Recognition - Ottawa Ceili Band

Alf and Elizabeth 

On Saturday 17 March 2017 at our St. Patrick's Day event, we recognized and celebrated the leads of our céilí band, Alf Warnock and Elizabeth Scarlett.

The chair of Ottawa Irish Arts presented to Alf and Elizabeth this appreciation award on behalf of Ottawa Irish Arts for more than 20 years service and dedication to the traditional music community.

Alf Warnock and Elizabeth Scarlett have been involved in local traditional music since at least the 1980s when there was a traditional session at Rasputin’s.  By about 1997 Alf and Elizabeth ran the Rasputin’s session until Rasputin’s was destroyed by fire in 2008. By Elizabeth’s estimate, they played one or two sessions a week from 1984 to 2008.

Elizabeth taught fiddle at the Ottawa Folklore Centre in the 1990s, and had started some Celtic groups that formed the roots of what later became some of the local slow jams. 

Alf and Elizabeth have also been involved in the Ottawa Fiddle Club, and probably any other fiddle group that’s come and gone.

Alf, juggling his schedule, continues to play traditional Irish music with us, while also performing in local jazz ensembles.

For as long as I’ve been involved with this branch of Comhaltas, Alf and Elizabeth have ably and consistently served as leaders of the Comhaltas (now Ottawa Irish Arts) ceili band, more than 10 years, and they rarely, and I mean rarely, miss a gig.

Thank you Alf and Elizabeth!
Go raibh míle maith agat!

C. Hamm
Ottawa Irish Arts, Chairperson || Cathaoirleach 

Céili Dance List and Schedule, 10 February 2018

Ottawa Irish Arts 

Elaíona Gaelacha Ottabha

Céili Dance List and Schedule, 10 February 2018

(Remember, you do not need to know how to dance nor need to have a dancing partner. Everyone is welcome!)

Click on a dance title for videos to see how it is danced.

7:00 - 7:30PM      Workshop
                               Join us in the first half hour of the evening for a short 
                               tutorial on steps, holds, and terminology that will have 
                               you dancing your way through the evening with  
                               confidence. Gay Gordon (March) to finish.

7:30 - 8:00PM       Aiofe's Three Step (March)

                             North Kerry (Set dance)
                                  Figure 1: Wheel and turn
                                  Figure 2: House and slide
                                  Figure 3: Slide and change                              
8:00 - 8:30PM       Entertainment and 1st Intermission
                             Ottawa Irish Arts Dance Class
                               Caitlin Crockard’s Monday night adult class will perform 

                               skilfully choreographed pieces during the intermission. 8:30 - 9:30PM        Haymaker's Jig (Jig)
                        
                              North Kerry (Set dance)
                                  Figure 4: Wheel and turn
                                  Figure 5: Hornpipe body                                                    
9:30 - 10:00         2nd Intermission 
                             Join us for a cup of tea and freshly baked Irish Soda bread. 
                             Be sure to have your admission ticket handy for the Door 
                             Prize draw. There will be a 50/50 Draw.

10:00 - 10:30PM  Walls of Limerick (Reel) (dance instruction starts at 0:35 min) 

                            Clare Lancers (Set Dance)
                            Each figure starts with a two-handed lead around, 
                            turning the lady under to swing.
                            Each figure ends with a full around-the-house.
                                  Figure 1: Square the House
                                  Figure 2: House and Turn the Lady
                                  Figure 3: Big Wheels and Big Christmas Tree
                                  Figure 4: Small Wheels and Small Christmas Tree
                                  Figure 5: Long Chain and Line Ups

Note: As the final dance of the evening, the Clare Lancers will not be called. Given that this dance is not called and that all figures will, as it is traditional, be danced consecutively, more experienced dancers will be invited to form a set and show off their steps, but as always, all dancers are welcome to the floor.


Here are some helpful dance guidelines:Irish Set (and Ceili) Dance Etiquette
Check our dance page for more information on the dances called at our céilis.

CCÉ Canada East Regional AGM and workshops

When: Saturday 25 October 2014

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 2L6

Cost: Workshops: $10 members, $15 non-members; Dinner: $20 (tickets must be purchased in advance!), Céilí: $10 for members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for students


This year the CCÉ Ottawa Branch will be hosting the East Region AGM, besides the meeting proper, we have a day full of activities with workshops (dance, music and language), a banquet and a céilí.

