News
Lisa Rogers goes Green from the “Grounds” Up
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| | (photo caption: Lisa Rogers (holding water can) gave an Urban Farm demonstration last month at a potential site at 33rd and Holly. To Lisa’s left is an unidentified boy; Terrence Roberts, Community Organizer with Prodigals Sons; Denver City Councilwoman Carla Madison; Denver Mayor, John Hickenlooper.)
It’s no coincidence that the Common Grounds coffee house logo is similar to the Irish Claddagh ring. The logo was developed by Lisa Rogers and family who opened the first Common Grounds (in Highlands neighborhood), in 1992, as a non-smoking alternative to the Denver bar scene. In tune with her Irish heritage, she incorporated the symbolic
‘hands of friendship’ element of the ring with a welcoming cup of coffee.
In the middle of her java inspired entrepreneurial pursuits, Lisa worked to get her MBA from University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, and still found the time to stay connected with her ‘inner green’ through Irish set dancing, volunteer for Celtic Events, and squeaked in a side trip to the “Emerald Isle” that lasted four years.
It was there, that her affinity for her favorite color began to move in a different direction –Vertical!
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Andrew Toole: Coloring Colorado with Paints and Pints
| | Adding color to Coloradoans lives has been Andrew Toole’s job for almost 15 years.
After arriving in America he made his way to Colorado, “I had heard that it was a good environment to live and start a business...At that time, in pre-‘Celtic Tiger’ Ireland a lot of business prospects were poor.”
With a strong work ethic acquired growing up on his families’ farm in County Meath, along with a variety of skills that included painting, he founded Denver based painting company, Ireland’s Finest, Inc. in 1995. In time the company became a member of The Painting & Decorating Contractors of America, and earned a Gold Star as member of the Better Business Bureau. “Our reputation has been built on high quality performance and customer satisfaction... we pride ourselves on competitive rates, but at the end of the day it’s all about doing the best job.”
A few years back, Andrew came across another business opportunity and in March of 2005 he and business partner Donnie Danesh opened Scruffy Murphy’s (2030 Larimer St) in the Ballpark Neighborhood in Downtown Denver. “It was just another business- it was why not give it a whirl,” explaining his new adventure, “Besides, it’s
every Irishmen’s dream to open an Irish Pub in America ,” he added with
a wink and a smile.
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IDLE IRISH -- Got Time? Got Talent?
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| Take a “craic” at winning $1,000.00 and Ticket to Celtic Women at Red Rocks!
Idle Irish is searching for the next up-and-coming talent! Can you sing an Irish song? Would you like to win cash, prizes and a chance to perform before thousands at the Colorado Irish Festival in July?
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Celtic Airwaves of the Rockies
Spotlight: KGNU’s Karl Kumli – King of Keltic
| | (Editors note: In the next couple of months The Celtic Connection will spotlight the bellwethers of the reels and roots music heard up and down the Rocky Mountains.
These men and women donate not only their time “on air”, but also the many hours needed to prepare each show. Perpetuating traditions of excellence through their love of music they bring to you a variety of music, from dusting off a long lost golden oldie to introducing you to new contemporary sounds.
The series begins with Karl Kumli who hosts the Seolta Gael show on KGNU out of Boulder, Colorado. By day Karl is an attorney at Dietze and Davis, P.C. His practice emphasizes primarily public utility law and water law. He currently is President-Elect of the Boulder County Bar Association and involved with way too many more groups and associations for a mere mortal. On top of it all he is a family man. We asked Karl if he preferred to by interviewed or he could submit his own words.
People who know Karl know that he does not lack the gift of the gab. He says he is not Irish – you be the judge...
Best, Pat M.)
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CELTIC AIRWAVES OF THE ROCKIES Spotlight: KWMV’s Jim Remington – The Celtic Voice of the Wet Mountain Valley
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| (from December 08 Celtic Connection newspaper)
For our 3rd installment of “Celtic Airwaves of the Rockies” we travel down to south central Colorado to the town of Westcliffe, home of KWMV 95.9 FM “Voice of the Wet Mountain Valley”, and Jim Remington, the stations host of Celtic and Beyond which airs 7-9PM every Monday.
Jim had just returned home from trout fishing on the Grape creek that runs through his ranch where he has lived with his wife Loretta for the past 12 years. As we spoke, he was watching the sunset over the Sangre De Cristos (Spanish for “Blood of Christ”) as it cast the rays of colors across the valley toward the Wet Mountains.
Our conversation was to be an interview. But I only had to ask one question.
An entertaining hour of stories later, I knew that I had just touched the surface of the wealth of knowledge of a man who has listened, played, and loved Celtic Music for the past 30 years – and had that I had enough material to fill half the paper!
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Jack and Barbara’s “Spanish Peaks” Hooley:
From Cabin Ceilidh to County-Wide Celtic Fest
| | World-Class musicians from around the U.S. and abroad will travel to Huerfano County in south central Colorado for the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival September 25 -28. They will give concerts, offer music lessons, talk on the music traditions, and partake in impromptu music sessions along the way. The towns of Walsenburg, La Veta, Cuchara, and Gardner, all take part in the County-wide festival – and it all started in a shack and trailer that Jack and Barbara Yule called home.
