If you are in the New York metropolitan area this weekend you have a chance not only to hear one of the finest uilleann pipers that Ireland has ever produced, but you can take a workshop with him as well.

Paddy Keenan is a piper from the traveling community in Ireland who has taken his music around the world and most notably around the U.S. since settling here a number of years ago.
He first burst into notoriety back in the mid-seventies as the dynamic driving piper with the Bothy Band. Since then his reputation has been burnished as a solo performer who has teamed up with a number of outstanding musicians who have accompanied him, which Kilkenny native John Walsh is presently doing this weekend.

Keenan's first gig is this Friday night, May 8 at the Glucksman Ireland House as part of the Blarney Star Concert Series with its customary two sets starting at 9 p.m. at the Mews House half a block north of Washington Square on Fifth Avenue.

The Yonkers-based Walsh will accompany him that night and more details are available at www.blarneystar.com

On Saturday, May 9 Iris Nevins House Concert Series continues out at the clubhouse of the Irish American Association of Northwest New Jersey (www.iaanj.com) with an appearance from Keenan and Walsh. There are three components of this event starting with workshop opportunities on the pipes and guitar from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (reservations in advance please to 908-813-8617) followed by a concert at 8 p.m. with a session to ensue after the concert concludes.

Keenan will also do a piping workshop at the Irish Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 13 (contact [email protected]) before performing with Walsh at the World Music Cafe in Philadelphia on Thursday, May 14.

Many of the New York friends of Baltimore music maven and flute player, Laura Byrne Egan might want to know that she is co-hosting the Monday (May 11) night music session along with session master Don Meade at the Landmark Tavern at 46th Street and 11th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen.

Good chance to hear one of the stalwarts of the Ballmore music scene at a midtown Manhattan session with fairly early hours from 8 to 11 p.m.