Celtic Corner - December

By Roz Carrothers

We are full throttle into the holiday season. For those of you that missed it, the benefit fund-raiser concert "A Night of Irish Music and Dance" at Bellarmine University was a huge success.

The hall was filled with folks showing their support and love of Celtic music and dance. I was especially impressed with the work done by Bill Myers and Edie Stein - those two know how to put on an event! The bands performed wonderfully and the dancers were simply outstanding. I heard many compliments from audience members. The performers included bands and members from various groups such as Ten Penny Bit, Galloglas, Drowsy Maggie, Cloigheann, Tenrec, Rashers, the Louisville Pipe Band and the McClanahan Irish Dancers. A `job well done' shout-out to all involved and a special thanks to all the folks who bought tickets - it's that kind of support that was needed and you rewarded the organizers with a full auditorium. The energy that night was truly special, it was a night I'll remember as one of the most pleasurable playing experiences I've ever had.

Mark your calendars for Galloglas

Galloglas will be back at the Rudyard Kipling for their 7^th Annual Celtic Christmas. The tickets sell out early, so make your plans now. The concert will be on December 7 at 8 p.m. You can make your reservations by calling (502) 636-1311. Galloglas will present its signature mixture of traditional, contemporary and original Celtic music along with some seasonal favorites the majority of which are from the British Isles. Come sing along. Ken and Sheila Pyle prepare a special menu for these shows, which is sure to please. Rumor has it that there may be a long-awaited CD available for purchase that night. Galloglas will be performing at the Blue River Cafe in Milltown, Indiana on Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. Known by canoeing enthusiast everywhere, the Blue River is a beautiful spot and has developed a reputation for fine food and an eclectic atmosphere featuring original artwork. Reservations are strongly recommended as well (812) 633 -7510. Check out their website - www.bluerivercafe.com into your browser will get you there. To get to Milltown, take I-64 west, north on SR 66 and then back east on SR 64.

Cloigheann dates

Take a break during the holidays - go out for dinner and take time out from the holiday fervor. There's no better place than Kitty O'Kirwans for dinner and on December 8 from 7-9 p.m. you can enjoy Cloigheann in concert as part of Kitty's Sunday evening concert series. If you haven't gotten to Kitty's on a Sunday evening, you are really missing out. Cloigheann was the first act for the "A Night of Irish Music and Dance" and they are hot! If you haven't heard them, here's the perfect opportunity.

Silverwood Celtic Christmas

Silverwood will be playing Christmas music (as well as Olde English and Welsh tunes) in the lobby of National City Tower at 5^th and Main on Tuesday, December 11 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. If you happen to be near Norton Hospital, you can also hear them in the Norton Hospital Cafeteria from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday December 10.

Special prayers for Robin Loeffler of Ten Penny Bit

Please send your thoughts and prayers out for Robin. On the way home from a performance, Robin suffered a stroke. As of writing this column, she is experiencing paralysis on her right side and surgery has been scheduled. Keep a lookout for information on a benefit, there is talk of putting something together to help Robin with her medical bills.

A Final Note

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Don't forget the place for gifts for the Celtic enthusiast in your life - the Celtic Center. A full range of wonderful items, including jewelry (a personal favorite) and food items (what better than Hobnobs or Lion candy bars in your stocking?). Anything from the shop is sure to win you kudos in the gift-giving department!

Roz Carothers is an estate planning attorney with Carothers Law Office, LLC, which has offices in Louisville and New Albany. Roz is also a violinist and fiddler with the band Drowsy Maggie. You can listen to Roz on the Roz Carothers Show, Thursdays at 6 p.m. on KJ1080.