HI. I was just wondering if anyone else is going to the Milwaukee Irish Fest next weekend. (Aug 14,15,16) Are any of you playing there? I’m always ready to be someone else’s fan or take suggestions on bands to check out. Anybody who wants to meet up and talk whistles for a while, that would be cool too.
I’ll be there but just on Saturday this year. Over the years several of us have got together to visit and try out each other’s whistles and flutes but probably most consistenly has been Duffy and myself. I’m up for it if we can find a time a place. I’ll have to check the schedule to find an opening.
As far as entertainment, my major “must see” performer this year is Tommy Sands who wrote There Were Roses and other fantastic songs. Natalie McMaster is certainly on my to see list. I also like Frogwater and Stone Ring but I always discover or rediscover someone I like a bunch.
My favorite place to see performers is the Village Pub but they don’t always have the acts I want to see in that venue.
If we meet I can bring some of my O’Riordans, Abells, and a nice Silkstone Ace I got from Doc Jones not long ago.
let’s see what we can work out.
jim
I will be playing with the band “Celtic Keep” at Irish Fest. Stop by and say hello. I will be playing an assortment of whistles, by Gary Humphrey, Mike Burke, and Pat O’Riordan. I look forward to seeing you there.
James
James,
I’ll try to stop by Saturday evening and say hi.
jim
I’ll be sure to check out Celtic Keep (the audio clip on the festival site sounded great) and the others. I’m there for all three days, and Saturday is wide open for me. I’m not a great musician, but I’ll talk about music with anybody. I don’t usually tote a lot of whistles around, but I’ll at least have an O’Riordan tucked away. I’ve actually not seen an Abell yet.
HEY GUYS!!!
I’ll be there everyday, as I play pipes in the Shamrock Color Guard Pipes and Drums. SO if you see a guy in a solid green kilt with long blond hair that’s me, just grab me and we’ll hang out. 
If you don’t see me, but you see a green kilt ask for Sean Cavanaugh.
Be sure to look me up, as I have alot of friends who play too and would love to meet new chiffers.
HI. I was just wondering if anyone else is going to the Milwaukee Irish Fest next weekend. (Aug 14,15,16) Are any of you playing there? I’m always ready to be someone else’s fan or take suggestions on bands to check out. Anybody who wants to meet up and talk whistles for a while, that would be cool too.
Kildare? Is that anything like Cleveland?
No, Cleveland is more like Achill island.
Every time I see this thread it makes me smile. I still can’t quite believe that there’s a “Milwaukee Irish Fest”; it sounds like something straight out of The Simpsons. Sounds fun though.
Like that’s really gonna narrow it down 
Don’t knock Milwaukee! It’s the best fest in the states. The most bands, and definitely the best park. Flat and paved and real bathrooms every couple hundred feet. No port-a-potties! On Saturday, I’ll be at the Walton tent around 2:00, I’m going to try to catch Stone Ring at the Harp tent at 3:15, and Celtic Keep at 7:30 at Pub Garden. I’ll be the big dorky guy with a beard sporting a green shoulder bag and answering to John.
Ah, I wouldn’t dream of it. Only messing.
Just like Ireland then! 
hey hoopy mike…you’d be surprised. I’m pretty sure for the past 3 years our band members have been the only people wearing an (expensive) solid green kilt. everyone else usually wears some kind of plaid. I tend not to wear my plaid kilt to functions such as that.
And as for more specification I wear a white uniform shirt with patches and a black formal vest.
Sean
see you there then
Hoopy Mike -
I didn’t see till after I posted where you were located; I understand your disbelief now. 
We loud American music fans have to gather somewhere. Turn-around is fair play though. I saw your myspace page and I can’t but grin to see a UK band list bluegrass as part of their genre. That’s MY family territory, my friend. You guys sound really good, though.
Thanks 
Fair comment on the bluegrass. We actually do a great version of “She’ll be coming round the mountain” on fiddle, mandolin and slide guitar. I’m not sure if that counts as bluegrass though! And I don’t have any right to be talking about what genuine Irish means, so forgive the gentle messing. My surname might be vaguely Celtic, but that’s about it. (I wore a kilt to my wedding, but that’s another story.)
Hoopy-
'round the mountain is a start; I’m waiting to hear you tackle Orange Blossom Special, Bill Monroe style.
Nice to be called a regular. I don’t know if I’ll make it this year. Having a Heart Cath done Friday Morning. It’s a terrible thing to pass on but the Doctor is of middle east decent and not old enough to understand how much the Irish influenced his heritage. If I make it my grandson will be pushing a big guy with a Cubs cap and a green backpack full of whistles (including the Alba I recently won).
Hope springs eternal. I’d hate to miss Natalie, Gaelic Storm, Frogwater, and so many others including Celtic Keep. If I’m not there - pretend - and set out an extra glass.
Mike
Duffy, my prayers will be with you on Friday morning, I will for sure raise a glass to you! Sorry we didn’t hook up last year..too much to do in so little time! I loved it. This year my hubby is joining me…we finally got a van that is wheel chair accessible…so we have been driving everywhere since Spring!
The doc’s are doing great things with the heart…you will come out fine…I know you will!
Please log in when you feel better and let us know how you are!
Nancy
PS: We will be there on Friday night..if anyone wants to meet! Maybe Sat too…will check the website for postings and meeting places!
Yea Nancy one of these days we’ll get it right. Still looking forward the meeting you guys.
Isn’t mobility great. When you finally can, you run around everywhere you’ve been wanting to go and then some.
I’ll really miss Irish Fest this year, I’ve gone at least 3 days every year for five years. My grandson is having serious withdrawl over the possibility of missing “Storm” but I think we have something worked out.
Mike
Are meeting times and places set? I will be there all weekend as well and would love to get together with some C&F’ers and try out some different whistles.
Sure wish I could be there! My new favorite band, Pogey will be playing. No whistles in the band, but they put on a good show regardless!