Yesterday while filming a video in a barley field near Bangor, County Down Northern Ireland for her new single We Found Love, pop superstar Rihanna was asked to leave by farmer Alan Graham.
Mr Graham, 61, an alderman for the North Down Borough Council allowed his farm field to be used for production of the video, not knowing who Rihanna was.
During production of the video, the pop singer began stripping off to a bikini (O.K. it’s nearly October for God’s sake – who wears a bikini in Northern Ireland!) when Mr Graham objected.
According to the UK Daily Mail (motto: If You Didn't Read It Here - It Didn't Happen") , Mr Graham pulled up in his tractor during the shoot to tell Rihanna to cover up, and later said “her behaviour was unacceptable” Mr. Graham who owns 60 acres at Clandeboye outside Bangor added: “I realized things had got to a stage which were not acceptable to me. Things became inappropriate and I asked the film crew to stop”
Well done Mr. Graham
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Bagpipe Ban at the Rugby World Cup
Headline from the Scottish Herald - "The Red Hot Chilli Pipers Get Hot Under the Collar Over Rugby Ban"
News today from down under says the World Rugby Cup in Auckland New Zealand has banned bagpipes from the stadium at the World Rugby Cup
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers were "disappointed" to learn they would not be able to play inside the stadium for the English vs. Scottish match on Saturday October 1st. World Cup Rugby officials banned bagpipes "amid fears they would distract Scotland's opponents" Band member Kevin MacDonald said he would invite the authorities to the band's concert the night before in the Vector arena in an effort to change their minds.
Mr MacDonald said "We'll show there's more to bagpipes than just a noise. We're going to create a good atmosphere and a buzz"
I can see their point - rugby is such a genteel sport somewhere along the line of lawn croquet, you really wouldn't want to upset anyone . . . . Hey! if it's good enough for Milwaukee it should be good enough for World Cup Rugby
What's next - turning down red headed donors at sperm banks?
News today from down under says the World Rugby Cup in Auckland New Zealand has banned bagpipes from the stadium at the World Rugby Cup
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers were "disappointed" to learn they would not be able to play inside the stadium for the English vs. Scottish match on Saturday October 1st. World Cup Rugby officials banned bagpipes "amid fears they would distract Scotland's opponents" Band member Kevin MacDonald said he would invite the authorities to the band's concert the night before in the Vector arena in an effort to change their minds.
Mr MacDonald said "We'll show there's more to bagpipes than just a noise. We're going to create a good atmosphere and a buzz"
 |
| Red Hot Chilli Pipers in Milwaukee where they weren't banned |
I can see their point - rugby is such a genteel sport somewhere along the line of lawn croquet, you really wouldn't want to upset anyone . . . . Hey! if it's good enough for Milwaukee it should be good enough for World Cup Rugby
What's next - turning down red headed donors at sperm banks?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Something to Be Proud Of
Although proud of our music and cultural offerings on the third weekend of August, one of Irish Fest's guiding principles is the commitment to others here and abroad. For us it's not always about the music - reaching out to others is important.
Here are just a few things we did this year for our local community.
Thursday night - at the Grand Hooley, we offer free entry to anyone donating school supplies at our Main gate. These school supplies are given to the Hope House on Milwaukee's south side. The Hope House administers to the needy of MIlwaukee providing social services to those in greatest need.
This year on Thursday night, our guests donated more than $16,000 worth of school supplies. Enough to fill a truck. A Truck!
On Saturday, Milwaukee Irish Fest co-sponsors the Run/Walk for Arthritis. Saturday of this year had less than favorable weather conditions (it was raining). Despite this, 1,330 runners and walkers showed up for the 5K event and raised more than $10,500 for the Arthritis Foundation. It was raining for Pete's sake.
O.K. now for the biggie
As many of you know, we have for years, collected food on Sunday morning prior to the Liturgy for Peace and Justice. Guests bringing food prior to the beginning of the Mass are allowed entry to the grounds at no cost. Food collected is given to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, an organization that supports food pantries throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area. According to Marie Jewell, Community Relations Manager for the Hunger Task Force, they distribute over 8 million pounds of food locally each year.
This year at the Sunday food collection, the good people coming to the festival donated . . . are you ready . . . 42,600 pounds of non-perishable food.
