One common thread among Celtic cultures is their music. Groups of musicians often have informal gatherings to play traditional tunes. This sort of informal gathering, usually held in a pub, is traditionally called a "seisiún" (pronounced like "session") in Irish. Our friends at The Sessioneer have more information on Seisiúns. The music is typically fast dance music, such as jigs and reels. A number of regional Seisiúns are going on in this part of the country.
When the local Knoxville, TN seisiún
was reviewed in the Metro
Pulse, they said: "Drinking an Irish beer in a bar named after a
real Irishman listening to Irish music, I was transported. I've been
in pubs in Dublin that seemed less authentic." -- Finny Fogg
The strange twists and turns of fate have brought the Seisiún
back to Patrick Sullivan's again.
Our Seisiún Spy
recently visted and wrote about the Jack in the Wood pub session in
Asheville, NC.
Last year's Asheville Celtic Music Festival
featured many regional musicians, both amateur and professional.
Betsy Hooper has organized a Scottish Music Club in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area. Mark Warford took some photos at one of their recent gatherings.
Other people who have collections of information on seisiúns include: