Two Time Polka/ Americana session in Cork

Our calendar for events between now and early February includes half a dozen dates after Christmas day by the Cork-based band Two Time Polka, who play for dances, using electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, washboard, and squeeze-boxes, and a wide-ranging repertoire with a strong Cajun element. They belong on the 'Bluegrass Ireland' calendar because they also love the music of Bill Monroe and play it with appropriate guts and intensity. Formed in 1994, they've played on many festivals here outside the bluegrass circuit; in July and August 2005 they also played in northern Italy, at the Paulusfeesten at Ostend, Belgium, and several concerts in Chicago, Peoria, and Woodstock, Illinois, one of which was taped for future release on DVD.

Ray Barron (who contributes the strong mandolin and fiddle work in Two Time Polka and also plays for Bone Idol) and Hank Wedel (guitar; of Open Kitchen and Princes Street) have a regular roots music session every Monday night at Charlie's Bar, Union Quay, which has been going since 1993 and is an institution in Cork city. Their press release says: 'The atmosphere of the gig is one of relaxed conviviality and experimentation. Many musicians from far and wide, playing everything from saxophones to sitars, singer/songwriters, some very well known, some up and coming, have sat in with Hank and Ray on a Monday night in Charlie's.' They’ve toured Ireland, Europe, and the USA, and have released an album, Where the bottles break, reflecting their interest in roots music and quality songwriting; the eleven tracks include songs by John Prine, Noel Brazil, and John Gorka.

Thanks to Roger Ryan, Kevin Gill, Brendan Butler, and Ray Barron for information.