A community-wide open house featuring sessions, workshops in music and dance, song circle, Irish conversation group, potluck, gift exchange, and céilí mór (called dance)
Highlights of this rambling house event include a family ceili dance for parents and children, and a conversation circle with song and storytelling. Plus the usual tune playing, potluck supper, and the big ceili dance.
3:00pm – 8:30pm, Waverly UCC Church, 3300 SE Woodward, Portland, OR.
Suggested donation $5 members, $10 non-members.
Featured Activities
Family Ceili - 4-5 p.m. Cultural Block
This new event is an opportunity for the very youngest branch members and a parent to learn some simple dances, songs, and stories and then cap it off the with the "joy of the Maypole for all to join in" all accompanied by live music. This event is being run by Janet Trygstad, Maldon Meehan, and Dylan Wilde and promises to be a great time for everyone! If you have children and would like to introduce them to Irish culture in a fun and exciting way, please plan to join us!
Tune Sessions - (3-4 p.m. welcoming session; 4-5 p.m. open session; 4-5 p.m. slow players session; 6-8:30 p.m. final session)
When you arrive, if you are a tune player you can jump right into the welcoming session which runs from 3-5 p.m. Then with a quick relocation (to make room for the family ceili) the session continues until 5 p.m. when supper begins. At 6 p.m., the tunes start up again, with a final session that continues continue until 8:30. These are trad Irish sessions, with tunes coming from the traditional Irish repertoire. There might be an occasional song too.
Song Circle - 4-5 p.m. Cultural Block
An opportunity to raise your voice in song. Bring a song to share or just sing along. Led by Kevin Grgurich.
Ciorcal Comhrá (Conversation Circle) - 4-5 p.m. Cultural Block
Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn: Bealtaine in Song, Sayings, and Stories. Featuring Will Hornyak, Storyteller. Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn (We Brought the Summer with Us) is a traditional song of celebration at Bealtaine. Come learn or practice some Gaeilge (Irish language) as we explore folklore and traditions. Open to all - no knowledge of Irish language required.
A soulful storyteller, creative teacher and dynamic performer, Will Hornyak weaves world myths, local tall tales and original creations into unique, well-crafted and engaging performances, workshops and keynotes. — [Will Hornyak’s website]
Ceili Mor (Big Dance) - 6-8:30 p.m., after supper
When supper is finished, the dancing starts again. No experience? No problem. The first half hour is an introductory dance lesson to get you started. The dancing is accompanied by live musicians, with a caller calling out the dance figures. This is a friendly community dance, with dancers often ranging in age from 8 to 80. No partner is required. Musicians: Teresa Baker, Geraldine Murray & friends. Callers: Mary Lowes and Nancy Jarrell.
Schedule
3:00-4:00pm Welcoming Session - trad Irish tunes, moderate tempo
4:00-5:00pm Cultural Block
You have a choice of several activities during the “Cultural Block” hour. See “Featured Activities” (above) for details.
Ciorcal Comhrá (Conversation Circle) Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn: Bealtaine in Song, Sayings, and Stories. Featuring Will Hornyak, Storyteller.
Family Ceili - a parent & child dance event, with instruction and live music.
Slow tune session - trad Irish tunes, slow tempo
Open tune session - trad Irish tunes, mixed tempos
Song Circle - led by Kevin Grgurich
5:00-6:00pm - Potluck supper (sign up below to bring a dish to share)
All evening - Tuarastal (gift giving table — Bring Irish-related books, tutorials, music collections, albums, DVDs, and the like to re-home in the community. See something you like? Take it as a gift.)
6:00-8:30 - Final tune session - trad Irish tunes, mixed tempos
6:00-6:80 - Ceili Mor (big dance) - Introductory dance lesson 6-6:30; dance 6:30-8:30
8:30-9:00 - All hands clean up
We Need Your Help
Sign up for the potluck: potluck signup
Sign up to help with the set up and running: volunteer signup
Help with the cleanup (everybody, 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.)