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Irish Music & June
2021
Meitheamh
Dance Association
The mission of the Irish Music and Dance Association is to
support and promote Irish music, dance, and other
cultural traditions to insure their continuation.
www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 2
Dance Association
The IMDA Board is:
IMDA Memberships President: Julia Rogers
Vice President: Jan Casey
Treasurer: Maureen Engelhardt
The Irish Music and Dance Association wishes to thank this Secretary: Cindy Ladany
member for renewing her membership support for 2021: Board Members: Kathie Luby
Amber Ladany
Gemma Forbush
Connie Hessevick Editor: Kathie Luby
IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership.
All of our new and renewing supporting members will The Board meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at
receive the following: the Dubliner Pub, St. Paul. Members are encouraged to verify the time and
location shortly before, as meeting times and locations can change.
.
A one-year (January to December 2021) subscription to the
IMDA’s monthly email Contact Information
E-mail: info@irishmusicanddanceassociation.org
“Priority listing” for bands, organizations, pubs and
businesses in our popular on-line Community Resources Newsletter Submissions
Directory, used by people who are seeking local Irish We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, news, and notices of events
to be published in the newsletter. The deadline is the 18th of the preceding month.
musicians, bands, dancers and entertainers for Send to: editor@irishmusicanddanceassociation.org
performances, ethnic festivals, and other events.
Public recognition in a “New or Renewed Members”
section of future IMDA newsletters and in related posts to the IMDA web site and Facebook page.
Everyone is reminded that IMDA Membership is renewable in January.
Looking for the IMDA Community Calendar?
Check it out — the Calendar is filling up again!
The IMDA Community Calendar is your go-to place to find out what’s happening in Irish music, dance,
literature and cultural events in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Find it at www.imda-mn.org/calendar.
The calendar on our website is updated often – and is “searchable” for your favorite artist, venue or type of
event. Check it out – and return often!
www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 3
Dance Association
The Gaelic Corner By Will Kenny
Meitheamh is the word used for the month of "June." And you might be stumped by meánchiorcal and
But its basic meaning is "middle," as meánchrios, the "middle circle" and
in the middle month of a season. the "middle belt," unless you know
You might recall that the Celtic they are geographical terms.
calendar operates a little differently Meánchiorcal is the "equator," with
than the current one most of us use. meánchrios being the "equatorial
Summer starts May 1 (Bealtaine), region."
and autumn starts August 1 Also confusing for Americans is the
(Lúnasa). June, then, is the middle month of summer, and use of meánscoil, literally “middle school.” It is actually
was referred to as meitheamh samhraidh. In fact, the term usually used for “high school” in Irish, and a
meitheamh fómhair "middle of autumn" has been used for meánmhúinteoir, a “middle teacher,” teaches at a
September, and the old Dineen dictionary (first published secondary school.
1904) also offers meitheamh earraigh, "middle of spring"
Meán is also used to indicate the middle of a range, that
for March (spring beginning in February, of course) and
meitheamh geimhridh "middle of winter" for December is an "average" or "mean." We use the phrase ar meán to
(winter, and the new year, beginning on Samhain, the first express "on average." So meán-ard describes someone of
of November.) "average height" and the meánchostas of something is its
"average cost." But meánmheáchan, literally, "average
Over the years, however, the word meitheamh has weight," usually refers to a "middleweight" in a boxing
come to be very rarely used, especially to refer to months. match. The adjective meánúil, “middlish,” we might say, is
Meitheamh, "middle" by itself, has become the accepted used for something “moderate” or “temperate.”
name for "June." We usually say Mí an Mheithimh, “the
month of the middle,” to express “June,” while Somewhat peculiarly, Irish also has a word neamh-
Meitheamh an tSamhraidh, the “middle of summer,” is, mheán, or “un-average.” If someone has neamh-mheán
naturally, “midsummer.” Meanwhile December has taken airgid, that’s an “un-average amount of money,” meaning
on the name Nollaig (also "Christmas"), and March has a very large amount, in fact.
its own name of Márta. Meánaosta is used for "middle aged," based on aois,
On the other hand, another common word meaning "age." But that's different from being meánaoiseach, which
"middle" is still used in the name Meán Fómhair, "middle looks very much like "middle aged," but in fact refers to
of autumn," for "September." And just to keep things "the Middle Ages." It means "medieval."
interesting, Mí Mheáin an tSamhraidh, "the middle month Perhaps by extension from that "mean" concept, meán
of summer,” has also been used for “June.” But these can also refer to a "means" or "medium". We might talk
days, it is usually that Meitheamh word we hear for that about influencing young people trí mheán na healaíne, "by
month. means of the arts," or about teaching subjects "through the
Meán also comes up in other "middle" phrases, like medium of Irish," trí mheán na Gaeilge -- not teaching
meán lae ("middle of day") for "noon" or "midday," and about Irish, but teaching other subjects using Irish, as in
meán oíche ("middle of night") for "midnight." If you’re immersion education.
above the Arctic Circle late in the night at Meitheamh an And the plural of meán, na meáin, is used to refer to
tSamhraidh (midsummer), you may see the grian an "the media," as in "the press."
mheán oíche, “the midnight sun.”
