Hello folks, I've just finished a preview blog post of the festival, which starts this Thursday. Please feel free to leave a comment and share the link with friends.
'A festival by musicians for musicians'? I would like to rephrase that 'A festival by musicians for their musician buddies'. more like it. Lots and lots of money thrown at it and 'gig''s' for the in-crowd, and not a lot else. One for listeners only in my not so humble opinion.
A sad view of musicians playing their hearts out for days on end. Its a pity you could feel so left out in such a wonderfull atmosphere of tunes. Its a mighty big in crowd with hundreds of musicians booked to play in big ,small and medium pubs and coffee shops and we can find the musicians we wish to play with or listen to.
On a related topic, want to play in some sessions that are truly inclusive with great music and local musicians that are actually enjoying themeselves, then forget Clare and especially Ennis and head to Kerry - specifically Killarney and Buckleys Bar and Sheehan's in the Grand (actually not so grand!) hotel.
Come on now Tab, the only way I ever notice the festival is on is when I come into Ennis during the day and see lost looking tourists with instrument cases wandering the streets looking like they're wondering how they are going to get through the day. Or maybe because it's unseasonally busy in Custy's.
Let's face it, unless you go to specific events, there's no sense of anything going on in Ennis during the festival ever. Certainly not a view of musicians playing their heart out all day.
Get the programme and see for yourself what lovely sessions are happening in nice comfortable afternoon venues. I reccomend a Saturday afternoon session with James Cullinane and Tom Morrow and if you dont like that there are many more at the same time. You see what you want to see. Referring to lost looking "tourists" with instrument cases shows divisiveness and sounds ugly. The greatest pleasure I have is seeing musicians arrive and see their enthusiasm. I think Prof you might have all your looking for where you live in Milltown.
Nothing divisive there Tab. Just pointing at the only thing out of the ordinary you'd spot coming into town. And I say 'tourists' because there's always a high percentage wandering the streets dressed like they're planning to hike up a mountain.
And let's face it, tourism is the angle the festival takes to get it's funding. With the Ennis Chamber always sounding off in the Champion each year how many millions the festival is worth to the town and all that nonsense.
I know the program and that's why I said 'unless you go to a specific event'. My point was there's no sense of anything unusual going on in town at all during the day. Except for the influx of, well, people that are usually not there.
Thats why its a musicians festival. They know exactly where to be. When you are at home this weekend saying to yourself that there is nothing out of the ordinary going on in a town a mere twenty miles from you some of us will be experiencing friendship with an abundance of music with over 150 musicians booked to play which might be augmented by hundreds of visiting musicians and music lovers. I'm with the "tourists" and the "mountain climbers".
If you happen to mention to anyone of the shop/boutique workers that you are down for the Ennis Trad Fest - they look at you as if you have two heads, invariably! No wonder, because its party time for Clare (or more specifically Ennis) musicians, and the hostelries. And all at taxpayers expense! What a great country we live in all the same.
And I'll eat my hat if Clare Ceili Bands don't scoop 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Ceili Band Comp. Pride of place is all very well, but......................
And please, don't call it a 'session trail' call it what it is, a 'gig trail'
"there's always a high percentage wandering the streets dressed like they're planning to hike up a mountain. "
That's what I wear normally. Don't knock it. If you have limited drying space in your flat like I do, mountain (non-cotton) clothes are a godsend because they don't take five days to dry.
I wasn't exactly knocking it Emily. I was merely saying it makes people stand out a bit in town. I might have added that the gear usually looks new and not previously used for it's intended purpose. I, for example, usually see the visits to town as an opportunity to look slightly less scruffy and wear other shoes than the walking boots.
Prof,Thats fine if you have a house full of stuff, unfortunately when yr living from a ruck-sac and carrying 2 or 3 instruments a change of footware and elegant attire is both of little relevance and hard to pack in to yr bag. I too will be seen in waterproofs, walking boots and fiddle case in hand
I don't know, but given the storm and horizontal hail that was raging in Ennis this morning for once just about anything to keep you dry was appropriate today.
I think its amazingly sad that when there are so many musicians playing there hearts out in Ennis you are begrudging people trying to keep their business alive.
