Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis, and Billy McComiskey
How much do they still love Mick Moloney in Philadelphia? When the Limerick-born musician and folklorist, who sparked new interest in Irish culture in Philadelphia when he moved to the city in 1973, brought a few of his musically gifted friends to the Irish Center recently, it was standing-room only. And that’s after the concert was shifted from the small Fireside Room to the larger Barry Room to accommodate the overflow crowd.
Moloney studied and later taught at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his PhD in folklore and folklife studies. Though he currently teachers at New York University, he makes at least one trip to his first American home every year, to play in the annual fundraising concert for St. Malachy’s Church and School in North Philadelphia in the fall. Billed as “Mick Moloney and Friends,” the gig showcases some of the best traditional music talent in the world–from Billy McComiskey and Athena Tergis to Tommy Sands and Robbie O’Connell–with the added spice of local musicians like 12-year-old All-Ireland fiddle phenom Haley Richardson, Dublin-born fiddler Paraic Keane, and folk singer Dick Swain.
And his Irish Center appearance was like the St. Malachy’s concert, but without the stained glass and holy statues. He was joined by accordion player Billy McComiskey, a Brooklyn native. Athena Tergis, a fiddler from San Francisco, Michelle Mulcahy, a virtuoso harpist (All-Ireland in harp, accordion, concertina and fiddle) from Limerick, Dick Swain, who delighted the crowd with his rendition of “Off to Philadelphia in the Morning,” a tune set to a satirical poem by Rudyard Kipling, and Gerry Timlin, who sang “The Rose of Aranmore.”
Here are some photos from the evening and a video of Gerry Timlin’s performance, thanks to Rosaleen McGill of the Philadelphia Ceili Group, which sponsored the concert along with The Irish Center and www.irishphiladelphia.com. You can also click through the slideshow at the top of the page.
The Ceili Group is planning its 40th annual festival for this September and is running a crowd-sourcing campaign to bring hot new trad musicians Full Set to Philadelphia. You can contribute to the campaign, which closes on April 1, by clicking here. There are some great incentives–including a stay in an Irish cottage–for donating.