Let me repeat that . . . . . .42,600 pounds. . . . 21.5 TONS of food.
According to Jewell, since 2004 the Sunday Irish Fest food collections have totaled an amazing 279,000 pounds. Additionally we have helped organize food collections at the St. Patrick's Day parades each year. In the last three years, collections at the two parades have totaled more than 11,000 pounds of non-perishables.
We also have the Irish Fest Foundation - a separate organization which provides community outreach both here and in Ireland. They get their own post - soon.
Sometimes it's not always about the music. But it is something to be proud of.
Here are just a few things we did this year for our local community.
Thursday night - at the Grand Hooley, we offer free entry to anyone donating school supplies at our Main gate. These school supplies are given to the Hope House on Milwaukee's south side. The Hope House administers to the needy of MIlwaukee providing social services to those in greatest need.
This year on Thursday night, our guests donated more than $16,000 worth of school supplies. Enough to fill a truck. A Truck!
On Saturday, Milwaukee Irish Fest co-sponsors the Run/Walk for Arthritis. Saturday of this year had less than favorable weather conditions (it was raining). Despite this, 1,330 runners and walkers showed up for the 5K event and raised more than $10,500 for the Arthritis Foundation. It was raining for Pete's sake.
O.K. now for the biggie
As many of you know, we have for years, collected food on Sunday morning prior to the Liturgy for Peace and Justice. Guests bringing food prior to the beginning of the Mass are allowed entry to the grounds at no cost. Food collected is given to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, an organization that supports food pantries throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area. According to Marie Jewell, Community Relations Manager for the Hunger Task Force, they distribute over 8 million pounds of food locally each year.
This year at the Sunday food collection, the good people coming to the festival donated . . . are you ready . . . 42,600 pounds of non-perishable food.
Let me repeat that . . . . . .42,600 pounds. . . . 21.5 TONS of food.
 |
| Sunday Food Collection |
We also have the Irish Fest Foundation - a separate organization which provides community outreach both here and in Ireland. They get their own post - soon.
Sometimes it's not always about the music. But it is something to be proud of.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Irish Fest Drivers
At Tuesday night’s wrap up meeting, Julie Smith presented her transportation report for the festival. Transportation is an integral part of the festival and if you aren’t a musician performing at the festival or one of our guests from overseas, chances are you never see “The Drivers”.
This year at Irish Fest, The Drivers performed superhuman feats of transportation in the days leading up to the festival, the festival itself, and the Monday after the festival. Composed of plumbers, truckers, a local judge, one shy Milwaukee alderman, members of the Emerald Society (Irish cops) and a UPS driver, this group operates 21 hours a day beginning on Tuesday before the festival. Some never drive at all, preferring to be “shotgun riders” running into hotels and airports to let guests know their ride is there. Their stories are legendary and one driver – Jim Birmingham, has been driving since the festival’s beginning 31 years ago. At the end of each trip they inspect their vans and collect just about anything that can fall out of a person’s pocket. This year they collected innumerable cell phones, wallets, sunglasses, reading glasses, a diabetic’s insulin kit (“Hey! I’m getting dizzy”), and an $8,000 mandolin. All missing items were returned to their rightful owners.
In addition to trips to and from the airport, hotels. and the festival, drivers make trips to Walgreen’s, liquor stores, music shops, shoe stores, grocery stores, local restaurants and just about anywhere a guest needs to be. An annual Driver tradition is the delivery all the entries from the Irish Fest Baking contest to the Casa Maria House - a local group that supports those in need.
Using 11 fifteen passenger vans, one mini-van, and two cargo vans, the 65 volunteer Drivers logged over 11,000 miles and consumed more than $2,000 of gasoline as they crisscrossed the city this year. They also made five trips to Chicago’s O’Hare airport collecting and depositing performers arriving from, and departing to, various locations overseas. Are you kidding me?
Operating from the grounds office complex in a trailer decorated like a bad “Finnegan’s Wake”, the Drivers sit at tables outside and await their assignments.
