In my home town here in N. California, we have an "Irish" brew pub. But when I suggested a "session night" the owner had a belly laugh. Said she "hated it" and was suprised that any Californian would actually enjoy it.
I'm just asking where, I plan on doing a bit of traveling to some other states soon and want to know which of them have the better ITM events and such.
Uh, Massachusetts is pretty good, especially the eastern part: i.e., Greater Boston and vicinity, which can mean anything from 10 to 50 miles or so outside town.
"Best" is a relative term I should think. As surprising as it may sound, Arizona has a healthy and vibrant session community from North Flagstaff through Phoenix and into Tucson. There are a few top notch players in our state as well as dozens upon dozens of passionate intermediates. We're no NYC, Boston or Chicago, But we are healthy and growing.
Fishmonger how far up north are you in California? There are gallons of Sessions in the SF bay area...
Western Massachusetts- especially if you like Contra Dancing. Check out the Guiding Star Grange. People come from all over and the music is great.
Also, I have played at MassMoCa (Massachusetts Museum on Contemporary Art) in North Adams, The Harp in Amherst, Mocha Mayas, in Shelburne Falls, and there are sessions in Northampton.
Can't say I've experienced it personally -- we were looking to move there, but he didn't get the job -- the greater Washington, D.C. area looks pretty impressive.
Jusa Nutter Eejit,
I know where several sessions are here in Sonoma County. They're not too hard to find. What has been hard to find is a player or two who doesn't mind learning with a somewhat ham fisted beginner in my living room or theirs.
I stay away from the sessions because I'd be too tempted to bring my bodhran & rock out.
I figure I HAVE TO learn the melodies first. THEN I can play, or not play as appropriate. (Good advice, quoted more or less, from bodhran maker Alberto Alfonso)
"Newfoundland......"
REALLY, ceolachan! With all your travels, and access to maps, and even allowing for loss of focus due to senior moments, and, and,........
Even JosephofCK clarifies
"In case "states" wasn't clear, I do, of course, mean in the US"
We do not wish to enter The Melting Pot, thank you, ESPECIALLY now.
Alright, alright oldstrings ~ and their asking for 'big' city too, and just U.S.A., but if I had that ability and choice I'd head for the Maritimes, but as there are limits set here ~
Seattle, Washington and the general vicinity, including the rest of Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Anyone that can't manage those short trips shouldn't consider visiting America at all... It's all relative...
So oldstrings, you're old enough to remember that discussion, about Newfoundland becoming a 'state'?! I'd still rather be there than New York City or Washington D.C...
I do like Boston and surrounds, but why hasn't anyone mentioned Chicago, surely that rich Irish vein hasn't been tapped out yet?
Connecticut, especially the Greater New Haven area where there is up to 5 strong sessions a week led by the likes of area residents like John Whelan, Damien Connolly , Katie Linnane and a slew of elite local players. Glastonbury's music scene is led by PV O'Donnell. Norwalk also has a new, strong session group led by John Redmond and friends.
Actually, we have been neglecting the outer reaches ~ for example Alaska ~ Juneau ~ Anchorage ~ etc... And if like me you love the wilderness and islands you can have that and the music too...and lovely people and some great brews too...
I agree with Western Massachusetts. I play session at MassMOCA in North Adams, someone's house in Florence, MA, The Harp in North Amherst (2), The Basement in Northampton, Mocha Mayas in Shelburne Falls. There's a session at The People's Pint in Greenfield. The CT River Valley is full of sessions from Springfield, MA to Putney, VT.
Currently we have about 8-10 sessions a month in a wide arc from Tampa down the SW coast of Florida around to Miami. Most folks here are from elsewhere in the country originally, so there's Irish-American flavor from all over, New England, Chicago, California, NYC, etc.
We also have no snow. Your current Southwest Florida January weather is a balmy 70 with a cloudless blue sky.
OK, so, Chicago, NYC, Boston, and D.C.? There aren't plans for going too incredibly far. Wherever it is we'll be most likely be driving to, or walking to if we're desperate enough :P. I'd rather not drive or walk to Alaska.
