Friends For Life // The High Kings 2013

Annnnd here is the much awaited post! Still coming down from two amazing Irish festivals, seeing "the boys," getting a taste of their new material, and having a Folk 'n Rolling good time.

Anna and I have a long history of obsession. With four men. Irishmen. #cough You see, about five years ago we saw a video of an English Country Dancing group in Oregon. Long story short, not only did we love the dance (one of the many variations of the Scottish Gay Gordon, aka to fellow ECDers, 'Maries Wedding',) but the accompanying song was catchy, fun, unique. . .and Celtic.We did a bit of research, watched a couple youtube videos, bought a CD. . .

. . .and it's just about history from there. 

 

 

I'm sure you really don't want to hear about the months of raving, the constant, 24/7 playing of the Debut album and later Memory Lane (shhh. . .don't ask our parents, ;) ) the long walks around the neighborhood debating whether the guy with the mustache was Martin. . .or Darren? The website stalking. The loud singing. The crazy love of two Italian American girls for a little emerald green Isle. 

We don't fangirl often, but when we do, it's hardcore.

King Brian Dunphy doin' his stuff

Now, several years and ten concerts later, The High Kings aren't just our favorite Celtic music group. They are real people, friends, and man do they give the best hugs! 

Much as I adore all the guys, there is a special place in my heart for Darren. Laugh crinkles, gorgeous singing voice. What's not to love?

  

A lot of people ask us--"HOW do you know The High Kings?" Simple, really.  The lads started doing US festival tours several years ago, and not only does our area host two large Irish festivals, but it is also a "center for the arts," attracting worldwide musical artists, Broadway shows, etc. For Anna and I, it all started one day in 2010 on a website-stalking-spree (thankfully we've grown out of that. :P ) We noticed tour dates, screamed awhile, bought tickets. . .you get the idea. :P I specifically remember daydreaming about seeing the Kings in concert. . .little did I think we'd actually meet our "idols." Even crazier? They come back, year after year.

There is a small bunch of us (you know who you are, B) ) who are the "original" area groupies. You know, the people jumping up and down, waving signs, pointing in excited whispers--"Finbarr.just.LOOKEDATME!" don't think too hard on that.

  

 

I can't post the videos I took of the new material, but folks, let me just say--Friends for Life--is going to be awesome. It took some getting used to, but the guys played samples at both festivals we attended. . .and I'm sold. Some songs are less Celtic, more folk, even slightly country. A fusion of traditional sounds, contemporary twist, and nearly all original, served only as the Kings can. I can hardly wait for it's release. :) 

The Town I Loved So Well, by Mr. Darren Holden. It's one of my very favorite songs. Like someone said on Facebook, Darren makes it a classic. :)  

 

Finally went all green for a concert, from my hair clips down to my flip flops. Oh, and in case you can't tell, these photos were taken at two different festivals. I picked up these tiny Celtic earrings this past Sunday and couldn't be happier, especially since I got a discount. Win!!

And there you have it. Madi, this post was especially for you. Happy craic! 

All photos © Anna Olivia, 2013

Dubliner cheese, southern charm, and sun-shiny thoughts

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea,Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun;And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where life is a song.And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long,Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune;And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where legend remains.The stories of old, fill the heart and may yet come again,Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won;And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done. ♥
 

