Michael Collins Pipes & Drums Fundraising to March in Ireland
By Rodger Hara

Michael Collins Pipes and Drums was founded in 1996 by a few talented musicians with a love of Irish music. With a home in the legendary Sheabeen Pub in Aurora, the members chose the name to honor the “Big Fellow” from Cork and Denver’s Michael Collins Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The band’s objectives are to uphold the history and tradition of Irish bagpiping, play great Celtic Music, entertain the public and most importantly, to have fun while doing it.
From a humble start as a small performance pub band, it has led the St. Patrick’s Day parade for the past 16 years, appeared on stage with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, Seven Nations, the Elders and the Chieftains and become an accomplished competition pipe band as evidenced by first place finishes at this year’s Pikes Peak Celtic, Colorado Irish and Long’s Peak Scottish-Irish Festivals in Quick March Medley and two firsts and a second in the Timed Medley.

The true recognition of the bands’ accomplishments, however, lies in the invitation that has been extended to it by the Cuman Éire-Gaelach (the Irish Cultural Society) to march in next year’s parade in Dublin in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Proclamation (the Republic of Ireland’s Declaration of Independence). The parade route on the streets of Dublin will go from St. Stephen’s Green down Grafton Street to the General Post Office on O’Connell, passing many historic sites significant to the events of 1916. Among the goals of the parade are the honoring of the patriots of 1916, recognition of the centenary of the Easter Rising and showcasing the heritage of bagpipe playing in Ireland. The latter goal having a consonance with the band’s reason for being creates a lovely symmetry that the band intends to acknowledge by accepting the invitation and going to Dublin next Easter.

Such a trip, however is not inexpensive and the band, a 501(c)(3) private not-for-profit organization, is seeking help from donors and sponsors for the trip to help with travel, lodging, equipment, uniforms and all the trappings necessary to properly represent Denver. Different levels of sponsorship earn different sorts of recognition and acknowledgement. For more information about how to make a tax-deductible donation you can go to the bands’ website at www.michaelcollinspb.com, send a check to the Michael Collins Pipes and Drums Band, P.O. Box 16868, Denver, CO 80216, make a PayPal donation through their Facebook page or come to one of their pub fund-raising events, the next of which will be in the Sheabeen Irish Pub, 2300 S. Chambers Rd. (Iliff and Chambers) in Aurora on November 28th at 7:30 PM with special guest stars The Juice O’the Barley.

Boulder Session’s New CD “Next Sunday at Conor’s ” Release Party Nov 15.
Just as the CDs from 2006 are about to become rare items, there’s a brand new release, called “Next Sunday at Conor’s”. The eighteen tracks of tunes and songs represent the music of the current steady participants who meet every Sunday, 7:00 PM (Irish time). As on the preceding album, they transplanted to a studio, where pub noise (or ambiance, if you prefer,) doesn’t color the quality of the playing, and you can hear all the lyrics.
The Boulder Irish Session invites you to the official release party at Conor’s on November 15. All are welcome to join the celebration!
The Boulder Session is the longest continuously running session in the area, almost 30 years now. A number of bands have spun off from this incubator, and musicians’ careers have been nurtured and enriched in our community. The repertoire is constantly changing and growing. Needless to say, there’s a lot of fun to be had! There’s usually an appreciative audience, including a number of regulars over the years, and room for you. The session is a way station, if not a destination, for traditional musicians from around the country (and beyond) who drop in when they can.
At the Session tunes outnumber the songs. It is an open session, and a great one for musicians who have some repertoire and familiarity with the genre. Also a great place for beginners to meet more advanced players, pick up tunes and inspiration. For more information, people can call the session anchor, Michael Reshetnik, at 720-350-5277.
The CD will be available at Conor O’Neill’s traditional Irish Pub, 1922 13th Street Boulder, during Sunday evening sessions, beginning November 15.