LOCATION
The meeting, workshops, dinner and ceili all are taking place at the same location: in the lower level of Blessed Sacrament Church. That's 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, K1S 2L6.

SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of the day's events, subject to change. More detail on each of these events follows.

09:30am: morning registration

10:00am: set dance workshop with Maureen Mulvey

10:30am: language workshop with Tomás Ó Murchú
      lunch break (not provided)

12:30pm: afternoon registration

1:00pm: AGM

1:30pm: singing workshop with Ellen MacIsaac
1:30pm: pipes/whistle workshop with Steafan Hannigan
3:30pm: bodhran workshop with Steafan Hannigan
6:00pm: dinner (at the Blessed Sacrament Hall)

8:00pm: céilí

WORKSHOPS
The workshops are open to all. One or two (Bodhran and/or Uilleann Pipes) may be happening at the same time as the AGM, but in a separate room. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, for each workshop, payable to CCE Ottawa for cheques, or cash. There will be a registration table from 09:30 and from 12:30 to 13:00.

Here is a summary of the workshops.


Singing

http://uottawa.academia.edu/EllenMacIsaac

Ellen MacIsaac will offer a workshop on singing in both the English and Irish-language traditions. The workshop will focus not just on repertoire, but also on ornaments and on voice production to achieve the right sound when singing in the Irish tradition. Ellen lectures at the University of Ottawa in the Modern Languages department, and directs the Ottawa Celtic Choir. 




Bodhran/ Uilleann Pipes

http://www.steafan.com

Steafan Hannigan has worked with many top artists including Lorraine Jordan, Il Divo, Julian Lloyd Weber, Pete Lockett, Bjork, Depeche Mode, Gary Barlow, Uriah Heep, Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, John Kirkpatrick, Broderick, Luke Daniels, Sin É, Linn Tilla, Anne Lister, Eileen McGann, Band of Hope, Lammas, Tim Garland, Brian Willoghby from the Strawbs, Loreena McKennitt , Jeff Martin, James Keelaghan, Art Turner, The Afro-celts, John O'Connor, and Michael Flately. He was, sadly, unavailable for some wonderful people such as Page and Plant, Tory Amos (wedding), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dave Stuart, and U2 who he had to turn down!

Steafan has worked in over twenty countries , recorded on over eighty albums and played live in places as diverse as Syria, Sudan, Jordan, Greece, Kazakstan  India, Canada, and Turkey.

Language

Tomás Ó Murchú, a Ireland Canada University Foundation (ICUF) Scholar and a Teagascóir Gaeilge – University of Ottawa.

AGM

The East Region AGM will run from 1:30PM to 4:30 PM. There will be many CCÉ members from other East Canada branches.


DINNER
We invite you to join us for a catered dinner in the church hall, between the AGM and the ceili. Dinner to be served at 6pm, and will include a vegetarian option. The cost is $20, and you must pay for your dinner ticket in advance at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/comhaltas-regional-agm-dinner-tickets-9673960075 The dinner is being catered by Bobby's Table, a 4.5 star Ottawa caterer.

IMPORTANT! The deadline for paying for the dinner is Wed, Oct 22 at 9AM.

These are pictures taken at the AGM by P. Cassidy.

CEILI
Join us for our monthly céilí  featuring live music by the CCÉ Ottawa Céilí Band, refreshments, dances called by our chair Sheila Scott, and live entertainment by the "Hannigan family." As this ceili falls close to Hallowe'en, we encourage you to dress up in a costume if you like. Cost of the ceili is $10 for members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for students, payable at the door.

We hope that you will join us on the 25th of October for a good craic!

Sad Tidings – Don Davidson

Donald Davidson (18 July 1926 – 10 March 2014) was a long time attendee at our monthly ceilis. Don always contributed to our traditional ‘cupán tae’ break by providing a jar of his favorite jam. 

He also loved to dance, the Kerry Set being one of his favorites. Even after a hip replacement, he continued to dance with much gusto and enthusiasm, though the Kerry Set was no longer in his repertoire. He knew many of the traditional ceili and set dances. He often danced with the university students who appreciated the fact that he knew the steps yet were patient and kind with him as he moved a bit more slowly than other dancers. 

