Birmingham-based musicians Mark McCabe, Vince Jordan and Pat Brennan have come together to stage Birmingham’s first Irish music summer school this weekend, July 28 and 29 with workshops staged around venues in Digbeth.
Mark, who has played stages around Britain and Europe for the last 20 years, recorded on many albums and manages Birmingham musical instrument shop Hobgoblin Music, is also a member of the very popular band The Father Teds.
Vince is a well known ambassador of Irish traditional music and current president of Comhaltas - a worldwide organisation promoting the tradition.
Pat is a teacher of Irish music and a well-established name on the live trad music scene.
The idea behind this event is to raise awareness and continue the teaching of traditional Irish music to those who already play and also for musicians from other genres who would like a taster of the Irish style that has become increasingly popular.
So take a wander around the Digbeth area of Birmingham this weekend and you will most definitely hear Irish traditional music in the air as part of the first Anne & Pat Molloy Summer School.
Birmingham boasts a wealth of top quality Irish musicians, many of whom were encouraged and taught by the Molloy family, who were originally from Galway.
Pat and Anne Molloy were known and loved by musicians throughout the country and beyond as a house to call to in Birmingham for a warm welcome, a few tunes and the best tea and soda bread.
Musicians from the city and beyond are invited to book a workshop space for the reasonable amount of £10 – this will include tuition in their specific instrument on Saturday 28 and mixed instrument workshops on Sunday, July 29.
And if it’s dance you are interested in there will be a celebration hooley on Saturday night at the Irish Centre in Digbeth. £5 on the door.
On Sunday afternoon come along and play or listen to an old style Irish session from 3.30pm - 5.30pm. Entry is free.
For further information see www.patmolloysummerschool.co.uk. Email [email protected] or contact Mark McCabe, Hobgoblin Music, on 0121 772 7780.
