RED SOX RULE!!!!!

Even hammered dulcimers love the Red Sox.. What a great series.. I even stayed up till past midnight last night to watch the game. I love PAPPELBON.. he is such a hoot to watch. Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely fall weather we are having. Now we are looking forward to next week's concert with Jeff Snow hoping for a good turn out.. He is an extraordinary guitarist. Hope we see some of you there!

Fall in New England

This photo was taken yesterday. The lovely details of the woodwork on the Captain Charles Leonard House are highlighted by the crystal blue sky and the golden maple leaves. Today it is cloudy as we await a few days of rain. The leaves will fall and the snow will come.. But this proud old house will stand ready..to welcome visitors.

Jeff Snow our featured performer for November....

On Saturday November 10, 2007, 7:30PM, we are happy to present another evening of Celtic traditional music and song at The Captain Charles Leonard House 663 Main St, Agawam, Ma. This time though, it will be " a softer side of Celtic."

From Wilbraham, Ma, Jeff Snow a talented multi-instrumentalist will entertain playing guitar, auto harp, Celtic bouzouki, and bodhran. The magical sounds from these instruments coupled with vocals and Jeff's love and knowledge of his Scottish heritage create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs.

Having traveled many times to Scotland Jeff brings to his performance a feel for the Celtic traditions that country. Sharing stories, songs and tunes enriched by the histories from both Scotland and Ireland, he likes to say that his performances educate as well as entertain. We think that his music and his performances are delightful and we are certain that anyone attending will feel the same way.

Jeff was honored for his accomplished guitar style by being featured in an article in "Acoustic Guitar Magazine" . His teaches guitar and travels throughout the Northeast to reach his students.

The Captain Charles Leonard House in Agawam center is a perfect setting for this concert. With its warm and inviting hall that has welcomed quests since it was built in 1809. Refreshments are available during intermission. Seats are $14 reserved and $18 at the door. Call Meg and Dan Sullivan at 413-789-9267 to reserve your seat for this special night of music. Reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

Last night and what's next...

Audience enjoying THE BOSTON KILTICS September 2007

Last night was a great time. The well polished group "Full Gael" treated a lively audience to a fun filled evening of tunes, tales and songs. Will O'Hare on whistle, flute and small pipes was awesome. Jeanne Freeman on fiddle treated us to some of the must beautiful tunes I have heard in a while. Lovely lovely touch on the fiddle! Gary Palmer was extraordinary on guitar and his vocals were superb. The group mixed traditional Irish and Scottish tunes with lovely three part harmonies on some "sea fairing" songs and traditional folk numbers with ties to Celtic lore. It was a great night.. Thank you Thank you to FULL GAEL and to our audience...Next up is Jeff Snow on November 10, 2007 7:30PM

Venting fears for our nation

They say a society is best rated by the way it treats its elderly and its children

Today in my country it is evident that we are failing miserably! Our nation calls itself the finest, the best, the world leader..But we cannot : we will not provide health care for our children. Our elderly and our returning soldiers are shoved into hidden chambers of horror.. While our leaders wile away in spender, flying about on our dollars, eating like kings and queens..I am ashamed of my nation..and I don't see any way of changing things. Our politicians have to sell out in-order to be a part of the political game.. Something bigger than we can imagine is calling the shots. Someone or something is making sure that a few very powerful people stay in charge.. OIL IS KING and we will do whatever we can to have it all. If we have to ignore our children, our schools, our elderly, our citizens.. I am afraid for us..I don't know how bad it is going to have to get before "we the people" wake up and take charge. Our country is dying and know one seems to care.

SHE's HERE!!!

The newest baby Chaisson is a lovely little GIRL.. Born yesterday at about 11:30AM she weighed in at 7lbs 10 ozs and is 19 1/2 inches tall. J. J. is on cloud 9 and said Julie was amazing! Can't wait till we can see her!!! Baby Elle,, is sure to be a doll!

Concerts in your HOME...

Concerts in your home..

House concerts are one of the most important trends in live music. They allow fans to see and hear great artists up close, and these artists get to perform for attentive and appreciative fans, away from the distractions that most music venues attract. Please visit http://concertsinyourhome.com to discover this amazing way to see live music

Of course you can also just come to one of our concerts and see what this is all about.. It is a wonderful way to share music with friends in a beautiful and comfortable setting..

You will also find a link to the page showing all the other "house concerts in Massachusetts" in the links at the bottom of this page...

Baby Watch...

Got an email today from The Chaisson's.. J. J. and Julie headed off to the hospital at 4:00AM..today... soooooo I'll bet we will know soon if "BELLA" is Ben or Elle....Today is beautiful again.. crisp cool morning here in Massachusetts.. Looking forward to Saturday night when we will meet the members of Full Gael.. Hope to see a good turn out for the concert.. Have a great Wednesday everyone.. I'll give a Baby Update when we hear...

