A cozy crowd gathers in a circle to pass around tunes.
There was still snow on the ground at the Irish Center and it was wicked cold, but winter weather wasn’t enough to deter the 10 hardy souls who huddled inside the place for one reason: to celebrate their heritage in song.
Apparently, a song can keep you warm—with a little help from whiskey and beer, along with mini-éclairs and Trader Joe’s seedy little currant cookies.
The singers’ session—which takes place on the first Wednesday night of each month at the Mount Airy epicenter of all things Irish—is one of the newest additions to the traditional music scene in the Delaware Valley. Most sessions focus primarily on instrumental music, often with no vocalizing at all.
Sponsored by the Philadelphia Ceili Group, the session had an informal start in local homes some time ago, including that of local performer Courtney Malley’s. In October, the session became more formalized. “Now they give us a home at the Irish Center,” says singer Terry Kane, who leads the session.
The session typically attracts about 10 local singers, at all talent levels. “Last month,” Terry says, “we had a 10-year-old sit in. Tonight, we had a lot of very talented people. In the beginning, we go around the circle, and everyone gets a chance to sing. After that, it’s whatever people think of.”
Such a diverse group results in a lot of variety. On this night, the singers start out with traditional Irish, in the native tongue, but as they go around the room, practically every appropriate folk genre seems to find a place, from English country airs to old-timey tunes. (And for some reason, many of the songs, like “Three Jolly Fishermen,” revolved around the theme of fish—herring, in particular.)
Kathleen Warren, who often sings with Terry, says she has been singing her whole life. “I’ve been singing in Irish for probably 15 years,” she says. “I sing with Terry when she plays gigs, and I play Friday nights in Bethlehem. That’s where I’m from. I’m just getting back to doing my own stuff.” For her, the session is an indispensable outlet. “I don’t think I’ve missed a session yet.”
For Jerry Sweeney (who started going to the session after he discovered it on our events calendar), the session is an opportunity that less experienced singers highly value. “The singers who come are different every time,” he says. “There are some who come as regulars. It’s not any specific level, but it tends to be the good singers who draw the weak ones out.”
If you’d like to give your vocal chords a workout—or even if you’d like to just sit and listen—Terry invites who to attend. The session starts at 7:30. And don’t be shy. “We want to be sure everyone gets a chance,” Terry says. “You can bring music, if you want to sing with it. Most singers are unaccompanied, but sometimes people bring instruments.”
View videos:
