Well, my friends, it's just two weeks until I change the date back to the American style. I know you're holding your collective breath. In the meantime Trad Scribe Karen wants to share her thoughts on the Christmas fundraiser concert at the Egg:
Irish Christmas in America @ the Egg on 12/12/2006
by Karen White, Trad correspondent
"Irish Christmas in America" was a pleasant evening's entertainment despite the fact that the performers turned out to be not exactly as originally billed. Cathie Ryan did not appear and two members of Teada (Damien Stenson, Flute/Whistle and Paul Finn, Button Accordion) were also among the missing. Tommy Martin (Uillean pipes), Grainne Hambly (Irish harp), andMichael Londra of Riverdance fame proved to be wonderful surprises though. Tristan Rosenstock (Bodhran) of Teada served as narrator for the evening and recounted many of the traditional Irish holiday customs as slides were projected behind the performers. The musicians were joined from time to time by smiling dancers whose straight locks were a nice departure from the usual ringlet curl wigs. The first set featured Michael Londra's rendition of Wexford Carol and the singer later proudly announced to the audience that he is indeed from County Wexford.The second set involved more great music and a few chuckles brought on by a short skit. The images of the thatched cottages and people dressed intraditional garb were a nice touch and a reminder to the audience that Christmas was not/is not ALL about the craziness we Americans participatein each year at this time. The compact performance came to a close about an hour and 45 minutes after it started. Soloist Londra sang a verse of Silent Night in Gaelic and then, at his urging, the crowd joined in singingthe English version. And for a brief moment after the carol was finished, everyone seemed quietly surprised at how lovely it had turned out!
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We have to agree with Karen on her point about Irish Christmas not being all craziness like in America. We had friends visiting from Ireland this Autumn who shared their dismay at our collective Christmas psychosis. They did say that things were changing at home (i.e. becoming more commercial), but they were completely shocked at how much Christmas had taken over everything around here so quickly and so soon after Halloween!
Thanks again, Karen, and Happy Christmas to all!
The Trad
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