Ah, but it's fun pretendin' to be Irish on St. Paddy's day. Being Italian is pretty amazing, (ignoring the 25% Polish, naturally,) but I just can't help adoring everything Celtic. So here I am, home alone, wearing my Irish Girl at Heart shirt, reminiscing about my dear Boys (aka The High Kings,) and listening to just a tad bit of Celtic Thunder. Shhh. . .don't tell anyone. Because today is absolutely perfect--and Irish on top of it? Sun-shiny, summery. . .not even spring--summer. Folk music in my ears, bare feet, a happy puppy sleeping in the shade, and lovely thoughts in every corner of my brain. Because Lucy Maud Montgomery would have been a bosom friend--she speaks what my soul wants to say. I swoon and die and act fluffy over her stories. Oh, and on top of it all, my mom and I went to our weekly bluegrass jam last night. . .that is, we went to watch a bunch of incredible musicians--it's been our favorite "redneck" hangout for a couple of years now. There is something so special about this place, set in a big old church, friendly and Southern. . .you know, I have a place in my heart just for elderly people? Not many people understand. . .but I have an overwhelming amount of love, thinking of the bent, wrinkled lady once beautiful, newly married perhaps, with a family of her own. . .or the grey haired gentleman playing the guitar--was he once a handsome cowboy? Yeah, sentimental moment. I think this is why my puppy Nick MUST be used in therapy. Which winds back to the bluegrass jam. These are good, old-school country folk, granddad's and grandma's, a sprinkling of younger people; congregated in one place, away from the hustle-bustle of suburbia, with one mission; making music. The music passed for generations through the roots of American culture. I love it.   
As I said in my facebook status the other day: I'm a small-town-city girl longing for the country. . .it's somewhere deep in my soul. One day I'll step outside to an open world--where next door neighbors and cut-through roads don't exist--replaced by barnyard smells, fresh air, cowboys, and banjo music.
It's been a good week. A piece of St. Paddy's day pie--hey, who said Italian's couldn't celebrate St. Paddy's day? and it'll get just that much better. Oh! And the Dubliner cheese I ate earlier. Mmm. This is living. 

Since this is a mixed-up random sort of post, enjoy the video {The Fields of Athenry, Brian Dunphy} my sister took back in March, 2011. This was our 2nd High Kings concert. Can't gush about these guys enough.

keeping our heritage alive: English Country Dancing Volume 1*~

"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy!--There is nothing like dancing after all-- I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies."

Pride and Prejudice 

Easy to follow, step by step instructions. Jaunty, fast paced Celtic fiddle music. Whimsical pastel skirts and neat Civil War uniforms; English Country Dancing Volume 1 is a fun introduction to English Country and American folk-style dancing. Recently Garret Stowe, a homeschooled filmmaker, asked me to review his documentary on my blog--and as a fellow ECDer, I was more than thrilled with the opportunity!!

In the films intro Garret mentioned something that is very dear to my heart. . .Unlike most dance styles, English Country Dancing (aka ECD) is an absolutely clean, modest style of dance--an historical art--that the entire family can participate in, from the littlest child to the oldest grandfather. As the documentary continues, we are swept on a Victorian journey outlining Ball etiquette and customs {that are often still followed today.} 

Garret explains his mission here: 

As homeschoolers, many of us love studying about that span in history - from the eighteenth century up through the Civil War - that gave rise to so many great events and brilliant minds.  Most also enjoy the beautiful dances from that era.  With so much anti-family recreation out there, the old dances are a wonderful way to have good old fashioned fun!  Recently, I completed an instructional documentary that combines the beauty of the Civil War/Victorian era dances with my love for history.  This 30 minute film covers 6 period dances complete with step-by-step instructions, dance excerpts, and historical information on etiquette and customs of the day.  For pictures of the production process and screen shots of the finished product, visit the following site:

www.christianfilmmakers.org/forums/viewthread/9526/P10

If you'd like to purchase a copy of your own, you can email me directly or visit my website www.repairingthebreachmedia.wordpress.com and click theBuy it Now button on the right hand side-bar.   The DVD  is $13 with free s&h. Payment is accepted via check or PayPal (sorry, orders placed via my website are PayPal only - we appreciate your understanding).  Thanks so much for your interest.   

~Garrett Stowe

gstowe@hughes.net  

You've more then likely watched videos from the various Balls I've attended (if you read this blog regularly, you're at least familiar with ECD. ;) ) If you've seen any of the Jane Austen movies (ie Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, etc,) you KNOW exactly what style of dancing I mean. English Country Dancing Volume 1 is you're guide to learning simple dances such as the Virginia Reel, Patticake Polka, Solider's Joy, and several more. The step-by-step instructions and visuals are VERY helpful. . .and it is a treat to watch this talented group of young people perform each dance. Seriously, I can't get over how much I love the ladies skirts! They lend something special to the free-spirited, folk inspired feeling of the video. . . Because these dances are truly steeped in tradition, social graces, the natural inclination to socialize, tap our feet to a fast-paced tune--join together as families and friends in good old fashion fun. 

