July 31-Aug 1 South East Plein Air Art in the Open Weekend, Wexford and Enniscorthy. Details http://artintheopen.org.
July 31-Aug 1 Gorey Market House Festival, Gorey, Co Wexford. Includes live acts such as the Imelda May Tribute Band on the Main Street, a kids fun day, a local arts and crafts exhibition, historical events and more. See www.gorey.ie or google the event on Facebook.
July 31 (10pm) Shane O'Leary, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.

Aug 1 (11am-5pm) Wexford Arts Day, The Bullring, Wexford. Free. Details www.wexfordartscentre.ie.
Aug 1 (10pm) Collette & Country Flavour (dancing), Rackards, Killane, Co Wexford. €8.
Aug 2 (3pm) Art In The Open Exhibition launch and award ceremony, White's Hotel, Wexford.
Aug 2 (4pm) Brian Meakin Band (blues/rock), Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. €5.
Aug 2 (8pm) Back Door Sessions, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. Featuring Frantic Jack & Yngve & The Innocent. No cc. See www.facebook.com/chazbar.
Aug 3 (9pm) Emerald Folk, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.
Aug 4 (9pm) Montazuma, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.
Aug 5 (9pm) Daithi Kavanagh, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.
Aug 5 (9.30pm) Red Chair Song Club, Bean & Berry Cafe, Key West, Wexford.
Aug 6 (10pm) Brendan Grant, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.
Aug 7 RockStock, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Aug 7 Imelda May Tribute, Halfway House, Ballycogley, Co Wexford.
Aug 7 (10pm) Jason & James O'Connor, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford.
Aug 9 (8pm) Back Door Sessions, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. Featuring Bobby Noonan & Martina Keane and others. No cc. See www.facebook.com/chazbar.
Aug 12 (9.30pm) Red Chair Song Club, Bean & Berry Cafe, Key West, Wexford.
Aug 12 (8.30pm) Small Town Talk, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. €15/13. Tel 053 9123754. Featuring guitarist Declan Sinnott and maverick Americzan rocker Hank Wedel with Martin Leahy (drums) and Eleanor Healy (bass).
Aug 14 The "Live" Last Waltz, Wexford Opera House, Wexford. A re-enactment. Full 10 piece band plus guests. Tel 053 9122144.
Aug 14 (8pm) PJ Gallagher (comedy), Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. €20. Tel 053 9123764. Best known as the hilarious and sometimes outrageous Jake Stevens from RTE ’s Naked Camera and Makin’ Jake. Book early.
Aug 15 Arlo Guthrie, Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co Wexford. Tel 051 561159.
Aug 16 (8pm) Back Door Sessions, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. Featuring Sticky Digit & others. No cc. See www.facebook.com/chazbar.
Aug 19 (9.30pm) Red Chair Song Club, Bean & Berry Cafe, Key West, Wexford.
Aug 20 (9pm) Cáca Milis - Dancing At Lunasa, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. €8. Tel 053 9123764.
www.cacamilis.org
Aug 21 (8pm) Mary Black, Wexford Opera House, Wexford. Presented by Wexford GAA Supporters' Club. 38/36 Euro. Tel 053 9122144.
Aug 21 (8.30pm) New York Jazz (1940s), Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. €12/10. Tel 053 9123764. Enjoy an evening of cool music performed by well know jazz singer Rebecca Sinnamon with Phil Ware (piano), Andrew Csibi (bass) and Kevin Lawlor (drums).
Aug 21 Sharon Shannon Band, Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Wexford. Fundraiser Concert for St Aidans. Tel 053 9484000.
Aug 22 The Wilder Wisdom of Auld Ones, Wexford Opera House (Hynes Theatre), Wexford. 18/15 Euro. 60 Euro family. Tel 053 9122144. A night of Irish music and storytelling with actor Nuala Hayes and harpist Anne-Marie O Farrell. Stories, legends and poetry inspired by The Cailleach featuring tales of heroes and wise women of ancient Irish mythology full of mystery, power and wisdom.
Aug 23 (8pm) Back Door Sessions, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. Featuring Focus Group & others. No cc. See www.facebook.com/chazbar.
Aug 26 (9.30pm) Red Chair Song Club, Bean & Berry Cafe, Key West, Wexford.
Aug 27 (10pm) Monthly dance night, Community Centre, Kiltealy, Co Wexford. €7. (Dancing in Kiltealy last Friday of every month.)
Aug 30 (8pm) Back Door Sessions, Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford. No cc. See www.facebook.com/chazbar.

Sept 10,11,12 Blackstairs Blues Festival, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. See www.blackstairsblues.com
Sept 18 (8pm) Hossam & Serena Ramzy in an Evening of Egyptian Dance, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. Tickets €30/25. Tel 053 9123764.
Hossam Ramzy was born in Cairo. He has played percussion professionally since the 1970's. He is also famous as a composer and music producer with his music used by dancers all over the world. Hossam's Brazilian born wife Serena has been his performance partner since 1997. www.khelashidance.com and www.hossamramzy.com
Sept 24 Culture Night, Wexford - music, dance, art, cabaret, readings, etc all over Wexford town and ALL FREE!
Sept 24,25 Wexford Independent Documentary Festival, Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.

Oct 8 (8.30pm) Paul Heaton (ex-Beautiful South and Housemartins), Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford. €22.50. Tel 053 9123764. Promoting his second solo album Acid Country. Book early!

Oct 20-31 59th Wexford Festival Opera Festival, Wexford town. www.wexfordopera.com

Nov 9-14 (nightly 8pm) FAME - THE MUSICAL, Wexford Opera House, Wexford. Starring the winners of the hit TV show search Ben Morris & Jessica Cervi. Tickets - tel 053 9122144.
Nov 13 (8.30pm) Mary Coughlan, Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford. Tickets - tel 053 9123764.

Dec 2 (8pm) EXTREME RHYTHM presents "PRIMAL", Wexford Opera House, Wexford. Tel 053 9122144.

Regular "Residency" Gigs in Wexford
(Please contact all venues in advance in case of change in schedule.)
Mondays
T. Morris, Monck St, Wexford - trad session (9pm)
The Sky & The Ground, Sth Main Street, Wexford - trad session (9pm) - ph 053 9121273
Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford - "The Back Door at Chaz Bar"(happens first Monday each month) www.myspace.com/thebackdoorchaz
Maggie May's, Monck St, Wexford - folk, trad (9pm)
White's Hotel (bar), Wexford - trad, folk (8.30pm)
Tuesdays
T. Morris, Monck St, Wexford - trad session (9pm)
Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford - folk, ballads (9.30pm)
Wednesdays
The Sky & The Ground, Sth Main Street, Wexford - trad session (9pm) - ph 053 9121273
Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford - Montazuma
T. Morris, Monck St, Wexford - trad, ballads (9pm)
Talbot Hotel, Wexford - folk, pop.
Rackard's of Killane, Co Wexford - adult dancing.
Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Co Wexford - line dancing
Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey - trad session (10pm)
Kyle Forge, Crossabeg - trad music first Wed of every month (9pm). Bring an instrument!
Thursdays
The Crescent Bar, Crescent Quay, Wexford - live music
The Thirsty Monk, Monck St, Wexford - Wexford Drama Group hosts readings (8pm)
The John Barry, The Quays, Wexford - trad, folk (9pm)
Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford - ballads, folk (9pm)
White's Hotel, Wexford - folk, trad (8.30pm)
Mackens, The Bullring, Wexford - acoustic session - ph 053 9122949
Maggie May's, Wexford - rock/pop covers (Shane O'Leary)
French's Pub, Main St, Gorey – trad music. Tel 053 9421216
Fridays
The Sky & The Ground, Wexford - First Friday Club (that being the first Friday of every month)
Paddy Blues Pub, Gorey - Song Club on first Friday each month
The John Barry, The Quays, Wexford - ballds, folk (9pm).
Bugler Doyle's, South Main St, Wexford - folk, ballads (9pm)
Metro17, The Quays, Wexford - live rock bands
Saturdays
Bugler Doyle's, South Main St, Wexford - folk, ballads (9pm)
The Sky & The Ground, Wexford - some interesting (unannounced) gigs happening there!
Macken's, The Bullring, Wexford - Acoustic folk/rock - ph 053 9122949
Mary's Bar, John's Gate St, Wexford - ballads, folk (10pm)
Sundays
Centenary Stores, Wexford - Trad session(12.30pm) - ph 053 9124424
John Barry Pub, Wexford - Trad, folk (4pm)
Chocolate Bar, The Bullring, Wexford - live music (5-7pm)
Maggie May's, Monck St, Wexford - ballads, trad (7pm - late)
Metro 17, The Quays, Wexford - acoustic session
Macken's, The Bullring, Wexford - Joe Keenan (9pm) - ph 053 9122949
The Sky & The Ground Pub, Wexford - Candlelight Sessions
Chaz Bar, The Quays, Wexford - karaoke
Forde's, Castlebridge, Co Wexford - trad session
Maggie May's, Wexford - trad session
Culleton's, Kilrane - trad session
Wexford Arms, John's Street, Wexford - trad session
Rackard's of Killane, Co Wexford - adult dancing every Wed and Sun.

There is also live music weekends at the following venues. (Phone in advance to check/confirm.)
Oscars & O2 Music Venue, Gorey, Djs or live music Thurs – Sun. Tel 053 9421260.
Jack D's/Jumping Jack's,Gorey. Live music weekends. Tel 053 9421234.
Harney's Pub, Ballyedmond. 053 9389249. Irish Nights, line Dancing, salsa dancing and C'n'W dancing.
Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey - ph 053 9480500 (weekends including Sun, 6-8pm jazz. Also dancing midweek).
Cedar's Hotel, Rosslare Strand - ph 053 9132124.
Talbot Hotel, Wexford - ph 053 22566 (Wed, Th, Fri, Sat).
Amber Springs Hotel, Wexford Road, Gorey - Tel 053 9484000.
Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy - Ph 053 9237800.
Millrace Hotel, Bunclody - ph 053 9375400.
Brandon House Hotel, New Ross.
Orphan Girl, Ballymoney, Co Wexford. Tel 053 9425308.
Courtown Hotel, Courtown - ph 053 9425210.
Macamore Inn, Ballygarrett, Co Wexford. Tel 053 9427326.

Irish Music Blog - www.nialler9.com
www.nialler9.com

Pembrokeshire Jazz & Blues Festival, last weekend of August
It's worth making the trip across the water for this tasty little festival in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Pembrokeshire Jazz & Blues Festival website

http://folkmusicsmb.blogspot.com
One for World music completists: http://folkmusicsmb.blogspot.com

The Story of Roky Erickson
Read about an album getting rave reviews in America and read the sad story of the guy behind it, Roky Erickson. Then go visit one of the sites streaming the hypnotic track Goodbye Sweet Dreams.
Roky Erickson Website

Get on the South Wexford Craft Trail
Want to see a different side to Wexford, one of quite industriousness? Get your hands on a guide to the South Wexford Craft Trail. This is a collaborative project involving ten nationally-known crafts men and women living locally – some native to the area, others drawn to this unique and inspiring region from elsewhere in Ireland. Sponsored by Wexford County Enterprise Board and the Crafts Council of Ireland this attractive Trail Guide takes the traveller through the rich and pastoral South Wexford countryside, with the sea shore never far away, on a tour of small-scale studios where visitors are warmly welcomed by their owners. The South Wexford Craft Trail was conceived with the aim of creating an opportunity to ‘meet the makers’ behind these successful enterprises, those who have made South Wexford the hotbed of creativity it is today. Further info: Patricia Howard Cowley. Email pathowcow@gmail.com

SXSW 2010 - download here!
SXSW 2010 Showcase File now available for download in two parts. I am directing you via this site so that you can decide whether you should or you shouldn't.

Good English website dealing in Americana
www.americana-uk.com

NY Times "Annual Year in Ideas"
NY Times "Annual Year in Ideas"
The NY Times Magazine looks back on the past year from its favored perch: ideas. They have searched out "noteworthy notions of 2009 — the twigs and sticks and shiny paper scraps of human ingenuity ... the most clever, important, silly and just plain weird innovations ... from all corners of the thinking world".

Listen to connected.ie's online radio.
www.connected.ie online radio

Treasure trove of old African music (RSS - streaming)
www.voanews.com/english/africa

Blog with some tasty African tracks from the vaults.
http://awesometapesfromafrica.blogspot.com

Bluegrass Sessions in Dublin
For anyone heading to Dublin for a weekend there is regular old time American country and bluegrass provided by Bill Whelan and friends at The Cobblestone, Smithfield Square every Saturday from 4:30 to 7:00pm. Also the 2RN String band perform on Wednesday nights at 9:30pm in J. McNeill’s Bar, Capel Street, Dublin.

saggyrecordcabinet.blogspot - another one for lovers of old time American country and bluegrass
saggyrecordcabinet.blogspot

