On November 29th 2018 Dr. Donald Glasgow replaced my right hip which had previously been shattered in 2013 in a bicycle collision with a van. It’s been 11 days and I am already enjoying the benefits!!
Fiddle Lessons Edmonton
No Ireland This Year :(
Instead of my annual 4 week visit to Ireland to enjoy the wonderful people, music, Guinness & scenery I will be staying put in Edmonton and preparing for an upcoming hip replacement. Sad to break with tradition but my mobility is very limited (I use a cane all the time) and I am trying to get my blood glucose numbers down. I look forward to my next visit in good health when I will easily walk from Renmore to Eyre Square or up the Pound Road.
Come enjoy some fiddling at National Parks Day
Georgia and I will perform 2-45 minute sets tomorrow at Elk Island Park. Sets are at 1:00pm & 3:00pm at Astotin Lake Recreation Area Stage at the north end of the park. Regular National Park admission applies.
Fun Family Event Saturday May 12, 2018
Georgia and I will be playing a free family event in Spruce Grove Saturday May 12th.
It is in the McLaughlin neighbourhood.
We are performing from noon – 4 pm.
On offer are horse and wagon rides, a food truck, old fashioned candy stand, old fashioned photo booth (with old west costumes) a playground and Live Music!
Everything is free as it is a Melcor event to promote their homes.
To McLaughlin
• Take Yellowhead to Jennifer Heil, take exit and head South
• Turn left on Nelson Drive
• Turn Right at McLaughlin Drive, the event will be on held in this area
Family Day at Elk Island National Park
Georgia and I will be performing from noon to 4:00pm on Monday February 9th.
Please come out and enjoy a fun day in this great national Park.
Elk Island National Park hosts an annual Family Day event focused on enhancing quality family time and experiences within the national park. Elk Island strives to enhance the visitor experience at its Family Day celebration by providing a musical performance in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area.
All activities are free of charge to visitors with a valid park pass.
Event Background:
Elk Island National Park (EINP) will host a winter-themed Family Day event on February 19th, 2018 from 12 PM to 4 PM. The wintery event will feature music, campfire snacks, skating on Astotin Lake, snow activities and games, interpretive programming, and snowshoeing (snowshoes available to rent). A food truck will also be on site.
Fun times at Deep Freeze!
What a great day at a great festival. Rick Mercer was even on hand.
Here we are playing Cervona Roza. Tim breaks a string.
Deep Freeze Fest 2018
Come see Georgia & myself this Sunday on Alberta Avenue, Edmonton.
2018 DEEP FREEZE: BYZANTINE WINTER FESTIVAL
Venue Address #1: Hearth (9210 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 2:00 – 2:45 pm
Venue Address #2: New Moon Pavilion Kitchen Jam (91 St & 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Venue Address #3: Igloo/Northern Lights Beer Garden (North of 118 Ave in the Giant
Igloo)
Date of Performance: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Time of Performances: 4:15 – 5:00 pm
The Fest also runs Saturday when the theme is French Canadian culture.
Oh yeah, it’s free!
Jackie Dan Jerry O’Connor R.I.P.
My great friend and mentor Jackie Dan Jerry passed awa on Sunday November 19. 2017 at the age of 82.
I learned a lifetime worth of music and wisdom from the man. He will be greatly missed.
http://www.mainevalleypost.com/2017/11/20/jackie-dan-jerry-oconnor-farmer-musician-r-i-p/
Thursday 2-11-17 Farewell to Eire
I’m up earlyish and cook my own Irish fry of fried eggs, potatoes, black pudding, toast & coffee. Now it’s time to get all that Irish tea into my luggage. I try my best not to forget anything and bid farewell to Ton and Barney & Lucy (the dogs).
I call in on Jackie and immediately Annie offers me a bowl of her famous soup. Jackie is visibly drawn from his treatments. I tell him stories about my travels and the tunes in town and who I played with him. He asks many questions and I am often able to remember a name for him. That man from Clare who played the fiddle and composed many tunes. “Junior Crehan?” “That’s him!”
I play tunes and chat with him for a good hour and a half. Then It’s time for his nap. Get well Jackie Please!!!!!!
I am finishing my trip in Ennis at the Fafa session with Blackie O’Connell & Siobhan Peoples. The plan is to play till 3:00 am like last week, hit the Chipper then car back to the airport. No Guinness for me. Good-bye Ireland, Hello Canada. (+13 in Kerry today -15 in Edmnonton).
Ennis is home to many wonderful statues – you can even do a statue tour.
Wednesday 1-11-17 Horse Fair!
It’s Fair Day!
I arrive in town from Kilkenny at 2:30 and head straight to town to catch some of the action and see the animals.
The town is packed and the bars are full and boisterous. Johnny Cahill once told me “I sell maybe 30 barrels of Guinness but on Fair Day I can sell 35!” Loads of musicians Join our Session. The poster Says “Jay, Jackie & Terrance”. Alas Jackie has to spend the day in hospital doing blood work. People know I am close to Jackie Dan Gerry O’Connor and I am often asked “How’s Jackie”, or “Tell Jackie I’m thinking of him”. I am happy to see Charlie Nelligan join us with his concertina. He one 8 All-Ireland titles as a keeper. It is so loud in the bar you can barely hear your neighbour but the combined volume of the 12 of us cuts through the din and people applaud after each set. Singing is impossible but after the first 2 hours Timmy O’Connor hazards a song. Myself as well. Solo singers seem to get a bit of respect and the crowd quiets – just a little. After 5 hours of music it’s time to wrap it up. “See you next year” I say to everyone. Because of the early start I’m actually back with Tony by 10:30. We have time to visit and play his D tuned guitar with a slide. The first night of the trip I’m in bed by midnight.