NACHS
Newsletter
The
Web
Address: www.nachs.info
February 2007
Celtic Triad ... Three things never seen: a blade's
edge, wind, and love.
Deadline
to Purchase Tickets Extended Until Tuesday, February 6 for:
Tea with Diana
Gabaldon: February 10
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! Our traditional afternoon tea,
will include sandwiches, scones and sweets.
When: February 10,
Where: Thornager’s on
Tickets: $25.
HAT CONTEST: Wear your “best” hat and you may win a prize!
This is a
On Saturday & Sunday, February 24th & 25th, the Arizona
Scottish community and about 15,000 of their closest friends from the four
comers of the world will gather at
The event is comprised of many things: World-class
athletic competitions, Highland Dance, Reenactment presentations, Clans, Food,
Live music, Bagpipe & Drum bands from all over the globe and lots of fun
for the wee lads & lassies.
Have you ever seen a big burley man in a kilt toss a
telephone-pole-like caber? Did you know that the origination of pipe bands
comprised of pipers, side drummers, a bass drummer and
occasionally a tenor drummer occurred sometime after the battle of
Join the Caledonian Society of
For more info, go to www.arizonascots.com or contact Jackie Carro at 480/839-1445.
St. David’s Day (March 1) and St. Piran’s
Day (March 5) Celebration
In
celebration of these two Celtic holidays, Welsh and Cornish respectively, NACHS
is presenting a special,
FREE presentation for everyone to enjoy:
What: Screening of the film
“Saving Grace”. This comedy, set in
When: March 4 at 2:00 PM
Where: Charly’s at the
Weatherford Hotel,
Traditional Welsh
treats will be served, and everyone is welcome.
For more information,
please contact Jude McKenzie, 928.556.3161
Cathy Ryan Band to perform in
The Cathie Ryan
Band is making its
The Cathie Ryan
Band will perform at the Cline Library Auditorium, Saturday, March 10, at
From the Irish
Cultural Center
EXHIBIT OF WORLD-RENOWNED BRIAN P. BURNS COLLECTION OF IRISH
PAINTINGS
Opening Night Gala to benefit Irish Cultural Center Library
Project
With an estimated 450,000 Irish and counting living in
Proceeds from the event will benefit the
The Brian P. Burns Collection of Irish Paintings features works of
mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century Irish art by Willian
Orpen, Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Walter Osbourne and more. Additionally, the John J. Burns Library
at
COLLEEN PAGEANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The 24th Annual Arizona Colleen Pageant will be
held February 17, at
REALTA COMING TO
Brian Dunphy, former lead tenor of Riverdance, teams with the amazing Irish Divas, the Emerald
Isle Orchestra and the dazzling Celtic violin troupe,
The Fiddlin’ Colleens for an evening of folk tunes,
classics and contemporary selections of music from
CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE IRISH ROVERS
In a rollicking, rousing performance of good cheer, the Irish
Rovers will have you singing and clapping along to their hit “The Unicorn” and
more. As international ambassadors of Irish music, they have charmed and
entertained people around the world and continue to delight audiences with
their exciting stage shows. They will perform Saturday, March 24,
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.
Unique
For a truly unique tour of
Three tours are planned for the summer of 2007: Heroes and History
Tour (8 days); Sacred Sites Tour (10 days); and the
Whisky Heritage Tour (9 days). Tours require a minimum of 8 people and are
limited to a maximum of 14 people to assure an intimate experience and greater
interaction with your tour hosts, archaeologists and Scotland enthusiasts Dawn
Clare (author of *Journey Into the Past: A Scotland Tale*) and David Greenwald.
Each tour promises to be an unforgettable adventure, visiting
places of historic significance, archaeological and sacred sites, and other
points of interest - truly educational, entertaining, and inspirational
adventures.
All tours include travel in a modern coach; three or four star
accommodations; breakfast each morning; most dinners; entrance fees to events,
monuments, and other scheduled destinations; ferry charges (if applicable);
guide services; and of course, the scenic beauty of Scotland. Tours are filled
with information about the prehistory and history of
Tour itineraries and details are available upon request at
505/585-4552, or by download at www.dawnclare.com/ScotlandTours.
