Turns out that I'll be in Chicago for a job interview Monday and Tuesday of this coming week (short notice, but I just set it up a few hours ago). I'd like to check out the sessions in the area since the ITM scene will play a large part in the decision to take the job or not (although it is hard to imagine less going on than where I currently live!). There were no sessions listed for Chicago for Monday or Tuesday in the sessioneer.com list - does anyone know any that might be going on?
Well, there's a ton of sessions, and great players, in Chicago. If you go there, Sos, you'll be playing ITM practically every night if you want! And wonderful teachers!
Zina,
I figure, as long as I'm moving, I might as well try to move to somewhere with a lot of good ITM. Boston was the first choice but I haven't found any interesting jobs there, Chicago was next on the list. I'm also looking in Ireland, although finding an employer willing to provide sponsorship for the work permit is a daunting task. No matter what, it looks like I'll end up with hot and muggy in the summer and damply cold in the winter - what *is* the deal with ITM and wet climates?
Cathy,
Not to worry, I'm pretty sure I'll still be in Santa Fe through September - it will take me at least that long to get my act together. October has always been a month of change for me, looks like it will be again. Oh, and you can hang onto my dulcimer until you get yours, no problem.
The comments are right: This IS a huge town for ITM. A few sessions on the outskirts of town have quit for the summer, but Chicago is rockin' . Try this place:
Chief O'Neill's
3474 N. Elston
(between Belmont Ave. and Addison St. on
Elston; Elston is a diagonal street)
773-583-3066
They have two sessions a week there--one on Sunday and one on Tuesday. The Tuesday session starts at 7:30pm. Pros like to drop in there when they're in town. The owner of the pub is a piper and will once in a great while play a solo set.
There's also Fado's in downtown Chicago on the corner of Lake and Clark Streets. Phone number is: (312) 836-0066. Their sessions are on Monday nights starting around 8pm.
There's also the Abbey, Molly Malone's, the Hidden Shamrock, the Irish-American Heritage Center, the Kerrypiper, Celtic Crossing, Gaelic Park...I'm starting to blank on the names--but there's too many to remember anyway. They all have sessions throughout the week, which will make them unaccessible to you with only two days to be here, but it may give you an idea of how prolific it is. Most sessions have beginners to professionals in them. A few are just the pros.
I really hope you get this message before you leave. And, have a great two days here. By the way, Ciaran O'Hara and his wife, Liz Knowles live here amongst others. I mention this because Liz just moved to Chicago about a year ago. She loves it.
I missed Linda's post (thanks for the helpful info, it will come in handy on the next trip there) but still managed to have a fabulous time - all due to a mechanical problem on a plane! I got in early Sunday evening and was supposed to wait at O'Hare for my co-interviewees on a flight late enough to make for a very boring tedious evening at the airport but not long enough to buzz into town for a Sunday session. Luckily (for me, not for them), their plane was delayed due to mechanical problems and all of a sudden there were 7 free hrs until they would arrive. So, I dashed off to Abbey Pub for the Sunday evening session. Amazing! I didn't take my fiddle (which was a good thing because the comment on sessionier that the session is for accomplished musicians is an understatement), but the music was great and the people were wonderful. I learned so much just sitting there listening - it was clear that making that session often to listen and then finding a more intermediate one to participate in would be bound to improve my playing :^). And, I now understand why people get so excited about the 'craic' - there was a different energy about that session than any others I've attended, it is clearly addictive. It was so much fun listening and talking to people that I almost didn't make it to the airport in time to pick up the guys - oh yes, I interviewed for 8 solid hours on about 3 hours of sleep. Didn't make another session due to job related stuff but I didn't need to, I'm sold on Chicago. Of course, I suspect that if I move there, my career will suffer because with the late nights out playing, listening and drinking there will be little time for work!
The bummer is that it now looks like a really great job op may keep me here after all - wouldn't you know it, I'd love to move to Chicago, may still do it anyway - after all, what is money but the root of all evil (well, and the mechanism to buy new instruments, trip off to Ireland, sigh)...
Ach, Sos, it's actually that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil, so perhaps the love of ITM is enough an excuse to move to somewhere like Chicago, job or no job...
On the other hand, making a living is always good. Either way, it's fun you got to go to the Abbey -- who was there?
Lord, I'm so terrible with names, all I can remember is a guy playing the fiddle and the box (not at the same time) whose name was maybe Johnnie Daly? and another playing fiddle called Brendan and then Larry Nugent (his name I'm sure of because we talked a fair bit, an amazing flute/whistle player - and a lot of fun). Interestingly enough, at the beginning there was just one fiddle player (Johnnie), the rest played pipes, box, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Most seemed to be multi-instrument - trading instruments around throughout the evening. I have to say, all of the guys who played the box were really, really good. No problem at all with two of them playing together.
Off to Portland this week for another job interview...
So, Zina, it's driving me crazy, how *were* you able to figure out who it was just from a first name? There's got to be lots of Brendan's in Chicago. Do you know him? Have you been to the Abbey Pub? Or are you psychic?
Heh. This is one of those "it's a small world after all" stories.
My teacher Shannon Heaton moved to Boulder from the Chicago area. She taught us a jig that she said everyone called "Brendan's Jig" (the story is in one of the old threads somewhere) that turned out to be Kitty's Rambles, and she talked about this Brendan a little, but never told us his last name, just that he was an extremely able fiddler and a truly good guy on the Chicago session scene -- everybody, she said, eventually met Brendan.
I later met Mike Dugger and Glen Road, who had Brendan Bulger as one of their revolving third members a bit back -- Mike mentioned a little about Brendan's background and that he considers him one of the best fiddlers in the States and that he should be one of the next best things if there's any justice in the world.
Now, I don't know for sure, but I suspect Shannon's Brendan is the same as Mike's Brendan (I keep forgetting to ask Shannon during our infrequent visits).
Anyways, rambling story to an end, I've never met Brendan Bulger (who has agreed to do a track, he thinks, for the Kirk Lynch benefit cd we're putting together) but feel connected to him in several ways even though I doubt he has the slightest I exist.
So if someone I know through The Session goes to Chicago, and goes someplace like The Abbey and meets an excellent fiddler named Brendan, well, it just seemed likely to me that it would be Brendan Bulger.
There. Not so mysterious after all, is it? And entirely typical of how things seem to fall out in the wonky little world of ITM.
I understand from Mike that Brendan's album (at the above link) is worth getting.
Kevin Burke? I wish, highly unlikely though, even if, by some bizarre twist we ended up in the same pub, I'm sure I'd just sit there staring at him, unable to play a note!
Yeah, you don't see Kevin Burke around much anyway. Your best chance is The Moon and Six Pence after 9PM on a Monday(SE 42nd, just North of Sandy Blvd). This is generally a good place for sitting and staring regardless of who's there; it started out as Johnny Conelly's session, so he's there when in town, and there's always some local Irish trad superstars present. (BTW, it's a closed, invite only session, purely for gawking) Apparently, Kevin Burke and friends showed up for a meal during a slow session at another pub and rendered everyone incompetent.
Portland isn't exactly a hot bed of Irish music, and there's no Irish community (immigrant or otherwise) to speak of, so if that's terribly important to you Chicago might be a better choice. Despite the lack of diversity, it's a really nice place to live.
I'll be in Chicago this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11/3-5 , for a conference. I play anglo concertina and would like to find a session or two. After searching under Sessions, it appears that the best nights are every night but Thursday , Friday and Saturday.
Any help or suggestions would be apprecited. If no sessions are on, will there be any great trad music happening these nights?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Brian from Maryland
Chicago sessions
Chicago sessions
Turns out that I'll be in Chicago for a job interview Monday and Tuesday of this coming week (short notice, but I just set it up a few hours ago). I'd like to check out the sessions in the area since the ITM scene will play a large part in the decision to take the job or not (although it is hard to imagine less going on than where I currently live!). There were no sessions listed for Chicago for Monday or Tuesday in the sessioneer.com list - does anyone know any that might be going on?
Thanks!
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions
Well, there's a ton of sessions, and great players, in Chicago. If you go there, Sos, you'll be playing ITM practically every night if you want! And wonderful teachers!
