Events in the next two weeks

The pace of events has begun to quicken, so here's an excerpt from the BIB calendar, starting with tonight's session in Belfast. Yesterday would have been the 90th birthday of Earl Scruggs (right); this coming Saturday, the Center commemorating his life and music will open in his home town of Shelby, NC. Note that for the opening show of the High Plains Tradition (USA) tour (16 Jan. in Ashbourne), the HPT will be supported by Woodbine (Athy) and Della Belle (Dundalk) to open this new venue for bluegrass with a bang.

The Shannonside Winter Music Weekend (16-20 Jan.) has been the focal point for acoustic music in Ireland every January since 2000.

Thanks to Chris Keenan for the news that the previously announced show by Joy Kills Sorrow (USA) in Whelan's, Dublin, on 19 Jan. has been cancelled. The updated schedule for events up to 26 Jan. at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul, Co. Dublin, can be seen here; it includes the first show in the Nation & Blackwell Bluegrass Band (USA) tour, on 24 Jan.

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Tues. 7th: Belfast Bluegrass monthly session, Errigle Inn, 312-20 Ormeau Rd, Belfast; 028 90 641410

Sat. 11th: Earl Scruggs Center opens in Shelby, North Carolina

Tues. 14th: Weekly bluegrass jam in central Dublin resumes: from 9.00 p.m., Sin E, Lower Ormond Quay

Thurs. 16th: High Plains Tradition (USA), supported by Woodbine (Athy) and Della Belle (Dundalk), the Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 087-9762337

Thurs. 16th-Mon. 20th: Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, Sixmilebridge/Bunratty, Co. Clare; full lineup here (High Plains Tradition (USA) with Martin Gilmore, Fri. 17th, Sat. 18th, Sun. 19th); Tim Rogers & Clew Bay Critters; many more; tel. 086-1571847, e-mail

Thurs. 16th-Sun. 2nd Feb.: Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow, Scotland

Mon. 20th: High Plains Tradition (USA), Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; plus Martin Gilmore; tel. 087-7921171

Tues. 21st: High Plains Tradition (USA), Church of Ireland church, Bruff, Co. Limerick, 8.00 p.m.; tel. 086-3027976
Martin Gilmore (USA), O’Neill’s Bar, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 9.00 p.m., with Jacob's Ladder (vocal harmony group); tel. 086-8168692