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 

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann 2015 Spring Tulip Ball

The Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, once again have the pleaseure to invite you to attend the  

2015 Spring Tulip Ball

Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled.

The Spring Tulip Ball, besides being a fundraiser for CCÉ Youth, is a terrific opportunity for young people and formerly young people to get together, dress up (attire is semiformal to formal) and celebrate the arrival of Spring, tulips and just being alive. 

The beautiful residence of the Irish Ambassador to Canada is a perfect setting for this elegant and enjoyable evening, and we appreciate his making it available. 

 

Soft drinks and water will be available at the bar. Finger foods will also be available.

The award-winning Ottawa Comhaltas Band will provide the music and there will be dancing for those that are interested.

Come and join us for a good Craic, Ceol & Damhsa!

Christmas Ceili

Christmas Céilí

When: Saturday, 20 December at 8PM - 11:30 PM

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church Hall. 194 Fourth Ave. with Percy St. (in the Glebe). Ottawa, K1S 2L6

$15 non members, $10 members, $5 registered students, 12 and under free.

The December céili is also the time for Comhaltas Ottawa's annual TOQUES & TOES DRIVE. Please bring donations of new warm winter clothing such as mittens, socks, scarves, coats, toques, etc for those less fortunate in our community

Music is provided live by the Ottawa Ceili Band, Gold medal winners in the last two years at the Oireachtas in Tamworth, Ontario. A whole night of ceili and set dancing, entertainment, with free snacks at 10pm.

Main entertainment of the night will be the Ottawa Celtic Choir, under the direction of E. MacIsaac. Also, Eithne Dunbar will launch her CD before the first intermission.

No experience necessary for dancing (people will help you). A lot of fun and at a great price!

We hope to see you all there!!   

Come and join us for a good ceol, caint, filíocht, damhsa & craic!