December 21st, 2012

New York City is just now starting to get chilly and it seems that winter is on its way after all.  Part of me was hoping it would miss us entirely.

This fall has felt like that game of kickball we used to play in gym....where things keep getting thrown at you. Although I was out-of-town during Hurricane Sandy,  it was incredible to see the devastation, and I felt for the people that lost their homes.
NYC banded together and things were settling down again, and then we were devastated to hear about the events in Newtown, CT. The day after that, I was subbing at my former job, teaching the beginning violin class. Many of those kids are 6 years old. They always make me smile with the way they look at the world,  and that brought it all home.

In spite of all the kickballs, I decided to go beyond the Macy's window and do some real shopping.

 I made it as far as the LEGO store in Rockefeller Center.  That is not a store for the meek or those that don't have a clue about legos.  Legos seem to have developed quite a bit since I remember them and I was pretty lost there, but I managed to get in the HUGE line with a purchase, although that was almost my shopping limit for the day.
After the lego store,  I walked by St. Patrick's Cathedral and decided to go in and sit for a minute. It's such a beautiful church and felt very peaceful after the consumer madness. I needed to remember what Christmas was really about, and it was a great reminder.
Admittedly, after feeling the true spirit of Christmas, I did head over to the American Girl store for a quick purchase. I do enjoy walking around this store, and don't feel I need to buy everything there, unlike some people in line. I like watching the girls with their dolls and the hair salon for dolls always makes me smile.
I'm almost ready to start getting ready for the holidays! And I may be the last one, but I do love the magic of Christmas, and hope that we can hold onto that throughout life.

Vita and I have our first concert of the New Year in Windsor CT on January 19th 7:30 pm.  It's at a place called Northwest Park. Northwestpark.org/concerts.htm
We've been working on new sets to kick off the New Year and it should be a special show. So tell anyone you know in Windsor, we'd love to see them!

Wishing a very happy holiday season to all!
cady

Hurricane Sandy and The Town I loved so well

Last Friday I went over to the Armory in my neighborhood (my YMCA). It's a shelter at the moment for those displaced by hurricane Sandy.  I was actually in Seattle during the hurricane, so like many people I saw the devastating photos on tv and it was hard to imagine it was really happening.  My Brooklyn neighborhood wasn't flooded at all, and when I see what happened to some areas of Brooklyn, I feel very blessed.
One of the areas that is just devastated is the Rockaways, which is a community that includes a lot of Irish families. I played there for a concert at Fort Tilden several years ago, and I remember how many people turned out to picnic/dance and listen.
The shelter in my neighborhood includes many seniors from assisted living facilities in the Rockaways.  They've set up cots all over the running track, and it's both amazing and sad to see. On the side of the room they have a "wellness area" that offers music, arts, haircuts, knitting etc. every hour. Anything to lift the spirits - . I went to play there and was planning to do some happy jigs and reels , but what the people really wanted to hear was songs.... Danny Boy (several requests), "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", and then the one that got to me, "The Town I loved so well".  This song is about going back to Derry, when it has been decimated by war and bombing.  Sort of a sad parallel for many of those people.
I came home and listened to Paddy Reilly singing it - I love this verison. (song my Phil Coulter).
It reminded me of the power of music.

I have those people at the shelter to thank for reminding me of that.

Irish Music Wednesdays in Woodside!

Last October Wednesday at Two Shotz
Wednesday October 24th 9 pm to midnight 54-11 Northern Boulevard in Woodside Queens.
The bar is next to a tire store, and has some other name on the front. Confusing!
Cady & Vita will be playing Spirited Irish music!, no cover

Irish Music Wednesdays in Long Island City

This photo was taken at 7 am on one of the last days of summer. My friend and colleague guitarist Pat Bianculli took it.  I've always loved the Brooklyn bridge and on days like this, the view is spectacular. If you haven't walked across that bridge, I highly recommend it.

Fall has officially begun in New York City. 
This month, Vita and I are doing Irish music Wednesdays at Two Shotz Bar, in Long Island City.
It's a cozy friendly bar, and right by the R/M train stop to Northern Boulevard.
Spirited Irish Music! Guinness specials $3! 9 pm to midnight.
Their facebook page is here....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Shotz-Bar-Lounge/439773686040644?fref=ts

Other news...Concerts in your home did an interview with me.  Not the standard questions, so it got me thinking about alot of topics, including Donald Trump and driving.
http://lrnblog.posterous.com/renewal-interview-cady-finlayson

Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County: 20th Anniversary Tattoo

It's the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County. I've been playing for them for ten years....
There's a big concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center NJPac.org
and lots of events....come celebrate with us!
bergen2012.com

Denver & Raleigh Shows!

September news.  GIG JUST BOOKED IN DENVER AT KATIE MULLENS IRISH RESTAURANT
We're on our way to Denver for an Arts presenters conference (Western Arts Alliance). We'll be doing a couple very short showcases so presenters can see what our show is, and decide if they'd like their audiences to experience Spirited Irish fiddle with a Global Twist.  Showcases are sort of like speed dating- you have only a moment to be your best self. The downside is they can feel artificial and against everything music is, but the upside is that it's a chance to be heard by new audiences (presenters).  There are also lots of other people selling whatever it is they do. It's interesting to me to see what is out there, even if it's not something I'd normally go hear.

The good news is, we also have a real gig. Thanks to Andy Hackbarth (great songwriter and guitarist - check him out www.andyhackbarth.com).
We'll be playing at Katie Mullens Irish Restaurant and Pub, which is in downtown Denver. www.katiemullens.com Fri September 7th 9 pm...
Tell all your friends, we're going to have a fun night!