Dawn Clare Journeys offers tours of exceptional value for small
groups, with plenty of personalized attention. Customized tours are also
available. All bookings for 2007 tours must be completed
by February 28 to assure the best accommodations, so book early.
2007 TOURS INCLUDE...
10 days (July 6 to July 15) - Cost: $3500
SCOTTISH HERITAGE TOUR: HEROES AND HISTORY
8 days (Aug 2 to Aug 9) - Cost: $3550
SCOTTISH WHISKY HERITAGE TOUR:
9 days (Aug 30 to Sept 7) - Cost: $3500
FFOTM to host WinterFest Contra Dance
There will be a Special Winterfest
Contra Dance sponsored by the Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music on
Saturday, February 3rdm at Ashurst Hall on the Northern
Arizona University Campus. The dance will run from
Suggested Donation is $5 for FFOTM Members and $6 for non-members.
All ages and all skills are welcome. Dances will
be taught so beginners can have fun right from the start! Every dance
has a caller to guide you with live string band music by
Library Nook
by Todd Barnell
Saxons, Vikings and Celts: The
Genetic Roots of
by Bryan Sykes, 2006 (Library Number 599.93509 S983s)
While perusing the new book section of the Flagstaff City-Coconino County
Public Library, I came across a slim volume in the science section. The title
was enough to make me stop for a moment, but when I noticed the author's name,
I was hooked and reeled in.
Bryan Sykes is a professor of human genetics at
One of the first things that struck me about this book is that it
is part travelogue and part scientific mystery. Professor Sykes spins an
exciting story that introduces the reader to the basics of genetics (don't panic - this has definitely been written for the
layperson!) and provides a genetic tour of the British Isles and
Some of the chapters in this book include:
·
"Who Do We Think We Are?": A fascinating examination of
how mythology can often aid scientific inquiry, as well as a new look at the
Arthurian stories and how they shed light on some of the genetic strands found
in the Isles.
·
"The Resurgent Celts": A fun look at the Celtic genetic
history of the Isles - be warned, a couple of sacred cows get
knocked around!
·
"The Skull Snatchers": A rather
chilling account of some early research into ancestry, as well as some
cautionary tales of how genetic research has been abused for political ends.
·
"The DNA of Ireland", "The
DNA of Scotland" and "The DNA of Wales": Each of these chapters
delves into more detail about the genetic foundations and history of these
lands.
·
"The Blood of the Isles": An excellent summary of his
findings and what they mean for those interested in their heritage.
Professor Sykes offers a unique, and intriguing, examination of the
many overlapping tribes that populate the British Isles and
This book was published in the
Note: Most people know that NACHS runs at outstanding scholarship program which provides financial assistance to people
interested in delving deeper into their Celtic roots, whether that is through
learning a new musical instrument, investigating a Celtic language, mastering a
dance style, and so on. What many do not know is that our Society also donates
a substantial number of books, videos, and DVDs to our local library. If you
have a suggestion for materials you feel should be donated, please send your
suggestion to NACHS.
NACHS meetings
continue at substitute location
Because the Adult Center is still under construction the monthly
meetings for January and February will continue to be held on the first
Tuesdays from 6-8pm at the McPherson Therapeutic Recreation Center located at
McPherson Park, 1650 N. Turquoise, Flagstaff, by the ice rink. The building is
between the playground and the tennis courts - park on the left side of the ice
rink to access the building. We’ll keep you posted about the location for the March
meeting!
Celtic Music radio program
on KJZA 89.5 FM
- Hosted by NACH's own David McNabb
- Live on Saturdays,
- Broadcast repeated on Sundays,
Directory of Celtic Arts
For Lessons:
|
Bagpipe, |
Denise Robinson: 928.443.5191 |
|
Bagpipe and Drums, |
Jim Thomson: 928.522.8797 |
|
Bodhran |
Ron Barton: 928.774.7261 |
|
Fiddle |
Kari Barton: 928.600.1365 |
|
Harp |
Laurie Riley: 928.204.0013 |
|
|
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 |
Note: It’s Time for
Membership Renewal
Please go to the website, www.nachs.info. You can download, print, fill
in the membership form, then mail it, along with your
check, to NACHS,