Zina
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Chicago sessions
CHICAGO!?! Well, you're not allowed to go until after Sept 7, or JB has my dulcimer done, whichever comes last. Can you commute to Sunday night jams?
CJ
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by cj
Re: Chicago sessions
Zina,
I figure, as long as I'm moving, I might as well try to move to somewhere with a lot of good ITM. Boston was the first choice but I haven't found any interesting jobs there, Chicago was next on the list. I'm also looking in Ireland, although finding an employer willing to provide sponsorship for the work permit is a daunting task. No matter what, it looks like I'll end up with hot and muggy in the summer and damply cold in the winter - what *is* the deal with ITM and wet climates?
Cathy,
Not to worry, I'm pretty sure I'll still be in Santa Fe through September - it will take me at least that long to get my act together. October has always been a month of change for me, looks like it will be again. Oh, and you can hang onto my dulcimer until you get yours, no problem.
# Posted on August 11th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re:Here's a couple of Chicago session
The comments are right: This IS a huge town for ITM. A few sessions on the outskirts of town have quit for the summer, but Chicago is rockin' . Try this place:
Chief O'Neill's
3474 N. Elston
(between Belmont Ave. and Addison St. on
Elston; Elston is a diagonal street)
773-583-3066
They have two sessions a week there--one on Sunday and one on Tuesday. The Tuesday session starts at 7:30pm. Pros like to drop in there when they're in town. The owner of the pub is a piper and will once in a great while play a solo set.
There's also Fado's in downtown Chicago on the corner of Lake and Clark Streets. Phone number is: (312) 836-0066. Their sessions are on Monday nights starting around 8pm.
There's also the Abbey, Molly Malone's, the Hidden Shamrock, the Irish-American Heritage Center, the Kerrypiper, Celtic Crossing, Gaelic Park...I'm starting to blank on the names--but there's too many to remember anyway. They all have sessions throughout the week, which will make them unaccessible to you with only two days to be here, but it may give you an idea of how prolific it is. Most sessions have beginners to professionals in them. A few are just the pros.
I really hope you get this message before you leave. And, have a great two days here. By the way, Ciaran O'Hara and his wife, Liz Knowles live here amongst others. I mention this because Liz just moved to Chicago about a year ago. She loves it.
Happy ITMing.
Linda
# Posted on August 11th 2002 by linda
Re: Chicago sessions
Back from Chicago.
I missed Linda's post (thanks for the helpful info, it will come in handy on the next trip there) but still managed to have a fabulous time - all due to a mechanical problem on a plane! I got in early Sunday evening and was supposed to wait at O'Hare for my co-interviewees on a flight late enough to make for a very boring tedious evening at the airport but not long enough to buzz into town for a Sunday session. Luckily (for me, not for them), their plane was delayed due to mechanical problems and all of a sudden there were 7 free hrs until they would arrive. So, I dashed off to Abbey Pub for the Sunday evening session. Amazing! I didn't take my fiddle (which was a good thing because the comment on sessionier that the session is for accomplished musicians is an understatement), but the music was great and the people were wonderful. I learned so much just sitting there listening - it was clear that making that session often to listen and then finding a more intermediate one to participate in would be bound to improve my playing :^). And, I now understand why people get so excited about the 'craic' - there was a different energy about that session than any others I've attended, it is clearly addictive. It was so much fun listening and talking to people that I almost didn't make it to the airport in time to pick up the guys - oh yes, I interviewed for 8 solid hours on about 3 hours of sleep. Didn't make another session due to job related stuff but I didn't need to, I'm sold on Chicago. Of course, I suspect that if I move there, my career will suffer because with the late nights out playing, listening and drinking there will be little time for work!
The bummer is that it now looks like a really great job op may keep me here after all - wouldn't you know it, I'd love to move to Chicago, may still do it anyway - after all, what is money but the root of all evil (well, and the mechanism to buy new instruments, trip off to Ireland, sigh)...
# Posted on August 14th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions
Ach, Sos, it's actually that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil, so perhaps the love of ITM is enough an excuse to move to somewhere like Chicago, job or no job...
On the other hand, making a living is always good. Either way, it's fun you got to go to the Abbey -- who was there?