This is what English Country Dancing Volume 1 is all about--keeping the art of a begone era alive, the stuff that we still enjoy today: dancing. In the most beautiful, wholesome way possible. Check out Garret's site and order you're own copy today! I'd love to hear about you're ECD adventures. Trust me, once you begin, there is an itch that begs for more--another Ball. Another excuse for taking out that old fiddle.   

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalm 149:3

a pinch of this and a pinch of that. . .and everything in between.

I came in from a bike ride around the neighborhood just before a summer storm hit. Nothing like a bit of exercise after a hearty lunch to work things off. . . or a perfectly-gloomy overcast. Sometimes rainy days just hit the spot - like a cup of black tea, drowned in milk and too much honey. . .enjoyed in a dark shower. Just sayin'. As I twisted my hair into ritual after-washing knots (to "lift" my waves - otherwise my hair is flat as pancakes, ) I had the sudden inspiration just to write. About EVERYTHING - because I love it.

The other night my family sat around my laptop - dying, taped together, and threatening to turn off if breathed on - to watch an episode of The Waltons. "Goodnight, John-boy." I can relate so much to this simple "TV family," and who doesn't love John-boy? I married him several years ago. ;) But anyway - currently our only working DVD player is on my lovely little laptop. I need a new one SO badly. . .but every once in awhile it brings my family together (nothing rare, since we do EVERYTHING together,) to watch a good old show. . .This time one particular quote stood out to me: "either your a writer, or your not." John-boy loved writing, but throughout the series we hear him saying: "I want to be a writer." 

I don't know whether I'm "a writer" or not, or even if I write well. I  love my fiction blurbs and characters - but most of all, I enjoy non-fiction writing. I suppose that's why my blog is mostly article based. Its like that in real life too - once I get going on a topic I love, there's just no stopping! I blab, and talk, and ramble, and make an idiot of myself. But that's me - and most days I feel like Rapunzel: "I am a despicable human being!"

So. Right now my three youngest sisters are watching one of those budget-y Bible cartoons, the ones that are completely un-Biblical and mostly corny, but fun nonetheless. We usually spend time throughout the show explaining, "no Lidia, that didn't happen. No, there wasn't a girl called Sally in the Gospel of John."

This post has been evolving, added on to, deleted and changed for the past couple of days. Gotta love random ramblings. Which reminds me - one simply can't get too old for American Girl. . .or Little House on the Prairie. . . or Nancy Drew . . .or The Bobbesy Twins. I still read them - though that MAY mean I'm excessively  immature - not that I care. :P I can conquer all, especially after reading this wonderful little gem: 

". . .he never wasted regrets on his lack of height and never found it an obstacle to his acquisition of anything he wanted. Rather, it was [his] compact smallness that made him what he was, for he had learned early that little people must be hardy to survive among large ones." - Gone with the Wind

Wise words to live by for this 4'9" 20 year old. I think I love Gerald O'Hara. ;)

- I'm wearing my favorite over-sized t-shirt; black, cozy, and printed with a picture of the worlds greatest Irish guys. Gotta love lazy-ish shirts for lazy-ish days. Especially when there is sewing to be done. . .and you find yourself pasted to the computer screen (the dying lap-top screen, at that! :P )

Speaking of . .you are all probably wondering HOW last weeks concerts went. That's right folks, concert"S". . .I saw my favoritest Celtic group (boooo Celtic Thunder!) 3 times, totaling 5 concerts in all since August of last year. As always Anna and I had a blast with the guys - special talks with my FAVORITE King, Darren Holden (one of the worlds most talents singers and musicians, might I add, plus the nicest guy in the universe,) "huggies" from Brian, a "special Martin picture," and hellos from Finbarr. And they loved the brownies Anna made for them. . .Darren called them "cakes." hehe (see Anna's post for full overview.) Oh! and we were able to see a stunning performance by Cherish the Ladies Sunday afternoon. . .very talented musicians, jaunty music. . .I ♥ it. Hm. Beginning to think my Irish-obsession just isn't normal. . . my mother was born in Italy, after all - and aren't Italians supposed to hate the Irish? :P

L-R: Martin, Finbarr, Anna, Yours Truly, Brian, Darren.
Note that this is an excessively frightening picture of me. Just sayin'. The guys were sooo tired, poor things - they just aren't used to our lovely Ohio heat. (not that we Ohioans are either, but I'd imagine its worse coming from the rainy Emerald Isle.) This was Sunday night - we spent the whole day at the festival with the family. Friday some wonderful friends and fellow fans picked us up. . .

