The Trial of Thomas D'arcy Mcgee 

When: Friday April 12th, 2019. Doors open at 7PM, play begins at 8PM
Where: St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Kildare Room. 310 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5K4. Cumberland Street entrance. 

Admission: $20

The premise is that Thomas D’Arcy McGee (1825 – 1868), Irish rebel and Canadian patriot, is called from the grave to answer, in the Court of History, the charge that he committed treason against Ireland and her people. The prosecutor is John Mitchel (1815 – 1875), an unrepentant physical force republican from both Young Ireland and the Fenians. Sir Charles Gavin Dufy (1816 – 1903), former prime minister of Victoria, defends Thomas D’Arcy McGee against the charge of treason. Both Lawyers have returned from the grave for the occasion.

John A. Macdonald (1815 – 1891), a founding father of the Canadian Confederation and its first prime minister is called as a witness for the prosecution. McGee’s long suffering and loyal wife, Mary Teresa Caffrey (abt. 1830 – 1871) whom he married in 1847 is called as a witness for the defence.

All of the ghosts are aware of what has happened in the world since they entered the grave. The protocol of an earthly court loosely applies. As in previous Russell plays, the audience plays the part of the jury and their decision determines McGee's innocence... or guilt. 

Advanced Online tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-trial-of-darcy-mcgee-a-play-by-anthony-russell-tickets-58460755694 

For more information, please email limelighttheatregroup@gmail.com or call 613.304.5705  

Hailing from the town of Newry in county Down, the Newpoint Players will be performing this hilarious and supremely historical courtroom drama for one night only in Ottawa, as they embark on their third Canadian tour.  

Saint Patrick's Day Dinner and Dance - Saturday 16 March 2019

Join the crowd at this annually sold-out event for the most authentic Irish experience in Ottawa this Saint Patrick's Day, celebrated by us on Saturday 16 March 2019, in the church at hall at Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Avenue in the Glebe.

You will enjoy a fine meal of Irish Stew, or a delicious vegan chili, rolls, dessert, followed by a brief tutorial on the dance moves you'll need to dance the night way to our award winning Irish ceili band. You will enjoy the entertainment on offer during the break time by the Ottawa Irish Dancers. A cash bar, and a snack time later in the evening of homemade Irish soda bread, jam, cheeses, and tea is also offered. Cash bar and non-alcoholic drinks available.

Blakey Designs from Kingston will be, as usual, on hand to sell you fine Irish and Celtic jewelry and an assortment of unique gifts.

Bring the kids! 12 and under $5, save on the babysitting fees!

For online secure ticket purchase, please follow the link. For paper tickets, call 613-912-3664 and leave a message.

INFO AND TICKET PURCHASE

Keep in touch with the branch!

Aside from our excellent newsletter, kept up to date and sent monthly by email (to members) by our public relations officer, Oscar Mou, there are several ways to keep in touch with the branch and its activities:

Webpage
http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/  (typically updated once a month depending on activities and events)

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/193752260177/  (frequent updates)

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ottawa_irish_arts/  (photos)

Twitter
https://twitter.com/OttawaCCE (original and Irish culture and history related 're-Tweets')

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/CCEOttawa  (Lots of videos from the Branch and Playlists for various interests)

Ceilis
Believe it or not, you can still GO to an Irish dance and speak with people, in person!! I know, hard to believe, but I have seen it with my own eyes.
(schedule here: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/events.php)

Ottawa Branch set dancing classes on hiatus

The set dance classes held on Monday nights have suffered from a dwindling number of students extending back several years. It has been difficult to get one full set (8 people) to class on a regular basis. Often half sets were taught. Speaking with Comhaltas members from other branches the problem is not confined to Ottawa. Therefore, the executive decided that it was best to suspend the set dance classes until such time as sufficient demand presents itself. We wish to thank the set dance instructors that have donated so much of their time and talent and passion to our set dance classes of the last many years: Sheila Scott, Carol Ann Bowers, and Danny Doyle.

The branch is always open to this possibility to teach an enthusiastic group of dancers. Please contact the Chair if you wish to form a group of set dancers and desire instruction.

Craig Hamm
Chair, Ottawa Branch

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Music Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees

On Saturday 13 October 2018 in Hamilton was the Canada East Region AGM. After all meetings were done, there was a dinner-ceremony to award the CCE Canada East Region Musical Hall of Fame inductees, the Quinn Family. After the ceremony, there was a ceili and much dancing.

The Quinn Family 

(Desmond Quinn, Bonnie White, Geraldine Quinn-MacWilliams, Emily Quinn, Matthew Quinn, Kira MacWilliams, Riely MacWilliams and Connor MacWilliams)

                     

The award was presented by the outgoing CCE Canada East Region, Ena O'Brian and His Excellency Jim Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland in Canada, in Hamilton on 13 October 2018.

Desmond Quinn, born in Belfast, Ireland. He grew up playing guitar, vocals and whistles. He and his first wife moved to Saskatoon in the mid 1970s and brought up their children (Geraldine, Emily and Matthew) with the same passion for music that he received growing up.  In 1981 with his wife and other Irish expats founded the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Saskatoon branch.

By 1989 Desmond and his children moved to Hamilton and founded the first Irish session at the Lionhead Pub, and weekly ran successfully to a packed house for twelve years. Years later he was recipient of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Canada East Regional Service Award for his dedication to the promotion of Irish culture in Hamilton.

Bonnie White, grew up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, immersed in both Scottish and Irish music and traditions, competing in highland dancing and playing in ceilidhs. She was one of the founding members of “The Scotia Highland Dancers” troupe that toured in Canada and the British Isles during the 1980s. She plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and does vocals.

Along friends, which included Geraldine Quinn, formed a Celtic Band in 2006; her interest in learning the timing of Irish jigs and reels that let to Desmond becoming her mentor and later her husband and joined the weekly sessions at the Lionhead Pub.

Around 2008, the sessions moved to the Irish Canadian Club and the Hamilton Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Hamilton Irish Arts, had been founded and Desmond, Bonnie and the family became members. In May 2011 the Hamilton Irish Arts weekly music sessions moved to the Corktown Pub. That same year Bonnie was inducted into the Antigonish (Nova Scotia) Highland Society’s Hall of Fame for her dedication to her Scottish heritage.

Geraldine Quinn-MacWilliams, born in Belfast, Ireland and moved with her parents to Saskatoon. She took Irish step dance with her mother as instructor, performing in festivals and concerts and competed in western Canada where she received awards. By age 11 she picked up the piano accordion and focused on Irish traditional music. When she and her family moved to Hamilton, her brother Matthew took up the fiddle so they both competed in North America in Irish traditional music, winning awards and qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh.

Emily Quinn, she began playing traditional tin whistle at the age of 10, and then piano. She attended the Ontario Conservatory to improve her piano playing where she performed and competed. By age 14, began playing the piano accordion. Currently studies Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

Matthew Quinn, began playing music at age eight with the tin whistle and then by age 10 moved to classical violin. He has won the Greater Hamilton Royal Conservatory Music Festival Grade 8 competition, placed 1^stin the 2017 and 2018 Provincial Musical Festival with the Hamilton East Chamber Ensemble. In the summer 2018 he enrolled in the Scoil Éigse at Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. 

Kira MacWilliams(Geraldine’s daughter), began competing in Irish dancing at the age of seven, achieving Preliminary Championship and winning numerous awards before she decided to focus on music. She played piano since she was seven and then changed to violin at 11; currently working on her Royal Conservatory levels.

Riely MacWilliams(Geraldine’s daughter), she began singing when she was five years-old and won several competitions including the Greater Hamilton Music Festival and the Rotary Burlington Festival. In traditional Irish singing she won 1^stplace in the O’Donnell Feis, Roseland Feis and Forest City Feis. Also by age 12 she began to play guitar and now participates in the weekly sessions. 

Connor MacWilliams(Geraldine’s son), started playing the violin when he was five  years-old and he is working on his Royal Conservatory levels. He has won awards in the Hamilton Music Festival and Kiwanis Music Festival. He has participated in the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoild, Tir na Nóg. He also participates in ceili dances.

The Quinn Family performs after the induction to the Musical Hall of Fame

Ceili dancing

Ena O'Brien and Jim Magee

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 

Toronto - Dance Weekend (with a twist!)

25-27 May 2018, Dance all Weekend!

Our friends in the Irish community in Toronto will be having a whole weekend of dancing, and great craic to be had!

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Todmorden Branch 10,   1083 Pape Ave, East York, ON M4K 3W7

• The venue has wooden floor, 
• air conditioning, 
• separate bar and lounge, 
• easy parking, 
• TTC accessible.

https://www.opendoorceilitoronto.com/set-dance-teacher

The dance teachers will be Kevin and Carol Monahan ("SetsMad"), who will be in Toronto for the first time. They have been set dancing for more than 20 years.They teach all over Europe, and as on occasion in the US as guest of the Milwaukee Set dancers.

The bands playing at the event are Cabbagetown Ceili Band and North Atlantic Drift with Ena O'Brien. 


Weekend Schedule
Friday 25 May:
8PM - Midnight, Welcome ceili


Saturday 26 May:
Morning workshop, 10AM - 12PM
Afternoon Workshop, 2PM - 4PM
Ceili, 8PM - Midnight


Sunday 27 May:
Workshop, 1PM - 2PM
Farewell Ceili, 2PM - 5PM  
(a Sunday night seisiun at a local pub after the ceili)

Event Costs:
Whole weekend package, Can$110

Individual Events:
Friday welcome ceili, Can$25
Saturday morning workshop, Can$20
Saturday afternoon workshop, Can$20
Saturday ceili, Can$25
Sunday mini package, Can$25
Sunday workshop, Can$15
Sunday farewell ceili, Can$15

Registration available online: https://www.opendoorceilitoronto.com/dancer-reg-form-2017 

Contact Geraldine at 416.573.1205 or Mary 905.330.7972 or at opendoorceilis@gmail.com


This even is made possible in part with a grant for the Irish Cultural Society of Toronto.

Everyone is welcome!!!

St. Patrick's Day 2018 Céili Dance List and Schedule

Ottawa Irish Arts 

Elaíona Gaelacha Ottabha

St. Patrick's Day Céili Dance List and Schedule, 17 March  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.

7:20 - 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)

7:30 - 8:15PM       Antrim Square (Set dance)

                                  Figure 1: Wheel and turn

                                  Figure 2: House and slide
                                  Figure 3: Slide and change   

                             Free Waltz (Waltz)   
                        
8:15 - 8:45PM       Entertainment and 1st Intermission
                              Trillium School of Irish Dance
                               Students from Trillium will perform.   

8:45 - 9:30PM       Haymaker's Jig (Jig)
                        
                             Aran (Set Dance)
                                 Figure 1: Grand Chain
                                 Figure 2: Dance around opposites
                                 Figure 3: Gents change over
                        
                            Waltz Cotillion

                            2-Hand Reel (Reel)
                                                    
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  Bonfire Dance (Reel) 

                            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.

Rhythm of the Dance - Irish month

Irish Month in Ottawa!

We hope you’ve all been enjoying Irish Week in Ottawa! There are still a number of exciting events coming up but if you’re not quite ready for it to end this coming weekend, there’s one more event on Wednesday, 21 March, that you won’t want to miss! 

Centerpoint

Rhythm of the Dance celebrates the rich cultural history of Ireland – its traditions of music, dance, and song – in a live show that brings together on stage world champion dancers, a traditional Irish band, and the Young Irish Tenors. 

–– “What sets Rhythm of the Dance apart from Riverdance is that we tend to be a bit more traditional and purist and we rely less on the technical support than other shows do, although we do carry quite a lavish production.” – Kieran Cavanagh, Rhythm of the Dance Producer. 

This two-hour incredible live show tells the story of the Irish throughout history and blends contemporary technology with traditional music and dance. Cavanagh promises audience members that they “will leave the theatre feeling that they have been on a trip around Ireland and [with] a strong impression of our culture and our music.” 

The show is produced by the National Dance Company of Ireland and is internationally rated as one of the most popular and busiest Irish step dance shows in the world. Important traditional elements of Irish culture and music like stepdance, the male tenor voice, and the blend of instruments from an Irish band will feature throughout the telling of this epic tale. 

Rhythm of the Dance will be in Ottawa for one night only at Centrepointe Theatre – don’t miss your chance to enjoy the passion, energy, and rhythm on Wednesday, 21 March, at 8pm! There are still tickets available to purchase online. Don’t miss out – we’ll see you there!

Sad tidings for Ottawa Irish Arts - Pádraig Scot

Patrick Joseph Scott (Pádraig Scot) 

(1933-2018)

Pat and Deidre

Those of you who knew Pat Scott were surely saddened to learn of his death, at 85, last Thursday after illness which took hold last year. He is now reunited with the love of his life, Deirdre Scott (née Mulrennan). He was born in county Kerry, Ireland on the 27 of January 1933 and died in Ottawa at the Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital on the 21 of February 2018. He will be missed by extended family members in Ireland, England, South Africa, and the United-States.

