T minus 20h and counting. Many thanks to the guys for planning what should be an excellent tionol.
Kevin Rowsome offered a fantastic concert last eve at the Celtic Arts Center in…like…you know…“the valley.” He banged out several lovely tunes including a stellar rendition of The Foxchase. Twas the third time I’d heard him play the tune and this version was the best ever.
Not too late to make last minute travel plans…come on down to CA!
but what was cool was the “piper in the mist” afforded by the ultrasonic 2 gallon cool mist humidifier along with Rev Darcy’s comment about Ireland in the box with reference to the humidifier.
A bit too late for me, I’m afraid. I don’t think I could catch the 6:00 flight out of Osaka at this point.
Oh well…maybe next year.
Have fun boys. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
I am looking forward to it. Luckily I live about 15 minutes away from Gabriels house.
Tionol has been an unbelievable success. The concert last eve will probably be remembered as “the concert” of my life. Kevin Rowsome, Brian McNamara, and Benedict Koehler on stage together…dreamy. All of us have been energized to continue our pipering with passion this weekend. Those of you who chose to not attend will never realize your great loss. Many thanks to Gabriel and others.
I agre, to Gabriel and our three pipers on stage
I want to thank everyone involved especially the three pipers: Kevin Rowsome, Brian McNamara, and Benedict Koehler as well as Gabriel for arranging the event. It was fantastic. And the pipers were very nice to talk to also.
I feel blesed for being there.
Muchas gracias to the McKeagneys for opening their home to all of us bagsqueezers. Have a happy, quiet, and restful Thanksgiving 
Friday night’s killer B session was the business, I haven’t had that much fun with my clothes on in a long, long time. 
The music was indeed quite outstanding but I think we have a C&Fer who should have been on a stage as well. I was really blown away by the music and style of Pat Cannady!! After the concert on Saturday night it was pretty much he and I in Gabriel’s living room. For about an hour he played one lovely tune after another!! I would certainly stand in line for any CD he would put out…
I was also quite intrigued by the different playing styles of Benedict Koehler, Kevin Rowsome, Brian McNamara. Benedict looked so relaxed that, at times, I thought he would fall asleep. He would lay back in his chair, close his eyes and play. Kevin’s head was down the whole time either staring at his pipes or had his eyes closed. Brian was making eye contact with every single person in the audience and smiling the whole time. All three of these gentlemen played effortlessly and made it appear so deceptively easy. It was certainly a joy to listen to them for hours!!
Thanks so much for the kind words, John. 
The check is in the mail 
I’ve started authoring a DVD with 3 hours of video from the various tionol workshops, reedmaking demonstrations, and the concert. So far it looks and sounds extremely good.
I plan to have a bunch of them available at the next SCUPC meeting in January. Probably sell them for a minimal price to cover my cost of materials with a small markup as a fundraiser for the club treasury. Something like $20.00, but not sure yet on the price.
If you attended the tionol, can’t make the next meeting in January, and would like to get a copy when it becomes available, please PM me your address and I’ll let you know as soon as they are available.
At this time, I need to limit the distribution to the tionol participants until I can get some clarification on artist rights as this DVD is only for private instructional use.
Cheers,
Michael
Just to set the record straight, D’Arcy stole the “Ireland in a box” comment from ME! without even a footnote
Thanks to everyone who came to the Tionól, it was a great weekend indeed!
Larry “No E” Dunn
I know all of us from Northern California had a great time, too.
In addition to the incredible concert and the classes, I really enjoyed getting to meet some of the pipers from different areas. I don’t know why, but pipers seem to be the friendliest group of people I know…
It’s always nice to get to reconnect with some of my old compadres from San Diego, too. 
Thanks again to everyone involved!
Justine
Sorry about that Larry… I didn’t realise that you had come up with it, I don’t actually remember you saying it and didn’t mean to steal your thunder there. You are welcome to it. I was actually surprised to have come up with something that funny.
Patrick.
Patrick,
No problem at all–great minds thinking alike, I suppose 
Feel free to use the “hammered duclimer” jokes too 
-Larry
PS- Thanks for your huge contribution to the success of the weekend!
Thanks Larry
I have photos up on my site now of the weekend.
Enjoy,
Patrick.
Just to set the record straight, D’Arcy stole the “Ireland in a box” comment from ME! without even a footnote
Point taken and annoted- Fel(1L)
Wow… sorry to you too Fel, I feel terrible about this 
I can’t even have an original thought anymore… our symbiotic piping minds have gelled to cause one common piping consciousness… interesting.
PD.
OKOK… for those of you wondering about No E’s Hammered Dulcimer jokes…they’re great and go something like this…
Hammered dulcimer? Does it sound like that when sober, too?
Q:What one thing do all hammered dulcimer players need?
A: Bigger hammers.