Overseeing the controlled chaos is Julie Smith; a cross between “Taxi’s” Louie De Palma and Dear Abby, dispensing advice and a small bit of sarcasm with every assignment. Communicating with Drivers via two-way radios, cell phones, smoke signals and telepathy, Julie choreographs the most complicated dance of the festival; making sure every one of the thousands of musicians, dignitaries and guests gets to where they need to be. And she does it very well.
The Drivers are the frontline ambassadors of the festival; often the first festival representative our guests see, and more often than not the last person from Milwaukee Irish Fest before they head home. Many drivers have developed close friendships with many of our long term musicans and overseas guests.
Drivers - another big reason why we have a good reputation among our guests.
Thanks Drivers !
This year at Irish Fest, The Drivers performed superhuman feats of transportation in the days leading up to the festival, the festival itself, and the Monday after the festival. Composed of plumbers, truckers, a local judge, one shy Milwaukee alderman, members of the Emerald Society (Irish cops) and a UPS driver, this group operates 21 hours a day beginning on Tuesday before the festival. Some never drive at all, preferring to be “shotgun riders” running into hotels and airports to let guests know their ride is there. Their stories are legendary and one driver – Jim Birmingham, has been driving since the festival’s beginning 31 years ago. At the end of each trip they inspect their vans and collect just about anything that can fall out of a person’s pocket. This year they collected innumerable cell phones, wallets, sunglasses, reading glasses, a diabetic’s insulin kit (“Hey! I’m getting dizzy”), and an $8,000 mandolin. All missing items were returned to their rightful owners.
In addition to trips to and from the airport, hotels. and the festival, drivers make trips to Walgreen’s, liquor stores, music shops, shoe stores, grocery stores, local restaurants and just about anywhere a guest needs to be. An annual Driver tradition is the delivery all the entries from the Irish Fest Baking contest to the Casa Maria House - a local group that supports those in need.
Using 11 fifteen passenger vans, one mini-van, and two cargo vans, the 65 volunteer Drivers logged over 11,000 miles and consumed more than $2,000 of gasoline as they crisscrossed the city this year. They also made five trips to Chicago’s O’Hare airport collecting and depositing performers arriving from, and departing to, various locations overseas. Are you kidding me?
Operating from the grounds office complex in a trailer decorated like a bad “Finnegan’s Wake”, the Drivers sit at tables outside and await their assignments.
Overseeing the controlled chaos is Julie Smith; a cross between “Taxi’s” Louie De Palma and Dear Abby, dispensing advice and a small bit of sarcasm with every assignment. Communicating with Drivers via two-way radios, cell phones, smoke signals and telepathy, Julie choreographs the most complicated dance of the festival; making sure every one of the thousands of musicians, dignitaries and guests gets to where they need to be. And she does it very well.
The Drivers are the frontline ambassadors of the festival; often the first festival representative our guests see, and more often than not the last person from Milwaukee Irish Fest before they head home. Many drivers have developed close friendships with many of our long term musicans and overseas guests.
Drivers - another big reason why we have a good reputation among our guests.
Thanks Drivers !
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Kansas City Irish Fest - A Mooo-ving Experience
I’ve had a little time to rest up after the big weekend at the Kansas City Irish Festival. I have to say the folks in Kansas City sure know how to put on a party. The weather was great, and although it rained a few times on Saturday the people of KC took cover and returned to the grounds when it stopped . . . .all four times it happened!
I had a chance to see some great music too. Gaelic Storm had some great shows and did a “Meet and Greet” with their fans on Saturday afternoon at the Heritage Stage. With Dan Regan acting as moderator the band told funny stories and performed an “acoustic set” for the fans. Similar to the “Pat and Steve” show at the Village Pub in Milwaukee it was a great success.
We also saw the Colin Grant Band. Ed and I had seen them at the Celtic Connections festival last winter and loved them. Colin Grant along with Darren McMullen and Jason Roach put on three great shows for the fans. McPeake was there from Belfast and their Sunday show was incredible. A new group, Na Fianna from Ireland made a great first impression in the best tradition of the ballad singers of the Emerald Isle.
The best part of the weekend for me was not having to do anything, unless you count quaffing Boulevard Brewing’s finest brews and enjoying the hospitality of the staff and volunteers from KCIF. All of us from Milwaukee were overly impressed with how well we were treated (apparently Dan Regan didn’t tell them about me – they were so nice!). We all agreed they set the bar high for treating their guests well. We can’t say "Thanks" enough to them.
