In Ireland, they happen as naturally as the rain. Pubs are packed, musicians arm themselves, up pop the dancers, and the party is on.
The very same sort of whirling, merry scene, called a Ceili, has been successfully recreated in Guelph over a number of years, says Eva McCauley, musician, painter, and founder/director of the Riverside Celtic College. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Ceili is coming up Sunday, March 13, upstairs at the Albion Hotel.
McCauley said the close, limestone-walled atmosphere of the pub is as close to an authentic Irish pub as it gets in these parts. Expect that space to be packed and fierce with Irish music and dance come Sunday night. The music begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m.
“It’s an event that’s sort of modeled on experiences I’ve had in Ireland,” said McCauley, a frequent visitor and long-time student of the old country and its music.
“When you go to the pubs in Ireland, all ages will be there,” she continued. “There’ll be people playing musical instruments, and then people will get up and just start dancing. It’s an amazing experience, and an integral part of their culture.”
After returning from an immersion in Irish culture in the early-2000s, McCauley wanted to transplant that same experience in the Guelph area. She started the college, and started a regular ceili.
The upcoming St. Patrick’s Dance Ceili will replicate that cultural experience, and will include some easy and fun dances called by Kari Kokko – moves most anyone can master quickly. No Irish dancing experience required.
“I like the intimacy of the Albion,” McCauley said. “It’s really much closer to what a real Irish ceili would be like. That’s why I like continuing the tradition in that kind of intimate space.”
The Kitchen Party Trio – Dan MacDonald on fiddle, Brian Taheny on guitar and banjo, and bodhran player Jacob McCauley – will provide the tunes. And there will be surprise musical guests.
Admission is $15 at the door, with proceeds going to the college. The ceili is an all-ages event, and the dances are for all ages.
While the event is a few days in advance of St. Patrick’s Day, it is a celebration of that fabled occasion. Expect a performance by an Irish step-dancing group. And expect the place to be teeming with people.
“There’s something really infectious about the music,” said Eva McCauley, adding that Taheny is from Sligo, Ireland, and MacDonald is originally from Cape Breton, playing Cape Breton and Irish style fiddle. Jacob McCauley, Eva’s son, has participated in many musical sessions in Ireland.
“They’ve all really lived that tradition, and they bring that to the ceili very strongly with their music, and their whole approach.”
McCauley hopes to raise about $500 for the Riverside Celtic College, funds used to pay teachers who instruct in a number of instruments.
The college has moved around in recent times. It began at the Elora Centre of the Arts, moved to the Guelph Youth Music Centre, and then to Norfolk United Church. After a brief stint at the new Guelph Civic Museum, it now operates out of homes.
The Albion Hotel will have a number of special offers in the days leading up to St. Patrick's Days, with a big celebration throughout the day on March 17.