Colorado Military Taptoo to celebrate heroes
Star Spangled Spectacle returning to Colorado Springs Nov 14

On November 14th, 2015 a spectacular showing featuring hundreds of local, national, and international performers will be coming back to the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs for its second year. The show will draw in thousands of spectators along with military, civilian, and first responder performances to the city. The Colorado Military Taptoo is a patriotic, entertaining, and inspiring show that will feature over 400 performers including military bands, bagpipe bands, choirs, and other unique performance groups from the world over, in the two hour fast paced extravaganza. The show will be lit with vibrantly colored lighting and hundreds of performers will move, dance, and interact with the always changing arena floor.

International Taptoos are based on a centuries-old military tradition and are produced all over the world. The largest in the United States is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Colorado Springs’ strong military presence and the amazing work of our emergency personnel make this city the perfect home for such a show. The Colorado Military Taptoo is a Colorado non-profit in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation with support from the City of Colorado Springs. If you’d like more information about the Colorado Military Taptoo please call Joseph Poch at 719-635-8803, or email at [email protected].

(Photo caption: Rita Berglund of Illuminated Journeys celebrates the rugged and inspirational landscape of Ireland)

Historic guide and ecologist Gerard Clark will take participants on an Irish Spirit Weekend without ever leaving Denver this month. Clark will focus on ancient Irish spiritual tradition with a special emphasis on the sacred landscapes of Ireland on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15 at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, E. Hampden and S. Monaco,

Clark is an archaeologist and historian who has been the head guide at sacred ancient and historic sites in Ireland, including of the Hill of Tara and Newgrange in County Meath.

An advocate for the environment through what he terms eco-spirituality, Clark has studied geology, botany and zoology and worked in the mining industry. He is also a pilgrim guide, leading tours in the footsteps of St. Columban, an Irish missionary who travelled extensively in medieval Europe.

“Ger will take us on a remarkable celebration of spirit through the Celtic lens,” said Brad Berglund, founder of Illuminated Journeys, which leads pilgrimages to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Spain.

“We’ll also mine the spiritual gems of Irish language, music and folklore,” Berglund said.

The event is sponsored by Illuminated Journeys, The Threshold and Calvary Baptist Church of Denver. More information and registration is available online at www.IrishSpiritWeekend.com
Or Contact Charlotte Million, 720-480-6168.

As one of Ireland’s cultural gems, the Irish Chamber Orchestra travels to the U.S. in November on a 4-venue tour (4-8 November) with celebrated Hungarian conductor Gábor Tákacs-Nagy (supported by Culture Ireland)

Gábor introduces a bright light in fellow compatriot and cellist István Várdai winner of the prestigious Prix Montblanc. Vardai performs Haydn’s long-lost C major Concerto, full of fire and spirit and only re-discovered in 1961. Bach’s Cello Concerto in A is a real gem. Pulsing rhythms and a wealth of dynamic contrasts grab and sustain the listener throughout.

Haydn’s emotive Symphony No. 52 in C minor plays directly to the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s strengths with its eruptive moods and jagged rhythms. Finally, Bartók’s Divertimento is one of his most soulful and poetic creations. The ICO endow their sound with a sense of fullness and wealth which makes the whole thing a joy.

Virtuoso violinist-turned-conductor Gábor Takacs-Nagy founded the celebrated Takács Quartet and is Principal Artistic Partner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. He is music director of Manchester Camerata, guest conductor of the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and more.

Don’t miss the Irish Chamber Orchestra at venues in Colorado and New Mexico.

Friday 6 November – Macky Auditorium, University of Colorado Boulder, CO
http://www.cupresents.org/events/irish-chamber-orchestra
Saturday 7 November – Los Alamos Concert Association, NM
http://losalamosconcert.org/schedule.html

The Irish Chamber Orchestra is resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by The Arts Council Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
www.irishchamberorchestra.com

PAUL BRADY—THE WORLD IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!
By Cindy Reich (November 2015 Celtic Connection-Denver)

If you want to hear hands down, the best musician to come out of Ireland in our lifetime, you are fortunate in that he is coming right here to Colorado November 5 at Daniels Hall in Denver.

