all the gossip!
# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Trip to East Durham
Hi Patsy! Don't worry, I'll be sending you a detailed email with all the "good stuff" and juicy gossip....yes, I met Elliot. Talk soon......
Eddie : )
# Posted on July 23rd 2003 by JMH
Re: Trip to East Durham
Why do I keep putting 2 L's in Eliot? (Speling es nt my forte)
# Posted on July 23rd 2003 by JMH