Saturday was another less-than-stellar-stomach day, and I laid low for much of it. I did venture out in the afternoon to see some outdoor stage performances for a bit. I was amazed at how much influence Michael Flatley's "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance" have affected Irish dancing. A dance stage featured youth of all ages doing his signature moves over and over, and every other piece of dancing music seemed to be from one of his productions. It was a bit bizarre, though I suppose he's somewhat responsible for a revival of interest in Irish step dancing. It's an amazingly beautiful form of dance, and awesome to watch.
I also bought a new padded, fitted case for my bodhran, so it's a bit more protected (and way more fashionable) now. It wasn't the $180 one the maker recommends, but for €18, not bad at all.
In the evening I simply watched a film on TV ("Galaxy Quest"), sipped my peppermint tea, and nursed my stomach.
Sunday it rained. And rained. And rained. And...you get the picture. I was going to do my usual breakfast of grocery-store yogurt and OJ and pastry, but the hotel's buffet breakfast seemed so civilised. It beckoned; how could I refuse? Did I mention it was raining?
In the afternoon I ventured out in search of music, but didn't find much. I did run into Kathy and Lauraileen at a restaurant, and caught up with them over a nice lunch. We parted afterwards, I went back to my hotel to pack, and then I headed out to what was billed as a "ballad session." To me that would mean that people would be sitting around sharing songs, but it was another tourist-oriented perfomer.* My last ray of hope was the Palace Bar, where two years ago I'd had a grand experience at a session there. Alas, no luck. The program was wrong again. There was a small session going on in another part of the pub, but it was very small, more of a performance, and once again, seemed very touristy. Sigh.
Another visit has come to an end. Not to put too big of a predictor on it, but it'll likely be my last solo trip. The few times I met up with friends new and old were the richest experiences. I think life is best shared with others. I'll try to be more patient and flexible when scheduling my next trip so I can travel with someone(s).
And although I will definitely visit Ireland again (so much more of it to explore!), I take comfort in the fact that the DC area actually has an amazingly active and talented trad music community. There are sessions going on nearly every night somewhere, and great connections made and to be made. You really just have to put yourself out there.
Slán!
*By the way, I realise that it may seem sort of elitist to constantly be ragging on what I term "tourist performances." I feel a need to explain. If you go into a store like Carroll's Gifts and Souvenirs, you hear "tourist" music--what every tourist expects to hear when they think of Irish music. It's the same list of 20 songs that are guaranteed to evoke "Ireland" in your mind if you hear one. It would be like hearing only "Born in the USA" and "I've got friends in low places" and The 1812 Overture wherever you went in the States. But like all musical genres, traditional music is so rich and deep and varied. Yet in so many of the performances at the Trad Fest (with the exception of the paid evening concerts), there was never an hour in which "Danny Boy" or "Raglan Road" or "Spanish Lady" wasn't played. Lovely songs, but they get old. Quickly.
I also bought a new padded, fitted case for my bodhran, so it's a bit more protected (and way more fashionable) now. It wasn't the $180 one the maker recommends, but for €18, not bad at all.
In the evening I simply watched a film on TV ("Galaxy Quest"), sipped my peppermint tea, and nursed my stomach.
Sunday it rained. And rained. And rained. And...you get the picture. I was going to do my usual breakfast of grocery-store yogurt and OJ and pastry, but the hotel's buffet breakfast seemed so civilised. It beckoned; how could I refuse? Did I mention it was raining?
In the afternoon I ventured out in search of music, but didn't find much. I did run into Kathy and Lauraileen at a restaurant, and caught up with them over a nice lunch. We parted afterwards, I went back to my hotel to pack, and then I headed out to what was billed as a "ballad session." To me that would mean that people would be sitting around sharing songs, but it was another tourist-oriented perfomer.* My last ray of hope was the Palace Bar, where two years ago I'd had a grand experience at a session there. Alas, no luck. The program was wrong again. There was a small session going on in another part of the pub, but it was very small, more of a performance, and once again, seemed very touristy. Sigh.
Another visit has come to an end. Not to put too big of a predictor on it, but it'll likely be my last solo trip. The few times I met up with friends new and old were the richest experiences. I think life is best shared with others. I'll try to be more patient and flexible when scheduling my next trip so I can travel with someone(s).
And although I will definitely visit Ireland again (so much more of it to explore!), I take comfort in the fact that the DC area actually has an amazingly active and talented trad music community. There are sessions going on nearly every night somewhere, and great connections made and to be made. You really just have to put yourself out there.
Slán!
*By the way, I realise that it may seem sort of elitist to constantly be ragging on what I term "tourist performances." I feel a need to explain. If you go into a store like Carroll's Gifts and Souvenirs, you hear "tourist" music--what every tourist expects to hear when they think of Irish music. It's the same list of 20 songs that are guaranteed to evoke "Ireland" in your mind if you hear one. It would be like hearing only "Born in the USA" and "I've got friends in low places" and The 1812 Overture wherever you went in the States. But like all musical genres, traditional music is so rich and deep and varied. Yet in so many of the performances at the Trad Fest (with the exception of the paid evening concerts), there was never an hour in which "Danny Boy" or "Raglan Road" or "Spanish Lady" wasn't played. Lovely songs, but they get old. Quickly.
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