15th February 2024: I have had problems with WordPress’s labyrinthine renewal processes and their access-unfriendly procedures.
6th of January. The Christmas Season has concluded. We rounded off the season with a Twelfth Night gig in the Dubliner yesterday evening. It was a good performance. We are also saying goodbye to the current set and introducing a new one with about five replacements. For example, Spancill Hill will be replaced by the Galway Shawl. And our accordionist is fed up with the ‘Planxty Polkas’, so they are going on the scrap heap – temporarily.
On Sunday 14th we had our first session of the year. Not our best technically. This can happen, so I´m not too concerned about it. Sadly, however, we are not attracting new musicians. We also did something we hadn´t done before – we did a quick practice of the new songs in our new playlist. The Dubliner has a quiet snug. It is suitable for a low-key, low volume rehearsal without disturbing the other customers.
We were expecting to play on 28th January, but an Irish-Romanian singer-guitarist, Peter Moynahan, got the gig. He played on the evening of the 27th to a big crowd, and to a smaller audience on 28th. Peter was a member of a band in Romania before going solo, so we spoke to him about possible session interest in the Balkans.
Our second session was on Sunday February 11th. It is apparent that people are not practising new pieces (I am also guilty of negligence!) resulting in our making an arse of two sets. Accordingly, as next month includes St. Patrick’s Day, I have put together a new playlist consisting completely of tried and tested material. No new stuff in March.
We even managed to fuck up this lovely little jig. Shame on us!!!
It also looks as if our gig in Grevena is up in the air. Last year and the year before, we organised sessions. In 2022 we were fed, watered, fuelled and given a roof over our heads. Last year we did an afternoon session and returned to Thessaloniki on the same day.
This year we have been asked to do an evening gig. I was asked how much we would like to be paid. As I have no idea about these matters, I handed negotiations over to our accordionist. Within the band, our opinions ranged from €0 to €500, but most of us wanted accommodation as the winter weather in Grevena can be brutal, meaning none of us wanted to drive back at night in possible sub-zero temperatures on an ungritted motorway. Our negotiator settled for €400. Now, about 10 days later, we haven’t heard back from Grevena, so I imagine the proposal has been iced. My main concern is the gig is supposed to be outside on the evening of March 16th. The temperatures will play havoc with our instruments and fingers.
Regarding, future gigs in Thessaloniki, the big issue is insurance, an problem that requires urgent resolution.