A special thanks goes out to Barney, Keli, everyone in KC named “Ed”, Kevin, Erin, Gretchen, Laren, everyone in KC named “Pat”, some guy named Danny, and the untold number of volunteers and staff who took the time out from running a great festival to roll out the red carpet for their guests. Good Job guys!
I had a chance to see some great music too. Gaelic Storm had some great shows and did a “Meet and Greet” with their fans on Saturday afternoon at the Heritage Stage. With Dan Regan acting as moderator the band told funny stories and performed an “acoustic set” for the fans. Similar to the “Pat and Steve” show at the Village Pub in Milwaukee it was a great success.
We also saw the Colin Grant Band. Ed and I had seen them at the Celtic Connections festival last winter and loved them. Colin Grant along with Darren McMullen and Jason Roach put on three great shows for the fans. McPeake was there from Belfast and their Sunday show was incredible. A new group, Na Fianna from Ireland made a great first impression in the best tradition of the ballad singers of the Emerald Isle.
The best part of the weekend for me was not having to do anything, unless you count quaffing Boulevard Brewing’s finest brews and enjoying the hospitality of the staff and volunteers from KCIF. All of us from Milwaukee were overly impressed with how well we were treated (apparently Dan Regan didn’t tell them about me – they were so nice!). We all agreed they set the bar high for treating their guests well. We can’t say "Thanks" enough to them.
A special thanks goes out to Barney, Keli, everyone in KC named “Ed”, Kevin, Erin, Gretchen, Laren, everyone in KC named “Pat”, some guy named Danny, and the untold number of volunteers and staff who took the time out from running a great festival to roll out the red carpet for their guests. Good Job guys!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Goin' to Kansas City
This weekend I get to do something I'm really looking forward to - going to a great Irish music festival and not having to work. I'm going to the Kansas City Irish Festival and listen to some music and just quite possibly have a couple of beers (O.K. maybe THREE).
The Kansas City City Irish festival is celebrating it's 9th year and has a great lineup. Local favorites The Elders and Bob Reeder (both played at Milwaukee this year to appreciative crowds) are joined by other locals Eddie Delahunt and Kelly. Groups I also want to see besides Gaelic Storm include Goitse, McPeake, Girsa, and Kila. The one I really can't wait to see is the Colin Grant Band from Nova Scotia. Ed and I saw them in Glasgow and were really impressed. You won't want to miss this group. My favorite band member is Jason Roach the keyboard player. He doesn't really play the keyboards as much as punishes it. I'm interested to see if he's going to wear his knit cap - I've never seen him without it and I'm sure it will be about 130 degrees in KC this weekend.
I'm also looking forward to seeing all our good friends in KC; Keli, Ed, Dave, Laren,Barney, Gretchen (my new best friend) and of course the slightly daffy Danny "Sniffles" Regan.
They do a great job and put on a terrific show. I'm hoping to steal a couple of ideas from them of course.
Hey, if you don't have anything to do this weekend, come to Kansas City. You can stay at the Regan's house now that Joe is off to college.
The Kansas City City Irish festival is celebrating it's 9th year and has a great lineup. Local favorites The Elders and Bob Reeder (both played at Milwaukee this year to appreciative crowds) are joined by other locals Eddie Delahunt and Kelly. Groups I also want to see besides Gaelic Storm include Goitse, McPeake, Girsa, and Kila. The one I really can't wait to see is the Colin Grant Band from Nova Scotia. Ed and I saw them in Glasgow and were really impressed. You won't want to miss this group. My favorite band member is Jason Roach the keyboard player. He doesn't really play the keyboards as much as punishes it. I'm interested to see if he's going to wear his knit cap - I've never seen him without it and I'm sure it will be about 130 degrees in KC this weekend.
I'm also looking forward to seeing all our good friends in KC; Keli, Ed, Dave, Laren,Barney, Gretchen (my new best friend) and of course the slightly daffy Danny "Sniffles" Regan.
They do a great job and put on a terrific show. I'm hoping to steal a couple of ideas from them of course.
Hey, if you don't have anything to do this weekend, come to Kansas City. You can stay at the Regan's house now that Joe is off to college.
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