November Slow Session Wednesday, Nov. 16

Let's Squirrel Away Some Tunes!

The leaves are down...time to make plans for winter!

It's time to start thinking about how we'll spend those long winter nights - what better way than to play tunes! Join me tomorrow for a review of the tunes for the 2016 Fall semester, and maybe a few out of our hats, if we feel so inclined!

So, slow session at Old Songs in Voorheesville, NY at 7 PM on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. $4 for heat/lights/copies. Join me for tunes!

Now, read on for other news...

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Conradh na Gaeilge

I'd like to invite my slow session friends to join in a celebration of Irish culture on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 3 PM at the Celtic Hall (430 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205) for the official launch of a new chapter of Conradh na Gaeilge. I am hoping to organize a slow session at the event for that day - I'll keep you posted on developments!

This message from the membership of this new branch: 

"We Capital District students of Irish, who meet at Celtic Hall in Colonie, NY, are excited to announce the Official Launch of a new branch of Conradh na Gaeilge to promote Irish language learning in our region.  Our new branch, supported by Capital District Celtic Cultural Association, is called Cumar an Dá Uisce, which means "Meeting of the Two Waters," to honor our location where the Mohawk and Hudson rivers meet, but also to celebrate the confluence of Irish and American history and culture in our region.  

To celebrate the Official Launch, we will be honored with a visit by Cuan O’ Seireadáin, Conradh na Gaeilge representative from Ireland, to conduct a Community Engagement Workshop about growing Irish language culture.  The event will take place at Celtic Hall on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 3pm.

The workshop is geared toward Irish cultural groups in the region with a focus on:

• Publicity: how to use social media and local media to promote the Irish language
• Education: how to arrange Irish classes, find teachers, and find teaching resources.
• Funding: How to fund and form Irish centers and how to run Irish language events.
• Social Events: How to organize Irish language activities/events, such as 1. Family Fun Days 2. Conversation circles 3. Keynote Speakers and Academic Conferences 4. Sports Clubs such as GAA, through Irish language 5. Irish Language Radio Programs 6. Irish Language Events in Ireland
• Advocacy: How to run a campaign for Irish language rights 
• Irish language scheme: How to ensure continuous growth and development for local Irish language users. 

Of course, our focus is on promotion of the language, but this workshop will be useful for other types of cultural organizations, and therefore we extend an invitation to regional members of AOH, CCE and other Irish cultural groups to attend the event.  If you would be interested in contributing to the event with a musical session or hospitality, we would be delighted to talk to you about how to involve your group in the event."

Feel free to contact John Conway directly or reach out to me and I will put you in touch with John.