Has anyone else heard about this Joe Banjo Burke Festival on Columbus Day weekend?
I saw some info about it up at Catskills Arts Week, but I’ve recently spoken with Brigid Burke, and it sounds like a lot of fun. I was gonna wait to book, but you get a free CD if you make reservations early, plus after seeing their line-up I don’t wanna be left out. From what I hear they’re booking up fast.
Check out their website at http://www.joebanjoburke.org
So, who will I see up there?
From their website>>> 
From Ireland
The Kane Sisters, Grainne Hambly, John Hogan Trio, Ian and Erica Keane
From America
Brian Conway, Felix Dolan, John Nolan, Baltimore Band (includes Billy McComiskey, Myron Bretholz, Peter Fitzgerald), Boston Band (includes Seamus Connolly, Jimmy Noonan, Larry Reynolds, Mike Reynolds, Kathleen Conneelly), Mike Rafferty, Tony DeMarco, Bill Meehan, Aine Meenaghan, Terry Kane, Pat Kane and West o’ Clare, Traonach, Gabe Donohue, Msgr. Charlie Coen, Terry Feeley, Lori Feeley, Don Meade, Tom Dunne, Mike McHale, Albany Comhaltas
I like this bit
Pipers - We love the pipes. You are not included here because the Northeast PipersTionol will be held at Gavin’s in East Durham on the last weekend of October. Go to www.eastcoastpipers.com for info.
In other words naff off ye have your own bash at the end of the month 
From Here…NOBODY
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
So is it right to discriminate against someone solely on the basis of the instrument they play? 
I won’t be attending the banjo festival (just to keep it on topic).
Actually, just to set the record straight, that’s not a dismissal of pipers. The Joe Burke organizers got in touch with the NE tionol organizers last fall and asked about coordinating events. When it became clear that, due to scheduling constraints, our event was going to be on another weekend, they very kindly did not schedule any piping classes so as not to reduce our attendance numbers. They did us a favor. They even put a link to the tionol on their website! They’ve been very nice about it.
KAD
It never ceases to amaze me, this super sensitivty, we pipers allow ourselves to be overcome by… it also never ceases to make me cringe a mite… 
Who cares
Uilliam
… and don’t get me started on the apathy factor… 
I’m surley and damn proud of it ! 