This pub is likely the friendliest pub in North America. The players are patient and kind to beginners, as I found out the first time I went. This time of year the session is illuminated by a zillion lights hanging on the Christmas tree which is right behind the session, giving it a nice, festive mood. The smell of pine and cigarette smoke makes for an asthmatics worse nightmare, but it's a great place with friendly people and good food. See you there! : )
Hi Timmy! I'm from the Phila. area, too--last time I attended this session was a year ago--I am maybe an advanced beginner, and I was very intimidated. Is it *really* beginner friendly? Do John and John still run this session? They are very nice guys, by the way--but I felt left in the dust as the tunes whizzed by.
Highly recommend anyone who wants a good session in the Phila area to try the Friday nights at the Irish Center. Great place to learn and very relaxed atmosphere, usually a nice variety of instruments and just a little more laid back than the P&S. Andee, have you ever been to that one? I think you'd like it.
Hi Maderinerue--I've been meaning to get to that one--haven't been there yet. I really will make an effort to--it's just not as convenient for me since I am somewhat limited to public trans. Since I'm in Bryn Mawr that means a train into the city and then a train out of the city to the Irish Center. But it can be done. How about The Bards session? Do you like that one?
Andee, haven't been to the Bards yet--have to try it sometime. I think there's a session in Havertown once a month somewhere on Route 3 (West Chester Pike) that might be more accessible. When I was trying to figure out public trans to the Irish Center, the last train back to the city left about an hour after the session started, so that didn't work too well.
I've been to the Plough & Stars just a couple of times. I like the kinda fast pace. I'm pretty much a beginner myself, but I want to learn from the best. Everyone there is supportive, and it's a fun place to be, even though I do spend more time listening than playing.
I don't know too many names yet, but the current leader is a keyboard player named Fiona.
Madeinrue - I've heard about the Commodore Barry. It seems to be extremly popular, is it too crowded?
The session in Havertown is in a pub called Paddy Rooney's. It's on the 1st Monday of every month. I haven't been there, and so don't know what it's like. Their email address is Paddyrooneyspub@aol.com.
Tim
Timmy--thanks for getting back to me--I'll most likely check it out again soon.
Maderinerue--Yeah, I forgot about the Paddy Rooney's one--Definitely more convenient for me.
Timmy--I've never felt it was overcrowded. The session players aren't jammed in as close together at the Commodore Barry, so even when there are a lot of people you still have room to move (particularly important to fiddlers). Softer chairs, too--another important factor! There is also a fireplace there and some cigarette smoke, but more ventilation. Not that I would discourage you from the Plough and Stars--you're right that they are great players there and friendly, and you will definitely learn! You will see some of the same faces at the CB.
I would like more information on the Friday sessions at the Irish Center in Phily. Where is it? Is it open to the public? WHat time? Etc. I'll be in Phily this weekend and I'm looking forward to some nice sessions. Thanks
The Plough and The Stars
This pub is likely the friendliest pub in North America. The players are patient and kind to beginners, as I found out the first time I went. This time of year the session is illuminated by a zillion lights hanging on the Christmas tree which is right behind the session, giving it a nice, festive mood. The smell of pine and cigarette smoke makes for an asthmatics worse nightmare, but it's a great place with friendly people and good food. See you there! : )
# Posted on December 29th 2002 by tadgh
I forgot to mention that we have several fiddlers, two fluters, a guitarist, a keyboardist, a bodhran player, a whistler, and a concertina player.
# Posted on December 29th 2002 by tadgh
Hi Timmy! I'm from the Phila. area, too--last time I attended this session was a year ago--I am maybe an advanced beginner, and I was very intimidated. Is it *really* beginner friendly? Do John and John still run this session? They are very nice guys, by the way--but I felt left in the dust as the tunes whizzed by.
# Posted on December 31st 2002 by Andee
The Plough and The Stars
Highly recommend anyone who wants a good session in the Phila area to try the Friday nights at the Irish Center. Great place to learn and very relaxed atmosphere, usually a nice variety of instruments and just a little more laid back than the P&S. Andee, have you ever been to that one? I think you'd like it.
# Posted on January 1st 2003 by maderinerue
The Plough and The Stars
Sorry, didn't mean to leave you out, timmy--I think you should try it too!
# Posted on January 1st 2003 by maderinerue
Hi Maderinerue--I've been meaning to get to that one--haven't been there yet. I really will make an effort to--it's just not as convenient for me since I am somewhat limited to public trans. Since I'm in Bryn Mawr that means a train into the city and then a train out of the city to the Irish Center. But it can be done. How about The Bards session? Do you like that one?
# Posted on January 1st 2003 by Andee
Andee, haven't been to the Bards yet--have to try it sometime. I think there's a session in Havertown once a month somewhere on Route 3 (West Chester Pike) that might be more accessible. When I was trying to figure out public trans to the Irish Center, the last train back to the city left about an hour after the session started, so that didn't work too well.
# Posted on January 3rd 2003 by maderinerue
I've been to the Plough & Stars just a couple of times. I like the kinda fast pace. I'm pretty much a beginner myself, but I want to learn from the best. Everyone there is supportive, and it's a fun place to be, even though I do spend more time listening than playing.
I don't know too many names yet, but the current leader is a keyboard player named Fiona.
Madeinrue - I've heard about the Commodore Barry. It seems to be extremly popular, is it too crowded?
The session in Havertown is in a pub called Paddy Rooney's. It's on the 1st Monday of every month. I haven't been there, and so don't know what it's like. Their email address is Paddyrooneyspub@aol.com.
Tim
# Posted on January 3rd 2003 by tadgh
Timmy--thanks for getting back to me--I'll most likely check it out again soon.
Maderinerue--Yeah, I forgot about the Paddy Rooney's one--Definitely more convenient for me.
# Posted on January 3rd 2003 by Andee
Timmy--I've never felt it was overcrowded. The session players aren't jammed in as close together at the Commodore Barry, so even when there are a lot of people you still have room to move (particularly important to fiddlers). Softer chairs, too--another important factor! There is also a fireplace there and some cigarette smoke, but more ventilation. Not that I would discourage you from the Plough and Stars--you're right that they are great players there and friendly, and you will definitely learn! You will see some of the same faces at the CB.
# Posted on January 4th 2003 by maderinerue
Irish Center sessions in Phily
I would like more information on the Friday sessions at the Irish Center in Phily. Where is it? Is it open to the public? WHat time? Etc. I'll be in Phily this weekend and I'm looking forward to some nice sessions. Thanks
# Posted on February 26th 2003 by Madharp