February and Spring is Creeping Back

I have seen daffodil leaves poking up out of the ground and we even had a couple days that felt like spring was in the air.  We have also had snow and ice covered windows in the morning, too.  But here in Ireland, St. Brigid's Day (Feb 1st) marks the first day of spring, so I'm going with it!

Last night I brought my fiddle to the session at The Roadside (because Paul Dooley and Terry Bingham were getting fed up with me *not* bringing it) and I did the best I could.  It's hard work as you all know and can imagine, but I played on several tunes and Paul got a kick out of my piece of paper with the 'confident' sets written down on.  "What's on the menu?" he joked.  The guys are very kind to me.  And more harp related, Paul started messing around with a piece that turned out to be O'Carolan's Mr. O'Connor which I'd not heard before.  He asked if I played it and you can bet it'll now be on my 'to learn' list!

I also have a 'date' to play in the session on Friday next week as the man who runs that one knew I played from the way I was intently listening every time.  So thanks to Colin the box player I'll be playing on Friday next week.  He said the only way to really get the tunes up to speed is to just jump in, it's the best way.  He suggested I talk to Paul about fiddle lessons which has occurred to me....

So I am realizing my new year's resolutions but I've got to keep pushing.  I am out of my comfort zone for sure, but Abiola Abrams (look her up on youtube ladies!) says the only way to realize your dreams and goals is to get comfortable with being UNcomfortable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB8Wonny5fs

That's a youtube of  Paul Dooley on harp, the link doesn't work so you'll have to cut and paste it into browser.

Pilgrimage to Janet Harbison's Irish Harp Cente! 
My friend Fiana, who studied under Janet and teaches at the harp centre picked me up at the bus station in Limerick and we spent the day and evening together.  I re-connected with Janet and met another harp friend, Patti who is from Texas but now lives in Cork.

In the evening Fiana and I went to a session in Castleconnell and she brought her harp.  I attempted a set but had some issues as her harp is so different to mine and the chairs were far to high for the harp.  That didn't cause Fiana any trouble at all of course as she is an absolutely brilliant harpist.  The next time I go down there I am going to have a proper lesson with Fiana and maybe Janet as well!

Harp night at the Roadside Tavern
It was a night of harp coincidences at the Roadside on Saturday!  First of all I brought my fiddle and felt really confident, played on loads of tunes.  The really fun thing though was that two young guys from County Derry showed up.  One a fantastic banjo player, the other a harpist!  Now this is the first time I have seen a harp at the Roadside!  The harp he had was the Janet by Camac in Walnut which is what I would love to have!  I practically jumped on the guy I was so excited!  There was also a young woman there who was a classical harpist and we both tried the harp out.  I played Cooley's Hornpipe and Paul Dooley played along with me on fiddle.  At the end of the night he had a go on the harp, too.
It was so much fun, we were all there til past one in the morning!

Two upcoming gigs 
One is definite, at the beginning of March with two of the owners of Boghill, Sonja (fiddle) and John (guitar).  The other is a strong possibility!  It's a little festival down in a tiny village on the coast in West Cork.  Now, I just need somebody to do it with and that somebody has to have a car.  I am making friends here all of the time so it could happen....