Pat was an influential founder and a fixture of the Irish community in Ottawa; he was instrumental in the creation of the Irish Society of Ottawa, Irish theatre and the Chair of Celtic Studies at the University of Ottawa.

He enjoyed attending the weekly Irish language classes and coming to the ceilis; and just last year we would help him up the stairs to the film festival. He liked to get out into the Irish community until at last he couldn't. He was a great reciter of stories and poems participating many years at the Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada in Tamworth, Ontario, winning awards for recitation several times. He also contributed to the Ottawa Irish Arts blog, here you can read his post. 
Well, we will miss him, as we already had when his presence became much less.

Pat at the 2015 Oireachtas, reciting in Irish

Pat in 2016

Pat at the Oireachtas in 2015, chatting with P. Willoughby

2014 at the Oireachtas

Pat receiving his gold medal at the Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada 

Pat also enjoyed Irish traditional dancing.

Pat and Carol Ann at the Tulip Ball

Pat and Sile

Pat was the father of the past Chair of Ottawa Irish Arts (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch) Sile Scott. 

Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, on Sunday (4 March) from 1 to 4 p.m. at  Walkley Chapel: 1255 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 6P9.

Funeral service will be held on Monday 5th of March at Holy Cross Church, 685 Walkley Rd, at 10:30 a.m. 

A celebration of his life will follow and be held at the Heart and Crown, 353 Preston St, following the service, from 12 to 3 p.m. 

In memory of both Pat and Deirdre, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.



His obituary can be read here:
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/kelly/Obituaries/patrick-joseph-scott/16084


The Executive and all members of Ottawa Irish Arts extend their deepest sympathies to the Scott family and closest friends. 

Irish Film Festival Ottawa, 23-25 March 2018

Ottawa Irish Arts is very proud to announce its sponsorship and wholehearted support of the 4th Annual Irish Film Festival Ottawa for 2018 as a Silver Screen Partner. The Festival takes place from Friday 23 March through to Sunday 25 March at the Arts Court, Daly Avenue, Ottawa. The Opening Gala takes place on the Friday evening.

IFFO celebrates Irish culture, language, humor and history through the modern medium of film, promoting Irish cinema and film-makers to audiences from across Canada.

Please plan on attending this fine festival, whether you have Irish roots, or are simply Irish-curious!

Craig Hamm
Chair, Ottawa Irish Arts
(Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Ottawa Branch)

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.

Concert: The Trousers and Kyle Burghout, at LIVE! on Elgin, Sunday 11 Feb 2018

Join Ottawa's The Trousers at LIVE! on Elgin, Elgin St., Ottawa, Sunday 11 February, at 2PM for a wonderful ride through a grand selection of traditional acoustic Celtic music. Doors open 1:30.

TICKETS

Making a name for themselves as Ottawa’s hottest trad band, The Trousers are a dynamic duo that showcase music from their roots. Seasoned multi-instrumentalists Karson McKeown (right) and Ross Davison (left) are sure to have audiences unable to resist nodding and tapping their toes along to the beat of unique arrangements consisting of traditional Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton tunes.

After forming the band in Jan. 2016, The Trousers are thrilled to have released their first EP, which unites sets influenced by the members’ most influential idols, new music, and, of course, old favourites.

Karson McKeown, who comes from a long line of fiddlers in western Prince Edward Island, began playing the fiddle at age 10 following step dancing for six years. He has a classical background, and studied music at Holland College, where he focused on jazz, blues, rock, and Celtic. McKeown loves incorporating tunes his great, great, aunts and uncles taught him into their performances.

Davison also started applying his love for music at 10 years old when he took up learning to play the saxophone. Davison attended Michigan State University to study classical and jazz. Also, he is one of few people in Ottawa who play the uilleann pipe, which isn’t typically heard live outside of Ireland. He relishes the opportunity to share such a rare instrument with music-lovers at shows.

Kyle Burghout (Facebook / webpage) Having performed across Canada, the USA, Ireland, Italy, Austria, and Hungary, Kyle Burghout has established himself as one of Canada’s best young fiddlers. Kyle and his music have been featured on CBC radio and television, as well as in Irish Music Magazine and The Canadian Fiddler. His many awards include North American Irish Fiddle Champion, runner-up at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship, and two-time finalist at the All-Ireland Fiddle Competition in Sligo, Ireland.  Learn more at Kyle's webpage!

Learn more at THE TROUSERS webpage!

Follow The Trousers  on Facebook!

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARTISTS HAVE CDS.