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BABS in Edinburgh

BABS in Edinburgh

The British Association of Bodhran Sophisticates (BABS) will be holding their annual conference in Edinburgh from 27th to 30th of May, the bank holiday weekend.

This international gathering has been going for a number of years, this will be our 12th conference, and now attracts something like 2,000 bodhran players from all over the globe.

I have the privilege of being President of BABS this year, hence the purpose of this post.

Perhaps some of the contributors to this sight have knowledge of sessions in the Edinburgh region, sessions which would be happy to welcome an influx of visiting musicians. I know of a few places in Edinburgh, but all suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Last year's conference, held in Vienna, was a great success, and BABS are hoping to build on that triumph.

As President, I am confident that the good people and musicians will welcome us to that fair city.

Thanking you all in advance for any help or suggestions.

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

I wonder if the fella with the oversized strap on bodrhan made in Lambeg will be there again this year?

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by Wotkey

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

You are smoking that stuff again? I am waiting for the BABES conference. Maybe we could compromise and have babes playing bodhrans? We could vote on Miss Bodhran 2005! (^:

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Two weeks too late with this.

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by Kenny

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Chairing the commitee this year is our own Mr Michael Gill.

All police leave has been cancelled.

Jim Dorans

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by Worldfiddler

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

The metal detectors would probably get Michael Gill busted at the gate for his penknife. (^:

# Posted on April 15th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

My comrades and I of the TPLO (Tommy Peoples' Liberation Organisation) managed to break up last year's AGM of SMEgMA (Spoon Makers and Egg Manufacturers Association) held at Welling, Kent. We've had to listen to a bit too much of their Percussionist Ideology of late. Them and that BNP (Bodhrans are Necessary Party). Their policy on im-egg-ration stinks. Power to the Peoples!!

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Rudall the time

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

You're wasting your time in Edinburgh, BB. We've had International Folk Festivals, Jazz festivals, European Summitts, International official (August) festivals, Tattoos, Fiddle Festivals but the locals never notice. :-)

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Johnny Jay

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Also, Michael Gill will be having a tune in Sandy Bells and I'll no doubt be having one too somewhere. We'll both be quite oblivious to what's going on. :-)

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Johnny Jay

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

John - the locals never notice because half of them are Trainspotting.

nah, just joking. True what you say, though. Every day there is some big world changing event going off in London, but do I ever notice? We went to the latest big anti-war demo a few weeks back, but apart from that my forays into central London are minimal. Folks just live their own lives I suppose.

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Rudall the time

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Oh my God, do you mean Michael actually lives there?

I think some of you are extracting the michael, and Pingu has gone all philosophical. He is into mental pictures, I see Pingu as one of those five feet 8 inch wiry wee buggers, university educated and a Guardian reader. Am I even close.

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Damn! Close enough to be touching - gerroff me you perv!
But you're a few inches too short in your estimation, and I used to be wiry when I ran a lot more miles. I'm nowadays adopting the tradition of all great flute players from Roger Sherlock through to Seamus Tansey, and am culturing a beer belly...strangely enough it doesn't make me play any better...hmmm..maybe I'm not trying hard enough...swig...

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Rudall the time

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Double ended sticks and stones may break my bones, but calling me names will get your fecking head kicked in

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by ...

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Yeah, me own mum used to say that too.

KFG

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by KFG

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

It must be you he is getting at Zina, it's certainly not me.

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Hmmm. I have a hard time seeing Michael Gill trying to kick my head in. And you can take that any way you like, I suppose, but I prefer to believe he's a gent. Somewhere under all that exterior, anyway. ;)

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

I take it in the same way that you can take "It certainly isn't me".
Know wot I mean.

# Posted on April 16th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Who called Michael any names anyway?

# Posted on April 17th 2005 by Rudall the time

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

I have no idea. Maybe it's you he is after. Perhaps a "Glasgow kiss" is not as frightening as "sticking the head in". Not to worry, Zina seems to have his measure.

# Posted on April 17th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Wotkey: "Strap on Bodhran"? Er, I'm afraid to ask, but.....uh.....er...... Maybe the American use of the slang word "strap on" is different?

# Posted on April 17th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Bodhran Bliss: Don't forget to extend a special invitation for "Alfonsoron" :
http://www.celticmusic.com/alfonso_bodhrans/runamok.html
(^: (^: (^: (^: :^) :^) :^) :^) (^: (^: (^: (^: :^) :^) :^) :^)

# Posted on April 17th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

So Ceol,
in America, 'strap on' surely means 'something you strap on'.
I'm sure overheated afficianados of extreme lesbian porno would assume that it must mean something more piquant - but you shouldn't make the assumption that we all have the same interests as yourself... ;-)

# Posted on April 18th 2005 by Ottery

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

I am a Robin Williams fan, and otherwise have no exposure to this terminology or subculture. He has a whole fast barrage of jokes with terms like this being used, and you have to know the terminology to keep pace with him.

# Posted on April 18th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Alfonso was President 4 years ago when the conference was in Washington D.C. He was unable to attend last year, but promises to show up this year.

# Posted on April 18th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Seriously, best wishes for the event. Has Johnny MvDonagh ever attended? I'd like to know what he is doing these days. I haven't heard about what he's doing since Arcady disbanded. After the event, let us know how it went. (^:

# Posted on April 20th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: BABS in Edinburgh

Caol, If your suggesting an analogy between an oversized phalic replacement and the Lambeg Drum you may have a point.

# Posted on April 22nd 2005 by Wotkey

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