On Saturday, gerryfiddle wrote:
"[At Willie week] there was a great ses going, full of kids!!!
wonderfull to see all the young ones playing together with a few adults leading it along. Great!!! "
And tickdoff replied:
"the kids were there last year and i think it is brilliant for the future of the tradition. "
My sentiments exactly.
Can anyone give me some advice about where to take kids in the West of Ireland over the next three weeks, to give them an opportunity to listen, play, and perhaps learn a few new tunes? I'll be in Clare with my children (ages 12 and 15) toward the end of next week. then on to Sligo for the Morrison Festival, a few days in Donegal, then to Feakle the following weekend. Then back to east Galway and Clare again to visit family after Feakle.
I know the festivals will have some good opportunities, but have I overlooked anything that might be happening during the non-festival days? Perhaps some CCE events or other sessions that provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young musicians new to ITM?
When you do get to the Festivals, ask around about those regular sessions in the various areas. You can be sure that you will be made welcome with the kids especially if they play the music. But note that if going to a puib session that the law now says no children allowed in after 9 pm.
The great thing about pub sessions in Ireland..they are all now smoke free.
Have a good time
Maybe it is not connected strictly with sessions, but in Poland shanties and maritime songs are very popular for young people.
There are many shanties festivals, and there are hundrets of young people on those concerts.
Mainly young peple play maritime songs and sing shanties.
ITM is played by young people in Poland.
It is caused propably in that ITM is "foregin" for us (us = Poles).
Polish folk music is not so popular, and only old people play and listen to it
My husband and I just returned from a trip with our 2 sons (13 and 15). We were happy to learn that even though there is a strict rule about kids in pubs after hours (it ranges anywhere from 9pm to 10pm...depending on the locality), we found a few pubs that claim "exemption" from the ruling because they are affiliated with a hotel. Cruise's pub in Ennis, Co. Clare was one. Great atmosphere and nightly sessiuns.
And no, you don't have to stay in "their" hotel to benefit from the exemption. Just pretend
Another thought...when you do find a pub that will allow kids to stay a bit into the sessiun, be sure to ask what time they would like to have the kids out. My thinking is that most establishments will not be inclined to have kids hanging around until the wee hours. ;)
The "under 18" law is just another example of McDowell's folly and, if strictly implemented, would probably ring the death knell for traditional music. After all it's by playing alongside the old masters that most young musicians have served their apprenticeships and have learnt their music down through the years. Conversely many of these young musicians can make a major contribution to any session as the talent of some of these 15 to 18 year olds is sometimes truly amazing. If the drink problem (and it does exist) is to be tackled, it's by pursuing off-licences that serve under-age buyers and also the yobs that go binge drinking in virtually every town in Ireland at weekends that will produce results. Let's stop harrying young people with their parents or other responsible adults in the relatively safe environment of a traditional session - there I've got that off my chest"!!
Hi Tim,
Pity you didn't post that message before today, there was a session in GLOR in Ennis yesterday called "Trad for Teens" run by Claire Watts who I have mentioned in other messages. I got the info about it from RTE link on her site. http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/0719/trad4teens.html
Says there it is to run again in August.
I agree with Bannerman that if strictly enforced would be the end of Irish music as we know it.
It is sad to say ( and Ive seen it) but the music as we see it is a minority "sport "in Ireland and over the last number of years the government have had to make some moves to counter the under-age drink yobbo culture (Celtic Tiger Syndrom ?).
Having said that,,refer to my 2nd sentence " always welcome" and you will find that a musical family will and could sit till the last one is out the door.
i'm going to ireland for three weeks in august, at which point i'll be about two weeks shy of 18. how much trouble do you all think i'm likely to have going to sessions?
I'm prejudiced against kids, and don't think they should be allowed in pubs at all, unless they have extremely high IQs and can play tunes to a professional level, in which case they can stay as long as they don't speak.
Dow,
The problem with many of these kids who play music to a "professional level" is that they *don't speak* or even smile for that matter. They tend to either be very precocious or wish they were elsewhere. Probably, they'd rather be playing football but (quite often)their frustrated parents are living their lives through them. "That's my boy there on the fiddle" and so on.....
Having said that, I love to see children playing music providing they're enjoying it.
You might also check out the Kinvara area. Lots of trad music, pubs, and things to do for the kids (castles, a walkable town, etc.). And it's not far from Galway, which is a real city. Just google Kinvara...
Tim..keep your head up..