Rural TV on Sky 279
Checkout Sky channel - 279 for ‘Rural TV’ - broadcasting for 24 hours a day, is an American station with a mixture of programmes on farming, cowboy culture, tractor racing and - here’s the interesting bit - Country Music. ‘Bluegrass & Backwoods’ is a daily show about Kentucky- horses, making dulcimers and Bluegrass music. ‘Country Gathering Reunion’ features around 20 old Country singers sitting around talking about the 'Good Old Days Of Country' whilst ‘Gospel Gathering’ is pure Gospel Bluegrass with many excellent groups. Porter Wagoner & Wilburn Bros TV shows from the 1960's and early 70's are repeated throughout the week. ‘Pop Goes Country’ features Ralph Emery and an array of 1970s country. There’s also the Marty Stuart Show with Earl Scruggs, Rhonda Vincent, Leroy Troy and Nashville Mafia Jug Band with Eddie Stubbs as MC.

Wexford Libraries - loads going on!
Check out the Wexford Libraries website to see what is happening at your local library. They have a busy schedule in place: Wexford Libraries Website

Listen online to some classy flat-pickin'
Flatpicking Guitar Online

grapewrath.blogspot.com - great for folk/bluegrass/old time
grapewrath.blogspot.com

croz.fm - one for music completists
croz.fm

Rainy day online activities for kids with weansworld.org
Here's a nice little website which should keep the children occupied in their idle moments. There are games, jigsaws, pictures to colour in, and stories including a good five part cartoon adventure about Cúchulainn. http://www.weansworld.org/

See Wexford in 2min 55secs with music by the Submersibles
Definitely something in the water in Wexford these days. See how it's affected Andi McGarry and his compadres: Speedy Ramble through Wexford landscape with music by the Submersibles

Neil Young Live in Concert 1968
It's 1968 and Neil Young is about to release his self-titled debut solo album. Here he is in front of a full house (to his surprise!) playing some of the songs that would go on to make him a household favorite. Even though that was40 years ago the recording has only now been made available. Hear it here in its entirety. North Carolina Public Radio"

The latest happenings on the Irish music scene ... Hotpress
Skip James sings Worried Blues (YouTube)
Classic video recording of Skip James singing Worried Blues.

Kristin Hersh, LIVE - free downloads
If you like Kristin Hersh visit this site where, with the blessing of the former Throwing Muses woman herself, you can download, in various formats, live tracks. If you like what you hear, you are welcome to make a donation at the kristinhersh.com tip jar.

check out www.bluehighwaystv.com
www.bluehighwaystv.com is an excellent source of music and information. It's the only TV network available today that holds a deep connection and commitment to bluegrass and roots music. From bluegrass and folk to gospel and blues, BlueHighways TV states it has always remained true to all facets of this great musical genre. Their programming showcases the artists and venues that have helped to fuel the passion of roots music fans throughout the world

Listen! Music while you work - Josh Ritter
The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter - full album streaming

Listen! Music while you work - IMC
Improvised Music Company's online music player (12 tracks). Style: World, jazz, alternative.

Wonderful slide show from The New York Times
Check out this lovely slide show from The New Tork Times with the title Faces Of Africa.

SOUTH EAST LIVE ... KILKENNY, WATERFORD, TIPP, CARLOW, WICKLOW
All the action is not necessarily going down in Wexford. See what's happening in the neighbouring counties.
Munster Express Weekly Ents Page for Waterford
Munster Express Arts Guide
Waterford Today Guide
Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
Whazon Guide to Kilkenny
Carlow's Eigse Festival
Tinahely Arts Centre
Mermaid Arts Centre
New Music Club, Clonmel

1965 Fincastle Bluegrass Festival Video
Extract from the 1965 Fincastle Bluegrass Festival featuring some beautiful old time playing and singing. Approx 9 mins long.

See old-time music film footage on the web
Check out folkstreams.net where you can watch short extracts from the various Alan Lomax (and others) documentaries and films that include footage of old time musicians etc.

Fantastic Bluegrass Documentary with Music
What a find! If you have broadband check out www.madisoncountyproject.org and go for one of the videos under Video Builds on the right. 25 minute video of (mainly) singing traditions in Madison County, North Carolina, with input from
Sheila Kay Adams and various other singers plus interviews with (and film clips from) John Cohen [of the original New Lost City Ramblers - Tom Paley who plays Wexford Hooves 'n' Grooves Festival was also a member].
Thanks to Richard Hawkins of Bluegrass Ireland for bringing this to our attention.


