News and Events
DUSTY BANJOS ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN
Great news for people wanting to get hold of our CDs, book etc - all our products are now for sale online using PayPal. Just go to the "Shop" page to see what's available.
This year's Christmas party was in Lohan's on Saturday December 10th. Thanks to everyone that came along, there were over 50 musicians and a faithful audience and we really hope you all enjoyed it!
DUSTYS CLASS AND SESSION
Please Note: The class and Dustys are now finished for the Christmas holidays. Thanks to everyone who took part, and we wish all of you a happy and peaceful Christmas.
The class and session return to the Western on Thursday 19th Jan 2012, hope to see you all there! As always new faces are very welcome – please contact us for more information.
Happy holidays!
DUSTYS CLASS
The class is aimed at adults who are taking up a melody instrument and would like to learn a few tunes, and to play with other people. It is not suitable for complete beginners, but if you can play one or two tunes, or even just a scale, this class should suit you. There is no need to read music, although sheet music will be available. Please note: You will need your own instrument!
The class will teach a tune per week, building into sets of tunes commonly played in local sessions. The pace will be slow, the atmosphere relaxed, & mistakes allowed!.
The class represents the first rung on a ladder that can build your competence and confidence as far as you wish it to go.
Classes take place upstairs in the Western Hotel, Prospect Hill, on Thursday evenings from 6.30 to 7.30pm. Cost: €5
For more info about the class contact Heather (095) 44845 or (text only please) 086 854 7279.
AND DUSTYS SESSION..
The Dusty Banjos Learners Session is in its tenth year and going strong! This session is for more advanced players – if you already have a few tunes, or have graduated from the class, or used to play but are rusty, Dusty Banjos is ideal for you. We’ll be keeping the speed down and learning some new tunes as well as practising our favourite sets.
Dustys is also back on the 15th, and will be at 7.45pm (after the class). New faces are always welcome.
The Dusty Banjos Learners Session takes place at 7.45pm after the class.
Sheet music and CDs/books available.
Cost: €8
New faces are welcome to both class and session, so this is your chance to dust off that instrument and get playing with other people!
(Class plus session: €10)
For more info, or if you can't make it to a class/session, please contact us: Mary or Heather (095) 44845, or (text only) 086 854 7279 (Heather) or 087 7733 804 (Mary).
New Format Music Sheets and Second Edition of "yellow book"
One of the problems with learning new tunes is that there can be so many versions to choose from. Over the past years, music sheets for the class & Dustys have been compiled from a wide variety of sources, and changing them to our versions can leave a lot of red biro and confusion! We’re currently writing out our versions of our tunes and sets, and hope this will make things easier for everyone.
The yellow book "Dusty Banjos Session Tunes" has been reprinted as a Second Edition, with a new orange cover and the above new music replacing the original. The tablature is still the same as in the first edition.
DUSTYS MONTHLY SESSIONS
Good news - we have a new home for our First Saturday sessions - Lohan's pub & restaurant in Salthill.
Lohan's is on the 1st roundabout in Salthill, right across from the big parking lot there so it's very handy, & it's also a very nice upmarket place & the staff are very friendly.
A big huge THANKS!! to all of you that came along on the first Saturday, it was a really enjoyable session! Thanks to all the singers as well, and thanks Alocoque for the dancing and Simone for the birthday cake (& the song) :) The pub are putting some photos on Facebook, so have a look!
Next session: Sat 4th Feb 2012 at 9pm.
Once again we all have Joe Butler to thank for the heads-up, so like we said last time, "Buy that man a pint!"
WESTERN HOTEL MINI-SESSIONS
Since last year we have had several "mini-sessions" in the bar of the Western Hotel, to get new members of the class used to playing in public and to all the applause and flash photography that goes with it!...
The sessions take place from 7.45-9.15pm, (before the Western's regular weekly session kicks off at 9.30). It's open to the public, so all are welcome - expect to hear the classic Dustys sets being played by new & old faces.
Dates for this term's mini-sessions will be posted here, so keep an eye out...
For a map of Eyre Square including the Western Hotel, go to http://www.galwaytransport.info/2008/12/prospect-hill-bohermore-area-most-of.html
Weekly Sessions in Murty Rabbitt's and Anno Santo
The weekly session with Sean in Murty Rabbitts pub on Forster St, (across from the tourist office) is on Thursday nights at 9.30. All are welcome as always.
You can see photos on this site -( thanks Heather!)
