Irish music flourishes with visiting and local musicians

May 16, 2008

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Lively dance caller Marion Rose will lead a fun-filled family ceilidh dance at Cates Hill Chapel on Saturday, May 17 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. Photo: www.marionrose.com

On Saturday, May 17, Bowen Island’s traditional Irish musicians will meet up with musicians from Vancouver, Portland and Minneapolis to recreate the original In The Heather band, for a sure to be great fun family ceilidh dance; proceeds will go toward the Tir-na-nOg drama society.  The ceilidh dance will be led by the highly talented Vancouver dance caller Marion Rose who will lead and teach dances that are accessible to all ages and experience levels.

In The Heather was formed in Vancouver in the late 1990s and was a focal point of Irish music at the Irish Heather Pub in Gastown. The band has a history of contributing their music to raise money for local communities. In 2001 the group, along with Bowen Island resident Chris Corrigan, recorded a live album to raise money for the Portland Hotel Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.   Corrigan and his family had already moved over to Bowen Island at the time of the recording, and while the Vancouver Irish scene was sad to say goodbye to one of its most beloved musicians, Chris had plans to bring the music over to the island. This is taking shape with a growing group of talented local musicians in the Irish music sessions at the Snug most Friday nights, as well as periodic performances at other Bowen venues.

This coming Saturday will be another benefit for In The Heather, but this time they are augmented by Bowen Island Irish musicians, Minneapolis guitarist Brian Miller, Portland fiddler Django Amerson, and Vancouver-based dance caller, Marion Rose.  Miller and Amerson will be making a second appearance later on Saturday evening in concert with singer and flute player , Norah Rendell (from the original In the Heather), who has recently returned from earning a master’s in traditional Irish music in Limerick, Ireland and is now touring North America.  Marion Rose will be leading the ceilidh with her fun, family-oriented dance calling.

For the past decade, Marian Rose has devoted her professional life to reviving the venerable tradition of folk and social dance through school programs, teacher workshops and community parties. Armed with a bejeweled accordion and a well-honed, theatrical teaching style, she works magic in a crowded dance hall or elementary school gym, turning everyone into confident, enthusiastic dancers in an astonishingly short period of time.

Bring your family and friends out to join us for this amazing event of musical talent and fun dancing. Marion Rose and In The Heather will be putting on this family ceilidh dance from 1 – 3:30 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel on Saturday, May 17.  Norah Rendell, Brian Miller and Django Amerson perform in the same venue later at 8 p.m.

Tickets for both events are available at Phoenix and at the door. Tickets for the ceilidh are $10 for individuals or $25 per family. All proceeds to the Tir-na-nOg building fund.

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Irish music flourishes with visiting and local musicians

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