The Celtic School
at Celtic Hall

The School is committed to maintaining small, personal class sizes in order to help each student develop skill, self confidence and discipline.

IRISH STEP DANCE - Taught by Courtney and Caitlin Kelly, with guest visits and workshops from members of the Kelly family. The Kelly family has been involved in the Irish step dance world for over twenty years and now bring their award winning talent to teaching. Classes are held on Monday evenings. Beginner and advanced beginner classes start at 6:30 PM. Intermediate & advanced classes start at 7:00 PM. Adult classes start at 7:30 PM. New students are welcome and registrations are now being accepted.

FIDDLE - Instructor: Laurel Martin.

BAGPIPE - Instructors: Ben Weir and Sean Moran.

HIGHLAND DRUMMING - Instructor: Dean Walker.

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND DANCE - Instructors: Shana Weir and Holly Bartlett. The Braemar School is the oldest certified Highland dance school in New York State. Highland dance is a great source of physical fitness and self-discipline with the opportunity to travel around the Eastern Region and beyond, making lifelong friendships. The family-oriented school is active year round. Class sizes are limited to ensure individual attention. Classes begin January 5, 2008. Only ten slots available. To sign up or to inquire about the November Open House, please
e-mail: braemar_est1960@hotmail.com

All classes are held at CELTIC HALL, 329 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. For further information and/or registration, contact the CDCCA at 479-1029 or by e-mail: info@cdcca.org.

Traditional Music Seisiuns

Comhaltas Ceoltioiri Eireann

Third Sunday of every month - 5:00 pm
Slow seisiun at 4:00 pm

October 21
November 18
December 19

The CDCCA is proud to continue sponsorship of local music seisiuns that are free and open to the public. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome.

A seisiun is a gathering of musicians who come together to play and enjoy good traditional music primarily for their own enjoyment, although they are highly entertaining to non-participants.

Website: www.albanycce.com

Schenectady Pipe Band
90th Anniversary Celebration

Featuring
THE BRIGADOONS
Saturday, November 3 - 6:30 PM

Join the Schenectady Pipe Band and celebrate 90 years of history, music and pageantry Celtic Hall on Saturday, November 3rd. The 90th Anniversary Ceilidh will be an evening to create new friendships and rekindle old ones while taking in the sights and sounds of the Brigadoons, the Braemar Highland Dancers and, of course, the award-winning Schenectady Pipe Band in a relaxed, yet joyous, atmosphere.

The more the merrier so please help us toast 90 years of tradition and christen the next 90 years to come! All kilts welcome. There will be Scottish and American food available as well as imported and domestic beer, wine and soda at very reasonable prices. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.scotgames.com.

Irish Perceptions Lecture Series

Niall Bergin
Supervisor, Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Dublin, Ireland

“Kilmainham Gaol - The Nation’s Historic Pulse”

Monday, November 5 - 7:00 PM

Niall Bergin is Supervisor of Kilmainham Gaol Museum in Dublin, Ireland. His work in at the Museum ranges from guided tours to coordinating research, recruiting new staff and liaising with TV/film groups and artists.
In his lecture, Mr. Bergin will look at Kilmainham Gaol from its opening in 1796 to its closing in 1924. During the years as a gaol, Kilmainham acted as a political seismograph, often recording the many different political upheavals in Ireland. His lecture will address the fate of the common man, woman and child held in Kilmainham Gaol, whose story is often overlooked, and what impact The Great Famine and Convict Transportation had on the Gaol.

Bernadette Guest

“The National Cultural Heritage of an Irish Hedgerow”

Monday, November 26 - 7:00 PM

Bernadette Guest hails from the midlands region in Ireland from North Co. Tipperary, an area of active farming land, in the River Shannon Catchment.
This lecture will illustrate how the typical field boundary of the Irish landscape can be explored to uncover the archaeological, cultural and natural heritage of Ireland. The lecture seeks to raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows by a review of their development and use through history and also as a component of the modern Irish environment and landscape.

Both lectures are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the Capital District Celtic Cultural Association and the Irish American Cultural Institute.

Brian Conway
with Brendan Dolan
Saturday, November 10

The popular Sligo fiddler, now living in NYC, will teach and showcase his talents at Celtic Hall on Saturday, November 10. Accomplished keyboard player Brendan Dolan will acompany. Be sure to bring your instrument as a seisiun is sure to follow.