I am formulating a wonderful post - at least *I* think its wonderful. It'll be full of boasting and scare all my readers away, I'm sure. j/k j/k A vlog is in order. . .and one knows their world is small if they spend hours thinking up exactly the right setting, what to say, how to say it, things like that. PLUS, there is a very huge possibility that I might start another blog; an utterly girly, go-against-my-stance-of-not-being-too-girly-blog, because I'm a girl, and I can't help it. ;) TLRoS summer will still be here, and it won't change. That's all I'll say for now. Btw, on the topic of blogs, I can't stand my new header. The rose is beautiful, I don't mind the editing, but really, the wording is HIGHLY unprofessional looking. Bear with me - it'll be fixed soon.

Summer is all about happy-things. Sitting on a hillside watching the sun set over an apple-tree framed pond. Listening to mom read aloud from Gone with the Wind (be still my heart!) while munching on cookies. The scent of chives and other garden-goodness from the tiny plot next to the house. Walking over a freshly mowed lawn. Drinking sinfully-chocolaty-coffee-ish frozen mocha's from Panera.

Loving life. Because spontaneity IS living. . . and chocolate covered espresso beans.  

i'm dreamin' of ireland in fine summer weather. . .

one word. TONIGHT.
my third time seeing them - my dear friends and favorite celtic band, LIVE in concert. i think i'm just a little excited. just a little.

I'm baaackkkk!!! {updates on life}

It seems like hundreds of years since I've blogged. ;) But no - I have not expired, I am STILL quite alive and breathing...and feeling so blessed these days by the Lord and His beautiful way of caring for His children. Really, I don't feel as though I deserve the joy, loyal family, lovely friends...Christ's mercy and presence in my day-to-day life! I've can't say it enough: God is ALWAYS good.

I very much dislike bragger-blog posts. This is *not* one. Yet there have been so many special things happening - a constant, crazy, whirlwind of LIFE. And so, I'll try to update y'all really quickly . . .

Sorbet and smoothies are my newest obsession . . . I know what I'll be ordering all summer when the rest of the family goes out for ice cream! Oh, yeah - I'd much rather have the ice cream . . . fat, sugar, all that good stuff. ;) But considering I'm lactose intolerant (which mean's no dairy outside of organic,) something fruity-cold will have to do! Soooo excited to have discovered Graeters recently. o.O

{L-R: friend Hannah Michelle, me, and Anna, before seeing The High Kings}

Last month I had the opportunity of seeing my  friends and favorite Celtic music group, The High Kings, live fore the second time in concert.  

Anna and I have gotten to know Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and Martin Furey after seeing them back in August and later keeping in contact via facebook. It was very special seeing them again knowing that our "fanship" has turned into friendship. :) 

"Now the music's gone, but they carry on . . ."

{The Town I Loved So Well - Darren's version is stunning}

 

 

It was so memorable being able to share in Finbarr's birthday! We bought him a t-shirt that said "Made in Ireland," which I had the honor of giving him during the concert. He loved it! 

{note that this is a supremely unflattering picture of me. :P } 

Just have to mention that Darren is my favoritest King. ♥ He is such a talented singer and musician (like the rest of THK,) and has the squishiest bear hugs. :sigh: See my friend Hannah's video of us greeting the Kings from a different angle. . . and Anna's post HERE and our youtube channel for more HK fun!

Currently I'm reading about 4-5 different novels. *ahem* In the middle of The Count of Monte Cristo right now. . .which (thanks to Anna for spoiling the ending. Ok, I ASKED about it. :P ) - is overall very disappointing.  I mean, Edmond is so dashing in the beginning. :sob:  Ah well . . .it's not keeping me from going to Oregon in May to attend a CoMC themed ECD ball! o.O T-this will be my first time in an airplane. 

