NACHS Newsletter

NACHS Newsletter

The Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society

December 2006

Celtic Triad ... Three things without which there can be nothing good: truth; peace; and generosity.

Election Time!

Don't miss the next Celtic Society meeting on Dec 5 - it's election time again and time to cast your vote for the 2007 officers! The meeting will be at the McPherson Therapeutic Rec. Center on Turquoise (right by the ice skating rink) at 6pm

A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout

UApresents will present two shows of *A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout* at 2pm and 7:30pm on Tues, Dec 19th, at UA Centennial Hall, Tucson. From the haunting call of the Highlands bagpipes to the festive Gaelic melodies of Scotland, the holidays ring forth a Celtic shade.

A Scottish Christmas toasts the season with a delightful troupe of lively musicians led by the virtuosic fiddling of Bonnie Rideout, the first woman to hold the national Scottish fiddle title. A fanciful concert of fiddle, uillean pipes, harp, guitar, traditional dance, and stirring chorus enlivens traditional Scottish carols, wassail tunes, and hymns for an elegant Christmas prelude.

Tickets: $15, $29, $37 - senior and military discounts available. Tickets by phone: 520-621-3341; TTY: 520-626-3980

A Blast from the Past... literally!

The Scotsman-Edinburgh Wednesday, September 1, 1937...

Bagpipes as "A Noisy Instrument"

Magistrate's Ruling on playing them in a London street

Sir Rollo Graham Campbell, a Scotsman and Chief Magistrate of the Public Courts of the Metropolis, ruled at Bow Street Police Court, London, yesterday, that the bagpipes, when played in Regent Street, constitute "a noisy instrument." He imposed a fine if 5s (5 shillings), with the alternative of one day's imprisonment on James Melrose (37), musician, Glendown House, Hackney, on a charge of playing a noisy instrument for the purpose of obtaining alms.

Melrose-If the bagpipes are a noisy instrument, what about a piano, accordion and wireless sets in shop doorways? We seem to be the only ones pulled up for noisy instruments.

Sir Rollo Campbell-The bagpipes, played in the street might be a noisy instrument when they would not be if played on your native heath.

An Irish Toast for Christmas

May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten

Burns Supper Scheduled

Mark your calendars for the annual Burns Supper! The Burns supper will be Feb 3rd, 6pm, at The Kilted Cat. Tickets will be on sale after the first of the new year at Arizona Music Pro or by calling Jude McKenzie at 928-556-3161. Adults: $30, kids 12 and under: $15. More details and a flyer will follow.

Tea with Diana Gabaldon

It's time again for Tea with Diana Gabaldon! Diana has graciously agreed to have tea with us and do reading and book signing. This year we will give her more time than ever to read and talk to the guests! The tea will be held at The Kilted Cat on Feb 10. Tickets will be available at Arizona Music Pro and from Jude McKenzie 928-556-3161. More details and a flyer to follow.

The Chieftains to perform in Arizona

The Chieftains will be performing at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd on the UA campus in Tucson. Perhaps, there is no greater joy than an evening with the beloved group, The Chieftains. The spirit and soul of Ireland, The Chieftains are the most enduring and influential force in keeping the Celtic musical legacy alive. Dazzling audiences for more than 40 years, this wily ensemble never fails to charm and surprise. Tickets: $59, $49, $36, $21 - Senior, Group & Military discounts available. For tickets, call 520-621-3341 or go to www.uapresents.org .

Christmas Prayers at Grandma's

Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying

at the top of his lungs.

"I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE ... I PRAY FOR A NEW XBOX ... I

PRAY FOR A NEW DVD-PLAYER ..."

His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."

To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

Wanted: Pipers and Drummers

Interested in learning to play bagpipes and belonging to a small local pipe band? Call us! All levels of skill welcome and lessons are free!

Jim Thomson 928-522-8797.

Celtic Music radio program on KJZA 89.5 FM

- Hosted by NACH's own David McNabb

- Live on Saturdays, 6-7 pm

- Broadcast repeated on Sundays, 1-2 pm

Directory of Celtic Arts

For Lessons:

Bagpipe, Prescott	Denise Robinson: 928.443.5191
Bagpipe and Drums, Flagstaff	Jim Thomson: 928.522.8797
Bodhran	Ron Barton: 928.774.7261
Fiddle	Kari Barton: 928.600.1365
Harp	Laurie Riley: 928.204.0013
Highland Dance	Jim Thomson: 928.522.8797
Irish Dance	Sharon Judd: 602.253.1978

For Performance and Music:

AZ Highlanders Pipe Band, or to hire bagpipers	Jim Thomson: 928.522.8797
Bagpiping in Cottonwood/Verde Valley area	Lloyd McCaffery: 928.634.3672
The Knockabouts	John McGregor: 928.863.0188
Celtic Harp	Laurie Riley: 928.204.0013
Wild Thyme	Sherri Bermeister: 928.636.1207

From the Irish Cultural Center

A Piping Weekend!

Fans of Celtic music will have a rare opportunity to hear solo bagpipers from all over Arizona and the Southwest perform at the Center on Sunday morning, December 10. The competition, sponsored by the Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band, crowns a weekend of bagpipe activities.

Iain Macey, one of the world*s top competitive pipers, will give lessons in Piobaireachd , the classical music of the bagpipe, on Saturday, December 9. Macey has studied piping with some of the preeminent players in Scotland and has won many of the top prizes available in the piping world. Pre-registration is required for piping lessons, and visitors are welcome.

The public is invited to the solo piping contest from 9 am to 1 pm on Sunday, December 10. Admission is $5. There will be vendor booths, plus food and beverages available for sale. Visitors can also take a tour of the Center, featuring the Book of Kells museum. For more info, call Pipe Major Leonard Wood at 602-274-8081 or visit www.phoenixscottish.com.

Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at the ICC

Once again preparations are underway at the Irish Cultural Center for the annual celebration of the mid-winter Solstice Thursday, December 21. The occasion now as in ancient times marks the longest night of the year. For people living in Ireland, this could mean having darkness for as many as seventeen hours. So it is understandable why the first farmers who arrived Ireland over 5,000 years ago, so eagerly awaited evidence from within the passage tomb called Newgrange, in county Meath, for signs that the sun had started to return from it's annual southern migration. The penetration of light from the rising sun into the central chamber at Newgrange on December 21 had great ceremonial significance for the Irish and others in pre-historic times, in addition to serving as a precise celestial clock for those early farmers.

Songs and poetry illuminate the longest night of the year. The vigil fire illuminates the monument, An Gorta Mor. We proceed to the Ribbon Trees and honor those no longer here to enjoy the fruits of life. By placing ribbons on the branches of this special tree(s), those dearest to us, but who are no longer here, can rest in knowing that their passing and suffering will long be remembered by those of us who care. Afterwards, the firelight guides us to the Great Hall where we feast and enjoy the music of our heritage.

To help raise funds and food for the needy, we will be placing ribbons on the "Ribbon Tree" being introduced for the first time this year. Also, those wishing to drop off non-perishable food items at the Irish Cultural Center may do so between now and the Solstice event on the evening of December 21st .

This year, the Irish Cultural Center welcomes Grove of the Rising Phoenix, a *r nDra*ocht F*in (ADF) affiliate located in Arizona. They will present a Winter Solstice ceremony celebrating the return of the light.

The event begins at 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. Admission is $5 per person, $10 per person with dinner. Ribbon donation is $1. Due to the popularity of this event, seating is limited, RSVPs before December 17 are necessary. Unfortunately, walk-ins for dinner cannot be accepted.

For further information, please call 602-258-0109 or check www.azirish.org/newsletter.