Some of the Dustys have been getting together on Tuesday nights for a practise session. People are welcome to come along and play; please contact Jack for more info:
Location: Anno Santo Hotel, Threadneedle Road, Salthill (at the junction of Dr. Mannix road)
Time: 7-45pm to 10pm
Contact telephone number: Jack 087 7973189
AND FINALLY: A WORD ABOUT THE WESTERN HOTEL
Over the years Dustys has been treated with varying degrees of respect from different venues, & sometimes it could have been better . We're now in the happy position of the Western being very supportive of us, even in these tough times. So when we ask you guys to come to events and bring as many people as you can along, we're serious - lets us support venues that are supporting us, in any way we can, & talk them up good at every opportunity!
CONNEMARA MUSIC NEWS
DUSTY BANJOS 3rd CLEGGAN MUSIC WEEKEND
Thanks to everyone that took part in the fabulous Dusty Banjos Cleggan Music Weekend on June 24-26! In spite of the bad weather we counted up around 75 people playing tunes, dancing & singing over the weekend.
Thanks especially to Richie, Bernie & Sharon at Newman's, Peter, Noreen & staff at Oliver's, and the local B&Bs & businesses.
We hope to have photos up on the website soon, and meanwhile check here for photos of previous years; videos from last year are now up! (See the Cleggan Weekend page on this site for lots of info and photos)
OLIVER'S SESSIONS with Heather & Mary
...Are now finished for this season. Thanks to Alan and everyone who joined us, hope to see you all next summer!
OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST...
DUSTYS CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010
Thanks to everyone that came along to the Dustys Christmas party session in the Western Hotel on Saturday December 11th. We couldn't count everyone it was so busy, but there were at least 50 of ye playing away!
Thanks especially to the people who made and brought food (delicious!) & to people who travelled a long way. We appreciate it very much!
Over €200 was raised for COPE Galway on the night, thanks to everyone for their generosity.
CD LAUNCH
Our CD was launched on Monday, 23rd November 2009 in the Crane bar, rousingly kicked off with the help of popular local musician Johnny O'Halloran.
Although a good few people were unable to get in due to the flooding and road closures, over 40 musicians managed to make it and we had a great night of tunes and songs.
Thanks a million to Maurice for filming on the night, and to Heather and Dani who took photos. The video, and photos, are up now on the website, so have a look!
And thanks again Johnny, you got our fingers moving!
*Tracks from the CD can be listened to on the Shop page of our website.
Not Just Musicians...
The Dustys are a talented lot, up to all sorts of things! If you have a business, an event, a gig, or anything else that you'd like people to know about, let us know and we'll include it here.
Classy Cards: If you're after something special for yor nearest & dearest, Heather's Cleggan Cards are now on sale in Galway at the Black Cat Gallery (next to the Tribune office on Market St), in Judy Greene Pottery, at Charlie Byrne's bookshop and in Fr Griffin Rd Post Office. They're big, beautiful, blank for your message, and brilliant for framing! Suitable for all occasions.
Delicious Home Baking: Concertina player Fionnuala Gallagher has now opened the Little Bakehouse Tea Room, in Monivea Village (tel 091-849896)
The tasty food available ranges from the big favourites – Apple Crumble, Potato Cakes, Freshly made Homemade Soup served with Wholemeal Brown Bread or Cheese & Garlic Scone to Pretty Cup Cakes, Gingerbread People and Cookies. All items on the menu are available for Eat-In or Take-Away so if you’re in a rush call in or phone ahead for a freshly ground coffee and a made to order sandwich for lunch.
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Tuesday.
Beidh fáilte mór romhat!
Kevin Boatman's handyman business has a new name and a website. Check out www.Jock of All Trades.com for all your handyman needs.
And Mary Curtin has been busy on www.GalwayTransport.info - "Galway’s public transport information site" . It's got route maps for city bus services, and various other useful maps too (shopping centres, industrial estates etc). Check it out!
DUSTYS ON YOUTUBE
Maurice has put 2 great videos of Dustys playing at the Crane on YouTube, so have a look! Just type in "Dusty Banjos". Don't forget to rate them while you're at it, preferably with 5 stars!
You can also see Yifat playing in Israel with her band:
Dusty Banjos documentary
In 2007, Dusty Banjos along with ID Films and the Galway Film Centre completed a short documentary on the group.
The film was shown (with other community films) in Feb '08 in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway.We had a mighty session afterwards in the bar, very enjoyable! (See the Photos section for some great pics - thanks Michael!) It was shown again in July '08 as part of the 20th Galway Film Fleadh.
DVDs of the film are available, contact us if you'd like one. The film is now also available for download...click here for the videos page.
Dusty Banjos 2009 - a busy year! (We'll get 2010 up when we've time!)
Dustys had another busy year in 2009. Some of the highlights...
January: *A great start to the year, with 20 musicians playing in the Arus for the First Saturday Session.
