All systems go for Nyah Festival

Preparations are well in place for the Nyah County Cavan Festival 2009, which will see hundreds of musicians and artists descend on the county throughout March to take part in a packed programme of events, ranging from major concerts to intimate pub sessions, with a host of extras including music and song workshops, the "Jig of Life" awards, and book and CD launches. The word 'Nyah' refers to the very expression of the tradition; to the soul and feeling that makes it so unique it"s about the lift the music can give to the hardest heart. And what better time than the present to let the hair down and enjoy a collective 'lift' from all the doom, gloom and depression? The Nyah must go on - so forget the recession and enjoy the session! There will be no shortage of top-flight musicians, dancers and singers in seisiún at the Nyah Féile Ealaíon Chontae an Chabhán 2009. The likes of accordion legend Joe Burke, melodeon master Johnny Connolly and flute playing"s lifelong luminary Peter Horan are just the tip of the iceberg, as a host of top performers will not only showcase their talents, but share them in the extensive workshop teaching sessions that have also been arranged. On Saturday, March 14, the Nyah Music and Song Workshops (in co-operation with Cavan Town Comhaltas and Cavan Arts Office) takes place in the Riverfront Hotel Virginia and the Ramor Theatre at 2pm. Among those taking part are bouzouki - Fintan McManus, button accordion - Damien Keaney, banjo - Enda Scahill, concertina - Breda Shannon, fiddle - Gary Lynch, Antoin Mac Gabhann, flute - Caitríona Horan, uilleann pipes - Tom Clarke, Eamonn Curran, piano accordion - Dean Warner, traditional singing (English and Irish) - Aoife Murray, guitar - Paul Jermyn Spence, folk songs - Maggie Boyle, lilting - Seamus Fay, piano - Padraic O"Reilly, whistle - Louise Devitt, bodhrán - Bones B and harp - Kavan Donohoe. Registration takes place in Riverfront Hotel at 2pm but all classes must be pre-booked. Classes and final round up are held from 2.30 to 5pm. Group classes are available in instruments listed below at €10 per child/adult. Due to a limited number of spaces, lessons are first come, first served and must be signed up for in advance. Private lessons are €20 each for a 40-minute session and must be signed up for in advance. Send enquiries and entries to cavanmusiclive@gmail.com, contact Martin Donohoe 086-2342270. If entering, please send the following details: name, chosen instrument, grade (beginner/intermediate/advanced). For further Nyah information visit www.myspace.com/nyahcavan and www.cavanmusic.com or contact Martin Donohoe 086-2342270, Marian Crowe 087-4169266, Fintan McManus 087-6842198 Nyah; for Comhaltas information Terry Crowe 086-1591354; also The Arts Office, Farnham Centre Cavan on 049-4378548.