May Day! May Day! May Day!

Though short notice for most LMN readers, May 1 offers a choice of two local acts: The Rashers will be performing at the Irish Rover and Galloglas will be at The Rudyard Kipling.

The Rashers return to Cincinnati's R.P. McMurphy's Pub on the following weekend (May 8 and 9). It's a wild scene with lines at the door every weekend. For more information call John Woodard at 949-7015.

Kentucky Scottish Weekend

Louisville's own Drowsy Maggie will be performing on Sunday, May 10, from noon to 2 at the KSW at General Butler State Park just up the road in Carrollton, KY. Alex Beaton will be performing throughout the weekend as well along with a good number of pipe bands from the region on Saturday the 9th.

Natalie MacMaster

The beautiful and enormously talented toast of Cape Breton will be at the Kentucky Center for the Arts on Saturday May 9. She will be bringing her band with her so this should not be missed. Brought up in a musical family steeped in Scottish tradition, Natalie has exploded on the world stage. She has three CD's available: "A Compilation" (a combination of her first two cassette albums), "Fit As A Fiddle" and "No Boundaries" (as the title suggests crosses musical idioms) as well as an instructional video: "A Fiddle Lesson."

Croabh Rua

One of Ireland's top trad groups from Ulster and a Louisville Irish Family Fest visitor, has a new album: "Soh It Is." This is Rock's next purchase FOR SURE.

Glasgow Highland Games

Another great Highland games is in store at Barren River State Park May 29-31. Seven Nations is returning this year with their high octane Celtic rock as well the usual (but definitely not ordinary) events, including Highland dance and bagpipe band competitions, caber toss, rugby match, re-enactors such as Clan Wolf and the 78th Frazier Highlanders and the list goes on. There is something for all ages and interests. You can spend the day or the entire weekend. The adjacent campground offers convenient and inexpensive accommodations and there are plenty of motels in the area as well. Pick up a brochure at The Celtic Centre, 149 Chenoweth Lane(897-9050).

Ten Penny Bit

Rock recently caught TBP holding forth in the middle of the Galleria. They now have a bass player and a fine new fiddler. You can catch their next gig by calling Robin at 447-0581. Mark Cannon is still anchoring the monthly session at the Rudyard Kipling. Last month a full complement of fine musicians came from Lexington including Liam Hart, Beverly Buchannan and Dan Cummins to name a few.

The Louisville Pipe Band

In addition to competing and performing at the two Kentucky Highland Games mentioned above, the Louisville Pub Butchertown will be competing at the Gatlinburg (TN) Highland Games on May 16. The band will also be performing for Kentucky Shakespeare Festival's summer performances of MacBeth (more on that next month). For more information about performances and instruction, call 894-8856.

Sessions in Ireland

So many have complained that they failed to hear any Irish music in the pubs during their visits. It's there, you just need to know where to go. To that end, I offer just a few destinations with no guarantees: In Clare: Daly's Pub, Kilmihil (birthplace of Irish Rover proprietor, Michael Reidy); The Coleen Bawn, Kilrush; The Nineteenth, Lahinch; McGann's Pub, Doolin. In Cork: The Spaniard (Kinsale), The Corner House, An Spailpin Fanach. In Donegal: Sean Og, Bally Shannon; Central Hotel, Buncrana; Glen Taven, Glenties; Hudai Beag's, Gweedore; The Shamrock, Annagary. In Dublin: Brazen Head, Cavanaghs, Hughes, White Horse, Wood Quay, Wynn's Hotel (there are many more in Dublin). In Galway: Crane Bar, Lisheen Bar, Pucan, The Roisin Dubh. In Kerry: Brown's Bar, Ballyduff; Bailey's Corner Pub, Tralee. In Limerick: Bill Chawke's, Adare; Central Lounge Bar, Abbeyfeale; Dolan's, Limerick City. In Mayo: Matt Malloy's, Westport. In Sligo: Earley's, Shoot the Crows, the Harp Tavern. In Tipperary: Derek Browne's, Nenagh; O'Shea's, Fethard; Allen's, Clonmel; Feehan's, Cashel. In Belfast: Kitchen Bar, The Hatfield Bar, The Eglantine, Madden's Bar. In Derry: Peadar O'Donnell's.

There are, of course, many that I could not list and their absence from this list implies nothing. Enjoy your holiday in Ireland and give Rock a report in care of LMN. Slan.