Alan Lomax Archive Launched on the Web
The Alan Lomax Archive is pleased to announce the culmination of its seven-year effort to preserve and disseminate the work of one of the 20th century’s foremost folklorists and musicologists, Alan Lomax. Lomax recorded and nurtured the careers of Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Muddy Waters, and other legends; his recordings of many more obscure artists have been featured in works such as O Brother Where Art Thou?. Alan Lomax believed in a principle he called “cultural equity,” the need for all cultures to be equally represented in the media and in the classroom. Through years of comparative research on folk song style, he drew a convincing parallel between natural and cultural ecology which underscores the importance of preserving our intangible oral heritage. Alan Lomax believed it was imperative to return traditions to their home sources and artists, a strategy he called “cultural feedback.” In that spirit, on April 22, 2005 The Alan Lomax Database will go online; also, over the next ten months, the Association for Cultural Equity, which administers the Alan Lomax Archive, will send digital copies of audio and video recordings and photographs by Alan Lomax to a number of libraries and archives in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe so that they will be available locally to people in or from the regions in which they were originally made. The Alan Lomax Database, www.lomaxarchive.com, is a multimedia catalogue of the audio and video recordings and photographs made by Alan Lomax from 1946–1994, as well as of recordings made by few of his colleagues. It will also ultimately include some of the older collections of audio recordings made by Lomax on behalf of the Library of Congress, which have been transferred and remastered using cutting-edge technology. Developed and built by personnel and consultants of the Alan Lomax Archive, the Database features 25 collections and thousands of recordings, which have been preserved, digitized, and cataloged over the past several years with funds from the Rock, Concordia, Rockefeller, Richmond, and Grammy foundations, the Save America’s Treasures Program, and the National Endowment for the Arts, among others. The Alan Lomax Collection on Rounder Records is a multi-series, 100+ CD collection of folk music and narrative drawn from Alan Lomax’s international field recordings. For more information go to www.rounder.com/series/lomax_alan/

Great American Festivals - Great Holiday Idea!
'Music Heritage Trails in America's Southern Highlands' organises holidays based around top American festivals. Co-ordinated by American and Worldwide Travel of Tunbridge Wells as well as organising a package to MerleFest in April, there are various very attractive offers being put together which will take in a string of other festivals such as the Ralph Stanley Memorial Bluegrass Festival at Smith Ridge, Virginia in May; Wayne C. Henderson's Music Festival (Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia) in June; Asheville's Mountain Dance & Folk Music Festival, and Doc Watson Music Festival (both in North Carolina) in July; Carter Family Memorial Festival and Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention (both Virginia) in August; Music In The Mountains Festival, in North Carolina in September; and Blue Ridge Folklife Festival (Virginia) in October. Each itinerary has been planned to present as much of the rich character and musical heritage of the region to visitors, so there are daily trips to important places such as The Carter Fold and A.P. Carter Museum as well as chances to attend local hoe-downs and opportunities to meet sparkling personalities such as banjo picker extraordinaire, Raymond Fairchild at his Maggie Valley Opry. Beautifully illustrated brochures have been produced giving full details of the various packages and can be obtained by e-mail: info@awwt.co.uk or by phoning to 01892 511894.

Join the Music Maker Association!
The Music Maker Association supports independent songwriters, performers and record labels with a number of initiatives from internet and magazine publicity to live performances through showcases, festivals and CD distribution? Their website has a selection of members CDs with audio tracks, a Directory of Performers, Clubs, and Businesses, an on-line store and Web Radio. Log onto www.tradmusic.net visit some of their associated sites and consider becoming a member so that they can help to promote your music. Also under the Music Maker banner is The Independents CD Catalogue – so if you have produced a CD and have no distributor then this could be the answer for you. The printed catalogue is mailed to CD buyers and record stores together with a compilation disc and followed up by personal calls. The catalogue is also on line and achieves sales world wide. To view the catalogue click on the ‘On-Line Store’ logo on www.tradmusic.net As a member of the MMA you can have a page profile on the web free of charge, or they can register your own address and design a website with audio linked to the Music Maker Web which gets thousands of visitors every month telephone 0207 424-0027 or visit www.magnet-publishing.co.uk

Links...Links...Links...Links...Links...
Links to a selection of recommended sites
Here's a few from that list:
Wexford Races
Whitford House Hotel
Padraig Grant
Michael Londra
Pierce Turner
Bui Bolg
North Wexford Tourism
Gorey Little Theatre
Wexford Language School
Bunclody
Hot Press