There is nothing average about our passion for the
The “middle finger” of your hand is naturally an language at Gaeltacht Minnesota. Stop in at
mhéar mheáin. But it is just as likely to be called an www.gaelminn.org to learn more.
mhéar fhada, “the long finger.”
Ná mol agus ná dímhol goirtno go dtí go rachaidh an Mhí
Meán-Ghaeilge is straightforwardly "Middle Irish," Mheáin thart
then, between Old Irish and Modern Irish. Less
straightforward is the meáncheannaí, the "middle buyer," “Do not praise or dispraise crops until the middle month is
or the "middleman" in a business transaction. over,” or,“The end of June tells the fate of the crops”
www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 4 Dance Association www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 5
Dance Association
What’s on in June with Step Collective Artists:
June 9 – 30 Link
Sharing the Tradition: Irish Munnix Dance Series 2
with Jonathan Kelliher
June 15 - Aug 17 Link
Anatomy of Jigs and Reels with Danielle Enblom
The Twin Cities’ own, Danielle Enblom, has created a An online course with The Center for Irish Music
project that is creating an international platform for tradi-
tional dancers and musicians. The Step Collective brings June 19 - 20 Link
dancers, musicians, and tradition bearers from related tra- The Bad Neighbors Rhythm Project at the Gulf Coast
ditions, largely around but not limited to the North Atlan- Cruinniú. Dance workshops with Danielle Enblom
tic, together in one place to celebrate shared roots and dis-
tinct cultural practices. Step Collective traditions include June 20 – 24 Link
dance from Irish, Scottish, English, French, Cape Breton, Earful of Fiddle Music and Dance camp Instructors
Quebecois, Métis, Ottawa Valley, Appalachian, and Carib- include Jake Blount, Arnold Asham, Ruby John, No-
bean cultures. kosee Fields, Laurel Premo, Nic Gareiss and more!
June 25 - 27 Link
The Step Collective Presents: North Atlantic Tradi-
tions at the Old Songs Festival. A virtual festival based
in Upstate New York. English Clogging with Simon
Harmer, sean-nós with Emma O’Sullivan, Flatfooting with
Rodney Sutton, and body percussion with Evie Ladin.
Introducing The Bad Neighbors Rhythm Project. Bodhran
player, Anna Colliton and step dancer, Danielle Enblom
have paired up to create a first-of-its-kind collaboration to
celebrate and reimagine the rhythmic side of traditional Quebecois Jigging
music. WATCH Pierre Chartrand and Alexis Chartrand
https://youtu.be/m5nOjZ0_miU
Scottish Step Dance and Mouth Music:
Join The Bad Neighbors at the Gulf Coast Cruinniú June Sophie Stephenson and James Graham
19-20 for dance and bodhran workshops, plus performanc- https://youtu.be/oRLhgCDHDM0
es with Kevin Crawford, Joanie Madden, Liz Knowles,
Marla Fibish, Eimear Arkins at more. Link
www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 6 Dance Association www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 7
Dance Association
An Leabhragan
(The Bookcase)
That Old Country Music: Stories
Kevin Barry
DoubleDay 2020
From the author of the best-selling novel Night Boat to Tangiers, Kevin Barry's latest collection of
short stories centers around the Ox Mountains of County Sligo, a wild, dark, magic place. Eleven tales meet
at the intersection of tangled wilderness and intensely emotional inner lives. In one story we are introduced to
Seamus Ferris, a quiet young man who can't believe his luck when a Polish waitress reciprocates his love---
and still can't believe it, months into their relationship. His self-doubt and jealousy drive her away, but there
might be a chance yet... There's old Whose-Dead-McCarthy, who is quick to announce on the streets of Lim-
erick, with great relish and juicy detail, the demise of every soul who passes. But when his time comes, who
will announce his death? And there's the musicologist who tracks down a sean-nós singer at death's door, who
has one last traditional song in him, never recorded and unknown to the modern world. The scholar records
all forty-two verses of unmatched pathos and beauty, but his excitement at seizing the prize turns to apprehen-
sion as he realizes he himself is possessed by the song's story of heartbreak and betrayal.
