Chicago this weekend....?

Whistle
1

I am going to a conference in Chicago at the end of the week and will have some time to go out on the town Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, nights. I am looking for suggestions about where to go to find good ITRAD (no unicorn music) either in a session or in performance. Any suggestions as to whats on will be most appreciated!

( I play whistle at what I think is advanced beginner/intermediate level — I know some tunes I am comfortable particpating in slow sessions and listening to full speed sessions as a punter. I enjoy listening to sessions or pub performances a lot more than I like going to hear the big names in concert. )

Thanks!

JB

2

Thursday: Molly Malone’s
http://www.themollymalones.com/
Great little session, from 8-ish to 10:30-ish. Very flamboyant whistle player there, very well regarded locally too, very nice guy (i’m horrible with names). Plays Susatos. Wonderful harp player, the best i’ve heard (Aislin, i think, is her name). Session is led by Teresa Shine, who is the sweetest person in Chicago, and a fabulous fiddler too. If you’re lucky, she and her brother might play a duet.

3

The Sprigs, my whistle teacher’s band, will be playing at Chief O’Neill’sFriday night.

Also, it’s a schlepp, and she’s a big name, but Natalie MacMaster is also playing on Friday, in Glen Ellyn: 8 PM, McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, Park & Fawell, Glen Ellyn. 630-942-4000.

Carol

4

Chief O’Neils is one of the most famous Irish music places in Chicago. Session there is on Sunday, i think, but way more advanced than me.

C.O.D. Glenn Ellyn is practically walking distance from me (not really, but very close) and i din’t know about this Natalie McMaster show!

5

Paddy O’Brien and Chulra is playing on Saturday night at the Irish American Heritage Center.
http://www.irishamhc.com/events.asp

For events, check on Thu night for Friday + one week:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/listings/static/folk.html

6

Well then, Its Chief Oneils on Friday night and the IAHC on Saturday.

I can’t wait and thanks to all for the suggestions.

JB

7

Oooh, good heads up – I just sent the info to a friend who recently moved to Chicago. She had a blast playing tunes with Chulrua last summer at a festival here in Michigan…