I went there a few weeks ago and found it completely smoke-free in the session area, as well as friendly. There was a whole group of beginners there, and the experienced players didn't seem to mind us picking up the odd tune and turning on our tape recorders and such.
Like most Cape Breton sessions this is based round a piano which sits in the centre of the room, the other players, mostly fiddlers clustered around in a roped off area. David Papazian (Papa) was leading the session the night we were there. Also in attendance were Jerry Holland, Brenda Stubbert and Jean MacNeil (there is plenty of space for step dancing). Rollies is huge and a bit echoey so if your not sitting near the musicians you won't hear much.
I was at Rollies a couple of weeks back and it was fantastically fun. Very friendy. Paul Cranford was leading the session and Jerry Holland was there. Lots of step dancing in the center of the musician circle. Very friendly session. Lots of fiddles, the piano of course, a few flutes (including me) and man can they play tunes. Wonderful night. I wish I lived there. Friendly pub manager and no one was smoking at all.
Rollies Pub Session
I stopped in there over the summer visiting family... Everyone was welcoming and we jamed all night long.
# Posted on September 19th 2004 by BoSoxfan
Despite the non-smoking by-laws, the owner allows heavy smoking making for a very unpleasant atmosphere :
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by CC
I went there a few weeks ago and found it completely smoke-free in the session area, as well as friendly. There was a whole group of beginners there, and the experienced players didn't seem to mind us picking up the odd tune and turning on our tape recorders and such.
# Posted on August 29th 2005 by Saiget
Like most Cape Breton sessions this is based round a piano which sits in the centre of the room, the other players, mostly fiddlers clustered around in a roped off area. David Papazian (Papa) was leading the session the night we were there. Also in attendance were Jerry Holland, Brenda Stubbert and Jean MacNeil (there is plenty of space for step dancing). Rollies is huge and a bit echoey so if your not sitting near the musicians you won't hear much.
# Posted on November 28th 2006 by DonaldK
Great night at Rollies
I was at Rollies a couple of weeks back and it was fantastically fun. Very friendy. Paul Cranford was leading the session and Jerry Holland was there. Lots of step dancing in the center of the musician circle. Very friendly session. Lots of fiddles, the piano of course, a few flutes (including me) and man can they play tunes. Wonderful night. I wish I lived there. Friendly pub manager and no one was smoking at all.
# Posted on September 7th 2008 by keyedup