Proof that Irish traditional music is alive, well, and thriving? The next generation, like fiddler Dylan Foley and accordion player Dan Gurney. The two young Irish-Americans met and honed their skills at the Catskills Irish Weekend in East Durham, NY. It was there and in the Sunday afternoon concert series in the Rhinecliff Hotel where they met their two musical influences, legendary concertina and flute player Father Charlie Coen and flute and whistle player Mike McHale, and where they played in McHale’s Catskills Ceili Band.
Gurney moved to Galway for a year after graduating from Harvard; Foley, who is five years younger, won the All Ireland Senior Fiddle competition in 2014. The two made a CD together—appropriately called “Irish Music from the Hudson Valley”—which came out last year.
They’ll be bringing their talent to the stage on Sunday, January 17, at the Coatesville Cultural Society in Coatesville. Take a listen to what these two can do.
On Saturday, test your mad Harry Potter skills at a quiz night at the Slainte Pub at 3000 Market Street in Philadelphia, hosted by the Notre Dames Ladies Gaelic Football Club. It costs $10 to participate and there are food and drink specials. And yes, you can dress up as your favorite Harry Potter character (RIP Snape) and no anti-cheating quills will be available. It all starts at 8:15 PM.
Also on Saturday, Jamison rocks out at RP McMurphy’s on MacDade Boulevard in Holmes.
On Sunday night, The Irish Times on Second Street in Queens Village in Philadelphia is holding its annual shepherd’s pie cook-off. Last year, three guys walked away with the top three prizes. Ladies? Any takers?
On Wednesday, Slainte will be performing at the Tavern on Broad at 200 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia. And Friday, catch Slainte’s Frank Daly and CJ Mills together with the rest of their other band, Jamison, at Curran’s Tacony place.