Zina
# Posted on August 14th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Chicago sessions
Lord, I'm so terrible with names, all I can remember is a guy playing the fiddle and the box (not at the same time) whose name was maybe Johnnie Daly? and another playing fiddle called Brendan and then Larry Nugent (his name I'm sure of because we talked a fair bit, an amazing flute/whistle player - and a lot of fun). Interestingly enough, at the beginning there was just one fiddle player (Johnnie), the rest played pipes, box, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Most seemed to be multi-instrument - trading instruments around throughout the evening. I have to say, all of the guys who played the box were really, really good. No problem at all with two of them playing together.
Off to Portland this week for another job interview...
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions
Sos, I don't know Johnny Daly, but I wonder if that was Brendan Bulger you met? Does the guy at http://www.bandstore.com/bands/bpbulger/index.sht look familiar?
Zina
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Chicago sessions
Yeah, that was the guy. He was really good. Seemed like a nice person as well...
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions
So, Zina, it's driving me crazy, how *were* you able to figure out who it was just from a first name? There's got to be lots of Brendan's in Chicago. Do you know him? Have you been to the Abbey Pub? Or are you psychic?
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions
Heh. This is one of those "it's a small world after all" stories.
My teacher Shannon Heaton moved to Boulder from the Chicago area. She taught us a jig that she said everyone called "Brendan's Jig" (the story is in one of the old threads somewhere) that turned out to be Kitty's Rambles, and she talked about this Brendan a little, but never told us his last name, just that he was an extremely able fiddler and a truly good guy on the Chicago session scene -- everybody, she said, eventually met Brendan.
I later met Mike Dugger and Glen Road, who had Brendan Bulger as one of their revolving third members a bit back -- Mike mentioned a little about Brendan's background and that he considers him one of the best fiddlers in the States and that he should be one of the next best things if there's any justice in the world.
Now, I don't know for sure, but I suspect Shannon's Brendan is the same as Mike's Brendan (I keep forgetting to ask Shannon during our infrequent visits).
Anyways, rambling story to an end, I've never met Brendan Bulger (who has agreed to do a track, he thinks, for the Kirk Lynch benefit cd we're putting together) but feel connected to him in several ways even though I doubt he has the slightest I exist.
So if someone I know through The Session goes to Chicago, and goes someplace like The Abbey and meets an excellent fiddler named Brendan, well, it just seemed likely to me that it would be Brendan Bulger.
There. Not so mysterious after all, is it? And entirely typical of how things seem to fall out in the wonky little world of ITM.
I understand from Mike that Brendan's album (at the above link) is worth getting.
Zina
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by Zina Lee
Portland
So, next you'll probably be playing in Portland with Kevin Burke, yes, Sos? *grin*
zls
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Chicago sessions
Kevin Burke? I wish, highly unlikely though, even if, by some bizarre twist we ended up in the same pub, I'm sure I'd just sit there staring at him, unable to play a note!
# Posted on August 19th 2002 by chicagofiddler
Re: Chicago sessions (Portland)
Yeah, you don't see Kevin Burke around much anyway. Your best chance is The Moon and Six Pence after 9PM on a Monday(SE 42nd, just North of Sandy Blvd). This is generally a good place for sitting and staring regardless of who's there; it started out as Johnny Conelly's session, so he's there when in town, and there's always some local Irish trad superstars present. (BTW, it's a closed, invite only session, purely for gawking) Apparently, Kevin Burke and friends showed up for a meal during a slow session at another pub and rendered everyone incompetent.
Portland isn't exactly a hot bed of Irish music, and there's no Irish community (immigrant or otherwise) to speak of, so if that's terribly important to you Chicago might be a better choice. Despite the lack of diversity, it's a really nice place to live.
# Posted on August 21st 2002 by Eithne
Re: Chicago sessions this week
I'll be in Chicago this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11/3-5 , for a conference. I play anglo concertina and would like to find a session or two. After searching under Sessions, it appears that the best nights are every night but Thursday , Friday and Saturday.
Any help or suggestions would be apprecited. If no sessions are on, will there be any great trad music happening these nights?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Brian from Maryland
# Posted on November 2nd 2005 by briankc