Paul Brady is nearly indescribable and if you try, people wouldn’t believe you. I think the best comment I heard was from an audience member when Paul last played at the Boulder Theater. Walking out of the theater after a typically dynamic Brady gig, one person remarked, “I’ve never seen so much music come out of one man and a guitar on a stage”. And I think that pretty much would sum it up.

Paul is legitimately a legend. From the Johnstons, to Planxty to mainstream rock and pop, Paul is scary in how he uses his talent toolbox. Whether it be song lyrics—you can ask Bonnie Raitt or Carole King or Bob Dylan—they would all agree—or guitar playing—ask Mark Knopfler, or Van Morrison, or…well, you get the message…

Paul Brady is a shape-shifter of high degree who set the bar with his traditional guitar and whistle as well as his ballad singing. Albums like “Welcome Here Kind Stranger” which included the likes of Tommy Peoples, Noel Hill, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny and saw the recording of his version of “Lakes of Ponchatrain”, which has become the gold standard for that ballad. One of my very favorite albums was “Andy Irvine/Paul Brady”, where I first became mesmerized by “Arthur McBride”. Both of those albums have stood the test of time and are considered essential classics of traditional Irish music.

However shortly after winning “Folk Album of the Year” with “Welcome Home Kind Stranger”, Brady veered into rock music, which saw him garner even more acclaim and success on the world stage with both his lyrics and his guitar work. Even though American rock artists picked up his work and ran with it, he never lost sight of his Tyrone roots and songs such as “The Island” and “Nothing But The Same Old Story” continued to resonate for the home crowd. Then, after decades of rock and roll and pop music, Paul released “The Missing Liberty Tapes”. This gem of a recording, truly missing for over 20 years from a gig Paul did in Dublin in 1978 just fanned the flames higher for those of us who couldn’t get enough of his traditional work! No matter what Paul Brady does, he does it to the very highest degree possible and we are all the richer for it.

I am an unabashed and rabid Paul Brady fan—both of his lyrics and his music. In an interview I did with him many years ago, he said something that stuck with me and I have never forgotten. He said, “Sometimes, the only poetry some people will ever hear are song lyrics”. If that is true, and I believe it is, then Paul Brady is one of Ireland’s and the world’s “Poet Laureate”!

On November 20th, Paul will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Concert Hall in Dublin Ireland. You can beat the crowd and hear him right here in Denver and shame on you if you miss this rare opportunity!!!

Thursday, Nov. 5 @ 8:00 PM Doors Open @ 7:00 PM
Swallow Hill, Daniels Hall 71 East Yale Avenue, Denver, CO
303-777-1003, http://swallowhillmusic.org/denver-concerts/paul-brady/nov-5-2015-8-00-pm/

Meet Dublin born Christina Noble – Children’s rights advocate, charity worker, author, and subject of movie, at Denver reception November 1st
By Rodger Hara, Celtic Connection (Please distribute this invitation to your networks)
Christina Noble is little known in Colorado; Irishman Donal Grogan hopes to help change that when he and his wife Lindsey hosts the Irish children’s rights campaigner, charity worker and writer, for a fundraiser November 1st at their Centennial Colorado home. They invite anyone with a charitable heart and checkbook and will match dollar for dollar every check that is donated at the fundraiser through their company Argon Masking. According to Donal, he had to reach out to Christina to get her to come to Colorado, “Christina had planned to just do each coast cities only on her US trip and she included Denver when I threw the idea out to her so here we are!”
The Christina Noble story is very well-known in Ireland and even more prominent in Viet Nam and Mongolia. She was born in the slums of Dublin, Ireland on Dec. 23, 1944. Her mother died when she was ten and she and her three siblings were put into separate orphanages. She was told (erroneously) that they had also died. When she was 14, she escaped from the orphanage and lived rough on the streets of Dublin and in a dugout she made in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. She was abused, became pregnant and had her baby taken away from her. She eventually made her way to London in search of her brother. There she married, had three children and left the marriage after it turned abusive.
In 1971 she had a vivid dream about children on the streets of war torn Viet Nam calling to her for help. With little money but an abundance of determination and courage, she went to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in 1989 to answer the call that has become her life’s work. She operates on the principle that “It only takes one person to make a difference.” That courage has led her to create orphanages in Viet Nam and Mongolia and be honored by the Queen of England by being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In addition, a film called “The Noble Movie” about her remarkable story was released earlier this year in the U.S. after having won several awards at international film festivals last year.
Originally from Kildare, Donal was delighted to learn that people of Ireland, Vietnam, and America where planning on coming to the Denver reception and fundraiser, “ It would be great if we had people from all 3 countries at the event, give it that International flavor. I was also thinking that Irish people could wear their County shirts for the event.”
The event will begin at 2 PM (the Broncos game starts at 6:30 PM that day, so you’ll not miss the game and the final of the Rugby World Cup is the day before). The Grogans live at 17796 E. Jamison Ave., Centennial 80016. To meet this incredible woman and hear her story from her own lips, Please RSVP to Donal at [email protected] or call him or Lindsey at 303.868.6254 if you have any questions.
Christina Noble’s website is www.cncf.org and movie link http://thenoblemovie.com/

