Sorry for the delay in posting. Yesterday being check-out, travel, be-tired day it just wasn't in the cards. But here I am back in KC, ready for the home stretch to Celtic Pride in Cowtown.
But first back to Milwaukee. Saturday was great, a busy day for Tommy and Shamrocker (he had almost 200 players all told) and the old man–sorry old men, president Barney Walsh having joined us, along with KCIF finance guy Anthony Canning and his lovely wife and KCIF volunteer coordinator Brandi–managed to catch some music. I'll mention just a couple highlights. One was the Concert For Chuck Ward. Chuck was a founder of the Milwaukee fest and a really good guy. He passed away last November and the concert, featuring members of his old band and several guest musicians, was a touching tribute. Later that night all of us wee blown away by a performance by The High Kings. I guarantee you'll see them here soon. We saw the usual amazing set by Gaelic Storm from high above the stage in the coolest VIP setting you can imagine. They own that festival and it shows every time they take the stage.
But for me, the best thing I saw all weekend was something you'll be able to see here in less than two weeks. They had it listed simply as "Pat and Steve." I think our program says something like "Meet and Greet with Gaelic Storm." Whatever you call it, if you're a fan of the band, or even if you're not, missing this could possibly be the biggest mistake of your life. Worse than that first marriage, worse than that hair style in '89, worse than having that last margarita down at El Cerdo Enojado last Saturday night. Here was, and will be here, the set up. Pat Murphy and Steve Twigger, founding members of the band took the stage with only a couple chairs, an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. They were eventually joined by the rest of the band and the hour was filled with songs, stories, questions from the crowd and a couple hundred people laughing their asses off. It was an amazing afternoon.
Do. Not. Miss.This. It's a rare chance for you to be up close and personal with the biggest band in Irish music and you'll feel like you're sitting in your living room with them. You'll have a chance to ask your question there, or submit it to me and I may ask it for you. Either way, we're going to have a great time. Saturday at 6:00 on the Heritage Stage.
Finally, I'd like to thank our great friends at the Milwaukee Irish Fest for their hospitality. There is not an unfriendly face at that massive event, from the shuttle bus drivers to the beer ticket sellers to Executive Director Jane, Archive boss Barry, president Donna, founder Ed and past president, board member and ne'er-do-well Joe. If you've never been, I can't encourage you enough to put it on your list for 2012.
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3 comments:
I've been asked how Milwaukee is different than other festivals other than it's sheer size. If you tooke Worlds of Fun, decked every inch of it like it was St. Patrick's Day, and had the best Irish music available anywhere, that's Milwaukee Irishfest.
A Q and A with Gaelic Storm? Whose brilliant idea was this?
Hi Dan. We met on the van on the way to Irish Fest this past Thursday. Thanks for all of the great comments about Milwaukee Irish Fest. My wife Patty and friends Mike and Denise will be attending KC Irish Fest in support of the Ward Irish Music Archives.
As a volunteer I had the chance to transport Bob Reeder to his stage. I did not get to hear him play but it was cool knowing who he was because of your blog.
See you KC.
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