Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Still recovering... !!! I met some of you up there, which was nice, to put a face to some names here.
Who did what, what was the highlight of your week?
My favorite night... hard to pick one, but I think was Friday at the Fingal CD launch in Freehold. There were so many other things to go to, I wished I could be everywhere, but landed there and couldn't tear away! It ended up in a 3:30AM breakfast at Oak Hill Kitchen, and then thankfully some sleep in time Saturday AM before the McGann festival... that was great too.
Thanks to Paul Keating, the director, and the Quill Center and all for pulling off a great week again! What a major undertaking!
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
I didn't go, but I have friends who went...I heard there was a lot of tension and some hard feelings because the teachers weren't provided with meal tickets or travel costs--something along those lines. I heard the board members or whoever in charge even spoke very harshly to a couple of them, which doesn't make any sense. Not trying to stir anything up, just wondering if what I heard is true, because that's a shame if it is.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Well, things seemed to run very smoothly. It's amazing how few troubles or problems there ever are, considering the magnitude of the whole festival.
Anyway, I hope your friend had a good time, I surely did, and know many who did and no complaints. Just wondered what everyone's best musical experiences were. Personally the music up there is something I look forward to every year, miss it when over... though admittedly would not be able to keep the pace up all year...though in theory would like to!
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
For me, the best part of the Catskills week is reading emails from friends who are there. I'm stuck in Montana, but I hear a lot of good gossip and craic from East Durham every year.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
So many great moments (and I was there just for a weekend) but a most memorable one for me was sitting across from Dáithí Sproule and playing a set of mazurkas with him - just the two of us. He on....fiddle. Me, on mandolin. At 3AM
Iris - I was at the Oak Hill Kitchen after that for breakfast as well - an oasis in the midst of a culinary wasteland
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
My favourite moment was on the Wednesday when the East Galway musicians played at the concert. It was fabulous. I also love meeting my friends from the previous years. It's like home coming. Class with Randall Bays was great and John McEvoy and John Wynne were also superb. Then there was Damien and Seamus Connolly. I could go on and on.
Heather
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Highlights for me were:
Tuesday afternoon unscheduled session outside of Furlongs, sitting and listening with Jackie Daly, as a clueless novice bodhran player approached the circle. After battering away on one set of reels, she backed off and eventually sat down and tapped away quietly. The group included John & Catherine McEvoy, John Wynne, Randal Bays, Eileen Gannon, Willie Kelly, Alex Reidinger, Patrick Ourceau's wife Julie, and, in a rare instance where you couldn't complain about there being too many guitars, Daithi Sproule, Paul De Grae, and Iris Nevins.
Tuesday night listening session at Falvey's with Mary Bergin, Liz & Yvonne Kane, Brian McNamara, Tim Collins, Alex Finn, Johnny McDonough, and Lasairfhiona ni Chaonola.
Wednesday night singing session where four different versions of Banks of the Roses were sung.
Thursday late night in back of Furlongs where Edel Fox and three fiddlers played endless variations on "Sport".
Friday late night in back of Furlongs with Edel, Dana Lyn, Tina Lech, Maeve Flanagan, Blaithin Loughran, two other members of Girsa (accordion and mandolin), a piper, a few other fiddlers, and a guitarist.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
I missed a lot of the week, but it did seem to go well. I spoke with quite a few people who were there for the whole thing, and I didn't hear any problems. My favorite part was a small session that took place Tuesday night, after the "Fireworks Session" at Blackthorne. I tend to favor the smaller sessions, and that was the only small one I attended. Oh well, there's always next year!
BTW Iris- Catherine Dineen showed me the soaps you made. Is that cold process, or melt and pour. Don't mean to hijack here, I'm just curious!
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hi Rob... the Celtic Knot soaps are simple, melt and pour, no lye or harmful stuff...glycerin, some scents. There are a few tricks to getting it right, but once you have them down, very easy. And Celtic knot molds of course!
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Oh - is that the festival I went to that time? In the Catskills and we stayed at furlongs? How bizarre I didnt even know it was called Ciaw.
I liked going to that pub where that guy sings 80's music, all the trad players go down there drink and sing along to 'land down under'...brought a tear to my eye.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Yep bb, you're thinking of the right thing. Hope everything is well with you btw. The festival is referred to as the Catskills Irish Arts Week, CIAW, or East Durham. As for the guy singing "Land Down Under" that guy is better known as Peter Catskills and I haven't seen him perform in a few years, although I think he still does his act on a nightly basis.
