Irish Cultural Day, November 5, 2023

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Want to learn an instrument?
Step dance? Sing?

Join us for an afternoon of free workshops in Irish music, dance, and culture, led by members of the Rochester Irish community. This event, which ran for 18 years at Nazareth and St. John Fisher Universities, has moved a mile down the street to East Rochester High School!

The Tom Finucane Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is excited to partner with ERSD's Roisin Dubh ensemble to make the event happen again in 2023.

Location

East Rochester High School
200 Woodbine Ave
East Rochester, NY 14445
Assemble near the auditorium, and disperse to classrooms at 12:30.
Class Schedule
The schedule of workshops below is tentative -- all classes and times subject to change. Our instructors are volunteers, and we're SO grateful for their help!

Gathering by the High School Auditorium (12:00-12:30)
Straight ahead from the school entrance, can't miss it. We'll post final room numbers and class listings there! Bring snacks if you like.

Workshop Section A: 12:30-1:30
  • Anglo Concertina (all levels*) with Ben Goehring, Room 533
  • Tin Whistle (level 1) with John Michael Ryan, Room 535
  • Fiddle (level 2) with Ella Powers, Room 554
  • Fiddle Beginner Basics (level 1) with Henry Smith, HS Library
  • Tenor Banjo and Mandolin (level 1) with Jared Jones, Room 537
  • Guitar Accompaniment (all levels) with Scott Smith, Room 539
  • Singing Session with Elizabeth Ahern, Room 559
  • Old-Style (Seán-Nos) Step Dance (all levels) with Kathy Whitfield, Auditorium Stage

Workshop Section B: 1:45-2:45
  • Button Accordion (all levels) with John Michael Ryan, Room 533
  • Tin Whistle (all levels) with Jean Smith and Peri Malone, Room 535
  • Fiddle (level 2) with Billy Henrie, Room 554
  • Fiddle Beginner Tunes (level 1) with Henry Smith, HS Library
  • Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, and Guitar Melody (level 2) with Ben Hockenberry (handouts t/m and g), Room 537
  • Irish Language Song (all levels) with Brian Clancy and Mary Lester, Room 559
  • Irish Social Dance (all levels) with Kathy Whitfield, Auditorium Stage

Workshop Section C: 3:00-4:00
  • Bouzouki Accompaniment (all levels) with Scott Smith, Room 533
  • Irish Flute (all levels) with Jean Smith, Room 535
  • Fiddle (level 2)​ with Ben Goehring, Room 554
  • Bodhrán (Irish Drum) (all levels) with Jess Kamens, HS Library
  • Irish Song with Adie Maher-Henrie, Room 559
  • Variation and Ornamentation, Mixed Instruments (level 2) with Ben Hockenberry (handout), Room 537
  • Irish Set Dance (all levels) with Colleen Mahoney and Becky Farrell-Ferrigno, Auditorium Stage
Roisin Dubh Feature, Session, and Dancing at 4:00 at the Auditorium
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* Levels:
  • "Level 1" classes are intended for people newer to an instrument. You may have some experience, but never played Irish tunes. If you have no experience whatsoever with an instrument, listen for a bit and feel it out!
  • "Level 2" classes are intended for people who know some tunes on their instrument, and are interested in expanding your repertoire of tunes, techniques, and styles. All are welcome to listen!
  • "All levels" classes are for a mix of beginners and more experienced folks. Instructors will likely gauge the playing of each person in the room and adapt accordingly.
For all classes, you're expected to bring your own instrument. While instructors may have one or more extra instruments to let new players try, it's not a guarantee!