Friday 21
FANCY FOOTWORK
The California Feetwarmers
Rathmullan House, 8pm, €10 eaf.ie Also Sat, Teach Hiúdaí Beag, Gweedore
Earagail Arts Festival surpasses itself in spirit-lifting music and dance by inviting this west Coast band with a shared New Orleans soul to take to the highways of Donegal. With their feet planted firmly in the 1920s music of the Blue Ridge Playboys, Scott Joplin, the Memphis Jugband and Emile Grimshaw’s Rag Pickers, this pair of concerts promises to have all-comers on their feet before the first tune set has ended. Playful, boisterous and downright thigh-slapping gooood.
SINGING STORIES
Eugene McEldowney: How Can I keep from Singing?
Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, 8.30pm, €10/€5, pipers.ie
Belfast journalist, author and spirited singer, Eugene McEldowney explores the various influences that have shaped his singing career. Another instalment in Na Píobairí Uilleann's monthly Notes and Narratives series of talks on traditional music, song and dance, with live performance. These Friday evening gatherings are a perfect place for listeners and artists to swap stories, tunes and songs in the impressive settings of the Pipers Club's beautifully restored HQ.
LEITRIM TUNES
Joe Mooney Summer School
Drumshanbo joemooneysummerschool.com
The final weekend of this year’s Joe Mooney Summer School promises to engulf Drumshanbo in a tsunami of sessions, workshops and set dances. This afternoon will see a guided tour by Michael Tubridy and Seán Gilrane to the homestead of John McKenna, while at 4.30pm, piper Neilidh Mulligan will pay tribute to the renowned Leitrim piper, Johnny Gorman, on his 100th anniversary. Céilidhe from Swan’s Tail this evening, and from the Glenside Céilí Band tomorrow will ensure that dancers refine their steps before the final notes are sounded for another year.
Saturday 22
ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL
Scoil Acla
Achill Island scoilacla.ie
This week-long summer school embraces not just traditional music, but many things cultural, including creative writing courses and Irish language classes where the emphasis is on the Achill dialect. Music tutors include harpist Laoise Kelly and concertina player Jacqueline McCarthy, as well as piper Mick O’Brien and many others. Concertina player Edel Fox is this year’s musician in residence, so there will be a healthy emphasis on the music of Clare this year. St Thomas’ Church in Dú Ghoirt will host the weekend’s headline music recital where all of the musicians delivering workshops will perform, along with many locals. Island life at its best.
