Comhaltas New Mexico

The month of March is a great time to hear Irish music in Albuquerque! Several members of Sliabh Sandia CCE will be providing exceptionally high-quality tunes and songs throughout the city. Please join them to celebrate “St. Patrick’s Month” with music, libations and friends!

• March 16th – Jim Crowley and Harlow Pinson at St. James Tearoom 6:30-8:30pm
• March 17th – Dain Forsyth with Liv Orovich on fiddle and Char Rothchild on Uilleann Pipes at Casa Rodeña Winery in the Village of Los Ranchos from 3-5:30pm
• March 17th – Dain Forsyth with Mar Atá at Tractor Brewing Company in Nob Hill from 7-9pm
• March 17th – Duke City Ceili Band including several members of the Sliabh Sandia branch at Hops Brewery on 4th Street at 6pm – 9pm
• March 19th – Jug O’Punch including several members of the Sliabh Sandia branch at the Irish American Society of New Mexico St. Patrick’s day party from 1-2pm.
• March 19th – Duke City Ceili Band including several members of the Sliabh Sandia branch at the Irish American Society of New Mexico St. Patrick’s day party from 3-4pm and at the Solid Grounds Coffee House ministry form 7-9pm
• March 22nd – Jim Crowley and Harlow Pinson at St. James Tearoom 6:30-8:30pm
• March 23rd – Duke City Ceili Band including several members of the Sliabh Sandia branch are playing for Ceili Dancers from 6:30 -8pm at the German American Club (contact Norita Callaghan noraabq at yahoo.com)

OCTOBER 16-17TH, 2021

Come celebrate Celtic culture with us! Food! Beer! Athletics! Highland Dancers! Bagpipes! Music! Clans! Vendors!

https://www.celtfestabq.com/

Schedule

October 16-17, 2021

• Saturday, October 16th: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Sunday, October 17th: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• More details to come

October 16-17, 2021

• Saturday, October 16th: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Sunday, October 17th: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• More details to come

October 2 & 3, 2021

The Four Corners region’s premier event celebrating Celtic culture.  Where the Southwest meets the Scottish Highlands.

https://www.aztechighlandgames.com/

Saturday Schedule

• 9:00 am – Gates Open, Heavy Celtic Athletic competition starts
• 10:00 am – Irish Cream at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage, Highland Dance competition starts on the Dance Stage
• 12:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies, Mass Band, Kids Games, Beer sales start
• 12:30 pm – Big Paddy at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage
• 2:00 pm – Patrick Crossing at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage
• 3:45 pm – Smelter Mountain Boys at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage
• 5:15 pm – Romance Novel Cover Art Posing Contest
• 6:00 pm – Vendors Close (rest and come back tomorrow!)

Sunday Schedule

• 9:00 am – Gates Open, Heavy Celtic Athletic competition starts, Kirkin o’ the Tartan
• 10:00 am – Devil’s Dram at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage, Highland Dance competition starts on the Dance Stage
• 12:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies, Mass Band, Kids Games, Beer sales start
• 12:30 pm – Big Paddy at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage
• 2:00 pm – Kitchen Jam Band at the Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage
• 5:00 pm – Vendors Close (rest and come back next year!)

We’re still adding stuff, so check back for updates!

Here is Dad’s obituary:
Charles J. Butler
June 10, 1940 – February 3, 2021

On February 3, 2021, Charles Jacob Butler, was reunited with his beloved wife, Beth. Born on June 10, 1940, in Utica, NY, “Chuck” was the youngest son of Charles Henry Butler and Vernita Carrie Fuess of Waterville, NY. He was proud to have served in the United States Air Force as an Airman Second Class in the Air Police. He married Elizabeth Anne Getchell on November 22, 1975. He was a volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver for the Prospect Fire Department in New York. He held many jobs but eventually chose a career as a Registered Nurse, earning two Associate Degrees in his late 40s. He worked at the Masonic Home in Utica and Rome City Hospital. He and his wife lived in Hinckley and Remsen, NY, before moving to Albuquerque in 2001 to be close to their son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Karin Butler, and two grandsons, Connor and Kylan Butler. In Albuquerque, Chuck became a frequent volunteer at the VA Hospital. He learned to play the bodhrán and then learned how to make them. He was tickled to have gifted one to Kevin Conneff of the Chieftains who used that drum for one of their performances. Chuck was part of the Celtic jamming community in Albuquerque and formed the band Fonn Sona. He dearly loved his family and telling stories during family dinner. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by two sisters, Arlyn Zeller and Mary Jane Purdy, and five brothers-in-law, Alfred Zeller, Edward Wrobel, Robert “Spike” Prudy, Robert McNamara, and Stephen Getchell. He is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons; two sisters, Pat Wrobel and Carol McNamara; brother and sister-in-law, Chet and Ginny Butler; very good family friend, Gary McGovney; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Dianne Getchell, Matthew and Donna Getchell, and Luke and Mary Beth Getchell; and numerous nieces and nephews. Please raise a glass in memory of Chuck and Beth this St. Patrick’s Day. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org).

We are moving forward with planning for the 2019 Great River Irish and Scottish Music Festival. The event will be held on the afternoon and evening of September 15th at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The headliner for the event will be the award‐winning Scottish folk band Old Blind Dogs who will perform at 7:30pm in the performance hall. We are looking for branch members to help with planning for this event, and to offer festival workshops or performances. For more information, please contact Laura at
LB17084@gmail.com

Mark your calendars for a traditional Irish music performance with Fiddler Brian Conway and Button Accordionist John Whelan, in concert on October 5, 7:30PM at Tortuga Gallery. Keep posted for details.

The Broadhead family continues to represent Sliabh Sandia in winning style! Their trip to the Comhaltas Midwest Fleadh Ceoil in Chicago was a big success. Grace’s newly composed tune came in 1st place (all ages) and she tied for 3rd place in the fiddle competition (15‐18 yrs). Grace sang the newly composed song that her brother John wrote which is now eligible to be sung in competition in Ireland in August. Congratulations!