November 2015 Ceolta Notes
By Rodger Hara

November 2015 Ceolta Notes (Celtic Connection)

Brian Clancy is at Jack Quinn’s in downtown Colorado Springs at 7:30 PM on the 5th, 11th and 19th and wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving! ‘cause he won’t be there that day and is at The Irish Snug on Capitol Hill in Denver at 8:30 PM on the 7th and 21st.

Augustana Arts presents the Colorado Women’s Chorale in concert for a show titled Celtic Dreams, Jennifer Ferguson, Conductor, featuring the Wick School of Irish Dance and the Cherry Creek High School Girls’ Choir on the 13th at 7:30 PM at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO. Tickets are $25 adult; $20 senior; $15 student; $10 children age 4-17 years and are available online at www.AugustanaArts.org or by calling 303-388-4962.

The Juice O’the Barley has some new members – Scott Sherman and Jay Juran who joined last May and this May respectively – and a new sound – maybe bluegrass Celtic? Last month they did their 12th annual fundraising effort for the American Diabetes Association and raised $1,160 for the ADA.

The Michael Collins Pipe Band is doing a fund-raising concert for their trip to Dublin next Easter at the Sheabeen Pub on East Iliff in Aurora on the 28th at 7:30 PM. They’ll be joined by special friends The Juice O’the Barley.

Mountain Road Ceili Band is at The Margarita at Pine Creek in Colorado Springs on the 20th starting at 6:30. It’s right off of I-25 at Woodmen Road on the north end.

Avourneen is at Katie Mullen’s on the 13th, 20th and 27th at 9 PM, play a live set on the KRCC Celtic Show in Colorado Springs on the 15th at 10:30 AM and on the 28th play for the Contra Dance at the Westminster Grange Hall.

Kindred Spirits plays at Stella’s Coffee Haus, 1476 S Pearl St, Denver, on the 15th – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

The Bedlam Boys (Steve Hart and Marty Smith) at the Bierwerks Brewery in Woodland Park on the 19th at 7 PM.

Ceol Ceili plays for the Cripple Creek high school band fundraiser the 12th in Cripple Creek.

The Highland Soles Trio, Trad and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton music with Niel, Lilly, and Ed Pearlman, Saturday, November 14, 8PM at Swallow Hill

( photo left to right): Dr. Gilbert Canton, CEO, Belize Natural Energy (BNE); Susan Morrice, Chairperson, BNE; Josh Stewart, Founder & CEO of XJet and BNE Board Member; Gilbert Canton Jr., Engineer in Business Development Unit, BNE; Ali Alnaqbi, Founding Chairman of MEBAA

On October 1st, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Belize signed bilateral trade agreements that will serve as a catalyst for investments from the UAE and will strengthen Belize’s position as a Central American and the Caribbean regional energy leader. These trade agreements will serve as a foundation to catalyze private sector investments from the UAE, as well as government-to-government investments.

