The 9th Annual Arizona
Irish Festival Sat. October 31st at Margaret Hance Park and the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 258-0109
The 9th Annual Arizona
Irish Festival Sat. October 31st at Margaret Hance Park and the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 258-0109
The 9th Annual Arizona
Irish Festival Sat. October 31st at Margaret Hance Park and the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 258-0109
The 9th Annual Arizona
Irish Festival Sat. October 31st at Margaret Hance Park and the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 258-0109
Pat McCrossan was born in Derry, Ireland, which was a great surprise to his parents as they were in Donegal at the time. So, you might say he was premature baby - nobody was expecting him. But you can expect him at this year’s AZ Irish Festival where he will be performing and emcee’ing on The Pubs of the Valley Stage.
When he was about two months old his father unwittingly gave him a guitar and said, "Now, Play that." and so he did. He played, and played, all the time while his poor parent’s hair turned whiter and whiter, but he kept on playing. His father played fiddle, his Mother sang. His two Brothers also played, and his sisters sang. They were a very musical family; even their sewing machine was a ‘Singer’.
Pat formed his first band and wrote his first song when he was ten months old; it went something like; "Gaaa - gaa - goo - goooo - wahhhhh!" It was Rock n' Roll but nobody knew it at the time. The more he played, the more the neighbors wept, but they never complained - there were too many McCrossans. Stardom was just around the corner for Pat in the true sense of the Irish phrase, "Ah! Sure, it's just 'round the corner." Friends and enemies alike offered him advice by saying, "you should try your luck in Dublin or London or even better, Iraq or Afghanistan, they have a big music scene." But he stuck it out and watched them dropping like flies all around him as he cranked the amp up louder and louder. "He's not the best guitar player," they used to say behind his back, loud enough for him to hear, "but he is the noisiest". A compliment I'm sure.
But things took a turn for the best, for the neighbors that is, when Pat decided to immigrate to Canada. The Canadians had so much snow in their ears that it wasn’t until the great meltdown in 1992 that they finally figured out what the droning noise in their ears was. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian music industry raised the bus fare for Pat to go to Phoenix, Arizona, thinking that those people out in the desert would have so much sand in their ears that they would not know the difference between Pat’s singing and a Coyote howling. This appears to be the case as Pat has now been in Phoenix 12 years and continues to be hired by either tone deaf or senile bar owners and promoters.
Pat is Director of The Academy of Irish and Celtic Studies at The Irish Cultural Center, where his CDs are available in the Cottage Gift Shop.
Scott Jeffers has assembled a group of truly talented and diverse musicians that make this band quite possibly the first of its kind, fusing traditional old world elements with a full blown hard rock ensemble.
Traveler is a favorite at local and regional festivals; they are quickly developing a following of world and rock music fans drawn to their unique style and powerful performances.
Traveler has performed at the Austin Texas St. Patrick's Day festival for the past 6 years , headlining the event for the last 3 years. They have also headlined the International Day festival in Rock Springs, Wyoming 2 years in a row, and have performed at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, 2006, as a supporting act for the Black Crowes and Los Lobos.
Composer and founder of the band, Scott Jeffer's vision is to fuse elements of ancient ethnic music with rock. He has traveled extensively through foreign lands to gather inspiration for the Traveler project. Not only is he influenced by the exotic music but he composes the majority of the band's songs during his journeys, bringing a true authenticity to the fusion. Known for his fiery and passionate violin and vocal performances, Scott's commanding presence onstage adds to the trademark power of the live Traveler shows. He also brings traditional instruments from his journeys to the stage; Bouzouki,a traditional greek stringed instrument and an Arabic Oud, an ancient predecessor to the guitar.
Tramor (Overseas) is the new traditional music project of John Good. John is well known through out the West, South, Midwest and in in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the Phoenix stage. On this occasion he is aided and abetted by mandolin virtuoso Billy Parker... a duo not to be missed!
The way they tell it, once upon a time, in the little hamlet of Flagstaff, Arizona, John McGregor bought a bottle of Bushmills Irish Whiskey and dove in head first. As the tale would have it, this would have been just another Tuesday afternoon. However, from this bottle of Bushmills, great inspiration was born. Thus began the journey of The Knockabouts, “Arizona's Favorite Celtic Pub Band.”
