March Walk-About was our last in-person event in 2020. This year, it is our first in-person event. Families, wee folks, fairies, and leprechauns joined Céili of the Valley Society to enjoy the sun at our 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About at Salem Riverfront park wearing our finest GREEN!!
Remember When? Before Covid-19.
Do you remember when we had sooo much fun at classes, ceilis and community events?!
In Memory of Julie Cutler – 12/3/2020
With sadness Céilí of the Valley Society shares that long-time member Julie Cutler died on December 3rd from a brain hemorrhage. Remembered for her boisterous laugh, Julie enjoyed people and dancing. She generously contributed to our group in a number of capacities over time including serving as a Board member, substitute caller and volunteer. We remember her as our friend. Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Uirthi (Eternal Rest Be Upon Her).
Samhain Celtic New Year Festival | 2020
We are going virtual | Starting Saturday, October 3rd!!
Due to COVID-19, the Ceili of the Valley Society has decided to move the 5th annual Samhain Celtic New Year Festival online. Starting October 3rd, this year’s event will be a month long of October Celtic surprises. It will feature all the things people have come to love experiencing at the event that celebrates the seven Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales,Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia and Isle of Man. Look for music, workshops, children’s activities, weekly live events (including a Whisky tasting event), and vendors.
FESTIVAL OPENER | This Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7pm PT
We are excited to announce we will be kicking off the 2020 Samhain Festival with a live concert from Scottish folksingers and songwriters, Jim and Susie Malcolm!
Please join them “Live from Scotland”
(Via their Zoom Room)
(suggested donation $10-$15 per person)
To receive Paypal donations link and Zoom concert details,
please email susie@jimmalcolm.com
Check www.celticfestival.info for more information about the festival. You can also like us on Facebook: facebook.com/orcelticfest; follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/orcelticfest; andfollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/orcelticfest
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The Samhain Celtic New Year Festival is organized by the Ceili of the Valley Society, a Salem-based nonprofit all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and perpetuating Irish and Celtic heritage and culture in the Willamette Valley primarily through social events that incorporate music and dance. (NOTE: In-person activities are currently on hold due toCOVID-19).
September Ceili
Thanks to our caller- Elisa, Dan and Fran Compton, and techie Mark, Ceili of the Valley Society had their first virtual test Ceili with Live music. A lot of pre-Ceili work was done to work out sound. Thanks to those that attended. We hope you enjoyed the live music, dancing alone physically, but with others virtually on Zoom.
Upcoming Events | September 2020
As wildfires rage through Oregon, there are some concerts and classes to hopefully lift your spirits. Please stay safe, be kind, and take care of yourself and each other. -Ceili of the Valley Society
Hanz & Colleen
Online Concert!
We’ve been invited to participate in an all-day festival of sorts for some friends out in California and will be coming to you live from the farm tomorrow, Thursday, Sept 17 at 9pm EDT/6pm PDT.
Click Here to Watch (it’ll be live on Thursday) | https://www.youtube.com/c/AmeriCeltic/
Maldon Meehan | Sean-nós for kids!
Did you know you can play our feet like a drum? It’s true!
In this class, children of all ages will learn the basics of Sean-nós dance and become familiar with the rhythms of traditional Irish dance music (jigs, reels, polkas, etc.) through games, call-and-response instruction, and improvisation. This fun, low-pressure dance class is a great introduction to Irish music, dance, and cultural heritage for kids and their families. And best of all, it’s right in your own home! All you need is a screen with an internet connection, some hard-soled shoes, and a little space to dance. Each month of classes will have a theme based on the Celtic calendar. The theme for October is Samhain (pronounced SOW-in).
Join us for weekly Zoom dance classes for children ages 3-12 (for children under 6, we request that an adult sit in; teens are encouraged to join the adult beginners class) and get ready to move your body!