Most of kids you will find at the sessions will have progressed via the classes and the Fleagh competitions (not to mention mixing with the older -local -generation players).
The kids will carry on the tradition whatever that the ol fogeys may may rant on in this discussion.
Having witnessed the end of Meitheal concert in Glór last Friday night where around 80 or so young musicians took to the stage along with such veterans as Maurice Lennon, Harry Bradley, Máire Breathnach, Timmie Collins and others I have to dispute the idea that they would have preferred to be somewhere else. The looks on their faces stated loud and clear that they were well and truly hooked just like the rest of us!!
When i was on Inisheer there was a whole herd of CCE kids in Ned's pub every night. I think it was a field trip or something. I never quite got the clear story, as the chaperone was half-plastered when we started chatting. He kept calling them "My kids" but there were at least 20 of them. If they run in a herd, you might want to check the satellite maps for super-concentrated, infrared soda pop emissions (that's what they were drinking) to discover where they're grazing when you get there.
Obviously the chaperone was on the "black stuff" or something similar but I think it proves my point that kids can play in a pub without sampling the hard stuff. I'd also imagine that the soda pop emissions would be a lot less noxious than those resulting from a few pints too many!
Sessions and kids
Sessions and kids
On Saturday, gerryfiddle wrote:
"[At Willie week] there was a great ses going, full of kids!!!
wonderfull to see all the young ones playing together with a few adults leading it along. Great!!! "
And tickdoff replied:
"the kids were there last year and i think it is brilliant for the future of the tradition. "
My sentiments exactly.
Can anyone give me some advice about where to take kids in the West of Ireland over the next three weeks, to give them an opportunity to listen, play, and perhaps learn a few new tunes? I'll be in Clare with my children (ages 12 and 15) toward the end of next week. then on to Sligo for the Morrison Festival, a few days in Donegal, then to Feakle the following weekend. Then back to east Galway and Clare again to visit family after Feakle.
I know the festivals will have some good opportunities, but have I overlooked anything that might be happening during the non-festival days? Perhaps some CCE events or other sessions that provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young musicians new to ITM?
I'd appreciate any advice you can give.
Thanks,
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Tim in Sequim
Re: Sessions and kids
When you do get to the Festivals, ask around about those regular sessions in the various areas. You can be sure that you will be made welcome with the kids especially if they play the music. But note that if going to a puib session that the law now says no children allowed in after 9 pm.
The great thing about pub sessions in Ireland..they are all now smoke free.
Have a good time
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by tarmon
Re: Sessions and kids
Maybe it is not connected strictly with sessions, but in Poland shanties and maritime songs are very popular for young people.
There are many shanties festivals, and there are hundrets of young people on those concerts.
Mainly young peple play maritime songs and sing shanties.
ITM is played by young people in Poland.
It is caused propably in that ITM is "foregin" for us (us = Poles).
Polish folk music is not so popular, and only old people play and listen to it
Greg
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Tubular_bell
Re: Sessions and kids
My husband and I just returned from a trip with our 2 sons (13 and 15). We were happy to learn that even though there is a strict rule about kids in pubs after hours (it ranges anywhere from 9pm to 10pm...depending on the locality), we found a few pubs that claim "exemption" from the ruling because they are affiliated with a hotel. Cruise's pub in Ennis, Co. Clare was one. Great atmosphere and nightly sessiuns.
And no, you don't have to stay in "their" hotel to benefit from the exemption. Just pretend
Maryalice
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Maryalice
Re: Sessions and kids
Another thought...when you do find a pub that will allow kids to stay a bit into the sessiun, be sure to ask what time they would like to have the kids out. My thinking is that most establishments will not be inclined to have kids hanging around until the wee hours. ;)
Maryalice
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Maryalice
Re: Sessions and kids
The "under 18" law is just another example of McDowell's folly and, if strictly implemented, would probably ring the death knell for traditional music. After all it's by playing alongside the old masters that most young musicians have served their apprenticeships and have learnt their music down through the years. Conversely many of these young musicians can make a major contribution to any session as the talent of some of these 15 to 18 year olds is sometimes truly amazing. If the drink problem (and it does exist) is to be tackled, it's by pursuing off-licences that serve under-age buyers and also the yobs that go binge drinking in virtually every town in Ireland at weekends that will produce results. Let's stop harrying young people with their parents or other responsible adults in the relatively safe environment of a traditional session - there I've got that off my chest"!!