Small recap: I used 'tourist'. You came back saying that sounded divisive and ugly. I told you the festival organisers used that stick every year. You come back 'it musicians for musicians'. I post a link to an article in which the festival organiser do exactly what I said they would. You come back it's sad to begrudge people to keep their business going'. Full turn. Well done.
17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Hello folks, I've just finished a preview blog post of the festival, which starts this Thursday. Please feel free to leave a comment and share the link with friends.
M
http://theennisreview.blogspot.com/2010/11/loving-17th-annual-ennis-trad-festival.html
Thanks a lot
# Posted on November 8th 2010 by meadhbhboyd
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Good stuff Meabh....Should be another great one!
# Posted on November 8th 2010 by seaniemcg
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
thanks a lot Seanie!
# Posted on November 8th 2010 by meadhbhboyd
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
It has the makings of a really great week and this year there seems to be an extra sense of anticipation for the best of times.
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
i can't wait for ennis :D
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by Patrick Murray
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Can't believe it's the 17th festival either. "a festival by musicians for musicians".
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by meadhbhboyd
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I am packing my suitcase now. Get the flight to Dublin tomorrow afternoon.
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Meanwhile it would appear as if your fiddler has a drawing pin in the bottom of his shoe - could prove hazardous!
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I'm arriving in Dublin tomorrow afternoon as well, Alistair. Planning to get the train over to Ennis on Thursday.
# Posted on November 9th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Well maybe bump into you on the train then!
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Which train are you planning to catch?
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I have no idea. Not even thought about it yet. Perhaps I will Google it now.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Maybe the midday train. I will just buy my ticket at the station though or it is asking for disaster. I hadn't realised it wasn't direct. Oh well.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
No. It's a nuisance it isn't direct. I'm thinking of taking the 10:00 am train
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Buy Train ticket online at www.irishrail.ie for a fraction of cost. You get ripped off at station
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by colmh
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
'A festival by musicians for musicians'? I would like to rephrase that 'A festival by musicians for their musician buddies'. more like it. Lots and lots of money thrown at it and 'gig''s' for the in-crowd, and not a lot else. One for listeners only in my not so humble opinion.
Mary, I'm back on my favourite topic!!!
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by mariaphilmurphy
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
A sad view of musicians playing their hearts out for days on end. Its a pity you could feel so left out in such a wonderfull atmosphere of tunes. Its a mighty big in crowd with hundreds of musicians booked to play in big ,small and medium pubs and coffee shops and we can find the musicians we wish to play with or listen to.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
On a related topic, want to play in some sessions that are truly inclusive with great music and local musicians that are actually enjoying themeselves, then forget Clare and especially Ennis and head to Kerry - specifically Killarney and Buckleys Bar and Sheehan's in the Grand (actually not so grand!) hotel.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by mariaphilmurphy
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Ok.. Loads of misery and chips on shoulders here.. Enjoy Killarney!
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Come on now Tab, the only way I ever notice the festival is on is when I come into Ennis during the day and see lost looking tourists with instrument cases wandering the streets looking like they're wondering how they are going to get through the day. Or maybe because it's unseasonally busy in Custy's.
Let's face it, unless you go to specific events, there's no sense of anything going on in Ennis during the festival ever. Certainly not a view of musicians playing their heart out all day.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Not out on the street Prof, your right, but in the pubs is a different story. Mind its a wee bit chilly for street sessions Me thinks.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Get the programme and see for yourself what lovely sessions are happening in nice comfortable afternoon venues. I reccomend a Saturday afternoon session with James Cullinane and Tom Morrow and if you dont like that there are many more at the same time. You see what you want to see. Referring to lost looking "tourists" with instrument cases shows divisiveness and sounds ugly. The greatest pleasure I have is seeing musicians arrive and see their enthusiasm. I think Prof you might have all your looking for where you live in Milltown.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
yay good for you tabber, say it how it is. There is going to be some mighty sessions, mighty craic and more than a few pints sunk!
Up the Banner!