No blog entry is complete without mention of the always epic, forever inspiring, breathtaking, (give me more adjectives! ;) ) Les Miserables. The 10th Anniversary concert still leaves my heart pounding and the tears welling in my eyes - no matter how many times I watch it . . . but I'm about hyperventilating, because on SUNDAY I'll be seeing the West End/Broadway musical LIVE. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! 

Lately I've been learning (or at least trying to learn :P ) patience. Anna and I are now part-time nannies for 4 of the most adorable children ranging in age from almost 7 to 3 months old. It's a challenge for sure, but I am so grateful for the experience! Spending time with the kiddos is a delight. . .even through the tantrums. ;) And little newborn Anthony is at the perfect huggable stage. ♥

Here's a sneak-peak of the costume I wore recently to a Literary Ball . . . I'll be doing a post on it soonishly.  Can anyone guess who I went as? (no telling, Flop. ;) ) 

And there ya have just a tiny glimpse of whats been happen'. BUSY stuff - and again, please, please don't think I'm bragging . . . o.O From the bottom of my heart, I only want to update everyone. :) 

What have YOU been up to as of late??? 

"put on your dancing shoes. . .

. . .we'll dance in ireland."

tommy makem

this video is beyond adorable. i'm not a huge riverdance fan, but i'm in love with the irish culture - and step dancing is fascinating! recently in the past couple of years i've been privileged to see traditional irish soft and hard shoe dancing live. . . ♥

this particular dance evokes the feeling of an old-fashioned ceili dance. all the vibrant colors, costumes, swirling skirts and tapping feet!...interestingly enough the sets of four couples and swinging steps are similar to those in contra dancing. and i also recognize "reeling," which is in scottish country dancing.       

The High Kings in Cleveland!! o.O

Most of my friends here on blogger probably aren't familiar with the worlds greatest Irish/Celtic group, and so part of my aim in this blog post is to introduce to you, ladies and gentleman:

{the girls, l-r: Debbi, Anna, Rachael, Christina, me}

{the guys, l-r: Brian, Martin, Finbarr, Darren}

The High Kings.

<-- click --->

When *I* was first introduced to THK nearly two years ago I never imagined I'd actually see them in concert, much less meet them - I mean, their from Ireland!

This past Monday proved me wrong...

If you know me or my sister Anna there is no need to explain our perfectly crazy obsession with all things Irish. Of course we don't have an ounce of Irish blood in our bodies, but as the saying goes,

everyone is a little bit Irish.

I don't think that statement could be more true: I'm 75% Italian, 25% Polish, all American, 100% Born Again Christian...

...and Irish in my imagination.

So where do I get my passion for Ireland and Irish music?

Simple. It all started long ago when I saw a video a friend posted of a home school English Country Dance ball...she was dancing to a song called 'Maries Wedding.'

I loved it, looked it up online, have since become an HUGE fan of The High Kings, and my passion for the rich Irish culture continues to grow!

So who exactly are The High Kings?

- watch this video.

{Darren Holden}

{Brian Dunphy}

{Finbarr Clancy}

{Martin Furey}

Ok...so now you know who The Kings are. You love them, right? Right!

Shall I tell you all about the concert? Of course! ^_^

It all happened Monday August 16th when 5 fun-loving friends traveled only about 25 minutes away on a journey to experience one of the most thrilling thrills of their lives!

Since it would take years (and probably bore non-fans in the process) to explain everything, I think I'll go with the hoe-hum highlight-lowlight approach. Sound good? I'll try to keep it all as condensed as I can.