Just like that reported founding beverage, the Knockabouts are the perfect blend of time-honored tradition, bawdy good taste, rowdy energy, and smooth harmonies. The Knockabouts' music brings the best of authentic traditional pub tunes, and blends them with the band members’ diverse talents to create a recognizable and contagious sound.
The Knockabouts play traditional lively Celtic music..(hear samples on their web site).. straight from the tap. Founder John McGregor plays penny whistle and handles lead and back-up vocals. His wife Jacquie McGregor sings and plays an Irish flute from the 1890s. She has recently completed a doctorate in music from Boston University, so you’ll need to call her “Doctor Jacquie” at this year’s Festival! Drummer Conor Madden’s bodhran, provides the heartbeat of The Knockabouts sound. But that doesn’t stop them from making him the butt of many a tactless joke. The group is rounded out by Ron Barton on guitar and lead vocals and Kari Barton on fiddle and back-up vocals. Don’t miss either set when The Knockabouts take to The Harp Stage.
The Irish Dance Schools of Arizona
The Bracken School of Irish Dance is under the direction of Thomas Bracken, ADCRG. The School has achieved great success in competition throughout the years. The school boasts a World Champion and 1st runner up as well as numerous medals. In 2005, the school’s senior mixed ceili team placed second in the North American Championships and took seventh place at the World Championships in Ennis, Ireland, with two of its’ students placing 5th & 7th in solo competitions. They have also performed with such world famous acts as the Chieftains and Cherish the Ladies and most recently the dance school performed with both the Phoenix and San Diego Symphonies for their sell out winter pop concerts. A number of Mr. Bracken’s former students now grace the stage in both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and have toured the world extensively.
The Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance first opened its doors in Tucson in January of 2005, under the direction of Christopher McGrory, TCRG and Rosemary Browne, TCRG. And, since that time, dancers have been streaming in at a steady pace! In the summer of 2007, the Tir Conaill Academy had the opportunity to merge with the McElligott-Gallagher School of Irish Dance in Phoenix, directed by Irish dance standout and Riverdance lead, Michael Patrick Gallagher, TCRG. As both male teachers are native to County Donegal in Ireland, it was natural to call the entire school Tir Conaill, which is the ancient name for that part of Ireland.
Celtic Dance Academy Tradition, Excellence, Friendship, and Family are the core values that drive the Celtic Dance Academy (Arizona). Through its emphasis on performance and team competition, the Celtic Dance Academy promotes Irish Dance as both a cultural and competitive activity. Dancers from the Celtic Dance Academy have participated in competitions throughout the United States and have the opportunity to take part in many performances throughout the year including the only annual production of The Irish Nutcracker. Well-known local dancer Sarah Houghtelin, TCRG, is the Celtic Dance Academy’s owner and instructor. She has been an Irish Dancer for twenty one years and has competed regionally and nationally.
The McTeggart School (Arizona), under the direction of Sharon Judd, TMRF, and overseen by Maureen Hall, ADCRG, has classes in Phoenix and Flagstaff. McTeggart is one of the largest and most renowned Irish dance schools in the United States with schools in Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. McTeggart Irish Dance was brought to the U.S. from County Cork, Ireland in 1957 by Maureen McTeggart-Hall.
The Phoenix Irish Step Dancers are a dance troupe dedicated to the promotion of Irish dancing as a living form of dance based on the traditions and standards that have evolved in Irish dancing for hundreds of years. Our teachers, choreographers, and dancers have all received many years of formal training through their association with many competitive Irish dance schools. We have experience teaching in the Irish dance schools, public and private school settings, dance studios, home school groups, and community settings; we teach long term competitive dance classes, in residencey settings, at workshops, camps, and at festival activity areas; we teach all ages (3-78), all levels (beginner through master), and in both formal and informal settings. Our company performs at many festivals, community events, private events, formal concert settings, and as guest artists. It is our mission to share our Irish heritage and dance form at every opportunity, and to educate all people (both those of Irish descent, and those without Irish backrounds) in the exciting, disciplined, and invigorating art of Irish dancing.