I'm only really familiar with the Midwest and East Coast, but here are my list of top session and generally good Irish music cities in those areas: NYC, Chicago, Boston, D.C., Detroit, and Philadelphia. That of course includes the surrounding metro areas of those cities. I base my judgements on number and quality of musicians, sessions, concerts, festivals, etc.
So everyone keeps mentioning the greater DC area...but I've had a good bit of trouble finding a session there...any suggestions from someone who knows, perhaps?
Baltimore has, as far as I know, some fantastic sessions that mostly happen at J. Patrick's. There are a number of top-notch musicians in Baltimore. Billy McComiskey and Brendan Mulvihill both moved from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore. Billy still lives there. Brendan lives outside Washington, D.C. in the burbs now. But Billy and Brendan had a phenomenal impact on music in the Washington/Baltimore area, from the time they came down to D.C. from New York City (in the wild days of their youth). Several of Brendan Mulvihill's students have been leaders of weekly sessions or ARE leaders of weekly sessions in Baltimore now, including Jim Eagan on the fiddle. Rosie Shipley is another one. Jesse Smith would be one, if he hadn't moved to Ireland and stayed there. Peter Fitzgerald, from Ireland but living in Baltimore for just "ages," is another strong session leader in Baltimore.
Pennsylvania's not too bad, either. There are a number of really high-end sessions in Philadelphia.
And, here in the Central PA area there are monthly sessions in Lancaster, Gettysburg, Newport and Elizabethtown so that there's at least one session a week (albeit in locations differing by 30-40min drives from the population centers)....
(Rumor has it that there is still a Monday night session at Nanny O'Brien's in DC, but I haven't been there in several years and the pub has since been sold, so I can't vouch for this session.)
J. Patrick's, Baltimore MD, led by Jim Eagan, Laura Byrne Egan and Pat Egan (http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/492) NB: You don't _have_ to be named Egan to play in this session. I think, anyway.
NJ-Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
ITM is strong in NJ
weekly in Maplewood at St. James's Gate, monthly in Rockaway(Wharton) at IAANJ where there is also a monthly concert (people like Paddy Keenan, Mary Bergin, Johnny McDonagh ,Tommy Peoples ....)
What states have the best session/ITM scene?
What states have the best session/ITM scene?
What the title says...
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
In case "states" wasn't clear, I do, of course, mean in the US
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Sometimes inebriation, rarely confusion.
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by reenactor
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
eh?... I meant cities, in the USA (United States of America)...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I'm gonna make a guess. Illinois or New York.
In my home town here in N. California, we have an "Irish" brew pub. But when I suggested a "session night" the owner had a belly laugh. Said she "hated it" and was suprised that any Californian would actually enjoy it.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Fishmonger
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
First tell me what I win if I get it right.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by eddieedwards
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I'm just asking where, I plan on doing a bit of traveling to some other states soon and want to know which of them have the better ITM events and such.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Uh, Massachusetts is pretty good, especially the eastern part: i.e., Greater Boston and vicinity, which can mean anything from 10 to 50 miles or so outside town.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by sts
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Solid and Liquid....no no.... Solid and gas....
No no, I was right the first time, Solids and Liquids.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by BegF
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
"Best" is a relative term I should think. As surprising as it may sound, Arizona has a healthy and vibrant session community from North Flagstaff through Phoenix and into Tucson. There are a few top notch players in our state as well as dozens upon dozens of passionate intermediates. We're no NYC, Boston or Chicago, But we are healthy and growing.
Fishmonger how far up north are you in California? There are gallons of Sessions in the SF bay area...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Valsetz, Oregon...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
No, C. Nonpareil, Oregon. The best of everything, obviously. If you can find it.....
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Batlady
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Lets not forget the Baltimore/DC area either.
Basically anywhere in the northeast Megalopolis is good.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by peterlenz
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Hypnogogic...zzzzzzzzzzz...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
REM?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Western Massachusetts- especially if you like Contra Dancing. Check out the Guiding Star Grange. People come from all over and the music is great.
