Irish music in Middletown

For years, Jody Cormack, who works in Wesleyan University's World Music Archives, has hosted Celtic musicians in concert at her home on Margarite Rd. Inspired by former Wesleyan colleague and world music expert, the late Robert Brown, who used to hold "curry concerts" of Indian music at his home, Cormack decided that her love of Celtic music could be celebrated in the same way.

Cormack's house concerts have hosted some of the greats of traditional, and traditionally-influenced Celtic music over the years.

Next Tuesday, October 21, Brian O'Rourke and O'Rourke's Diner will host a special benefit dinner and Fundraiser for the concert series. Run on a shoestring, the concert series is designed to benefit musicians through donations by audience members, but according to Cormack, those shoestrings are getting tight during these recent difficult economic times. With disposable income disappearing, audiences are not as large as they once were.

The fundraiser will feature a multi-course dinner by O'Rourke, live music and a music related raffle of CDs and concert tickets.

The event is nearly sold-out. Seats for the benefit are nearly gone but the remaining reservations can be made by emailing Cormack at jcormack@wesleyan.edu, or by calling at (860) 983-7963.

The next evening, Wednesday October 22, Cormack hosts another in her concert series at her home when Celtic multi-instrumentalist John Carty visits with guitarist Donal Clancy.

Carty, whose acclaim as a fiddler and banjo player have won him renown in Ireland, has performed solo and with bands since he was sixteen. He has recently been touring in a reunion of the legendary band Patrick Street, and has regularly toured as a guest musician with the Chieftans and De Danaan.


John Carty with Donal Clancy
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at 8pm
145 Margarite Rd. Ext., Middletown CT
Suggested donation: $25 general ($28 at the door), $12 students, $7 children 12 & under
Please call Jody Cormack 860-346-4422 for reservations
or email jcormack@wesleyan.edu