This little book of tales weaves its spell, dark and compelling, into magic bounded by melancholy,
sex, love and yearning. Rooted in old ways and young hopes, it sings its own strange and beautiful song. Kev-
in Barry blends this darkness and beauty with a deft hand as well as any writer in Ireland today.
Sherry Ladig, Saint Paul based trad musician, is a former reviewer for the Hungry Mind Bookstore's
newsletter, Fodder. She welcomes suggestions for books of Irish or Irish-American interest to review,
or---write a review yourself!
Sherry may be reached at ladig-dunquin@msn.com.
Happy summer reading!
www.IMDA-MN.org
Irish Music & 8
Dance Association
Northwoods Songs: Irish Songs from Lumberjacks and Great Lakes Sailors
By Brian Miller
Northwoods Songs features a new song each month pulled from my research into old songs collected in the pine woods region that
stretches from New Brunswick west through northern Minnesota. In the 1800s, a vibrant culture of singing and song-making
developed in lumber camp bunkhouses and on Great Lakes ships. The repertoire and singing style were greatly influenced by Irish
folk repertoire and Irish singing styles. Many singers in the region had Irish background themselves.
Each installment of Northwoods Songs is also published online at www.evergreentrad.com. My hope is that others will learn some
of these songs and make them their own as I have. -Brian Miller
MAY MORNING
As I walked out of a May morning for to hear the birds sing sweet,
I laid my back against a little parlor door for to hear two lovers meet,
For to hear what they might say,
That I might know a little more of the play, before they went away,
That I might know a little more of the play, before they went away.
Come-a set you down upon my knee ’til I speak one word to thee,
For it’s full three quarters of a year or more since I spoke one word to thee,
For it’s full three quarters of a year or more since I spoke one word to thee.
www.IMDA-MN.orgIrish Music & 9
Dance Association
Oh I shant sit down, I won’t sit down for I have not a moment of time,
And besides you have got a true lover and your heart is no, not mine,
And besides you have got a true lover and your heart is no, not mine.
Oh it’s hard to believe what an old man says, their [unintelligible] are two tongues,
But much less to believe what a young man says, he purports on to anyone,
But much less to believe what a young man says, he purports on to anyone.
But if I was to live for a year or more and God to grant my grace,
I would buy me a bottle of dissembling water for to wash off her flattering face,
I would buy me a bottle of dissembling water for to wash off her flattering face.
This month we have a beautiful and unique variant of a well-travelled song that many will no doubt
recognize. Sometimes called “As I Roved Out” or “The False Young Man,” many versions include the “T
stands for Thomas/P stands for Paddy” verse that is missing here. The above is my own transcription based on
two recordings made in 1935 and 1942 of singer Thomas Armstrong of Mooers Forks, New York. Mooers
Forks is in the far northeastern corner of the state near Lake Champlain and just two miles from the border
with Quebec. You can hear the recording of Armstrong (the earlier recording is labeled “When Two Lovers
Meet”) via the digitized Flanders Ballad Collection on archive.org.
Armstrong’s first verse is longer than the others and after that he uses the first two lines of melody only,
repeating the second line for the repeated text.
Visit a full archive of all Northwoods Songs columns and songs online at
www.evergreentrad.com
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the
Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and
cultural heritage fund.
www.IMDA-MN.orgIrish Music & 10
Dance Association
Smidirini*
(*Irish for ‘Bits and Pieces’)
By Copper Shannon
Oh Happy Day! Dancing is coming back. We have word from the inimitable Paul McCluskey that
Irish Ceili Dancing will return to the Dubliner Pub on Wednesdays beginning June 2. This is Irish folk
dancing that everyone can do! Paul will be teaching and calling beginning at 7:00 pm and carrying on
until 9 pm. Dancing continues as the band takes the stage at 8 pm. Paul reminds us that this is “if, if, if,
if, if and only if - COVID rates keep going down! Masks will be required as long as the State of
Minnesota says so. And free gloves are available, too.”
‘There’s magic in the fiddler’s arm and there’s magic in this town. There’s magic in the dancers’ feet
and the way they put them down.’
We all remember ‘Empty chairs and the wooden floor, that feels the touch of shoes no more.’ Hopefully
that era is behind us.
More good news! Outdoor venues, including the Waldmann Biergarten, are back with the Spring
weather. By the time you read this, Danny Diamond and Brian Miller will have played the Waldmann.
