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Tuesday January 26, 2010
Beltaine at Irishtown and the Highland Stillhouse This Week!
Posted By: John at 1:06 AM
Greetings!
 
Beltaine will be performing at Irishtown this Wednesday 1-27-10 from 7:30-8:30 PM – and then Peter Yeates will take the stage. We hope you can join us for a evening of great music, food, and drinks!
 
Please come out and join us to start your weekend a we bit early!
 
Irishtown Bar & Grill
Vancouver's Home For Irish Music
11600 SE Mill Plain Blvd # F - Vancouver, WA
(360) 253-1479 www.irishtownbar.com
Beltaine will also be performing at the Highland Stillhouse on Sunday, 1-31-10 from 7:00-10:00PM
 
The Highland Stillhouse
The Portland Area’s Largest Selection of Single Malt Scotch!
201 Second Street
Oregon City, OR
(503) 723-6789 www.highlandstillhouse.com  
 
Keep an eye out on our web site for our St Patrick’s Day schedule!
 
Wednesday October 28, 2009
Happy Samhain from Beltaine!
Posted By: John at 12:19 AM

Information courtesey of http://www.packrat-pro.com/celts/celtholidays.htm

Samhain (sow-een or sow'-inn)
Traditional date: October 31 to November 1
Actual astrological date: Nov 6 in 2008
Midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice
The largest and most important festival, great tribal gatherings on Tara Hill
The beginning of the dark half of the year, exact opposite day of Beltrane
First Celtic fire festival (male)
Gaelic "samhraidhreadh" means "summer's end"
Irish "Samhain" means the month of November
Celtic New Year's Eve
Third and final harvest festival
The day when day (light) does not exist
Preparation to survive the winter, confront the possibility of death was paramount
The "Fleadh nan Mairbh" Feast of the Dead to honour the past clan souls
Celebrates the last harvest, the cycle of life and spirits passed
Ceremonies involve fire, lights, setting out food and gifts for passing spirits
All fires are extinquished and relit from the sacred bonfire
Stories are told around the fires as there is not much to do outside
The veil between the world (Shield of Skathach) is thin, allowing spirits to cross over
Colours: Black, browns, reds, oranges
Evolved to Halloween and All Saints Day

 
01/31/2010 at 7:00 PM
Music at the Stillhouse - Highland Stillhouse
201 Second Street, Oregon City, OR
 
02/13/2010 at 6:30 PM
Two Rivers Music Showcase with Beltaine - The Great Hall
1406 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
 
03/13/2010 at 8:00 PM
Beltaine at the Tillicum - Tillicum Restaurant & Bar
8585 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Portland, OR

I've listened to John McCutcheon, Walt Michael and Malcolm Dalglish for years as well as a little Maggie Sansone and have always enjoyed the sound of the hammered dulcimer. It''s great to be able to add something new to the iPod. Many of the tunes are familiar to me but the arrangements are fresh. Thanks for the good music!

Cliff (listening to our CD 's),November, 2007
 
Thank you for sharing your beautiful music with us and our guests at our wedding! "Over hill ways up and down Myrtle green and bracken brown, Pass the shilling through the town, All for Paul and Ali" All our best to you.
Ali & Paul! (Ali at her wedding),September, 2007
 
Thank you so much for the great entertainment last night. You guys were AWESOME! I hope that you will be able to perform for us again in the near future.
(Performance at Providence Hospital),April, 2007
 
 
The lavender festival was a smashing success this year as the comments of over a thousand visitors attest. Of course, the most frequent reaction was to the wonderful sight and aroma of lavender. Along with the relaxing wonder of lavender, the sounds of Beltaine drifted on the air. The combination created an environment of ambience, inspiration and friendliness. Many guest lingered for an hour or two, relishing the sounds of the dulicimers, guitars, and other instruments. John, Kris, and Brian, treated the crowd to ballads which young and old alike loved. Volunteers, vendors, and visitor all agreed that Beltaine helped to make the Festival a wonderful success!
(Helvetia Lavender Festival),July, 2007
 
Everything you played, sang, entertained was absolutely perfect. All of your personalities fit perfect with the mood we hoped for  FUN. We didnt expect that you would go upstairs  just that you would do exactly what You did  set up downstairs, and play while people arrived  so perfect again. I have several emails, cards from out of town guests who have written to tell, us how having you play at the wedding was so perfect, and that you were all just great!!! Kudos to all. The bride & groom thought it was everything they expected, and both were so pleased to have you there. You just seemed to know when to do what, and that was a tremendous help to me. So Thank you so much. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did!!
(Michelle, mother of the bride),March, 2007
 
The mix of one or two hammer dulcimers, and guitar, with occasional flute, mandolin, bass box and shaker make for a very enjoyable album. The tunes vary from traditional Scottish and Irish music to originals that cross over into fiddle tunes and even blues. Check out Florida Blues, for hammer dulcimer funk!
Dick Weissman,November, 2005
 
I listened to Winter Wind twice yesterday, driving back and forth to school with no distractions. I love the little melodic and rhythmic twists you put in and it's a great selection of songs.
Kathy Lee,December, 2006
 
Everyone raved about your performance! It was phenomenal& We listened to your CD on Sunday afternoon and found it to be hypnotic, entrancing, and the perfect accompaniment to the showers passing through. And Saturday night's downpour was definitely softened by your playing...
Dan Weden,April, 2006
 
We saw you play at Tryon Creek State Park the other day. My 3 year old son was intrigued, so I bought a CD. He plays it all day. Thank you for bringing a taste of Irish folk to our little Irish home. :)
(Meggan Tryon Creek State Park),August, 2007
 
Thank you SO much for coming - your music was perfect for our setting. I just loved it when that little girl started dancing along with you. I hope my photos come out - I will send you one if they do. We so appreciate your support. It was a wonderfully successful Trillium Festival. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Deborah Shimkus, Trillium Festival Coordinator,May, 2005
 

 “The bright and festive sounds of acoustic guitar, hammered dulcimer marimbula, flute and penny whistle combine in folk-inspired arrangements, with dance-like qualities and a celebratory air throughout.”

Hillary Field - Victory Review,December, 2007
 
©2010 Beltaine Music