In an effort to promote Irish music and culture in the Oklahoma City area there is a new group (in co-operation with the Irish Arts Project of Central Oklahoma and McTeggart school of Irish Dance) that will be meeting the 3rd Friday of each month, starting May 17th.
If you would like more information please e-mail me at:
flyinfiddler@yahoo.com
The goal is to have something for beginning and advanced musicians, dancers, singers, and those who just enjoy being around Celtic music.
This is a purely nostalgic question: I lived in Oklahoma City in the early 80's (woo - dating myself) and I and my ex (who was a guitar player) used to go to sessions in Norman across from the University. The only thing I remember about the pub was that it was decorated with football scores (lovely)There was a banjo player that we did a couple of gigs with at "Barbeque House #2" for free food, but I can't rember his name. Does this ring any bells for anyone out there?
Catherine (my ex was Blair)
Wouldn't happen to have been Steve VanLandingham would it? The guy is an incredable 4 string banjo player as well as mandolin, bazookie, and guitar. (He also plays a mean claw hammer 5 string)
Actually that name sounds familiar - and the list of instruments - I remember he was very good. He had a girlfriend at the time (whose name I also can't remember - Peggy?) who impressed me very much since she was learning accordian in spite of being partially deaf.
It was a weird time - a yong Canadinan girl's first foray into the big scary US of A and these people at the sessiun were the first to make us welcome (my ex was working on the rigs) I have since found that anywhere I travel to (except perhaps sometimes in Ireland) that finding the session usually ensures a warm welcome - it's a good thing!
If you know him say thank you for me.
Catherine
Actually, I've also seen it happen that sometimes Irish sessions are unfriendly, but I've also seen that elsewhere as well, not just in Ireland. Usually, it's because the session inhabitants are a little touchy because they've been burned once too often by people who don't know the lay of the land very well. Or sometimes it's because it's a closed session and they feel a bit of a muckup in the works. Or maybe someone's having a bit of a fracas with someone else and it actually has nothing to do with the person who feels shut out of a session...
The nicest and nastiest people I've ever met have been through Irish Music, of course the majority lay in between. If a session is nasty I stay away, life's too short. Although if the players are good I will listen & record - but I'll be across the room.
The nicest and nastiest people I've ever met have been through Irish Music, of course the majority lay in between. If a session is nasty I stay away, life's too short. Although if the players are good I will listen & record - but I'll be across the room.
Yeah Zina - thats what I think- it also happens that you can feel really uncomfortable in a session but after a few weeks you get to know the people playing and they are lovley - I know quiet a few who act a bit stand offish - but only because they have been burnt before. Brad I agree also - I have met some of the nicest and nastiest - I guess if must be the same in every different creative group of people.....maybe
We had our first Celtic Gathering, probably the closest I've ever been to a session, last night at a friends house. There was some incredable musicians (Couple of fiddles, 1 bohdron, Keyboard, Citurn, Tenor banjo, mandolin, couple of penney whistles, accordian, and a hammer dulcimer. Even a couple of dancers.) , some good snacks, soda & Harp for everyone. Most of the musicians were above average and no egos. It was a great evening.
We are going to do it again next month. We are in search of a pub that will let us in but if not, the house session will work fine I think.
Well, you know, Wayne, a house session is ever so much more traditional Irish anyway. The pub session is actually fairly new. Great that things went so well! I expect that soon we'll be trekking out to OK for a weekend of music.
That'd be great! Love to see you. In fact, anytime anyone should happen to be traveling through Oklahoma City let me know and I'll get a session together. I can generally count on a few folks wanting to play some tunes.
Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Irish Music in Oklahoma City
In an effort to promote Irish music and culture in the Oklahoma City area there is a new group (in co-operation with the Irish Arts Project of Central Oklahoma and McTeggart school of Irish Dance) that will be meeting the 3rd Friday of each month, starting May 17th.