Saturday the halls of the Leonard House will be filled with.......

Ghouls, ghosts, and witches....well not really but there will be some songs and stories about such things. Full Gael will be presenting an evening of traditional tunes, songs and tales.. steeped in Celtic history and lore.. Music will start at 7:30PM here at The Captain Charles Leonard House in Agawam, Ma WE hope to get a good turn out for this trio of extraordinary performers.

Hammer Dulcimers by Dan Sullivan

With the gift giving holidays fast approaching.I thought it might be appropriate to introduce yet again the beautiful hand crafted musical instruments created by Dan. Hammered Dulcimers, in several styles and price ranges, including hammer dulcimer kits for someone who may want to "build their own", Irish Bodhrans and Appalachian dulcimers.
The gift of music is one that will last forever and one of these instruments is bound to become a family heirloom. Children as well as adults find dulcimers enchanting and easy to play. Sooooo if you are searching for the perfect gift this year.. consider one of Dan's instruments.

Concert next week and MAYBE a new baby....

Next week will definitely be a week to remember..We are gearing up for our second concert of the season will the exciting group FULL GAEL. They have been working on a program that will include songs, tunes and stories. A lot of time has been spent researching some myths and stories surrounding Halloween in Celtic history. Will O'Hare the piper in the trio said he has found some very interesting tid-bits to share. The concert should be a blast for everyone. Remember SATURDAY October 20, 2007 7:30PM..The Captain Charles Leonard House 663 Main St, Agawam..Evie and Sue I hope you will make the journey up from Connecticut!!! It's really not that far!

Also next week is Julie's due date.. October 16, 2007 may see the arrival of the newest member of the Chaisson clan. Will it be a lovely little blonde step dancing fiddler..GIRL.. Or a bruiser of a BOY who will follow in his Dad's footsteps and become the best fiddler in the Maritimes?. Can't wait till we know. Baby "BELLA" will be here soon.. ( Ben if it is a boy...Ella if it is a girl).. Next week will be exciting!!!

Old Friends...Well I should say friends we've known for a long time!!!

Got a call this AM from Gary Gencarelli..he and his wife Judy are visiting from Arizona and will be coming here this evening for dinner. We haven't seen them for at least 12 years. Back when we lived in Northampton our families shared many many hours together. Gary and Judy have raised a family of 7 and are now living in the north west corner of Arizona. We reconnected last year thanks to the internet. Tonight will be a time of laughter and memories. We had a blast together when our kids were little.. Gary and Judy lived in a tiny little house and cooked on a wood stove.. following a strict vegetarian diet..I use to tell Gabe and Chelsey that if they misbehaved I'd send them to Gary's house to live. That usually got their attention. While they loved the kids in the family they were a bit afraid of Gary.. But we knew he was without any doubt the nicest guy around. Judy was the mother hen.. always finding new and fun things for the kids to do and discover. Through the years the Gencarelli's have done some pretty exciting things .. like moving out to an Indian reservation, living in a tepee, living on the banks of the Mississippi River.. living on the EDGE.. Now Gary is an employee of the National Park Service.. and I can't wait to tease him about becoming part of "the establishment." Should be a fun night!

http://www.dumpr.net

CELTIC COLORS

Today marks the official start of Celtic Colours Festival on Cape Breton Island in Canada. Music, song, dance and community spread across the lovely enchanted island. Pictured is a shot of the Cabot Trail which is usually afire with color at this time. Many of our friends are performing , Melody and Derrick, Cameron, Fiona and Ciaran MacGuillvary, Tim Chaisson, Elmer Deagle , J. P and Hilda..AND OF COURSE our friend VIC will be in attendance at many of the concerts! Next year we will be there! It is a long week filled with traditional Scottish and Irish music dance and song. A treat for the eyes and ears! Good luck all ENJOY!!

Full Gael in Concert October 20, 2007

Full Gael in concert October 20, 2007

The next concert in our series will feature the tunes and songs from "Full Gael".
This talented trio from Connecticut will perform on fiddle ( Jeanne Freeman), guitar (Gary Palmer) and pipes, whistles and black Irish flute ( Will O'Hare).
They are calling the night "A Celtic Halloween". Music will start at 7:30PM here at The Captain Charles Leonard House 663 Main St. , Agawam, Ma 01001...
Some of you may recognize two of the players in this group.. Will O'Hare was radio host to the program "Celtic Sessions" and Jeanne Freeman frequently accompanies the well known player P. V. O'Donnell. All in all this group is delightful.
Seats are $14 reserved and $18 at the door. Remember to reserve early as we do sell out quickly. Thanks everyone for your continued support of these artists.
Hope to see you on October 20 at 7:30PM