Harp of Tara organizes a very active program in support of Irish Traditional music - a Weekly Slow Session, a Monthly Siamsa, House Concerts and Workshops, and Music Immersion Weekends

CCE Weekly Slow Session

Every Tuesday Evening, 7:00 - 9:00pm,
Ben's Pub (105 Clergy Street East at Princess)

A session (seisiún) is just a bunch of friends in a circle, playing tunes together. A 'slow' session is a session for people new to their instruments, or even for experienced musicians new to the Irish repertoire. There's a limited, easy to learn repertoire, and the tunes are played at an accessible pace.

Harp of Tara sponsors a weekly slow session, every Tuesday evening at 6:30, at Ben's pub in the winter and outside in Confederation park in the summer. The slow session welcomes people of all ages, at all levels, on all instruments. We provide a music book, and cds of the tunes played slowly. It's an excellent way for beginners to see how much fun a trad session can be and also a good place for the more experienced to pick up a tune or two. The atmosphere is friendly and the tunes are wonderful. No charge

Tune of the week - Tralee Gaol Tralee Goal - Courtesy of Brian Flynn

Here are a few tunes to get started on, in PDF format: Slow Session - A Few Tunes for Beginners

Other (non-CCE) Weekly Music Events

• 'Plastic Paddys' (Dennis Wilson and friends), play at Ben's on Monday nights
• The Kingston regular session for advanced players, every Tuesday evening at 9:00, at Ben's Pub
• The Kingston Céilí Band holds a weekly practice at Ben's on Wednesday nights

Document - “Kingston Tune Repertoire, approximately. Slow Session and Regular Session”
Kingston Tune Repertoire - A list of the Tunes played at the slow and regular sessions

Slow Session Repertoire, with ABC's - (courtesy of Randy Elzinga)

The Toronto 'Black Book' - a 'must have' for Ontario Irish musicians

Document - “PC as a home Sound Studio - ABC's, Software, Slowing down recordings.”
PC as a Sound Studio

Document - Philippe Varlet - “A Way with the Bow” Courtesy of Mr Varlet.

Irish Fiddle Styles - A Way with the Bow  - Of particular interest to fiddlers, but the section on regional styles is useful for anyone with an interest in Irish music. Posted with the kind permission of Mr Varlet, who besides being a scholar and a musician, runs a terrific mail-order record store, with only the best in Irish Music. Great record reviews even if you aren't buying.    Celtic Grooves

Some Sample Tunes
Star of Munster, slow  Star of Munster, regular speed
Foxhunter's Reel, Slow
Fahy's Jig

Siamsa

Harp of Tara also sponsors a Siamsa - a music social - every third Sunday of the month from October to May, in the very hospitable room upstairs at the Kingston Brew Pub (34 Clarence St).

The Siamsa provides an occasion for tunes, song, poetry, dancing, trying out your best ‘party piece,’ or whatever you wish to contribute. All ages, all levels, all welcome. The most family-friendly of the regular events. No charge.

If the monthly Céilí is the only event in Kingston that allows musicians an opportunity to play for dancers and for dancing to live music, the Siamsa is the main opportunity for musicians, singers, storytellers to get together for an enjoyable social.

The Calendar Listing Page has a complete listing of dates for the Monthly Siamsa

For further information, contact Jack Hickman at jack.hickman@sympatico.ca.NoSpamm

Monthly Céilí

This music is dance music. All musicians are welcome to play along with the band, while the dancers drive the beat at Harp of Tara's monthly Céilí. More info on the Kingston Céilí page.

House Concerts and Master Class Workshops

Harp of Tara also sponsors a regular series of House Concerts and Workshops with visiting Irish Musicians. Kingston had not been a stop on musical tours until we started these house concerts, which have brought some memorable moments for all involved

Check the 'Special Events' page for upcoming events

Past House Concerts and associated workshops include:

Uilleann Pipes Reed-Making Workshop, co-sponsored with local pipers
Maeve Donnelly and Steve Baughman - Fiddle and Guitar workshops
Diorma - workshops with Niamh Dunne (Fiddle), Lindsay Moynagh (Harp), Thomas Johnston (Pipes), Shane Greene (Accordion)
Michael Rooney and June McCormack - Flute and Harp Workshops
Spraoi - Workshops with Dan MacDonald (Fiddle), Kelley Hood (Pipes) Greig Cairns (Guitar) , Pat Simmonds (Accordion).
Flook Concert, co-sponsored, at the Octave Theatre. 2005
Patrick Ourceau and Deborah Quigley - 2006 Immersion Weekend, Fiddle and Pipes
Maeve Donnelly and Tony MacManus - Fiddle and Guitar Workshops
Patrick Ourceau and Deborah Quigley - 2007 Immersion Weekend, Fiddle and Pipes
Steafan Hannigan and Saskia Tomkins - Fiddle, Bohdran, whistle flute and pipes, playing together. 2007

Sessions outside of Kingston

Belleville Slow Session. Every Thursday. Contact Wilfred