Sessions in Dallas

Whistle
1

I will be in Dallas from Sept. 19th through 23rd. Are there any sessions of note that I can attend.

Also on a sort of related note. Does anyone have any experience travelling on an plane with a fiddle. Would it be allowed on as hand luggage? If not I would not bring it - but I hope I can.

2

I don’t fiddle but I do travel a lot, and I don’t think you will have any problem with the fiddle as hand luggage. I have seen many fiddle cases at airport gates. Some airlines have special musical instrument policies and those policies often specifically mention fiddles/violins.

I always cringe when I have to introduce my concertina as a “kind of small accordion” to the xray technician…

3

Hi Gerry,

you should have no problem as long as the case measures less than the Airline’s size allowance. If I recall from my trip to the United States (via Heathrow - Chicago - Seattle - Salt Lake City - Seattle - San Francisco - Heathrow), Flying United Airlines internationally and Delta within the States, the usual allowance for an item of hand luggage is 45 linear inches. That means as long as the length, breadth & height total less than 45" you’re OK. My fiddle case is about the largest you get for a single fiddle, and it was 44" total. It fitted fine in the overhead lockers, and was much smaller than some of the things people were trying to squeeze in there. No Airline Official questioned it or measured it. You may wish to remove any sharp objects from the case, like nail clippers, or a metal shoulder rest, in case someone confiscates them, and put them in your main luggage.

In addition I carried a backpack with books, Gameboy, minidisc player etc in.

I also carried a letter from the American Musicians’ Union (or something like that), which you can find online. I believe a musical instrument is actually allowed in addition to the normal two items of hand luggage.

I never had to introduce my fiddle as a “kind of small double bass”. :wink:

4

Here’s a couple:

Tipperary Inn (Dallas) - Sundays 2-5
http://www.tippinn.com

O’Dwyers (Euless - near D/FW airport) - Tuesdays
http://www.odwyersirishpub.com/main.html

5

Them’s the ones :slight_smile:

6

Thanks Martin. That’s what I hoped. I have also been told not to have any loose strings. Like I’m going to use them as a garrot or something :roll:

It amazes me that things like nail clippers etc are considered a threat and they allow people on board with their duty free bottles - definitely a much more dangerous weapon if one was so inclined.

Anyhow thanks everyone for the information - are these the only sessions in Dallas? I don’t get in 'til late Sunday - too late for the afternoon session :sniffle: How far is Euless from Dallas. I am staying at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center, Grapevine, Texas.

7

Actually, if you’re staying in Grapevine you’re a lot closer to Useless (er, Euless) than you are to Dallas…

Yahoo or MapQuest can give you directions from one address to the other.

8

The Euless session is a lot livelier and more advanced than the Tipperary Inn (Dallas). The Tipp session is like that box of chocolates, every one is different.

9

Well that sounds great - I looked up the map - can’t be much more than 10 mins. away from where I am staying. Any of you guys going?

Are there any other sessions on Monday, Wed. or Thurs.?

10

I’m usually there…as is Whitmores…

If there are any mon weds or thurs sessions they’re keeping them secret from me. Not that I blame them :slight_smile:

11

Hey, Gypsy, coincidentally I’ll also be travelling to Dallas the 19th through the 24th, so the timing of your post is excellent.

I’m going to try to make the Euless session. Look for the tall clueless guy with a black+tan poorboy hat. I’m not ready for session prime-time, so I’ll grab a Guiness and just listen in and ask novice questions.

Slainte,
-Jeff (aka “Clueless in Euless”) :laughing:

12

I’ll be there - looking forward to meeting y’all…

13

http://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/hdaccessories/hdflying.html

or more directly:

http://www.local1000.com/pdf/carryon.pdf

14

Well I made it to the session at O’Dwyers and met Greg (Wanderer) and Jeff (Ould Orange Flute). Great guys!

Had a great session - and a few pints. It’s so great to meet other C&Fers - this is the fourth or fifth time I’ve done this in various places around Canada and the US and the folks that inhabit this site are always so nice and accomodating.

Regarding ‘travelling with my fiddle’ I had no problems whatsoever. Thanks again for the help.

15

It was really great to meet you, Gerry. A good time was had by all, and several of the other session folks expressed gratitude for my telling you where to find us. Something along the lines of “So that’s what a whistle is supposed to sound like” :wink:

16

Hey, Texans and travelers: O’Dwyers had a great session. Greg (local) and Gerry (Gypsy with Whistle from Ottowa) represented the tinwhistlers admirably. four fiddles, two bodhrans and two guitars made for some great music.
My contribution was to drink a pint, laugh at their jokes and provide general encouragement.
Slainte,
Orange

17

Come on now Greg - you’re a pretty decent player yourself - I’ve been practising ‘Gallagher’s Frollicks’ ever since :slight_smile: - you played a really nice rendition of it. I find that you always leave something at a session and also take something away. I always learn something from every session I play in.

I’ll be back if I ever make it to Dallas again.