Clanjamfry!

This weekend is Clanjamfry: A Scottish Festival!

Friday evening is the Ceilidh (or dance)(open to the public).
Saturday will be the Scottish Faire with dancing, crafts, workshops, clans, Border Collie demos, children's activities, and great music. (Unsure of the admission)
Saturday evening is a Concert in the Kirk by the fabulous Brian McNeill! ($20 ticket)
Sunday morning there's a Kirkin' o' the Tartans church service, followed by Dinner on the Grounds.

The Cracker & I will be managing the stage, which offers dance and music this year. I'm afraid I don't know much about the dancing, but I know lots about the music from Legacy and the Sallymacs.

Legacy, a tight, powerhouse trio from Jackson, MS (& Orlando, FL) features Valerie Plested on fiddle, Justin Murphy on flute, guitar & bodhran, and Don Penzien holding it all together with the guitar and bodhran (and vocals from all three). Legacy is in the top flight of regional bands performing music from the Irish tradition; their loyal following is both well-earned and deserved. Their skill is undeniable, their arrangements are complex and challenging, and their performances are tight and energetic. And they are really great people too. This is their second appearance at Clanjamfry.

The Sallymacs combine a traditional celtic style with a contemporary rock sound. The Sallymacs have created a high energy Irish-Rock show that will have everyone raising their drinks high in the air while they dance, shout, and sing along. The Sallymacs are Mark Harriman, Mark Yoshida, Todd Nichoalds & Brady Howle. This weekend marks the Sallymacs 10 Year Anniversary Weekend and their third Clanjamfry appearance.

The Evening Concert features the legendary Brian McNeill. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this man. He is truly a legend. He is a founding member of the Battlefield Band. A multi-instrumentalist, Brian plays fiddle, octave fiddle, guitar, mandocello, bouzouki,viola, mandolin, cittern, concertina, bass and hurdy gurdy. He has been described as "Scotland’s most meaningful contemporary songwriter"; add to that his work and influence as performer, composer, producer, teacher, musical director, band leader, novelist and interpreter of Scotland’s past, present and future and you have a man who has never stood still. One of my favorite festival memories was 3 hours with Brian and Ed Miller in a colonial period icehouse that was restored and made into a wonderful listening room. This concert with be worth every penny of the $20 ticket.

In addition to the Clanjamfry events, there are quite a few other things going on, Celtic-wise.

9/25 (Fri) Sallymacs at the Blue Monkey, 2012 Madison Ave.
Show starts at 10 pm. Cover ?

9/26 (Sat) Legacy at Celtic Crossing, 903 S. Cooper St.
Show starts at 6 pm. No cover

9/27 (Sun) Legacy at Celtic Crossing's Irish Brunch, 903 S. Cooper St.
Brunch 11:30 to 2 pm. No cover

9/27 (Sun) The Prodigals at Levitt Shell, Overton Park.
Show starts at 7 pm. No cover. (see here for their policies)

The Cracker & I will try to make as many of these events as possible, but not even we can bi-locate. Hope to see you there!

September is Celtic-ful!

CelticFest Mississippi is one of our favorite festivals to attend. It always feels more like a gathering of friends than a music festival. So many events that we attend separate the performers from the festivalgoers, but not this one. This festival is a chance for performers to see old friends and to enjoy hearing other people perform, or in some cases, to play together. Then after the main event, we all go back to the host hotel and enjoy the seisuins. If we lived in Jackson, the Cracker and I would definitely want to be a part of the volunteer team that runs this event. In fact, this event was part of the reason that the Cracker got interested in Celtic music, well with a little influence from yours truly. UPDATE: Their schedule is now up, and you can find it here!

As things are, we do not volunteer at this festival, but not because we don't support it. Mostly because we need a break between events. One of our busiest weekends of the year is the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival on Labor Day weekend. An event that, sadly, will very rarely feature any Celtic music. We've been trying for years, but with only modest success. If you enjoy a wide variety of music, that doesn't include Celtic this year, do check out the MMHF presented by the Center for Southern Folklore.

The last weekend of September is filled with Celtic music! Again, the Cracker and I will be working at Clanjamfry, the Scottish Festival presented by Evergreen Presbyterian Church. In addition to playing at the festival, Legacy, from Jackson, MS, will be performing at the Celtic Crossing and the Levitt Shell will present The Prodigals, a Celtic rock band from the East Coast.

So, to recap. Check out other types of music at the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival (blues, soul, gospel, jazz, country, reggae, klezmer & more). Make the drive to Jackson, MS for CelticFest Mississippi for a great weekend of Celtic music. Visit Cooper-Young Festival and patronize our artist friends. Then come to Clanjamfry to see Legacy and the Sallymacs; the evening concert presents the great Brian McNeill (or have a pint and see Legacy at the Celtic Crossing). Join us for brunch and traditional Irish music with Legacy at the Crossing again on Sunday morning (or go to Evergreen's Kirkin' o' the Tartans, followed by Dinner on the Grounds). Then bring a picnic, blanket and non-alcoholic beverage to the Levitt Shell for some kickin' Celtic rock with The Prodigals. I'm tired just thinking about next month.

CelticFest Mississippi! Coming Soon!

With the coming of September, we enter the busy season for the Cracker and I. After we work the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival (which, alas, has every kind of music, but Celtic), we head to Jackson, MS for a great weekend of music and craic at CelticFest Mississippi. Headlining this year is the group Trian, Captain Mackey's Goatskin and String Band, Tim Britton and Brendan Nolan. In addition, there are great regional performers, dance groups and music & cultural workshops.

For Feel Good Friday, I chose this video of Máirtín de Cógáin and Jimmy Crowley singing "I Know My Love". As Captain Mackey's Goatskin and String Band, joined by Don Penzien and Valerie Plested of Legacy, they emphasize the songs about soldiers and soldiering.


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CelticFest Mississippi is completely run by a group of dedicated volunteers. Among those volunteers are Don Penzien and Valerie Plested two-thirds of the group Legacy. Here is Legacy performing at a house concert.

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If you are in the area, join us for this great weekend!