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: Sessions and kids
Hi Tim,
Pity you didn't post that message before today, there was a session in GLOR in Ennis yesterday called "Trad for Teens" run by Claire Watts who I have mentioned in other messages. I got the info about it from RTE link on her site.
http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/0719/trad4teens.html
Says there it is to run again in August.
I agree with Bannerman that if strictly enforced would be the end of Irish music as we know it.
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by gerryfiddle
Re: Sessions and kids
It is sad to say ( and Ive seen it) but the music as we see it is a minority "sport "in Ireland and over the last number of years the government have had to make some moves to counter the under-age drink yobbo culture (Celtic Tiger Syndrom ?).
Having said that,,refer to my 2nd sentence " always welcome" and you will find that a musical family will and could sit till the last one is out the door.
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by tarmon
Re: Sessions and kids
i'm going to ireland for three weeks in august, at which point i'll be about two weeks shy of 18. how much trouble do you all think i'm likely to have going to sessions?
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by heth
Re: Sessions and kids
I'm prejudiced against kids, and don't think they should be allowed in pubs at all, unless they have extremely high IQs and can play tunes to a professional level, in which case they can stay as long as they don't speak.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: Sessions and kids
Yes! I'm with Dow! "puts on fake mustache"
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by ecidralla
Re: Sessions and kids
All right, who threw this stone?
She, she, she! Ehm... He, he did! He!
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Janek
Re: Sessions and kids
Well we always find a great welcome in Leitrim
Even high I Q ethno -PHD-Musicologists are allowed to join in on a few tunes occasionally
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by tarmon
Re: Sessions and kids
Dow,
The problem with many of these kids who play music to a "professional level" is that they *don't speak* or even smile for that matter. They tend to either be very precocious or wish they were elsewhere. Probably, they'd rather be playing football but (quite often)their frustrated parents are living their lives through them. "That's my boy there on the fiddle" and so on.....
Having said that, I love to see children playing music providing they're enjoying it.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: Sessions and kids
It's a recurrent nightmare to be in a pub surrounded by unspeaking kids with high IQs all playing tunes to a professional level.
(*must, must, not mention ***day night at The *** O' ****ll in M**b****e)
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Bren
Re: Sessions and kids
I thought that ***day night *** O' ****ll in M**b****e had stopped happening fairly recently. That's what I heard anyway...
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: Sessions and kids
You might also check out the Kinvara area. Lots of trad music, pubs, and things to do for the kids (castles, a walkable town, etc.). And it's not far from Galway, which is a real city. Just google Kinvara...
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Audeamus
Re: Sessions and kids
Shame to say Dow but it wasn't exactly "happening" the last time I went there. Lots of folk playing tunes, and very well too, but ...
I took my cousin who had enjoyed having a beer at sessions when he was in Scotland.
He said "it seems very mechanical"
It did too.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Bren
Re: Sessions and kids
Tim..keep your head up..
Most of kids you will find at the sessions will have progressed via the classes and the Fleagh competitions (not to mention mixing with the older -local -generation players).
The kids will carry on the tradition whatever that the ol fogeys may may rant on in this discussion.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by tarmon
Re: Sessions and kids
Having witnessed the end of Meitheal concert in Glór last Friday night where around 80 or so young musicians took to the stage along with such veterans as Maurice Lennon, Harry Bradley, Máire Breathnach, Timmie Collins and others I have to dispute the idea that they would have preferred to be somewhere else. The looks on their faces stated loud and clear that they were well and truly hooked just like the rest of us!!
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: Sessions and kids
When i was on Inisheer there was a whole herd of CCE kids in Ned's pub every night. I think it was a field trip or something. I never quite got the clear story, as the chaperone was half-plastered when we started chatting. He kept calling them "My kids" but there were at least 20 of them. If they run in a herd, you might want to check the satellite maps for super-concentrated, infrared soda pop emissions (that's what they were drinking) to discover where they're grazing when you get there.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Sessions and kids
Obviously the chaperone was on the "black stuff" or something similar but I think it proves my point that kids can play in a pub without sampling the hard stuff. I'd also imagine that the soda pop emissions would be a lot less noxious than those resulting from a few pints too many!
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: Sessions and kids
Actually, the chaperone and myself were on port and brandy.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Sessions and kids
Ahh very civilised, unless of course ye were drinking it in pints!
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: Sessions and kids
nah, snifters, but in rapid succession.
# Posted on July 25th 2005 by Kerri Brown