Workshop - 4:00 to 6:00 - $35.00
Acoustic Concert - 7:30 - $10.00

Grada Christmas Show and Party

Tuesday, December 11 - 6:00pm

Contemporary traditional Irish group Grada brings their hugely popular Christmas Tour to Celtic Hall. The show, which has sold out venues across Europe for the past three years, features an all-star band with special guests Matt Mancuzo (on trumpet and fiddle), percussionist Dave Hingerty (of the Josh Ritter Band) and sensational young dancer Nick Gareiss. They will also be joined by local dancers from the Kelly School of Irish Dance.

Grada has an infectious, modern take on Irish music, ably led from the lead soloist Alan Doherty, whose jazz infused flute playing is an instantly recognizable part of the group’s sound. Doherty, who is himself a well known Irish comedian, is also the chief MC for the evening. Colin Farrell, who made his name recording with the band Flook, plays fiddle and whistles; Nicola Joyce, from Galway, sings, dances and also plays bodhran, guitar, whistle and fiddle. Rounding out the group is Andrew Laking on double bass, and Gerry Paul on guitar.

Special mention should be made of dancer Nick Gareiss, who has developed a modern style that utilizes different dance elements, including Sean Nos (Irish), Appelation, Jazz, and Clogging.

Grada promises many special surprises for the Christmas show, including several ‘seasonally themed’ numbers and and plenty of audience interaction that will have you in stitches laughing.

NY Gaelic Athletic Association -
Na Clairsigh

The Gaelic Athletic Association is more than a sporting organization. Although it is dedicated to promoting the games of hurling, football, handball, rounders (a game akin to baseball) and camogie (a woman's game akin to hurling), the GAA also supports activities which enrich the culture of the nation and further Gaelic ideals, including the Irish language and Irish music and dance.
Gaelic football is played by men and or women in teams of 13 or 15 players with a maximum of five substitutions permitted during a 60 or 70 minute game. The ball may be carried for up to four paces and then bounced or released to the toe, kicked, or struck with the open hand or fist, in any direction. When played by men, it may not be picked up directly from the ground. Scoring is through "H"-style goal posts with one point awarded for a score over the crossbar, and a goal worth three points awarded for a score under the crossbar. Physical contact is allowed, shoulder to shoulder, but no direct body tackling is permitted.
The players are all amateurs. Games are organized by age group levels. Players are classified as 'Juvenile' up to age 16, 'Minor' up to age 18, and 'Senior' from age 18 and over.
Our local men's football team, Na Clairsigh, is currently organizing for the upcoming 2007 season. Information is available on the team's website: www.leaguelineup.com/harps.

Albany Irish Rowing Club

In the United States, there are many rowing clubs dedicated to promoting the nautical heritage of Ireland through currach racing. Founded in 1987 and sanctioned by the North America Currach Association, the Albany Irish Rowing Club members range from 16 to 70 years of age, and regularly hold practice sessions on Saturdays mornings, 8:15 AM, at the Albany Boat Launch on Water Street, north of the Corning Preserve, from February through November.

The club is seeking new rowers. No experience necessary. Row for fun or competition. All are welcome.

For information contact Albany Irish Rowing Club, 4 Springhurst Drive, Suite 207, East Greenbush, NY 12061 or e-mail: adaird@ci.albany.ny.us. Website: www.seanmaguire.com/airc.

CDCCA Community Involvement

The Association is proud to be local sponsor of “The Thistle and Shamrock,” which airs on Sunday evenings at 7:00 on 90.3 FM WAMC Northeast Public Radio and to provide underwriting for “Proud to be Irish” Sundays at Noon on WVCR 88.3 The Saint.

♣ Bingo ♣

Bingo is held every Friday, 7:00 PM, and every Sunday afternoon, 2:00 PM, at Celtic Hall. This very successful fund raising activity is vital to the Capital District Celtic Cultural Association’s mission of supporting and preserving the Celtic culture through education, performance, athletics, community support and sponsorship programs. Bring your family & friends and join us for an afternoon or evening of fun!♣♣♣

SAVE THESE DATES

January 26 - Burns’ Night with Old Blind Dogs

March 15 - Parade Day with Greenwich Meantime

March 17 - An Evening with Lunasa

April 6 - Tartan Day w/ The Tartan Terrors (tentative)