And Norah Rendell and Brian Miller are scheduled for Thursday, June 3. Be sure to check out the
IMDA Community Calendar – updated throughout the month – for all the “goings on.”
Buíochas le Dia. (Thanks be to God.) – The Dubliner Pub’s weekly Irish Traditional music session
returned Friday, 28th of May from 6-8 pm in the main bar. The return to normality continues....
Comhghairdeas le (Congratulations to) Cormac and Natalie O’Shea and everyone at the Celtic
Junction Arts Center on the inauguration of their new outdoor stage! Thanks in part to a grant from the
Creative Enterprise Zone Neighborhood STAR loan and grant program and some skilled CJAC
community members, our new outdoor stage was ready for a Scottish Ceilidh with the Gunn Slingers
and for a concert with The Wild Colonial Bhoys in April and May. There are more great things planned
during the summer, including a concert as part of the Center for Irish Music’s Minnesota Irish Music
Weekend.
Comhghairdeas léi (Congratulations) and Best Wishes! to Adrienne O’Shea who has been accepted as
one of 30 US Fellows aged between 20-34 years old as part of the Washington Ireland Program (WIP).
(WIP invests in emerging student leaders from Ireland & Northern Ireland who are passionate about
creating a peaceful and prosperous future.) This is a new initiative that focuses on future Irish American
leaders, providing a platform that connects new voices, builds leadership capacity, and generates ideas
for shaping the future of Irish America. As an artist, Adrienne has been assigned to their Cultural
Committee.
www.IMDA-MN.orgIrish Music & 11
Dance Association
June 18, 7-9:00 pm CDT via Zoom webinar. Free!
Join Dr. Tes Slominski for a discussion of her groundbreaking new book Trad Nation: Gender, Sexu-
ality, and Race in Irish Traditional Music followed by a panel discussion with LGBTQ musicians and dancers
from across the US Irish trad community. Panelists include Brett Lipshutz, flute (Milwaukee, WI); Alicia
Guinn, dance (Seattle, WA); Augie Fairchild, flute (Charlottesville, VA); and Armand Aromin, fiddle and
song (Providence, RI).
Register here.
Dr. Slominski is a music and sound scholar and a fiddle player in the Irish tradition. She founded the
still-thriving Blue Ridge Irish Music School in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1999, and taught ethnomusicology
at Beloit College from 2012 until 2019. Currently, she is Co-Editor-in-Chief, Grove Music Online Gender/
Sexuality Revision, Oxford University Press.
This webinar is presented by the Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) and the Center for Irish Music
(CIM). This event is part of CJAC’s ongoing Social Justice Seminars and is supported by the Consul General
of the Midwest.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mGxwCB60S9aigrUD9eCY6Q
Order a copy of Trad Nation: Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Irish Traditional Music from the inde-
pendent bookstore, Next Chapter Booksellers (651-225-8989) in St. Paul and use the discount code TRAD10
for 10% off a paperback copy! The discount will be valid through June 21, 2021.
Additional Link:
Trad Nation: An Author Talk and Panel Discussion with LGBTQ Musicians and Dancers
www.IMDA-MN.orgIrish Music & 12
Dance Association
Ceili Corner By Bhloscaidh O’Keane
Check www.lomamor.org for all up-to-date Irish folk dancing information.
IMDA Membership
Demonstrate your support of live Irish music, dance and cultural activities by becoming a member of the
Irish Music and Dance Association. Become a supporting member by making a financial contribution.
Member bands, businesses and organizations receive priority listing in the IMDA Community Resources List.
All IMDA members receive the newsletter by e-mail.
Name: Today’s Date:
Address: Where did you hear about us?
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Individual $20 ______ Family $25 ______ by US Mail $35 ______
Band/Organization/Business $25 ______ Name ____________________________________________________
(Name of Band/Organization/Business)
Interests (circle all that apply)
Music Dance Theatre Language Volunteer
E-mail Address: __________________________________________ Phone Number: __________________________
Your monthly newsletter is delivered electronically via e-mail. Please advise us at
info@IrishMusicandDanceAssociation.org if your e-mail address changes .
Supporting members who contribute at least $35 annually may receive their newsletter by U S Mail.
___ Request US Mail
Revised 11/201
Tear out the above form and send it with a check made out to “IMDA” to: The IMDA Membership Coordinator c/o Jan Casey
400 Macalester St.
St. Paul, MN 55105
Or visit the IMDA website (www.imda.org) to pay electronically.
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