Jack and Barbara moved with their four cats from Scotland to Gardner, Colorado in December of 2000 just in time for Christmas. In the previous spring they came across for a month so Jack could “knock up a shed” where they could live while he single-handedly built the two-story house he had designed for the couple to live. Luckily they had an old tiny used trailer to stay in while this job was being completed. The shed turned out to be 16’ by 20’ – divided the long way for a half to hold Jack’s work tools and the other half for them to live in – no amenities, including no electricity the first year.
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Dennis Gallagher, Irish Gentleman and Scholar and Guardian of Denver’s History and Dollars
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| by Kevin Galaba
When the Democratic National Convention takes place in Denver August 25-28, the city will be taking advantage of approximately $50 million provided by the federal government to cover security costs for the event. One man will be heading up the cause to ensure that only those federal funds will be used for convention security—not the taxes of local Denver citizens. That man is Dennis Gallagher, Auditor of the City and County of Denver.
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Wood You Like to Be a ‘Smile Maker’?
| by Pat McCullough
From Belfast to Bagdad the folks at “Toys for God’s Kids” have been putting smiles on children’s faces.
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True Irish Legend
Ronnie Drew Remembered
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| by Richie Taylor
Irish folk legend Ronnie Drew - the former frontman of ballad group The Dubliners - has been given an old-fashioned Irish wake by his family. The gravel-voiced singer, who passed away on 16th August, was waked in his Greystones, Co Wicklow home, by hundreds of fans, friends, family members and neighbours before his funeral in the nearby Church of the Holy Rosary.
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Celtic Airwaves of the Rockies Spotlight:
KRFC’s Cindy Reich – The Queen
| by Pat McCullough
(Editors note: Last month The Celtic Connection began a series to spotlight the bellwethers of the reels and roots music heard up and down the Rocky Mountains. These men and women donate not only their time “on air”, but also the many hours needed to prepare each show. Perpetuating traditions of excellence through their love of music they bring to you a variety of music, from dusting off a long lost golden oldie to introducing you to new contemporary sounds.)
In October, we introduced many of our readers to Karl Kumli who hosts the Seolta Gael show on KGNU out of Boulder, Colorado. This month we are spotlighting Cindy Reich who you can hear hosting the Long Acre show on KRFC 88.9 FM in Fort Collins or online at www.krffmc.org every Monday 1-3pm. She’s on Critter Patter on Thursdays and often on the Live at Lunch show.
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Obama Irish? So Says the Song...
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| (Photo: from left to right:
Henry Healy(Obamas distant Cousin, Moneygall Ireland, Donncha Corrigan , Ger
Corrigan , Brian Corrigan , Ger Hogan And Canon Stephen Neill(local rector
and validator of the Obama Connection)
Irish Band Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys have an internet hit on “YouTube” in the works with their song celebrating Barack Obama's Irish ancestry, "There's No One as Irish As Barack O'Bama". The band from Limerick, Ireland, made up of brothers Ger, Brian, and Donnacha Corrigan wrote the song after learning about a study last year that revealed Barack Obama roots to Moneygall, a small town in County Offaly. “We have been messing around for the last year or two as a band” said Ger Corrigan who described the band as “specializing in parody songs.” “We wrote the song about Obama because we heard he was from Moneygall, and we were really just doing it for a bit of fun.”
The bands initial offering of the “Obama song” went without fanfare.
“We put the song on Youtube in March and by the end of
April it had only 25 hits” said Ger Corrigan. But that has all changed since the worldwide media have picked up on the “bit of fun” of the song and story. Now newspapers, TV, websites and bloggers from all over the world are covering the story.
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IRISH LOTTO FOR U.S. GREEN CARD ENTER DEC 1st! Press Release from the ILIR
| | Don't Delay! Apply Today! That's the message from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform which is urging Irish citizens to enter the annual Green Card lottery in the U.S.
There are only days left to apply for the 50,000 free Green Cards available in the annual Diversity Visa Lottery.
The DV Lottery is one of the few remaining avenues for Irish people to legally emigrate to the U.S.
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Events & Entertainment
THE POGUES scheduled for Denver with original line-up October 23
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| | AEG Live is thrilled to announce THE POGUES live at the Ogden Theatre Friday, October 23, 2009. Doors 7pm || Show 8pm.
TIKCETS ON SALE NOW
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CELTIC WOMAN AT RED ROCKS JULY 1 & 2 2009 -NEW SHOW!
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Celtic Woman – Isle of Hope Tour (New Show) at RED ROCKS!
Live Nation proudly presents CELTIC WOMAN at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Wednesday July 1 and Thursday July 2. Showtime is 8:00 PM. Gates open at 6:30 PM.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW at The Fillmore Auditorium Box Office, online at www.livenation.com or call 877 – 598 – 6659.
Single tickets are $110.00, $63.00 and $43.00 RES plus applicable service charges
Visit My Site
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LUKA BLOOM - “11”new songs and 1 new U.S. Tour!
