THIS season's CCE seisiún programme now draws to a close with the May branch seisiún bound for Dorman's Bar and Restaurant on Friday, May 4. Previous seisiúns have all been very well attended this year with great support and participation from both locals and visitors. A call goes out to all musicians, singers and listeners to come along and continue this and finish things off on a high note. Please note that this is a change of venue from one previously advertised.
Although this is the last of the official 'first monthly' music nights until the autumn, it definitely will not mean that local instrument cases will be allowed to gather dust under beds or under stairs, nor will the local Comhaltas officers be putting their feet up until September.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Rather it is more a case of the final stages of fleadh planning and preparations now shifting up a gear with Fleadh Uladh drawing increasingly closer and the associated workload getting increasingly heavier.
Just in case anyone has missed previous dispatches, Fleadh Uladh returns to Coalisland from Sunday to Sunday, July 22-29. This year the clár has been increased even further starting on the Sunday when the Ulster Set Dancing Championships will be held in CRAIC. Events are planned for the following nights culminating in the provincial fleadh extravaganza on the weekend of Friday to Sunday, July 27-29.
The fleadh committee is working closely with the team from CRAIC who are adding their artistic experience and input to several festival events. In particular, the normal fleadh marching band parade has been upgraded and enhanced by their participation. This very colourful and memorable transformation will add a new dimension to proceedings. Other local groups and organisations in the area will be invited to participate in this pageant adding a real display of community spirit and talents. More details of the Fleadh Uladh programme will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The first branch singing seisiún was a great success with over 50 people congregated at the 'Doghouse' with some travelling from Derry, Fermanagh, Antrim, and Armagh as well as a strong contingent from within the county. The entertainment varied between song, story and verse but was constant in the quality of the performances and the enjoyment given. One very well known singer absent from the gathering was Sarah Ann O'Neill who is wished a speedy recovery.
Given the positive response to the night it is likely that further regular singing seisiúns will be added to the branch social calendar for the 2007/8 season.
There has also been positive feedback to the Irish singing workshops which will be held in CRAIC in May and June. There are a limited number of places still available and it would be advisable to book now to guarantee the remaining places. This is open to all from age seven upwards with no previous knowledge of the Irish language necessary and prospective students will not be asked to audition. Details from Alice @ 87 749009.
On a final note, the Fleadh programmes from Letterkenny were recently shown on RTE1 and quite a few familiar faces from the area graced our screens.
Tommy John Quinn's prescence in Donegal was not missed and he was seen playing in a street seisiún. Also featured was an outdoor recording of Niall Hanna (current All Ireland 12-15 Men's Singing in English Champion), which had followed a segment about his grandfather, Geordie Hanna, who had been honoured with a special evening in his memory at the Fleadh. Another grandson Ciarán, along with youth officer Álanna Campbell and branch members Bridgeen and Aileen Campbell appeared on the same programme playing with other well known young East Tyrone musicians Clodagh Holland and Michael Kerr.
Well done to all those who competed in music, song and comhrá at the recent feiseanna in Dungannon and Derry. Several children were successful and results will appear in the next bulletin. The music section in Coalisland Feis will be held on Sunday, May 27 and entries are now being taken. Fleadh Cheoil Thír Eoghain will be held in Trillick with competitions on Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. The closing date for competition entries is Saturday, May 12 and further details are available from the branch secretary at 8774 8574.