Also, I have played at MassMoCa (Massachusetts Museum on Contemporary Art) in North Adams, The Harp in Amherst, Mocha Mayas, in Shelburne Falls, and there are sessions in Northampton.
Are you in a Massachusetts State of Mind?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I'm not sure, I plan on probably going wherever has more of it and maybe some of the better musicians.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
baltimore, new york, boston, and chicago. haven't really done sessions anywhere else in the U.S.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by chordprogressions
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
By 'best', I meant just a stronger influence of ITM and more of the musicians.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Newfoundland...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
New York, esp. NYC
Illinois- esp. Chicago
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Can't say I've experienced it personally -- we were looking to move there, but he didn't get the job -- the greater Washington, D.C. area looks pretty impressive.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by cathrynb
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Jusa Nutter Eejit,
I know where several sessions are here in Sonoma County. They're not too hard to find. What has been hard to find is a player or two who doesn't mind learning with a somewhat ham fisted beginner in my living room or theirs.
I stay away from the sessions because I'd be too tempted to bring my bodhran & rock out.
I figure I HAVE TO learn the melodies first. THEN I can play, or not play as appropriate. (Good advice, quoted more or less, from bodhran maker Alberto Alfonso)
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Fishmonger
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
San Diego, CA has a great scene... Three sessions a week and many good players...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Michael Eskin
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
"Newfoundland......"
REALLY, ceolachan! With all your travels, and access to maps, and even allowing for loss of focus due to senior moments, and, and,........
Even JosephofCK clarifies
"In case "states" wasn't clear, I do, of course, mean in the US"
We do not wish to enter The Melting Pot, thank you, ESPECIALLY now.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Alright, alright oldstrings ~ and their asking for 'big' city too, and just U.S.A., but if I had that ability and choice I'd head for the Maritimes, but as there are limits set here ~
Seattle, Washington and the general vicinity, including the rest of Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Anyone that can't manage those short trips shouldn't consider visiting America at all... It's all relative...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
So oldstrings, you're old enough to remember that discussion, about Newfoundland becoming a 'state'?!
I'd still rather be there than New York City or Washington D.C...
I do like Boston and surrounds, but why hasn't anyone mentioned Chicago, surely that rich Irish vein hasn't been tapped out yet?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Your next step might be to list half a dozen and take a U.S. cities and then take a poll?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
The Bay Area, California, including San Francisco?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Connecticut, especially the Greater New Haven area where there is up to 5 strong sessions a week led by the likes of area residents like John Whelan, Damien Connolly , Katie Linnane and a slew of elite local players. Glastonbury's music scene is led by PV O'Donnell. Norwalk also has a new, strong session group led by John Redmond and friends.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Threewood
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Actually, we have been neglecting the outer reaches ~ for example Alaska ~ Juneau ~ Anchorage ~ etc... And if like me you love the wilderness and islands you can have that and the music too...and lovely people and some great brews too...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
& the best cold smoked fish in the world...
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I agree with Western Massachusetts. I play session at MassMOCA in North Adams, someone's house in Florence, MA, The Harp in North Amherst (2), The Basement in Northampton, Mocha Mayas in Shelburne Falls. There's a session at The People's Pint in Greenfield. The CT River Valley is full of sessions from Springfield, MA to Putney, VT.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Celtic Guitar
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Currently we have about 8-10 sessions a month in a wide arc from Tampa down the SW coast of Florida around to Miami. Most folks here are from elsewhere in the country originally, so there's Irish-American flavor from all over, New England, Chicago, California, NYC, etc.
We also have no snow. Your current Southwest Florida January weather is a balmy 70 with a cloudless blue sky.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
ceolachan offered:
REM?
...to which I reply:
Shiny, happy people playing jigs and reels?
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by sts
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Don't know.
San Francisco is nice.
