Hey Jim,
Did anyone get back to you about the L.A. sessions?
I live in L.A. and fortunately there’s some good stuff to get around to, but L.A. is big so you gotta be prepared to drive to it all, lol.
So, what part of L.A are you staying in? South Bay, San Fernando Valley? Because thats going to really be a factor in what you want to go to. I’ll list all of the options tho.
First off, I’m sending the websites for a couple of places:
http://www.celticartscenter.com
This is the main place in town and it’s in the San Fernando Valley. They have a big session every Monday nite from 9-12 or so in North Hollywood. On the first Monday of the month, it starts at 8 and even more people show up,lol. Intermediate level, lots of fun, great crowd, a total community and a bar with Guinness.
http://www.craicnet.org
This is the Celtic Regional Arts Inst. of Cal. Good group, more advanced players, excellent music! They do a potluck one Sat. per month. They do a beginner session and sometimes have instrument workshops (good teachers too) from 5:30-7:30. Then have dinner, and then a ceili and advanced session thats roaring from 9-12. Lots of fun.
Ceoltas celtori - no website.
This is the local Larry Bane branch of Ceoltas. Led by great box player Des Regan. Meets the 2nd sunday of each month at the Moose Lodge in Burbank, when you get here I’ll get ya directions. It’s intermediate and they usually play for dancers, but alot of fun.
Tam Lyn session -
http://www.celticband.com
Great session that used to be in Newport Beach at the Muldoon’s Pub, but is currently looking for a new home, probably in Sunset Beach (near Seal Beach). Beginner and intermediate. I’ll you the new addy when you get closer to time. By then, they should have found a new home.
So, basically, you can play every monday nite and one day of most weekends if you want to. There also are several little “invite” kinda session that get going once you get into the crowd and I’ll be happy to introduce you around, everyones really friendly.
Lessons -
There’s a couple of options here. I take a group whistle lesson every Tuesday from Frank Simpson. He’s originally from Dublin and you’ll be able to experience his playing when you get here… wow. Anyway, I don’t know where you are in terms of experience…our group of 5 people are all kinda advanced/intermediate and we go at a pretty quick pace and he expects dedication, LOL! We do at least two reels or sometimes a reel and two jigs per week, with advanced oranments and such. If you’re not there quite yet, he has done some private lessons in the past, so you can inquire about that, maybe he’ll be done with his graduate work by May and have time. Also, if you’re beginner or intermediate… I first took lessons as a beginner from Susan Winsberg, a local player in Hollywood. She’s really great because she teaches slowly and thoroughly and I learned so much from her! So, at least theres a couple of options for you, you’ll meet more people and can inquire further when you get here.
Well, I hope this is helpful, I think you’ll enjoy your time here, we have a pretty tight community and you’ll find people are friendly and helpful. I look forward to meeting another Whistle Board member, lol. Let me know when you get here! Take care, LeeAnn lawhistle@yahoo.com