Then the next week we're off to Raleigh NC for an afternoon show Sept. 16th gslchurchnew.org....and then it's back to NY as I'm playing for the Bergen County pipe band's 20th anniversary njpac.org
 That will be a whole blog in and of itself....

Interview by GoGirlsMusic

The interview is in! 

This one got me thinking about why I do what I do and how many people are a part of it.

and yes, even Dolly Parton is an influence. 

 http://www.madalynsklar.com/2012/08/04/gogirls-interview-with-cady-finlayson/

When it rains ...it pours!

The phrase, "when it rains, it pours..." seems to apply for September.

Upcoming Shows to know about....

Irish Music Show in Queens NY
August 9th Sergeant Collins Park 7 pm 58th st. and Broadway in Woodside Queens
Outdoor show so check website for show weather updates if it looks like rain...fiddleandguitar.com

September 5th  and 6th in Denver Colorado
Cady Finlayson & Vita Tanga Showcase at Western Arts Alliance Conference in Denver, CO.
Wed Sept 5th Hyatt Regency Hotel 11 pm, Granite Room, 3rd floor. (20 min. showcase)
Thurs Sept 6th Hyatt Regency Hotel, 11 pm, Granite Room, 3rd floor (20 min. showcase)

September 16th in Raleigh, North Carolina 3 pm
Cady Finlayson & Vita Tanga perform at the Music at Good Shepherd Series
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
7000 Creedmore Rd.
Raleigh, NC  27613
gslchurchnew.org
Admission free, all ages welcome. Spirited Irish fiddle show!

Saturday September 22nd 7 p.m. New Jersey
Cady Finlayson performs with the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County for their 20th Anniversary Show. Tickets $50 and going fast....
Bergen Performing Arts Center bergenpac.org

Irish Arts week was spectacular! The best part had to to be the nightly concerts.  One night Gabriel McKeon played the uilleann pipes like I've never heard them played before, and the whole audience was still, listening. He played so many chords, it sounded like an organ and I almost felt like I was in church. 


There were sessions every night, and one that started late due to Skunks in the Pub!
Actually that was the difficult part of the Catskills, driving with so many deer and animals around.

The part I was worried about was staying in a camper by myself, but I did fine with that. I had a lot of help!





and now, getting psyched for our upcoming show in Raleigh, NC on September 16th.....3 pm
It's the  Music at Good Shepherd Concert Series  (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, gslchurchnew.org
Vita and I loved North Carolina when we were there for the Almost Heaven Tour, and we never saw Raleigh, so this will be our chance.

Countdown to Irish Arts Week 2012

 12 days countdown until Irish Arts week in the Catskills (July 15th-21st).
This is what I"ll be doing!!

Summer plans and Irish Arts Week!

Just yesterday I was reading about how to get ready for swimsuit season, and realized, it already is swimsuit season! So I guess I'll just be swimming as is...

This summer has been mostly about catching up, and if all goes well, I should be caught up by next summer. We have a show June 30th in Staten Island that is the perfect opportunity to try some new material, so I've been going through new tunes and experimenting with different combinations. I even bought a book of Gypsy violin tunes - how about that in the middle of an Irish reel set?!

In July I'm heading up to East Durham for Irish Arts week. I'm taking a few classes including some Canadian fiddling and I'll be at the sessions.  I found a cool youtube site of the sessions last year, and if you're wondering what goes on there, here is an example.

Highlights from St. Patrick's Month NYC 2012

St. Patrick's Shows: Jameson pub crawl

It has been another year of March Madness, but we had some of the most fun gigs.

Vita and I did the Jameson pub crawl (bus photos below) several parades....and the usual assortment of shows.

Here are a few photos.

Irish fiddle shows: Cady Finlayson Band plays Bronx & Queens shows

Irish Music Concerts: Bronx, NY and Queens NY March 3rd & 4th!

Cady Finlayson Band in the Bronx
March 3rd 2 pm at Woodlawn Heights Library
4355 Katonah Avenue (at 239th St. )
Bronx, NY 10470
http://www.nypl.org/locations/woodlawn-heights

Spirited Irish music!
Sizzling fiddle and beautiful ballads for all ages. Admission free. Catch the Celtic Spirit!
http://www.nypl.org/locations/woodlawn-heights
Cady Finlayson, fiddle, Vita Tanga, guitar, Marina Meyler, vocals/banjo.

Cady Finlayson Band in Queens
Sunday March 4th 3 pm
Queens Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432
http://www.queenslibrary.org/index.aspx?page_id=44&branch_id=CEL

Irish Music Sundays at Molly Spillane's: Cady Finlayson & Marina Meyler

I'll be back at  Molly Spillanes again this weekend, Sunday February 19th.
The place to be! 5-7 pm
Marina will be singing those Irish ballads and I'll be kicking it up with the fiddle tunes.
Stop by and say hi! No cover.
Molly Spillane's Irish Pub
211 Mamaroneck Avenue
Mamaraneck, NY 10543
http://www.mollyspillanespub.com

New York City at its best!

There are days when New York City is absolutely magnificent, and this video captures that for me.
The background music is our recording of "Foggy Dew" (Electric Green CD)

Cady Finlayson Band Showcase at Arts Presenters Conference

Here is the real live version of the showcase we did at theArts Presenters Conference in New York City. If you can get past looking at the very sexy "EXIT SIGN" in the background and imagine a real theater with lighting, you get the idea.  It was such fun to have Irish dancing as a part of it.

Pencil drawing of our APAP set 2012

Vita and I played the Arts Presenters Conference at the NYC Hilton.
In this pencil drawing video you'll Cady on fiddle, Vita on guitar, and Tim Alworth on the bodhran.