Seamus Egan of Seamus Egan Project, who will be performing at this year’s KVMR festival
First founded in 1996, the KVMR Celtic Festival includes eleven performance areas including five musical and six demonstration stages and a weekend-long youth arts instruction that has included Celtic music, magic, dance and songwriting.
The Festival is the main fundraising event of the year for KVMR Community Radio which operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity. Held in the early fall, the festival regularly draws over 7,000 attendees for the two days and the promotional outreach extends throughout KVMR’s listening area including a worldwide live streaming broadcast over the internet through iTunes and the KVMR website.
The Coronas • Oct. 2
The Coronas are an Irish rock band that originated in Dublin. They release their music through their own independent record label, 3ú Records, and are based between Dublin and London. They have released five studio albums, Heroes or Ghosts (2007), Tony Was an Ex-Con (2009), Closer to You (2011) The Long Way (2014) & Trust The Wire (2017).
Hozier’s popularity seemed to flourish overnight, causing quite a stir all over the world most notably with the hit single “Take Me To Church.” At just 15 years old, Hozier’s music taste was already very developed, leaning towards blues, R&B, soul and gospel, influenced from his musical household. Soon after leaving college, Hozier released an E.P. and just a year later, his debut album which swiftly accumulated half-million in sales. A unique and intelligent singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Hozier cites Leonard Cohen, John Lee Hooker, and community choral singing among his influences, as well as James Joyce’s “Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man.” Tickets
Eugene O’Neill Festival, Danville • Aug 31 – Sep 30
In a partnership “One Festival, Two Countries,” the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, and the O’Neill Ancestral Trust presents the 19th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival in Danville throughout September and the inaugural Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre in New Ross, Ireland, October 11–14.
“One Festival, Two Countries” embodies a civic as well as a cultural partnership. Danville and New Ross have become Friendship Cities, and official delegations from the two cities will attend one another’s O’Neill festivals. The Danville festival is sponsored by the Irish Consulate in San Francisco. more
ILHS Speaker Series 2018 • Sep 30
Carl Nolte on his life and career in San Francisco – “From Portrero Hill to Fifth & Mission”
Carl Nolte began his long journalistic career in San Francisco in 1961. Since then he has observed and reported on some of the biggest news stories in the City of his birth. He now serves as the senior journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he contributes a weekly Native Son column. Nolte, who was raised on Portrero Hill and attended elementary and high school at St. Peter’s in the Mission, will speak on his San Francisco life, from the Hill to 5th and Mission, with focus on the Irish American and other ethnic communities of the City, the major stories of the many eras that he covered City life, and the changes in the City that he sees in the present day. Sunday, September 30, 5:00pm UICC. more
Irish Arts & Writers’ Festival, 2018 • Oct 11-15
The Irish Arts & Writers’ Festival is a four-day festival featuring Irish writers, artists, and musicians. Los Gatos Oct. 12-14. Additional events in Berkeley, San Francisco. Oakland.
Here’s a sampling of what has come our way in 2018
The Cured • March 9
In a world ravaged for years by a virus that turns the infected into zombie-like cannibals, a cure is at last found and the wrenching process of reintegrating the survivors back into society begins. Among the formerly afflicted is Senan (Sam Keeley), a young man haunted by the horrific acts he committed while infected. Welcomed back into the family of his widowed sister-in-law (Ellen Page), Senan attempts to restart his life—but is society ready to forgive him and those like him? Or will fear and prejudice once again tear the world apart? Pulsing with provocative parallels to our troubled times, The Cured is a smart, scary, and hauntingly human tale of guilt and redemption. Opens at San Francisco Opera Plaza, March 9
“This may be one of the first horror movies where you may wind up preferring the zombies over actual people, who can be the real hell.” – The Hollywood Reporter
Irish Docfest, Delancey Street, SF • March 10
One-day Irish documentary film festival co-presented by Irish American Crossroads Festival and SF Irish Film featuring three premiere films
Martin McDonagh‘s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriswept the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 and got another bounce when the writer/director reaped a bid from the DGA on Jan. 11.
Greta Gerwig‘s coming-of-age charmer Lady Bird, also did well at the Golden Globes, winning both Best Comedy/Musical and for leading lady Saoirse Ronan
The Breadwinner directed by Ireland’s Nora Twomey and executive produced by Mimi Polk Gitlin[7] and Angelina Jolie. Based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis, the visually captivating animated film tells the story of a brave girl living in Afghanistan under the Taliban in the lead-up to the 2001 U.S. invasion.