Jean
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by jeandegingins
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
OK, so, Chicago, NYC, Boston, and D.C.? There aren't plans for going too incredibly far. Wherever it is we'll be most likely be driving to, or walking to if we're desperate enough :P. I'd rather not drive or walk to Alaska.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I'm only really familiar with the Midwest and East Coast, but here are my list of top session and generally good Irish music cities in those areas: NYC, Chicago, Boston, D.C., Detroit, and Philadelphia. That of course includes the surrounding metro areas of those cities. I base my judgements on number and quality of musicians, sessions, concerts, festivals, etc.
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by fiddleplayer01
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
So everyone keeps mentioning the greater DC area...but I've had a good bit of trouble finding a session there...any suggestions from someone who knows, perhaps?
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by possumawesome
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Baltimore has, as far as I know, some fantastic sessions that mostly happen at J. Patrick's. There are a number of top-notch musicians in Baltimore. Billy McComiskey and Brendan Mulvihill both moved from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore. Billy still lives there. Brendan lives outside Washington, D.C. in the burbs now. But Billy and Brendan had a phenomenal impact on music in the Washington/Baltimore area, from the time they came down to D.C. from New York City (in the wild days of their youth). Several of Brendan Mulvihill's students have been leaders of weekly sessions or ARE leaders of weekly sessions in Baltimore now, including Jim Eagan on the fiddle. Rosie Shipley is another one. Jesse Smith would be one, if he hadn't moved to Ireland and stayed there. Peter Fitzgerald, from Ireland but living in Baltimore for just "ages," is another strong session leader in Baltimore.
Look up J. Patricks Pub in Baltimore.
Linda
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by Fid42
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
I'm going to Alaska in May. I'll report back.
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Pennsylvania's not too bad, either. There are a number of really high-end sessions in Philadelphia.
And, here in the Central PA area there are monthly sessions in Lancaster, Gettysburg, Newport and Elizabethtown so that there's at least one session a week (albeit in locations differing by 30-40min drives from the population centers)....
# Posted on January 31st 2008 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Sessions in the greater DC/Baltimore area as of today (1/31/08). It all could change by tomorrow, though, as is the nature of sessions.
SUNDAY
RiRa, Bethesda MD, led by Philippe Varlet and Rob Greenway (http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=24996)
O'Faolain's, Sterling VA, led by Betsy O'Malley and Jim Wade (http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=31668)
MONDAY
Fado, Annapolis MD, led by Peter Brice, Josh Dukes and Danny Noveck (http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1810)
J. Patrick's, Baltimore MD - beginners session
(Rumor has it that there is still a Monday night session at Nanny O'Brien's in DC, but I haven't been there in several years and the pub has since been sold, so I can't vouch for this session.)
TUESDAY
McGinty's, Silver Spring MD, led by Dennis Botzer and Patrick Cavanagh (http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1483)
J. Patrick's, Baltimore MD, led by Jim Eagan, Laura Byrne Egan and Pat Egan (http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/492) NB: You don't _have_ to be named Egan to play in this session. I think, anyway.
WEDNESDAY
RiRa, Bethesda MD, led by Philippe Varlet and Rob Greenway (http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=24996)
Cafe Hon, Baltimore MD, led by Dan Isaacson, Sean McComiskey, etc. (no web presence for this session AFAIK)
THURSDAY
J. Patrick's, Baltimore MD, led by Peter Fitzgerald(http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/492)
No sessions on Friday or Saturday, AFAIK.
# Posted on January 31st 2008 by johnkerr
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
Good man, John. The Mayans would have set their clocks to you.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by Peter Brice
Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
In fact, we have a singers club in Baltimore now, too.(http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1883)
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by Peter Brice
NJ-Re: What states have the best session/ITM scene?
ITM is strong in NJ
weekly in Maplewood at St. James's Gate, monthly in Rockaway(Wharton) at IAANJ where there is also a monthly concert (people like Paddy Keenan, Mary Bergin, Johnny McDonagh ,Tommy Peoples ....)
also down the shore and NY is close by
http://www.sessionmap.org/music-style/celtic?geostart=40.539/-74.313
# Posted on September 8th 2008 by LagansLove.Com