Monday, October 3, 2022

Published October 03, 2022 by Erich with 0 comment

Sessions in Hampden

 Continuing the tradition of sessions previously held at In Like Flynn's (and before that, J. Patrick's) in Locust Point, we're now holding sessions at the Five and Dime Alehouse in Hampden.  These sessions occur on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, and on the 5th Thursday if there is one, from 7-9:30pm.  They typically involve musicians at various levels of experience, many of whom have been playing Irish trad music for a long time.


In this session we play a variety of traditional dance tunes - the standard fare of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and polkas, but also slip jigs, hop jigs, slides, set dances, flings, mazurkas, waltzes, etc.  Most of the musicians play from memory, although some may check thesession.org for unfamiliar tunes.  The sessions are held in the upstairs bar, which is a huge room with great acoustics and very little background noise.

The Five and Dime Alehouse (https://www.fiveanddimealehouse.com) is in Hampden, at 901 W. 36th St., just east of the Jones Falls Expressway (Rte. 83).  Parking is usually available nearby, either at meters on 36th St. or on cross streets.  After 6pm parking spaces tend to fill up, so arriving before 6pm (in time to have dinner before the session) makes parking easier.  For more information, see the session posting at https://thesession.org/sessions/7446.

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Published October 03, 2022 by Erich with 0 comment

Sessions in Towson

 For those who enjoy playing music in a pub setting, the Kent House Pub (http://kenthousetowson.com), at 506 York Rd. in Towson, MD is a great option.  There is a session at the Kent House on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, from 7-10pm. These sessions are open to all musicians, and sessions typically include songs as well as traditional dance tunes.  


Jack, the organizer of this session, often introduces a new tune or two by email before each session, so musicians can learn and practice the tune beforehand.  Musicians take turns calling and leading tunes or songs.  Some musicians play from sheet music while others play from memory.  The sessions are usually held in the rear of the pub, which is large enough for a dozen or so musicians.  

The Kent House Pub is about a mile south of the Baltimore beltway, in the heart of Towson - just south of the traffic circle where York Rd., Dulaney Valley Rd., and Joppa Rd. meet.  Free parking is available after 6pm in the lot across the street (Pennsylvania Ave.), and fairly inexpensive paid parking is also available behind the pub and in several parking garages nearby.  For more information, see the session posting at https://thesession.org/sessions/7413.
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Published October 03, 2022 by Erich with 0 comment

Sessions in Catonsville

For those who are new to Irish traditional music, Drew Vervan's "Celtic Music Club" sessions are a great way to get started.  They are open to all who have an interest in playing Irish and Scottish dance tunes.  They occur every Tuesday evening from 6:30-9:30pm at the Catonsville Clubhouse, a community arts center at 10 St. Timothy Lane in Catonsville, MD.  The first hour is a slow session focused on learning basic tunes from sheet music; the rest of the time is a faster session that involves playing more tunes and sets at speed, also from sheet music.  The sheet music is all available online.

This is an excellent place for musicians to learn about traditional dance tunes (tune types, modes, playing styles, etc.) and practice playing together in a group.  It's also a great way to begin or continue building a repertoire of tunes to play in these and other sessions.  

The Catonsville Clubhouse is easily accessible - just west of the Baltimore beltway on Frederick Rd - and there is free parking.  There is a small fee involved for the lessons.  For more information, see Drew's web page at https://www.drewvervan.com/?page_id=112.
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