CROSSING THE Bridge - The Clarinbridge Banjo Gathering, takes place in the south Galway village tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.
Events start tomorrow with a gig by Charlie Harris and Des Mulkere in Jordan’s. On Saturday at 12 noon, there will be workshops (from beginners to advanced ) for tenor and five string banjos with Brian McGrath, Colm Naughton, Tom Cussen, and Bill Forster. Those interested in how the instrument is made can take a tour of Clareen Banjos’ workshop at 3.30pm.
There will be an exhibition of vintage banjos at Clarinbridge House and at 5pm musician and instrument maker Tom Cussen will give a talk on the development of the banjo in traditional Irish music.
From 1pm to 5pm the Banjo Trail, with Marion McCarthy, Johnny Giles, Breandán Ó Loinsigh, Ciara Lynch, Gerry Mulvihill, and Mark Green, will take in village cafés, and there will be an evening in Sherry’s and Paddy Burke’s.
Washington band Floating Crowbar will play Jordan’s with support from Four Decades of the Banjo featuring Brian McGrath, Colm Naughton, Darragh Carey-Kennedy, and Elaine Reilly. Gig starts at 8.30pm.
On Sunday musicians Pete Galligan and Harry Horan will be remembered at Clarinbridge Cemetery at 12.30 followed by a session in Jordan’s at 1pm. The Grand Finale, led by bluegrass banjo player Bill Forster, takes place in Sherry’s at 8pm.
All events, apart from workshops, are free. Musicians (all instruments ) are welcome to participate in all events. For more information contact 086 - 8351230 or 091 - 796156. See also www.banjo.ie
