| Islands of Song |
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| Taken from the Cork St. Patrick's Day Festival site: The story of Newfoundland is one of survival. Settlement was discouraged for almost 200 years - and yet they came. For over 300 years, the Irish came to Newfoundland trading one life of squalor for another. They brought their melodies and songs to help them remember. As new generations born on this rock began to call themselves Newfoundlanders, the Irish music that they freely shared was claimed for this new country to help it tell its story. Six fine songwriters from Newfoundland, who embody the diverse styles of the new music of the province, have arrived in Cork, the European Capital of Culture, to celebrate Cork St. Patrick's Festival 2005. They have come to bring their music home. Islands of Song presents a generation of songwriting talent so that we can enjoy their music as they collaborate with each other and explore common ground. Cork musicians Ken Cotter, Ger Wolfe, Niall Connolly, Mark Greville, Mick Flannery, Martin Finn and Clare O'Mahony ..AND.. Ron Hynes, Jim Fidler, Pamela Morgan, Colleen Power, Hugh Scott, and Darrell Power from Newfoundland (whew!) will be performing over the four nights at the Triskel Arts Centre. |
| Following are the photos and stories connected with this wonderful endeavor: 1. Getting there 2. St. Patrick greets us Thursday Night 3. Darrell Power and Clare O'Mahony 4. Colleen Power and Niall Connolly 5. Singing together Friday 6. Sightseeing in Cork 7. Friday Night with Hugh Scott & Ger Wolfe 8. Ron Hynes wows the town Saturday Night 9. Ken Cotter, Mark Greville 10. Jim Fidler, musician extraordinaire Sunday 11. Home again too soon |
| Knowing about these six wonderful Newfoundland musicians, I was at a definite advantage in being able to picture what the shows might be like. I knew to expect music that I'd love and that others would, too. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with the music of the Irish songwriters. If you have a chance to peruse their websites and listen to samples of their songs, do it. If you have a few extra dollars to spend, buy their CDs. If you have an opportunity to go see any of them in concert - do it! You will not be disappointed. Islands of Song will continue to bring this fantastic group of musicians together again the last week in June in St. John's, Newfoundland. Sounds like a great vacation to me! |
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