If you would like more information please e-mail me at:
flyinfiddler@yahoo.com
The goal is to have something for beginning and advanced musicians, dancers, singers, and those who just enjoy being around Celtic music.
# Posted on May 9th 2002 by flyinfiddler
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
This is a purely nostalgic question: I lived in Oklahoma City in the early 80's (woo - dating myself) and I and my ex (who was a guitar player) used to go to sessions in Norman across from the University. The only thing I remember about the pub was that it was decorated with football scores (lovely)There was a banjo player that we did a couple of gigs with at "Barbeque House #2" for free food, but I can't rember his name. Does this ring any bells for anyone out there?
Catherine (my ex was Blair)
# Posted on May 12th 2002 by imagocorvi
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Wouldn't happen to have been Steve VanLandingham would it? The guy is an incredable 4 string banjo player as well as mandolin, bazookie, and guitar. (He also plays a mean claw hammer 5 string)
# Posted on May 13th 2002 by flyinfiddler
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Actually that name sounds familiar - and the list of instruments - I remember he was very good. He had a girlfriend at the time (whose name I also can't remember - Peggy?) who impressed me very much since she was learning accordian in spite of being partially deaf.
It was a weird time - a yong Canadinan girl's first foray into the big scary US of A and these people at the sessiun were the first to make us welcome (my ex was working on the rigs) I have since found that anywhere I travel to (except perhaps sometimes in Ireland) that finding the session usually ensures a warm welcome - it's a good thing!
If you know him say thank you for me.
Catherine
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by imagocorvi
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
completly off the subject, do you really find irish sessions unfriendly?
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by bb
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Actually, I've also seen it happen that sometimes Irish sessions are unfriendly, but I've also seen that elsewhere as well, not just in Ireland. Usually, it's because the session inhabitants are a little touchy because they've been burned once too often by people who don't know the lay of the land very well. Or sometimes it's because it's a closed session and they feel a bit of a muckup in the works. Or maybe someone's having a bit of a fracas with someone else and it actually has nothing to do with the person who feels shut out of a session...
You know how it goes.
Zina
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
The nicest and nastiest people I've ever met have been through Irish Music, of course the majority lay in between. If a session is nasty I stay away, life's too short. Although if the players are good I will listen & record - but I'll be across the room.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by B Rad
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
The nicest and nastiest people I've ever met have been through Irish Music, of course the majority lay in between. If a session is nasty I stay away, life's too short. Although if the players are good I will listen & record - but I'll be across the room.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by B Rad
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Yeah Zina - thats what I think- it also happens that you can feel really uncomfortable in a session but after a few weeks you get to know the people playing and they are lovley - I know quiet a few who act a bit stand offish - but only because they have been burnt before. Brad I agree also - I have met some of the nicest and nastiest - I guess if must be the same in every different creative group of people.....maybe
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
We had our first Celtic Gathering, probably the closest I've ever been to a session, last night at a friends house. There was some incredable musicians (Couple of fiddles, 1 bohdron, Keyboard, Citurn, Tenor banjo, mandolin, couple of penney whistles, accordian, and a hammer dulcimer. Even a couple of dancers.) , some good snacks, soda & Harp for everyone. Most of the musicians were above average and no egos. It was a great evening.
We are going to do it again next month. We are in search of a pub that will let us in but if not, the house session will work fine I think.
# Posted on May 18th 2002 by flyinfiddler
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
Well, you know, Wayne, a house session is ever so much more traditional Irish anyway.
The pub session is actually fairly new. Great that things went so well! I expect that soon we'll be trekking out to OK for a weekend of music.
Zina
# Posted on May 18th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music in Oklahoma City
That'd be great! Love to see you. In fact, anytime anyone should happen to be traveling through Oklahoma City let me know and I'll get a session together. I can generally count on a few folks wanting to play some tunes.
# Posted on May 18th 2002 by flyinfiddler