Belize Natural Energy Limited’s (BNE) Model was integral in making today’s historic milestone a reality. “The signing of the UAE-Belize agreement is a critical step in fulfilling the original vision of native Belizean Mike Usher, who always believed that his country was full of abundant natural resources,” said Susan Morrice, Chairman and Founder of BNE. “He also believed that through the BNE holistic business model, the economic benefits of those resources could be shared by all Belizeans and pave the way for a better Belize. Since BNE first discovered commercial oil in 2005, we have always stayed true to that original BNE model and vision. Through BNE director Josh Stewart, who resides in UAE, and the special relationship he has developed with his Emirati partner, Ali al Naqbi, BNE is now in an excellent position to continue to build out its vision.”

With its discovery of oil 10 years ago, Belize shares a similar vision with the vision of UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, who believed that the discovery of oil was only the start of the ultimate economic success story for the country. BNE believes that its country can emulate the UAE’s vision and prominence in the Middle East, and achieve a similar success story, with the UAE providing the necessary financial and knowledge-based resources to achieve this vision. The BNE vision is an important part of a growing public-private relationship, and the signing of these agreements between the UAE and Belize is the foundation from which the BNE vision for a better Belize will be realized.

Back in Denver Susan talked about the astonishing global coverage that the signing received to date as the historic event was picked up by over 221 websites, with a potential total audience of 171,418,133 unique visitors per day! It was reported by Yahoo Finance, Reuters & The International Business Times to name a few, and also was headline news around the world. “So to say that this signing and the success of the Educo BNE Model has gone global would be an understatement!” exclaimed Susan, who added, “This milestone event was also displayed on the massive screens in Times Square, New York City, during rush hour signaling to the world the importance of these agreements and providing global recognition for The Educo BNE Model!” As the Belfast native reflected on the monumental achievement, she said, “ I just realized it all started with two people leaving Ireland, one Josh Stewart and going to Africa and the other myself and going to USA…. Josh then visited me after I had just come back from the Educo Seminar given by another Irishman Tony Quinn! Well this is an Irish celebration for the world!

Celtic Thunder Member Emmet Cahill in Colorado Springs October 5
By Rodger Hara (from October 2015 Celtic Connection newspaper)

Emmet Cahill is returning to Colorado! He is no stranger to Coloradans, having performed here several times over the past three and a half years as a member of Celtic Thunder, the popular Irish group often featured on PBS. His visits here have also included helping local PBS stations with fund raising drives.

A native of Mountnugent, County Cavan, he now calls Mullingar, County Westmeath home and has embarked on a solo career that has taken him across America and will bring him to the Black Box theatre in Colorado Springs on October 5 at 8 PM. There, you can hear him perform everything from Broadway show tunes to classical Irish songs sung by the legendary John McCormack like I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen, Macushla and Danny Boy and traditional songs like Cavan Girl and Star of the County Down. In between, expect to hear stories about his growing up in Ireland – and growing up even more on the road and on cruise ships touring with Celtic Thunder.

Emmet grew up in a musical household and began receiving music lessons from his father when he was 4. Those lessons and his natural talent led to his receiving a 5 year “Schola Cantorum” music scholarship at his local secondary school and then formal classical training at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music, from which he received a university degree in Music Performance.
He has been cast in many stage productions in Dublin and has performed on stage at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and as a soloist at the National Concert Hall. He is an avid sports fan and has twice sung the Irish national anthem at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin in front of crowds of 90,000. Emmet has also performed for the former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and has sung at several international rugby games in Dublin’s new Aviva Stadium. He also sings regularly at the Mullingar Cathedral and at the Crover House Hotel in Cavan on the shores of Lough Sheel.

