Fall. This has certainly been the strangest, most impactful weather for a festival season I have experienced in thirty years of festival organizing. To those brave souls who ventured out anyway, Thank you!
I am already looking forward to Joanie Madden’s Session on the High Seas Cruise in January as I mentally adjust to what is coming. Rheumatoid induced reality leads me to hope and pray the violent summer of weather discontent gently slips into the night, and doesn’t rage, rage against the dying summer, at least for a little longer.
Growing up, I always heard with a small note of pride how our nationality is celebrated like no other in America, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. Now, that holds true all around the world. Well this year, once is not enough, as the hard times craft events and joy in reasons to gather. Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations burst forth in a quantity and quality reminiscent of the cultural celebrations that fill more than three weeks in March, and the music yanked me right back into the glorious symphonies that are the festival season; Sing, Irishmen, Sing.
We offer condolences to the Richens family on the passing of Ann ~ an Irish dance ambassador and gifted teacher and motivator, Ann’s loss will be deeply felt, but the foundation and legacy she has established cannot dim, it has been infused with passion and light, youth and direction. Still, for Ann’s family and loved ones, we pray.
We head into the quiet season, before the joy of Christmas lightens the weather, the joy of reunions and family brightens under the star of Bethlehem, and the joy of celebrating our 5th Anniversary marks the January issue. We took the road less traveled, and that made all the difference.
Slán,
John