Page 10 - November 2024 TC FINAL

10 November 2024 NHTownCrier.com
Irish Fiddler Gerry

O’Connor Workshop &
Concert

Craobh Dugan-O’Looney, the local
chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an
international cultural organization based in
Dublin, Ireland, is proud to be hosting Irish
fiddler Gerry O’Connor for a workshop and
concert on Saturday November 16, 2024. The
90-minute workshop will begin at 2:30 PM and
a concert featuring Gerry and accompanist
Kevin McElroy begins at 7:00 PM. Workshop
and concert will take place at the H.A.R.P.
Museum on the 2nd floor of the Irish Cultural
Center of the Mohawk Valley.
From an early age Gerry was involved in Irish
music and dance, winning numerous All Ireland titles between 1967 and 1973 in
a range of formations including duet, trio and four Céili Band titles. Playing with
Michael Coleman’s contemporary John Joe Gardiner in the 1970’s formed Gerry’s
style of music, focusing on the fluid and ornamented lyrical fiddle playing of the
great Sligo masters. His own background in step dancing translates into vibrant
pulsating dance music for which he is noted; today he is regarded as one of the great
fiddle players of his generation.
Gerry is steeped in the rich history of Irish culture and dance music having been
recognized by awards including 4-time Fiddler of Oriel winner and recipient of a
2018 Bardic Award for significant contribution to the promotion of traditional Irish
culture from the major Irish cultural group Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. He was
co-founder and first Artistic Director of Ceol Chairlinn, an annual teaching festival
in Carlingford, Co Louth. He is also the Traditional Arts coordinator at the newly
established Creative-Connexions Irish/ Catalan Arts festival in Sitges. He teaches
fiddle at the Willie Clancy Summer school and at master-classes throughout Europe.
When at home Gerry works as a violin maker/restorer.
Tickets are $40 for Workshop and Concert, $25 Workshop Only, $25 Concert
only advance sale, and $30 at the door. Call or text Michael Hoke 315-225-6292 for
tickets and information or email hoke84@gmail.com.
Having the opportunity to learn from and hear such a master musician performing
and sharing the history of his musical heritage with the community is a very special
treat, and we look forward to welcoming Gerry's appearance with us this November!

As a knowledgeable
New Hartford resident with
deep ties to the community,
I’ve closed and sold over

$2.1 million in properties in
New Hartford alone in 2024.