It's time to PARRRRRR-TY!!!

Especially after having had a long difficult pregnancy! This ol' girl has plans to go out and about this weekend, and what place could be more fun than The Dublin Irish Festival this weekend? I'm so psyched, I just can't stand it!

For me, the main attraction will be to see/hear Black 47 play again! I chanced upon this phenomenal band when I was at The Ohio Renaissance Festival one weekend a few years ago, and their sound just blew me away! Not to mention, this band was really cool! They were easily approachable and easy to talk to. I HAD to... just HAD to buy a CD, and I asked which was their best album, so my first purchase was Live in New York City! I fell hard and fast for every song on that CD, and I played it over, and over, and over again -- all the way home, much to the supreme pleasure (and many happy squeals!) of my daughter and niece. We had never had such a great time, and our favorite tune (at that moment, because ALL of them are incredible!) was "The Funky Ceili"! Now, I have to say, if you ever need to experience INSTANT THRILLS and unbridled happiness, you have GOT to hear "The Reels" -- damn, that man, Joseph Mulvanerty can play those
Uilleann pipes! I dare you to sit when he plays! It just can't be done. Now, I am no dancer, by any stretch of the imagination, but when I hear him play, I am up on my feet! I just can not wait until this weekend!!!!

Ironically, I have a set of these pipes, and Dad had them made and sent over from Dublin ages ago, but I haven't picked them up to SERIOUSLY try to play them since I was 18 years old. I am so ashamed of myself. We carefully unpacked this incredibly beautiful instrument, and dad helped me to strap it on, and I began to pump the bellows, adjust the air bag, and to hold the chanter (this is a very difficult instrument to play, by the way, and one should have very long fingers!). For myself, I play the flute, penny whistle, baroque recorder, and even the oboe (also a very difficult instrument to play). I was so excited to take it for a
"test play" with a song I knew pretty well. Dad was very pleased with my first attempt, and he asked me, "Cynthia, would that be 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'? to which I replied, "No, Dad! That was 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'"... and I unstrapped the pipes and haven't touched them, seriously, since.

I stink, and I am so mad at myself. A few years ago, the last time I was at this festival, I met a pipemaker, Michael Vignoles, who patiently showed me a few tricks (he also teaches his visitors how to play the bodhran... I really need to get those pipes back out and try again!

Still, I love Celtic music, was born into it, and this is gonna be a wonderful weekend!

Larry, man, you and your band are damned fine, and I really need to sink my teeth into some Ulysses! Cheers! When the time is right, I hope to one day visit Dublin on one of your trips/tours!