Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
- misterpatrick
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Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Hi all,
making my way to Miltown to plunge into the circus for the first time. We're a month out and I'd love to hear some tips and tricks for survival. Hopefully I'll manage to run into some of you surly folks as well.
making my way to Miltown to plunge into the circus for the first time. We're a month out and I'd love to hear some tips and tricks for survival. Hopefully I'll manage to run into some of you surly folks as well.
- rorybbellows
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Keep your money in your underwear and dont eat anything thats cooked in the back of a van.
RORY
RORY
I'm Spartacus .
- dyersituations
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Been a decade since I've been, but I'm sure this still holds water: if you want to get into a particular pub on a day, get in early. In the evening everything was packed to the brim. Also even if you don't dance, check out one of the dances. It was fun to see a well oiled ceili band in person.
Life is good.
Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Bring a tape recorder/modern equivalent.
Every day at 1pm they have a free recital in the main hall. Normally one up and coming piper and one established. These are always excellent. The evening recitals are ticketed events and generally fill up fast. The fiddle recital in particular is spectacular but consequently packs out. Arrive early for a good seat.
Are you attending classes? If so decide what you'd like to get out before you go, technique, tunes, airs, etc. They often have different one off master classes in different things. Try and attend these if even just to listen. Also check out the pipe makers showcase if you can. There are always a few album launches too.
Get your accommodation sorted as soon as possible.
On one night (Wednesday or Thursday I believe) the local kids all arrive in town for a pissup. Avoid this like the plague.
Be prepared for changeable weather. Three years ago it was hitting the 30s and insanely humid. Last two years it was a total washout.
Bring lots of money for the NPU shop, excellent selection of CDs, books, etc.
This short documentary by Myles O'Reilly get you in the mood for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N83giEKPyW8
I can recommend this book too, A Touchstone for the Tradition, a joint effort by Tony Kearns and Barry Taylor. Part daily documentary, part history and great photos.
https://www.amazon.com/Touchstone-Tradi ... entries*=0
Every day at 1pm they have a free recital in the main hall. Normally one up and coming piper and one established. These are always excellent. The evening recitals are ticketed events and generally fill up fast. The fiddle recital in particular is spectacular but consequently packs out. Arrive early for a good seat.
Are you attending classes? If so decide what you'd like to get out before you go, technique, tunes, airs, etc. They often have different one off master classes in different things. Try and attend these if even just to listen. Also check out the pipe makers showcase if you can. There are always a few album launches too.
Get your accommodation sorted as soon as possible.
On one night (Wednesday or Thursday I believe) the local kids all arrive in town for a pissup. Avoid this like the plague.
Be prepared for changeable weather. Three years ago it was hitting the 30s and insanely humid. Last two years it was a total washout.
Bring lots of money for the NPU shop, excellent selection of CDs, books, etc.
This short documentary by Myles O'Reilly get you in the mood for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N83giEKPyW8
I can recommend this book too, A Touchstone for the Tradition, a joint effort by Tony Kearns and Barry Taylor. Part daily documentary, part history and great photos.
https://www.amazon.com/Touchstone-Tradi ... entries*=0
- Mr.Gumby
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
I don't have any recollections of a 'total washout'. Two years ago was quite nice as far as I remember (some photos) and last year had rain towards the end of the week. But be prepared for anything, the weather is quite lovely at the moment and we may well be using up this year's ration of sunshine right now.
As for the week, enjoy the company you find yourself in, don't get too nervous about missing anything: you're likely to miss out on more while trying to chase up the next best session in (or outside) the town. When you're enrolled for the school you get into the concerts without additional cost (except saturday). Just go with it and play it by ear. And as Rory said, keep an eye on your stuff.
As for the week, enjoy the company you find yourself in, don't get too nervous about missing anything: you're likely to miss out on more while trying to chase up the next best session in (or outside) the town. When you're enrolled for the school you get into the concerts without additional cost (except saturday). Just go with it and play it by ear. And as Rory said, keep an eye on your stuff.
My brain hurts
- rorybbellows
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Dont forget to visit Willie . As far as I know there is some kind of official gathering during the week.
RORY
RORY
I'm Spartacus .
- Mr.Gumby
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Sunday afternoon is a good time, music at the graveside:
And a likeness of the man himself in the street:
And a likeness of the man himself in the street:
My brain hurts
- misterpatrick
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Thanks for the tips everyone. I am pre-registered for classes so once more information comes out I'll have that portion of things settled. I'm staying in town so accommodation is set. As I won't be driving k don't have to worry too much about chasing sessions as I'll just be going where things look interesting. Do C or B sessions ever pop up? Debating bringing at least the C chanter.
- rorybbellows
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Curious that Willie ,who some say prefered playing flat pitched pipes should be immortalised playing a concert pitch set.
RORY
RORY
I'm Spartacus .
- Mr.Gumby
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Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
Never heard anyone make that point, any idea who that was Rory?who some say prefered playing flat pitched pipes
My brain hurts
- fiddlerwill
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- Tell us something.: I play traditional Irish and Scottish music.
"The beginner should approach style warily, realizing that it is an expression of self, and should turn resolutely away from all devices that are popularly believed to indicate style — all mannerisms, tricks, adornments. The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity." - Location: Miltown Malbay
Re: Willie Clancy Week 2016 - Tips and Tricks!
thebest time to get a seat is during changeover from day to night sessions. early eve when people have to go eat!!
The mind is like a parachute; it only works when it is open.
Heres a few tunes round a table, first three sets;
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/werty
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/jigs-willie
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/jigs
Heres a few tunes round a table, first three sets;
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/werty
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/jigs-willie
http://soundcloud.com/fiddlerwill/jigs