Song of Granite Ireland’s entry to Best Foreign Language film category sadly didn’t make it all the way to nomination but nevertheless a great pic about the life of traditional Irish folk singer Joe Heaney.
Join Wilde Irish Productions for an evening of performed readings from James Joyce’s illustrious masterpiece Ulysses. Music by Shay Black of the Black Brothers. Admission is free and open to all. San Francisco Main Public Library (Latino Hispanic Community Room) 6pm more
Bloomsday Lunch Event • June 16
Eat, Read, Walk on the Wild Side of Dublin! A special Bloomsday menu will be served with community readings of Ulysses by James Joyce and lively conversation. Bring your books and favorite passages – Bloomsday attire is welcome.
Thursday, June 16, 2016 – 12:00pm at the Mechanics’ Institute, SF. Admission includes lunch and libations. more…
Six comedians will step into the ring of The Purple Onion at Kells Irish Bar, but only one will come out on top. In this hilarious stand-up competition, funny people face-off against one another for the Chop title, churning out jokes until your sides split from laughter. Hosted by Trishna Saigal and Katy Karns, these comics will go through three rounds of elimination until one winner is left standing. more
Women Getting’ Witty at Kells Irish Bar • May 27
From stand-up pioneers like Joan Rivers and Roseanne Barr to modern alt-comedy heroes like Maria Bamford and Tig Notaro, women have been rocking the mic — and giving their Y-chromosome counterparts a run for their money — since the earliest days of stand-up. Women Gettin’ Witty is an all-female stand-up showcase at The Purple Onion at Kells Irish Bar featuring some of the Bay Area’s funniest women bringing their wittiest musings about life, love and other four-letter words. more
On Screen
The Bloody Irish, a new musical drama is U.S.- bound in 2016. For a sneak preview, the show was filmed by PBS and aired on October 17th and 23rd. The musical drama, based on the events of the 1916 Rising, is directed by Michael Barker Caven, written by Barry Devlin and produced by Ned O’Hanlon. The show stars Michael Power and Karl Quinn.
A Place for All Things Irish, Exhibit • Opens Aug. 16
A Place for All Things Irish, a series of posters which tells the story of the San Francisco Irish societies at the turn of the 20th Century and their dream of building an Irish Hall, will be exhibited at the United Irish Cultural Center from August 16 through December 31, 2018. The many Irish societies of that period met at a variety of places throughout the City – probably the most notable locations being the Hibernian Hall at 454 Valencia and the KRB (Knights of the Red Branch) Hall at 1133 Mission. None of these locations were large enough to accommodate the growing Irish population which comprised one third of the population of San Francisco. A new place was needed inspiring the societies to build such a hall. Through excerpts from major San Francisco historical newspapers and the original program from the Irish Fair of 1898, you will learn about their efforts which started in 1896 with the formation of the Celtic Union. more
The Irish Influence in SF – Walking Tour • Every Saturday
The Irish Influence in San Francisco Walking Tour tells the story of the Irish who helped shape the city since the 1840s, from city planners and industrialist, to entertainers and public servants. Tour guide is Irish born Donagh McKeown. It’s a two-and-a-half hour tour that begins at 11am at 501 Market St, SF. $20 per adult $10 per senior. more info at www.irishvoices.us
Eugene O’Neill Festival, Danville • Throughout September
In a partnership “One Festival, Two Countries,” the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, and the O’Neill Ancestral Trust presents the 19th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival in Danville throughout September and the inaugural Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre in New Ross, Ireland, October 11–14.
“One Festival, Two Countries” embodies a civic as well as a cultural partnership. Danville and New Ross have become Friendship Cities, and official delegations from the two cities will attend one another’s O’Neill festivals. The Danville festival is sponsored by the Irish Consulate in San Francisco. more
Launched in 2015 by Dubliner Catherine Barry, Irish Culture Bay Area is a community events promotion website, calendar and app, that provides a comprehensive “what’s on” in the Irish arts and culture arena around the Bay Area.
Community organizations and individuals can share details of an event with the community by using the easy-to-use submit link. Organizations and individuals can submit event information up to 24 months in advance.
