Sessions - Where & WhenWhere: O’Leary’s Pub, 46 Princess St. (Uptown), Saint John, NB. We meet in the big area at the back of the bar
When: Official sessions run September to June on Tuesday nights at 7pm until about 10pm. Please note that some members meet year round and welcome anyone to join them, but that these unofficial sessions aren’t run using the same format described below |
Sessions - Format
At 7:00 pm our ‘slow’ or ‘learning’ session begins. We spend about a half hour plugging away at newly-learned tunes. It is also a great opportunity to sit with experienced musicians and learn some of the more familiar tunes at a slower pace.
Around 7:30 pm we start playing and singing more well-known tunes and songs. We try to keep this section straight-up Irish Traditional. Occasionally there will be dancers present who will get up and dance if a song/set gets their feet tapping.
Starting around 8:30-9:00 pm we have the Circle. This gives each person a chance to play or request any tunes, songs or sets. This is also when we are likely to hear some poetry, short stories and jokes mixed in with the musical selections. This section runs until we wrap up around 10:00 pm.
Around 7:30 pm we start playing and singing more well-known tunes and songs. We try to keep this section straight-up Irish Traditional. Occasionally there will be dancers present who will get up and dance if a song/set gets their feet tapping.
Starting around 8:30-9:00 pm we have the Circle. This gives each person a chance to play or request any tunes, songs or sets. This is also when we are likely to hear some poetry, short stories and jokes mixed in with the musical selections. This section runs until we wrap up around 10:00 pm.
Sessions – General Information
All are welcome, regardless of experience. Feel free to bring your traditional instrument or your voice and join in. A little shy or don’t play? Simply sit with the other bar patrons and enjoy the traditional setting. The more, the merrier! So spread the word by bringing your friends. It's a great way to hear fiddles, bodhrans (Irish drums), harps, tin whistles, accordions, guitars, mandolins and other traditional instruments and songs for free! We also have a guest book that you are more than welcome to sign.
Being focused in our sessions helps us grow musically and gives newer members a chance to learn the tunes and become confident playing them. While we often play familiar music each week, we also like to bring new tunes to the table. We'll try to post these new tunes before we introduce them so you can have the music. Please feel free to bring forward new tunes or songs to our music committee.
Being focused in our sessions helps us grow musically and gives newer members a chance to learn the tunes and become confident playing them. While we often play familiar music each week, we also like to bring new tunes to the table. We'll try to post these new tunes before we introduce them so you can have the music. Please feel free to bring forward new tunes or songs to our music committee.