For more information, read more | https://maldonmeehan.com/kids-class/
Kathryn Claire
Hello to my friends and fans,
In the middle of May, while I was in the midst of cancelling tours and staying home, I listened to an amazing interview with Rick Steves that touched my heart and gave me such a lift. In the interview, “Rick Steves’ Travel Dreams“, Sam Anderson asked Rick to share one of his favorite travel memories. The description was so vivid, it brought tears to my eyes. It made me pause and take stock of all the rich travel memories I have from 10+ years of touring internationally. In the interview, Rick also encouraged us to keep dreaming of travel and making plans for our someday adventures. I sat down and wrote a song “Traveling Dreams” and then shared it with Rick. The song was released in August, and accompanies a beautiful video of images from Rick’s travels and tours. I am so excited to have been able to share in this collaboration. You can check it out here!
I am sharing several new ways in which to stay connected and experience my music. Check out the info below. I hope there is a little something for everyone.
“Traveling Dreams” is available for download at Bandcamp. I appreciate your support and I hope you will learn the lyrics to the chorus so we can sing it together in person in the future.
I am releasing an exclusive video to my email list of a live “Quarantine Version” of the song below.https://kathrynclaire.bandcamp.com/track/traveling-dreams-quarantine-version
September 19th | 10am (PST) | Zoom Concert (Solo)
I will be sharing new songs along with old favorites. The first 5 people to RSVP will have a chance to request a song! The concert will be approx. 40 mins. Please join me!
RSVP for Concert Info | https://www.evite.com/event/03E2IGHELZR7OM3NOEPK5RZN4N3B5M/rsvp?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_medium=sharable_invite&utm_source=evitelink
September 26th | 10am (PST) | Zoom Concert (Family Sing-Along)
Bring the whole family, snuggle up on the couch or move the furniture and spread out in the living room, and get ready to sing together! This sing-along will be approx. 40 mins.
RSVP for Concert Info | kathrynclairearts@gmail.com
Covid-19 Celebration
Our good friends , Brad & Linda , longtime Ceili of the Valley members celebrated their 40th Anniversary. You have probably seen Brad and Linda at our Ceili’s and some of our events. Brad has been our sound person for many years and has also provided traditional Irish music at our Ceili’s and events. Linda has also helped us out with numerous events.
Some Ceili of the Valley folks did a caravan drive-by on Sunday, May 31st to wish them Happy Anniversary. We were lucky enough to be offered cake so we stopped by and visited in physical distancing style. Ceili of the Valley Society has been so honored to have them as part of our family.
Coronavirus Activity
Ceili of the Valley Society is so lucky that our teacher Elisa also teaches Scottish Country Dance as well as Irish Social Dance.
Here’s a chance to learn a little Scottish Country dance. RSCDS is doing an online class each week.
Join a different RSCDS Teacher each week for a mixture of basic movements, warm ups, technique and steps to keep you active. Live every Wednesday at 19:00 UK time, the class will give you the chance to dance with RSCDS members around the world at the same time.
Each week, the classes will be recorded and shared through Dance Scottish At Home for those who can’t make a Wednesday evening, especially for those in a different time zone.
Hosted on Zoom, the classes will give you live video and instruction, with the opportunity to post written Q&As throughout the session, which can be answered at the end of class. You can also post messages on the ‘Chat’ area of the Webinar to other dancers.
Link to join RSCDS Online Class:
https://zoom.us/j/780126836
The first class will be on Wednesday 8th April at 19:00 GMT (12:00 pm PT). It may take a few minutes for everyone to access Zoom, especially for the first time, so please join at 7 (12:00 pm PT) and class will start after approximately 5 minutes.
Notes: You will need to register your name and an email address, but that should take you straight into the session. Your camera and microphone will not be active.
Mini-March Mayhem 2020
7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About
Ceili of the Valley Society and Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums lead the charge of everything Irish and GREEN on March 14th and hit the sidewalks for a walk-about through downtown Salem. A few wee folks joined in our last event, St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About, before the Coronavirus “Stay Home, Save Lives” order.
Salem Multicultural Institute Exhibit
Slainte – Celebrating Celtic Cultures Exhibit
Showing through February 19, 2020 At Pringle Park Plaza, 390 Liberty St SE, Salem
This exhibit is an exploration of the seven Celtic cultures: Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Mann, Scotland & Wales through customs, celebrations and more.
