Fáilte, 

Fall is here on the beautiful North Coast.  September, or Meán Fómhair (middle of autumn) as it’s known in gaelic, is a time of harvest.  The autumnal equinox was known as Mabon by the pre-christian sects and was also called Alban Elfed by our pre-Paddy neo-druidic ancestors.  To the druids, this holiday was a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.  To Cleveland sports fans, it’s a time of hunger and depression as the Indians miss the playoffs yet again and the Brownies are 0-3.  I wonder how to say “Wait until next year” in gaelic?

 Hope you caught some of the bands that came through Cleveland since the last update.  The Saw Doctors, Gaelic Storm, Great Big Sea, Beoga, and The Town Pants all put on great shows in the past month.  Kinda slow now with many bands taking a break or touring outside the USA.  Only two new bands coming through this month:

-          Cara (trad band from Germany) @ PJ McIntyre’s on Thur. September 25^th

-          Flatfoot 56 at the Grog Shop on Wed. October 1^st, opening for The Street Dogs.

 No idea what Cara sounds like except what I picked up from their website at http://www.caramusic.com/ but if you check out the different instruments that they play (fiddle, viola, button accordion, flutes, piano, guitar, uilleann  pipes, concertina, bodhrán, piano, and piano accordion) I’m sure it will be worth the drive to Kamm’s.  At the other end of the spectrum is Flatfoot 56, an Irish-punk band out of the Chicago area making their first local appearance.  They will be warming up for The Street Dogs (singer Mike McColgan was a founding member of the Dropkick Murphy’s) and Time Again.  Show starts at 6:30 with another band Labor Force kicking it off, so get there early or you might just miss Flatfoot 56.

 Also, Detroit’s The Kreelers will be playing at PJ Mac’s this Friday.  Looking ahead, two other national acts will be coming in November and December:

     -          The Prodigals return to The Beachland November 26^th

-          Cherish the Ladies play at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Heritage Series concert on December 18^th at the Happy Days Visitor Center on Rt. 303.

Local bands:

 Here is a list of most of the local Irish bands.  Check the calendar to see when they’re playing or visit their websites for additional shows.  If I’m missing your favorite local band, send me a message and I’ll add ‘em to the list.

http://www.pitchthepeat.com/

http://www.brigidscross.com/

http://www.thenewbarleycorn.com/

http://www.mossymoran.com/

http://www.myspace.com/theportersharks

http://www.thebfch.com/news.html

http://patshepard.com/

Local Irish Bars that feature Irish music:

Finally had a chance to visit Sully’s in Medina, one block north of the square on West Liberty.  Nice place, good food, great Guinness, and owner John Sullivan is trying to bring in local and regional Irish bands on the weekends.  Stop in and have a pint next time you’re in Medina.

http://www.oldangletavern.com/

http://www.sullivansirishpub.net/ 

http://www.stampersgrillpub.com/

http://www.pjmcintyres.com/

http://www.the-harp.com/

http://www.maviswinkles.com/

http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

http://www.SullysMedina.com/

There you have it!  Don't forget to support your local Irish musicians, and in honor of our druid friends:  Mura gcuirfidh tú san earrach ní bhainfidh tú san fhómhar.  (If you do not sow in the spring, you will not reap in the autumn.)

And, in honor of the Browns:  Ní dhéanfach an saol capall rás d'asal.  (All the world would not make a racehorse from an ass.)

Cheers!

bernie.™    
http://www.bernieworld.net/

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