Please contact bars for verification of session info
“A good séisiún can leave you walking on air, send you home happy and keep your mind filled with music for a whole week.” – Charlie Lennon
SUNDAY SESSIONS
The Chieftain Bar, San Francisco – 6pm to 9pm
The Chieftain welcomes lovers of traditional Irish music every Sunday to an open session of Irish tunes and occasional songs hosted by Mark Nagle – at the authentic Irish pub located one block from San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center.
The Starry Plough, Berkeley – from 8pm
Every Sunday evening The Starry Plough presents a traditional Irish music session featuring instrumentals & vocals. Players and singers welcomed! Starting at 8pm/no cover. Donations appreciated. (Note: first Sundays Advanced Session is instruments only & invited players).3101 Shattuck Ave,Berkeley, CA 94705 510 841 0188
Wu Wei Tea Temple, Fairfax – from 3 – 5pm
Irish session third Sunday of the month Wu Wei Tea Temple, 1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930
19 Broadway Bar & Nightclub, Fairfax – from 1 – 4pm Irish Session at MYX Lounge first Sunday of the month, led by Cormac Gannon of the Gasmen. For information email Cormac Gannon. 19 Broadway website or (415) 459-1091
The Plough and Stars, San Francisco – from 9pm
Known as the “Home of Traditional Irish Music in the Bay Area” The Plough and Stars’ Sunday session features the talents of Jack Gilder, Marla Fibish, John Sherry, Susan Spurlock, Kyle Alden, Darcy Noonan, Richard Mandel, Cieran Marsden, Erin Shrader, Richard Mandel & many more musicians and friends … (see music page for video)
Poet and Patriot, Santa Cruz – 3.30pm – 6.30pm
320 Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz
Email [email protected] or call (831) 426-8620 for details
Redwood Cafe, Cotati3pm – 5pm Celtic Fiddle Music, Monthly on the second Sunday 6pm – 10pm – Irish Jam Session. Monthly on the second and fourth Sunday 8240 Old Redwood Hwy,Cotati – email
Starry Plough, Berkeley
Every Sunday evening The Starry Plough presents a traditional Irish music session featuring instrumentals & vocals. Players and singers welcomed.
MONDAY SESSIONS
Starry Plough, Berkeley
Every Monday is Irish Dance and Céilí, hosted by John Slaymaker. Dance lessons at 7pm. Music and Dancing at 9pm.
TUESDAY SESSIONS
Plough & Stars, San Francisco • Tuesdays, Sundays
O’Flaherty’s, San Jose • Tuesdays
The South Bay’s longest running traditional Irish music session thanks to Ray and Marie O’Flaherty who have kept the tradition going at the pub. Hosted by Julie Horner, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the music is lively with tunes and songs in the spirit of the tradition. 6:30 to 10:00 every Tuesday evening in downtown San Jose. See Tuesdays on calendar for details.
Meetup groups are also worth checking out for Irish music – and social opportunities. One member shares “…have been playing the whistle for a few years now, originally from India, and have been living in Upstate NY for the last couple years. Kerry music is my favorite!” Join a group, or start your own…
In Memory – John Lavelle (1935 – 2016)
One of the San Jose area’s elder statesmen of Irish music, John Edward Lavelle, a regular at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub sessions, died peacefully at his home October 21st, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Outside of his love for his wife, Kathleen and sons, daughters and grandchildren, John’s greatest love was playing traditional Irish tunes on the button accordion. He picked up the accordion at the age of five and never put it down. He brought the joy of Irish music to all those around him. He had the honor of playing for Pope John Paul II during his visit to San Francisco in the 1980’s. For years, John could be found performing in Irish music sessions across the Bay Area where he would regale the crowd with selections from the hundreds of traditional tunes in his repertoire. To purchase John’s CD and to find out more go to John Lavelle website.
The Coronas are an Irish rock band that originated in Dublin. They release their music through their own independent record label, 3ú Records, and are based between Dublin and London. They have released five studio albums, Heroes or Ghosts (2007), Tony Was an Ex-Con (2009), Closer to You (2011) The Long Way (2014) & Trust The Wire (2017).
Join Wilde Irish Productions for an evening of performed readings from James Joyce’s illustrious masterpiece Ulysses. Music by Shay Black of the Black Brothers. Admission is free and open to all. San Francisco Main Public Library (Latino Hispanic Community Room) 6pm 
One of the San Jose area’s elder statesmen of Irish music, John Edward Lavelle, a regular at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub sessions, died peacefully at his home October 21st, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.