~ before the concert~

lowlight -

The drive down to pick up our friends, who met us part way (they came from Pennsylvania.) My mom and I had plenty of interesting adventures along the way, including a truck blowing its tire into our windshield. Oh, and did I mention a hearse drove by soon afterwards?... o.O

highlight -

Picking up our friends! We had some wonderfully deep theological talks on the way home. Good times!

highlight -

Getting ready for the concert! My sister Anna made all five of us a cute kelly-green cloth flower clip to wear in our hair. Everyone looked adorable, and my friend Rachael even dressed in the colors of the Irish flag. I, naturally, wore my "Irish Girl At Heart" t-shirt. It just seems so appropriate for an Irish wannabe. ;)

highlight -

Turning Memory Lane (THK's newest album) up full volume (ok, not really ;) ) on the drive to the concert. The CD hasn't been released in the US yet, but I was privileged to have ordered it some months ago.

Such fun having my friends hear it for the first time!

major highlight -

Peeking through the main entrance doors of the Irish American Club. Why? Well...at first all I saw inside were tables and a few staff workers...then I look through the other window, and a scream escaped my lips - haha, yes, its true! I mean, what else could I do? Darren was standing on the stage! o.O

super major highlight -

Walking past ALL of The High Kings (and waving while trying not to hyperventilate when they waved back,) on our way into the restaurant (directly in the room across from the main hall.) I think it took me at least ten minutes before my heart-rate slowed to normal and my hands stopped shaking.

highlight -

As we ate our meal (while waiting for the guys to finish their sound check so we could enter the main hall,) who should walk past but...Martin! Of course I was across the room getting ketchup for my hamburger, so I nearly missed him. Thats just how I do things. :P

...he stuck his tongue out at Anna. ^_^

Biggest highlight of the evening -

As my friend Christina and I stood taking pictures of The Kings instruments up on stage a woman suddenly grabbed at my arm, excitedly saying that Darren was outside signing autographs, that he was SO sweet, and that I needed to meet him! I followed blindly as she pulled me through the crowd, showed me the door, and left. (Again, thanks *so* much Ginny!)

Christina and I stumbled out the door only to see Darren walking around the corner of the building. He turned once, and I gave him a little wave. Before I knew what was happening, Darren asked if we wanted our "pic-y" taken with him.

YES!

This was the result:

Darren was every bit as wonderful as Ginny said. He was very kind, gracious, and made Christina and I feel so comfortable! Meeting him was truly the ultimate highlight of the evening.

Ok, back to highlights...and...I'm not seeing many lowlights so far! ;)

highlight -

Seeing Brian up-close for the first time! He gave us a nice big smile and wave.

~ during the concert ~

highlight -

Following The High Kings out of the restaurant (where we were waiting to snap pictures) on their way into the hall. Finbarr promised we'd get a chance to spend some time with them after the concert, and Darren asked

"well aren't you girls coming in?" :D

(Has anyone figured out who my favorite band member is yet? ;) )

major highlight -

Hearing The Kings sing live! WOW I always thought they were talented when I heard them recorded, but it was a pleasant surprise to find them EVEN better live. They were incredible!

Sorry for the poor picture and sound quality of the following videos!

{The Black Velvet Band}

{The Fields of Glory}

- I was privileged to have this posted to Darren Holdens facebook fan wall!

{Maries Wedding}

- this is slightly different then the version we normally dance too. Again, so sorry for the poor quality!

{part of Caven Girl}

{the end part of As I Roved Out}

- this video is my personal favorite.

highlight -

Standing in the back of the hall after intermission. We had a much better view there!

highlight -

Purchasing THK's DVD!

amusing highlight -

As we girls sang and clapped along with the music one of the staff members took us aside, asking, "which of you is the biggest fan?" Hard question. ;) Later she kindly held our purses and things while we talked with the guys.

second biggest highlight of the evening -

Meeting, talking with, and taking picture with ALL of The High Kings! Each of them were soooo nice, "real" and friendly, the sort of people you could spend time drinking coffee with and just chatting. They spent quite some time with us gals, which was really neat - we actually held up the line to the autograph table! There are quite a few funny stories here, but this post is long enough, and I'm doing my best to keep it short-ish.

{Anna and I with Martin and Finbarr}

{Me and Brian!}

lowlight -

Yes...the end of the concert was a HUGE lowlight (hm...there were only two in this entire post, weren't there? ;) ) I can hardly wait until the next concert...

And there you have it peoples! My very brief summery of The High Kings in Cleveland. B-)