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Nothing divisive there Tab. Just pointing at the only thing out of the ordinary you'd spot coming into town. And I say 'tourists' because there's always a high percentage wandering the streets dressed like they're planning to hike up a mountain.
And let's face it, tourism is the angle the festival takes to get it's funding. With the Ennis Chamber always sounding off in the Champion each year how many millions the festival is worth to the town and all that nonsense.
I know the program and that's why I said 'unless you go to a specific event'. My point was there's no sense of anything unusual going on in town at all during the day. Except for the influx of, well, people that are usually not there.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Which was not, I must add, to come down on the festival as I have always enjoyed the events I did go to in the past.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Thats why its a musicians festival. They know exactly where to be. When you are at home this weekend saying to yourself that there is nothing out of the ordinary going on in a town a mere twenty miles from you some of us will be experiencing friendship with an abundance of music with over 150 musicians booked to play which might be augmented by hundreds of visiting musicians and music lovers. I'm with the "tourists" and the "mountain climbers".
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
If you happen to mention to anyone of the shop/boutique workers that you are down for the Ennis Trad Fest - they look at you as if you have two heads, invariably! No wonder, because its party time for Clare (or more specifically Ennis) musicians, and the hostelries. And all at taxpayers expense! What a great country we live in all the same.
And I'll eat my hat if Clare Ceili Bands don't scoop 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Ceili Band Comp. Pride of place is all very well, but......................
And please, don't call it a 'session trail' call it what it is, a 'gig trail'
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by mariaphilmurphy
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
"there's always a high percentage wandering the streets dressed like they're planning to hike up a mountain. "
If you have limited drying space in your flat like I do, mountain (non-cotton) clothes are a godsend because they don't take five days to dry.
That's what I wear normally. Don't knock it.
Back to your regularly scheduled thread.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I wasn't exactly knocking it Emily. I was merely saying it makes people stand out a bit in town. I might have added that the gear usually looks new and not previously used for it's intended purpose. I, for example, usually see the visits to town as an opportunity to look slightly less scruffy and wear other shoes than the walking boots.
# Posted on November 10th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Like a true Boulderite, outdoorsy hiking sandals with socks is my footwear of choice.
The one I could never figure out are people who wander around the towns in the Lake District in gaiters. Is Ambleside really that boggy?
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Prof,Thats fine if you have a house full of stuff, unfortunately when yr living from a ruck-sac and carrying 2 or 3 instruments a change of footware and elegant attire is both of little relevance and hard to pack in to yr bag.
I too will be seen in waterproofs, walking boots and fiddle case in hand
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Gaiters are for Long wet grass SS, not bogs. Problem with gortex sock and sandles is though they keep yr feet dry they get very cold!
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I think I might know something about hiking through bogs, Will. Just sayin'. Gaiters keep the bog from going into your hiking boot.
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Wellies are for long wet grass.
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by David50
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
They're also good for epic mud but I wouldn't want to climb mountains in them.
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Who's talking about mountains ?
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by David50
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Somehow we drifted from the Ennis Trad Fest to a discussion of appropriate outdoor gear.
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I don't know, but given the storm and horizontal hail that was raging in Ennis this morning for once just about anything to keep you dry was appropriate today.
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Or hiding in the pub?
# Posted on November 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
http://clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4239:lucrative-trad-festival-for-ennis&catid=74:general&Itemid=60
See what I mean Tab?
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I think its amazingly sad that when there are so many musicians playing there hearts out in Ennis you are begrudging people trying to keep their business alive.
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by big_tab
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
It looks like two people from the board who haven't met will finally get their chance.
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
You have a knack of reading things that are not being said or implied tab.
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
Small recap: I used 'tourist'. You came back saying that sounded divisive and ugly. I told you the festival organisers used that stick every year. You come back 'it musicians for musicians'. I post a link to an article in which the festival organiser do exactly what I said they would. You come back it's sad to begrudge people to keep their business going'. Full turn. Well done.
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Buur_r_rrr
It is a bit brisk in here.
Should I put on some popcorn, or is it too early?
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: 17th Annual Ennis Trad Festival
I'm off for tunes.
# Posted on November 13th 2010 by big_tab