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TICKETS FOR LUKA BLOOM JUNE 3rd DENVER CONCERT ON SALE NOW AT: Visit My Site
or call Celtic Events at 303-777-0502
(from March 09 Celtic Connection - Part I of II)
Interview with Cindy Reich
Luka Bloom’s latest album, “Eleven Songs” will be released in the U.S. in March. He talks with Cindy Reich from the Celtic Connection via phone from County Kildare on an early day in February where the snow was coming down fast and furious.
CR Thanks for talking to us, Luka—we look forward to your appearance in Denver on June 3rd at the Soiled Dove. It’s a great venue with a great history--as was Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret where you performed last time you were in Denver. You seek out those great venues with a lot of character to them and it just seems to suit you.
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Direct From Ireland... The Bridies – Irish Concert and Community Fundraiser With Special Guest Comedian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald
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Thursday, March 12, 2009 7:30 – 10:00 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM
Infinity Park Event Center, 4400 E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale, CO 80246
A benefit to raise funds for local Healthcare Nonprofit organization – Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN). Supporting medical and other related services for uninsured families and children in the Denver metropolitan area.
Tickets are $50.00 and include beverage and appetizers form 6:30-7:30pm
For tickets and Information call MCPN at 303-761-1977 x1124
or Celtic Events at 303-777-0502. All Ages Event.
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Prolific Phil Coulter Returns to the Rockies with Celtic Thunder
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| Cindy Reich Interviews Phil on eve of Celtic Thunder gig...
Phil Coulter will be joining the wildly successful show, Celtic Thunder, when it arrives in Denver on December 12th at the Wells Fargo Theater. His accomplishments in the music world over the last 40 years are legend. Phil took time out of rehearsing at his home in Ireland to talk with Cindy Reich and the Celtic Connection about giving back, Celtic Thunder and his upcoming visit to Denver.
CR: Phil, how in the heck are you?
PC: Never better. For an aging rocker, I think I’m hanging together not so bad!
CR: Tell me about Africa—what were you doing there?
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Ireland's Brewmaster Comes to Colorado
| | (from February 09 Celtic Connection newspaper)
Guinness Brewmaster Fergal Murray Reveals Denver Mission:
The Pour - The Toast - The Proposition - The Bar Tab Bailout Plan
(Editor’s note: In advance of his Denver visit this month, Guinness Master Brewer Fergal Murray sent this letter to our readers.
On Feb 11 his Denver schedule was added to end of this article posted on www.CelticConnection.com)
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Julie Fowlis & Band in Concert
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| Saturday February 28, 6pm doors, 7pm show at the Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Avenue Denver, Colorado 80212
Box office 303-455-2124.
AWARDS and NOMINATIONS
BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Awards 2008 Winner - Folk Singer Of The Year
Scots Trad Music Awards 2008 Winner - Album Of The Year (Cuilidh)
Scots Trad Music Awards 2008 Winner - Gaelic Singer Of The Year
BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2007 Nomination
Best Folk Band (Dòchas) Scots Trad Music Awards 2006
BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award 2006 Winner
Gaelic Singer of the Year Scots Trad Music Awards 2005
Best Up & Coming Artist (Dòchas) Scots Trad Music Awards 2004 Winners
Gaelic Singer of the Year Scots Trad Music Awards 2004
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Rocky Mountain Spotlight: Ben Kelley – From Gigs with Jigs to Moos, Hooves, and Horseshoes
| | Denver’s historic Union Station (17th and Wazee) will be the starting point for the city’s
Stock Show tradition on Tuesday, January 13th. At high-noon rodeo and farm livestock followed by celebrities, marching bands, floats, horseback riders and performing cowgirls and cowboys, will walk down the streets of the Mile High City over the hour lunch-break, symbolically kicking off the yearly Stock Show celebrations that run from January 10 through the 25th.
Orchestrating the event will be Denver native Ben Kelley, who began as a volunteer for the Parade 15 years ago, and for the past 10 years has been the Parade Coordinator. As Coordinator he takes care of all the logistics with responsibilities that include securing permits, coordinate with police, send out applications to parade participants, contact parade route businesses, and all the other details that must be done far in advance to help ensure a successful event.
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A Conversation with Phil Coulter
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| by Cindy Reich
Phil Coulter is no slouch. He wrote songs for Elvis, wrote the mega-hit “Saturday Night” for the Bay City Rollers and produced three albums for “Planxty” (for the traditional music lovers in the audience). It’s impossible to pin him down and put him in a box. Pop songs that he’s written have gone to number one many times and sold tens of
millions of albums. Some of his most powerful songs are ballads such as “The Town I Loved So Well”. “Scorn Not His Simplicity”. “The Old Man”. “Steal Away”. Just to name a few.
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WIN PAIR OFF TICKETS TO CELTIC WOMAN AT RED ROCKS
| | Send us your name/email address or contact info between
June 6th and June 14th and we might pick your name as winner!
MORE chances to win between June 16 and 21 at your favorite
Irish pub/restaurant - Participating venues will be posted here on June 16. No purchase neccessarry
Celtic Woman
CelticEvents@rmi.net
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