We usually start around 6:30 pm, sometimes a little later, so if you show up and no one else is there yet, order a pint and wait 15 minutes.
Ours is a small session far from the ITM centers, but we make up for that with enthusiasm. All levels are welcome, though inexperienced players will have a hard time keeping up. Talk to one of the regulars and we'll gladly do your tunes at your speed. Singers are also encouraged.
Most nights we've got 6-16 players, including a handful who've played forever and learned from big-name past masters. The pace varies but some sets go at high rpms when the fiddles or whistles have fire in their bellies. The tunes are varied too, not just jigs and reels and not favoring one county's style or stock of tunes over any other, though we rarely leave Irish except for brief forays into Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic repertoires.
The ambience is usually cozy--a tight circle in one corner of the taproom surrounded by a crowd of punters. Some nights the crowd is quiet, there for the tunes, and other nights it's the beer that's drawn them in and you'd think the local lads had won the World Cup. Come early to get a good seat.
The Helena session runs regularly from September through May, then summers are more sporadic and the venue changes. A slow session for learning tunes comes and goes, depending on local interest. Send an email to check on the slow session schedule.
For now, Tuesday nights have changed to a "circle of pubs," moving from one to the next each week of the month. So until further notice, the first Tuesday is at MacKenzie River Pizza, the second is at the Wind Bag Saloon, the third at Riley's Pub, and the fourth is at Blackfoot River Brewery. In months with a fifth Tuesday, send an email to find out where the session is.
Tuesday nites are started up again, tho the time is edging more toward "Irish" time, as it starts at 8pm now, and the sesh is only at the Windbag Saloon on Tuesdays. Usually runs from September through Mai, maybe into June.
And even if you can't make the Tuesday session, contact any of us Helenites and we may just pull together an all nite kitchen session!!
Helena Session
We usually start around 6:30 pm, sometimes a little later, so if you show up and no one else is there yet, order a pint and wait 15 minutes.
Ours is a small session far from the ITM centers, but we make up for that with enthusiasm. All levels are welcome, though inexperienced players will have a hard time keeping up. Talk to one of the regulars and we'll gladly do your tunes at your speed. Singers are also encouraged.
Most nights we've got 6-16 players, including a handful who've played forever and learned from big-name past masters. The pace varies but some sets go at high rpms when the fiddles or whistles have fire in their bellies. The tunes are varied too, not just jigs and reels and not favoring one county's style or stock of tunes over any other, though we rarely leave Irish except for brief forays into Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic repertoires.
The ambience is usually cozy--a tight circle in one corner of the taproom surrounded by a crowd of punters. Some nights the crowd is quiet, there for the tunes, and other nights it's the beer that's drawn them in and you'd think the local lads had won the World Cup. Come early to get a good seat.
The Helena session runs regularly from September through May, then summers are more sporadic and the venue changes. A slow session for learning tunes comes and goes, depending on local interest. Send an email to check on the slow session schedule.
# Posted on August 13th 2002 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Change is a good thing
For now, Tuesday nights have changed to a "circle of pubs," moving from one to the next each week of the month. So until further notice, the first Tuesday is at MacKenzie River Pizza, the second is at the Wind Bag Saloon, the third at Riley's Pub, and the fourth is at Blackfoot River Brewery. In months with a fifth Tuesday, send an email to find out where the session is.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Miss Lonelyhearts
More changes to the schedule. PM me if you happen to be in the neighborhood looking for a few tunes.
# Posted on April 5th 2006 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Change is still a good thing
Tuesday nites are started up again, tho the time is edging more toward "Irish" time, as it starts at 8pm now, and the sesh is only at the Windbag Saloon on Tuesdays. Usually runs from September through Mai, maybe into June.
And even if you can't make the Tuesday session, contact any of us Helenites and we may just pull together an all nite kitchen session!!
# Posted on October 5th 2007 by trad2nz