Emmet is working on an album that will be released internationally later this year and on occasion will continue to perform with Celtic Thunder as a member of that cast and family. You may have seen him perform solo numbers with Celtic Thunder: at the Black Box, expect to have all of him and only him for what should be a lovely evening of song and stories as only an Irishman can deliver them. Tickets are available at https://emmetcahilltours.ticketleap.com/emmet-cahill-live-at-black-box-theater-colorado-springs/dates/Oct-05-2015_at_0800PM

Eleanor McEvoy to Perform at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (from October 2015 Celtic Connection newspaper)

Irish Songstress, writer, multi-instrumentalist, Eleanor McEvoyll will perform in Denver October 2,3,4 at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF) at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.
McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her song “A Woman’s Heart” inspired the title for, and appeared on, the A Woman’s Heart anthology album. A Woman’s Heart has since gone on to become the best-selling album in Irish history.
Her career as of one of Ireland’s most popular songwriters started at age four when she performed in an Irish music competition as part of her sister’s band. She later took up the violin, and began playing the guitar in her teens. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an honors degree in music and was accepted to the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland as a violinist. She worked with the symphony orchestra and also as a session musician playing for many acts including U2 and Sinead O’Connor before she finally left that world behind to concentrate on her real passion—songwriting.

Since then, Eleanor has gone on to become an artist and performer known throughout the world. Her critically acclaimed canon of work spans eleven albums, forty singles, and appearances on numerous compilation albums. She is today recognized as Ireland’s most successful female singer-songwriter, having enjoyed personal chart success and numerous cover versions of her songs by performers Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Phil Coulter, Mary Coughlan, Bella Hardy, Eliza Carthy and Jack L, among others. Her song “All I Have” was featured in the HBO cult series “Six Feet Under.”

RMAF has become the largest consumer audio and home entertainment show in the nation – a virtual audio wonderland. Founded 12 years ago by two small local
audio companies in Denver, the 3 day fest showcases more than 400 brands – from the aff¬ordable, to the absurd; from high-end specialty companies to Industry giants. The annual event draws vendors and audio enthusiasts from around the globe.

First time attendees can get oriented by visiting the Colorado Audio
Society table near the registration desk. There, volunteers will explain
and give guided tours of the event’s complex and lively layout.
Admission is $10 for one day or $25 for a weekend pass.
Students and seniors get in for half price. Show hours are
Fri. 12 – 7pm; Saturday 9am – 6pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm.
Tickets and more information are available at www.audiofest.net.
Eleanor McEvoy is schedule to perform on all 3 days of the fest. Check her schedule at https://www.audiofest.net/attending/show-schedule/

Marriott Denver Tech Center is located at 4900 S. Syracuse Street, Denver, CO 80237
Phone 303-740-2590. Eleanor’s website: www.eleanormcevoy.com

Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Music Festival hosting the Four Corners Highland Games Championship,
October 3 & 4, 2015 at Riverside Park, Aztec, New Mexico W/ The Angry Brains, Gypsyfire, Kitchen Jam Band, Devils Dram and Patrick Crossing and Celtic Heavy Athletic events (Caber Toss, Hammer Throw, Braemar Stone, Weight for Distance, Weight for Height, and Sheaf Toss), Highland Dance Competition, Highland Dance Workshop , Clan booths, Vendors including The Celtic Caterer/ Chef Eric W. McBride conducting live cooking Demos, Oz Highland Farm serving traditional Highland Beef products, Fish-n-Chips, Celtic artesian, Kilts, Pipe Bands, Bonny Knees Competition, Children’s Activities – Pick up a Clan Passport at the Entrance Booth and use it as you visit the Clans, Dancers, Pipers and fight a Viking! Return filled out Clan Passport at the Information Booth and be entered into a drawing for a commemorative handmade wooden train! The Kids Highland Games will be held during the lunch break of the Athletic Competitions on Saturday and is free for Kids to try their hand at each of the Celtic Athletic Events. Kids can also participate in activities at the free Children’s Tent and if they are under 12, they get into the entire festival FREE! Info tickets at www.aztechighlandgames.com or 505-419-7526.
(from September 2015 Celtic Connection newspaper)