All the members of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch were saddened to hear last Saturday of Don’s passing. Here we lift a cupán tae in your honour, Don, and we hope that you continue to tap your feet and dance jigs and reels wherever you are!

Peace be with you.

Here you can read Don’s obituary and leave notices of condolence.

We have some pictures, of Don enjoying the dances; photos are courtesy of P. Cassidy and P. Avendano.

St. Patrick's Dinner and Céilí - 15 March 2014 - Family-friendly event

Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

When: Saturday, March 15th, 2014.

Doors open at 05:30PM

Dinner from 06:00 PM to 08:00PM

Céilí from 08:00PM to 11:30PM 

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa Ontario K1S 2L5.  Additional parking will be available at Corpus Christi Elementary School, 157 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 2L5

Tickets: $35, purchase them online at https://stpats2014.eventbrite.ca. Please note that NO tickets will be sold at the door!

This is an authentic Irish, family-friendly, no green beer event!

Last year's dinner and dance were a sellout and a HUGE success. In fact, last couple of years, we had to turn people away at the door. It will sell out this year, so you should get your tickets as soon as possible.

We will have the same excellent caterer as last year - Franz Gierer - and the menu promises to please, the 3-course dinner will include a vegetarian, and gluten-free options!

After a first-class, three course complete dinner, with wine available for purchase, there will be an Irish dance (Céilí), with the dances called. No experience or partner is required, and it is loads of fun and helps work the dinner off.

The excellent Comhaltas Céilí Band will provide the music and Sheila Scott will call the dances.

There is a cash bar, a raffle, a 50-50 draw, and a multitude of crafts and items for sale.

At around 11 PM, there will be tea and snacks.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all.


All tickets purchases are $35. By ordering online now, you get your tickets guaranteed. 

Purchase online at: https://stpats2014.eventbrite.ca

For paper tickets and information contact the PRO at: info.ottawacomhaltas@gmail.com

Come and have a good craic! 

Also notice that no classes (dance or Language) will be held on Monday 17 March, all classes resume on 24 March.

December Ceili - 21 December 2013 - CANCELLED!

-URGENT NOTICE-

Due to an absolutely horrid parking situation on the surrounding streets near the ceili, and an imminent bout of horrid weather, and an already low expected turnout (due to the date being so late in the month, very many people are away), the executive have decided to cancel the ceili tonight. 


Please let anyone know that may not get this, and let them know. We will also try to get an email out to the membership asap.

Please have a safe weekend! (stay in and listen to some Irish music!)

Craig
Vice-Chair, Ottawa Branch

Stay home, stay safe! 

Saint Patrick's Day Céilí and Dinner -- Next Saturday!!!!

When: Saturday, March 16th, 2013.

Doors open at 05:15 PM
Dinner from 06:00 PM to 08:00PM
Céilí from 08:00PM to midnight 

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa Ontario K1S 2L5

Tickets:
http://www.stpatsceili.eventbrite.com

Last year's dinner and dance were a sellout and a HUGE success. In fact, last year, we had to turn people away at the door. It will sell out this year, so you should get your tickets as soon as possible.

We will have the same excellent caterer as last year - Franz Gierer - and the menu promises to please, a 3-course Roast Beef Dinner with a vegetarian option is available.

After a first-class, three course complete dinner, with wine available for purchase, there will be an Irish dance (Céilí), with the dances called. No experience or partner is required, and it is loads of fun and helps work the dinner off.

The excellent Comhaltas Céilí Band will provide the music and Sheila Scott will call the dances.

There is a cash bar, a raffle, a 50-50 draw, and a multitude of crafts and items for sale.

At around 11 PM, there will be tea and snacks.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all.


All tickets purchased after January 1st 2013 will be $35. By ordering online now, you get your tickets guaranteed. 

Purchase online at: http://www.stpatsceili.eventbrite.com

For paper tickets and information contact any member of the Comhaltas Executive at:

http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/contact.php

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society at January Céilí

Videos of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) Demonstration Team at the January céilí have been posted on the Branch webpage. This group always delights the céilí crowd with a different flavour of dance. After their main demonstration they taught the céilí goers some Scottish dances and a great deal of fun was had.  To see them in action you could also check our YouTube Channel.

http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/gallery.php (Note, this page will change over time, so you may not see the videos if you check in too late, check the Gallery Page often!)

And don't forget to check the What's New page for …. what's new! http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/whats-new.php