*Dustys moves to its new home in the Western Hotel.
*The recording of our CD “Live at the Crane” takes place, with 48 musicians playing.
February: *Dustys receives a grant from the Arts Council for €5000 towards the making of our CD.
*Studio work on the CD continues.
March: * Dustys play sessions for Seachtain na nGaeilge & Paddy’s Day in the Arus.
May: *Session for the Volvo Ocean Race.
*Our CD is at the mastering stage, and the artwork in progress.
June: * The Cleggan Music Weekend! Dustys and friends enjoy a great weekend of music and sunshine in Cleggan, Co Galway.
*Dustys play for the Galway Sessions.
July: *Weekly sessions with Heather & Mary in Olivers, Cleggan begin.
*Our CD is being produced and packaged.
August: *Dustys CD is finished at last; we gather in the Crane to hear it for the first time. Needless to say, it sounds fantastic!
September: *Our 7th birthday party in the Crane bar.
*Dustys play in the hospital as part of Galway Culture Night.
*And also for the Oyster Festival.
October: *Schull Weekend: Dustys return to West Cork for the weekend, playing at a local fundraiser.
*Our CD has been sent to loads of radio stations, and has got great airplay.
November: *Our CD is launched in the Crane by Johnny O’Halloran.
The November newsletter is a double-sized edition packed with info about the recording from start to finish.
December: *Dustys Xmas party in the Arus rounds up the year.
2008
January: * First Saturday Session starts off the year with over 20 musicians.
February: * Learning Week ’08 performance in Galway Arts Centre.
*Screening of our documentary on Dusty Banjos in the Town Hall Theatre, followed by a massive session afterwards.
March: *Start of our new session in Murty Rabbitt’s.
*Paddy’s Day session in the Arus.
May: *Dustys go to Prague for a long weekend of music and craic.
*We launch our website in the Crane, with solo performances from Dustys members and a huge session.
*Dustys play with other groups in St Nicholas’ church as part of an international music night organised by the Sean agus Nua project.
June: *June Music Weekend! Dustys and friends from Hamburg enjoy a great Friday night of music in Cleggan, Co Galway. Followed by a “Hamburg Session” in the Crane on Saturday, as part of the Galway Sessions ‘08, and tunes in Ti Neachtain on Sunday as part of the Solstice Street Festival
*Dusty Banjos Ennis finishes up after 2 years.
July: *Our documentary is shown in the Town Hall Theatre as part of the 20th Galway Film Fleadh.
August: * Dustys take part in 2 nights of international music in Arus na nGael for Sean agus Nua.
September: * Our 6th birthday party in the Crane bar, with more solo performances & a giant session.
*Schull Weekend: Dustys go to West Cork for the weekend, playing at a local fundraiser.
*Dusty Banjos Beag members get promoted and a new Dustys Beag begins.
October: *The 7th Hamburg Hooley, tunes in Hamburg and Lubeck with our German friends.
* Videos of the 6th birthday performances and session go up on our website.
*Rehearsing gets underway towards our CD recording next January.
December: *Our Xmas party in Arus na nGael, a fundraiser for COPE Galway.
2007
January
* Dusty members start a new Monday session in Richardsons.
February
*
Dusty Banjos Beag, a new session for beginners, is launched in Richardsons.
* Members of Dustys & friends record a track for the Galway CD “Sean agus Nua – Eagsulacht”
March
*Paddy’s Day! Dustys & friends play the usual session in Ti Ghearoid, Oranmore.
*Start of new Wednesday session with Mary, Sean & Dustys in Richardsons.
May
*Launch of the CD “Sean agus Nua” in Victoria Hotel.
*The 5th Hamburg Hooley.. weekend of tunes & craic with our friends in Hamburg, Germany.
June
*The Inishboffin Weekend!
*Dustys Ennis 1st birthday party.
August
*Dustys play at the Sean agus Nua outdoor gig at the Galway Museum.
*Dustys play a session for Brod ’07 (Galway Pride) celebrations in Arus na nGael.
*Dusty Banjos, with ID Films & Galway Film Centre, start filming a documentary on the group.
September
*Dustys 5th birthday – mighty celebrations in the Crane bar, with around 50 musicians taking to the stage.
*Our website 'www.dustybanjos.com' goes online : )
October
*The 6th Hamburg Hooley – tunes with German musicians in Hamburg, Kiel & Lubeck.
*Dustys Ennis Halloween party.
November
*Start of First Saturday Sessions in Arus na nGael.
December
*Dustys Ennis Christmas party.
*Dustys play at the Access Music Project fundraiser in Eyre Square Centre, &
in Monroe’s Tavern.
*Dustys Galway Christmas party.