As for my highlights, besides meeting and playing with a different crop of musicians than in year's past, I really enjoyed the Saturday night session with Mike Rafferty, Mary Bergin, and company. Also enjoyed getting to meet Angela Crotty, the daughter of Junior Crehan. Thirdly, enjoyed seeing Sean McComiskey jam with a few bluegrassers that were hanging out at Furlongs the one night. There was a bluegrass festival happening just down the road, and many of us feared that the two groups would clash, but seeing Sean play with the guys showed how well the two styles can work together when talented musicians are involved. My most unexpected enjoyable moment was when I heard Con Fada O'Drisceoll sing what I believe is called "Bob's Song" (the one where his dog gets his manhood removed). I'm not usually a big fan of songs, but his were absolutely hilarious. All in all, a pretty solid week.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hey Jason - how are you doing? Are you still in Baltimore? I'm cruising along, same ole. Doing the family thing. Able to get to a couple of sessions a month - what a change - In ireland I used to go to 2 a day! Zina and John are coming to sydney for a month at the end of August - so I'm looking forward to that - we are taking them to an irish music festival smack bang in the middle of the bush - our version of catskills
Ah yes - Pete Catskills - he was the best..sniff
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Con's songs and Damien and Seamus Connolly's turns during the weeknight concert, the intermediate session at Oak Hill Monday night (not to mention the brownies) and just listening to the late sessions when I could get to them.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Peter McKiernan (Mr. Catskills) is still playing up here. Now him and I play full time at the Blackthorne Resort. And Land Down Under is still on the playlist, right next to a set of reels and Sinatra.
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hi Rob,
It was nice meeting and playing tunes with you at that Tuesday late-night session. I hope you are doing well. Melanie was one heck of a fiddle player, wasn't she?!?!?
The highlight of my week? Meeting irisnevins, of course!
Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Still recovering... !!! I met some of you up there, which was nice, to put a face to some names here.
Who did what, what was the highlight of your week?
My favorite night... hard to pick one, but I think was Friday at the Fingal CD launch in Freehold. There were so many other things to go to, I wished I could be everywhere, but landed there and couldn't tear away! It ended up in a 3:30AM breakfast at Oak Hill Kitchen, and then thankfully some sleep in time Saturday AM before the McGann festival... that was great too.
Thanks to Paul Keating, the director, and the Quill Center and all for pulling off a great week again! What a major undertaking!
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by irisnevins
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
I didn't go, but I have friends who went...I heard there was a lot of tension and some hard feelings because the teachers weren't provided with meal tickets or travel costs--something along those lines. I heard the board members or whoever in charge even spoke very harshly to a couple of them, which doesn't make any sense. Not trying to stir anything up, just wondering if what I heard is true, because that's a shame if it is.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by mellow yellow
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Well, things seemed to run very smoothly. It's amazing how few troubles or problems there ever are, considering the magnitude of the whole festival.
Anyway, I hope your friend had a good time, I surely did, and know many who did and no complaints. Just wondered what everyone's best musical experiences were. Personally the music up there is something I look forward to every year, miss it when over... though admittedly would not be able to keep the pace up all year...though in theory would like to!
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by irisnevins
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Californians Injured At Work?
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by eames
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
For me, the best part of the Catskills week is reading emails from friends who are there. I'm stuck in Montana, but I hear a lot of good gossip and craic from East Durham every year.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
So many great moments (and I was there just for a weekend) but a most memorable one for me was sitting across from Dáithí Sproule and playing a set of mazurkas with him - just the two of us. He on....fiddle. Me, on mandolin. At 3AM
Iris - I was at the Oak Hill Kitchen after that for breakfast as well - an oasis in the midst of a culinary wasteland
Avi
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by improziv
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
My favourite moment was on the Wednesday when the East Galway musicians played at the concert. It was fabulous. I also love meeting my friends from the previous years. It's like home coming. Class with Randall Bays was great and John McEvoy and John Wynne were also superb. Then there was Damien and Seamus Connolly. I could go on and on.
Heather
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by boxielady
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Highlights for me were:
Tuesday afternoon unscheduled session outside of Furlongs, sitting and listening with Jackie Daly, as a clueless novice bodhran player approached the circle. After battering away on one set of reels, she backed off and eventually sat down and tapped away quietly. The group included John & Catherine McEvoy, John Wynne, Randal Bays, Eileen Gannon, Willie Kelly, Alex Reidinger, Patrick Ourceau's wife Julie, and, in a rare instance where you couldn't complain about there being too many guitars, Daithi Sproule, Paul De Grae, and Iris Nevins.
