little bodhran

Julia dancing, Doug guitaring, me bodhraning

information overload

The problem with not updated regularly is that when I finally sit down to write something, my thoughts are all over the place.

I'll start with today. I decided at about 11 am to attend the Ohio Folk Life Festival. I primarily went to hear a bit of folk music and attend the bodhrán workshop. It was a beginners workshop, and started out with a decent turnout (especially considering no one really advertised the festival). Most of the people filtered out after 30 minutes, although a couple new faces showed up towards the end. I learned a bit, and got to play a few different drums. The workshop was led by Tim O'Neill, the bodranii who plays in Knot Fibb'n. He was a really easy-going guy, and you would never suspect how much he can rock on stage.

Thursday night I attended Bardic Circle, a local Irish music session. I was invited by a bodranii on one my music geek sites. There were ~10-12 other people there. Everyone was friendly and I had a great time. Thursday is often reserved for quintet rehearsals, but I'm going to try and attend more sessions in the future. Best way to learn is playing with others.

I've been doing a bit of bike riding lately. Here's the new bike:



You can see even more photos here. Holly and I have been trying to master the bike path at Sharon Woods Metropark. There are two hills, and one kills us every time. Well, the two or three times we've been there it's killed us.

We're heading out Sunday morning with 1 or 2 other bike newbies to see if we're finally able to conquer the whole trail.

I think that's enough of an update for one day...

irish festival

I finally got around to attending the Dublin Irish Festival.

Highlights:

Purchased my first proper bodhran. It's a small (~14") traditional drum (non-tuneable) - nothing fancy - but sounds good. I got it directly from Michael Vignoles. He was kind enough to give me a few pointers, and even sent a follow up email. Great guy - great bodhrans! (He also makes other traditional Irish instruments). I got a new tipper, too, and absolutely love it!

Gaelic Storm - only saw a small portion of the set but good stuff

The Mickey Finns - yay for Celtic punk! (photo*)

The Prodigals - yay for more Celtic punk! (photo*)

Whiskey Asylum - The Mickey Finns & The Prodigals team up to rock your face off (photo*)

Flogging Molly - OMG it's MORE Celtic punk! I don't know what it is, but there's something about Flogging Molly that reaches that sweet spot for me - I revert to the reckless, joyful abandon of a 17 year old at her first punk rock concert, dancing around in exuberance. (Well, dancing around as much as possible without damaging my new bodhran).

There was even more great stuff, but those were the big ones for me. The finale consisted of musicians and dancers from the entire weekend getting up and performing together. Good stuff! (Finale Photo*)

*The photos are rather poor quality. I didn't get too close to any stages - partially to protect the new bodhran and partially because it was about 102 degrees and I didn't want to be smashed in too closely to sweaty, smelly strangers.

bodhrán!

It's official... I totally *heart* playing my bodhrán. It's the same kind of feeling I had when I finally got my hands on a bass - the moment of "wow... I should have done this years ago when I first wanted to...".

I think hitting something is also satisfying some weird primevil urge.

This kid has posted some better-than-decent bodhrán playing on YouTube - so if you keep seeing me post about the $%^&* thing and don't know what I'm talking about - check it out.

quick music update

My bodhran arrived today! I have to go study lots of websites on how to play it properly. And hope that my friend who is involved in some local Irish dance & music sessions can hook me up with an experienced player.

Yay! Music!

happy day

Apparently moving the time change back to March has confused the weather gods, and they think it's time for spring. Sweet. It's warm and sunny, and supposed to be 68 degrees tomorrow.

Today is STB's birthday. We started celebrating yesterday. (Saw good music from Megan Palmer).

I just ordered a bodhran. I've been saying I want to learn to play for months. What better time than the present, right? So I found a cheap one online and $50 later I should have one (and a case) in 2-3 days.

I have to go play outside now - the sunshine is calling my name.