Tuesday night listening session at Falvey's with Mary Bergin, Liz & Yvonne Kane, Brian McNamara, Tim Collins, Alex Finn, Johnny McDonough, and Lasairfhiona ni Chaonola.
Wednesday night singing session where four different versions of Banks of the Roses were sung.
Thursday late night in back of Furlongs where Edel Fox and three fiddlers played endless variations on "Sport".
Friday late night in back of Furlongs with Edel, Dana Lyn, Tina Lech, Maeve Flanagan, Blaithin Loughran, two other members of Girsa (accordion and mandolin), a piper, a few other fiddlers, and a guitarist.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
I missed a lot of the week, but it did seem to go well. I spoke with quite a few people who were there for the whole thing, and I didn't hear any problems. My favorite part was a small session that took place Tuesday night, after the "Fireworks Session" at Blackthorne. I tend to favor the smaller sessions, and that was the only small one I attended. Oh well, there's always next year!
BTW Iris- Catherine Dineen showed me the soaps you made. Is that cold process, or melt and pour. Don't mean to hijack here, I'm just curious!
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by rob_handel
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hi Rob... the Celtic Knot soaps are simple, melt and pour, no lye or harmful stuff...glycerin, some scents. There are a few tricks to getting it right, but once you have them down, very easy. And Celtic knot molds of course!
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by irisnevins
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Oak Hill Kitchen's ridiculously-sized waffles, followed by finally going to bed at 8 AM.
--DtM
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by Dan the Man
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
What is a CIAW
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by bb
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
catskills irish arts week
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by tradmoosic
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
It is a Crash Into Another World.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
To learn the skills of cats.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Oh - is that the festival I went to that time? In the Catskills and we stayed at furlongs? How bizarre I didnt even know it was called Ciaw.
I liked going to that pub where that guy sings 80's music, all the trad players go down there drink and sing along to 'land down under'...brought a tear to my eye.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by bb
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Yep bb, you're thinking of the right thing. Hope everything is well with you btw. The festival is referred to as the Catskills Irish Arts Week, CIAW, or East Durham. As for the guy singing "Land Down Under" that guy is better known as Peter Catskills and I haven't seen him perform in a few years, although I think he still does his act on a nightly basis.
As for my highlights, besides meeting and playing with a different crop of musicians than in year's past, I really enjoyed the Saturday night session with Mike Rafferty, Mary Bergin, and company. Also enjoyed getting to meet Angela Crotty, the daughter of Junior Crehan. Thirdly, enjoyed seeing Sean McComiskey jam with a few bluegrassers that were hanging out at Furlongs the one night. There was a bluegrass festival happening just down the road, and many of us feared that the two groups would clash, but seeing Sean play with the guys showed how well the two styles can work together when talented musicians are involved. My most unexpected enjoyable moment was when I heard Con Fada O'Drisceoll sing what I believe is called "Bob's Song" (the one where his dog gets his manhood removed). I'm not usually a big fan of songs, but his were absolutely hilarious. All in all, a pretty solid week.
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by Jason G
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hey Jason - how are you doing? Are you still in Baltimore? I'm cruising along, same ole. Doing the family thing. Able to get to a couple of sessions a month - what a change - In ireland I used to go to 2 a day! Zina and John are coming to sydney for a month at the end of August - so I'm looking forward to that - we are taking them to an irish music festival smack bang in the middle of the bush - our version of catskills
Ah yes - Pete Catskills - he was the best..sniff
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by bb
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Con's songs and Damien and Seamus Connolly's turns during the weeknight concert, the intermediate session at Oak Hill Monday night (not to mention the brownies) and just listening to the late sessions when I could get to them.
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by Mandogal
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Peter McKiernan (Mr. Catskills) is still playing up here. Now him and I play full time at the Blackthorne Resort. And Land Down Under is still on the playlist, right next to a set of reels and Sinatra.
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by rob_handel
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hi Rob,
It was nice meeting and playing tunes with you at that Tuesday late-night session. I hope you are doing well. Melanie was one heck of a fiddle player, wasn't she?!?!?
The highlight of my week? Meeting irisnevins, of course!
Cheers,
Brian
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by browndog
Re: Who went to CIAW? What was the best part of the week?
Hey Browndog... Likewise! Sorry i was so scattered and didn't have much talk time, running like mad as usual!
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by irisnevins