Third Time Is More Charming In Parsippany

The third time is going to be more charming at the Parsippany Hilton Hotel - the site of the 2008 North American Weekend of Irish Music and Dance taking place from March 27th to 30th that also serves as the annual Convention for Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann for its 45 branches in Canada and the United States.

The largest hotel in Northern New Jersey has hosted successful CCE Conventions in 1999 and 2004 and has undergone another total renovation since 2004 that has even spawned a second hotel on site called the Hampton Inn within the same ownership. It is conveniently reached via U.S. Interstates 80 and 287 and has ample free parking.

The CCE Mid-Atlantic Region Clubs in New York and New Jersey are the host branches for the weekend and they have been working hard for two years to ensure that CCE members and guests all around North America have a memorable time once again in the Greater New York area. The theme of the weekend is "Bridge to the Future: Passing our Musical Heritage onto the Next Generation "reflecting the significant growth locally of a dedicated teaching corps who learned from the older tradition bearing generation from Ireland and a large student population that has enriched not only the Annual Fleadh but many a session, house party or summer school like the Catskills Irish Arts Week.

The weekend features four Ceilithe with four top Ceili Bands from the New York area starting with the veteran Pete Kelly Premier Ceili Band on Thursday evening, The Green Gates Ceili Band on Friday night, The Pride of New York Ceili Band at Saturday Evening's Banquet Ceili (starring Joanie Madden, Brian Conway, Billy McComiskey, Brendan Dolan and Jimmy Kelly) and the Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band at the Farewell Ceili on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, a large number of workshops in a variety of instruments will be taught by an outstanding array of musicians that include Joanie Madden, Kevin Crawford, Brendan Mulvihill, Cillian Vallely, John Redmond, Eileen Gannon and Donal Clancy and even a recitation class with P.J. Gannon. The Set Dancing will be taught by Padraig and Roisin McEneaney from Ireland and Maura Mulligan is teaching ceili dancing along with her own Irish class as is Micheal O'Maille. A tour into New York City is planned for Friday and/or Saturday if the demand is there. A Gala Banquet on Saturday Evening is the Centerpiece of the weekend with a special presentation on the Bridge to the Future and attendance by advance registration is a must.

Full weekend packages are available that include all events from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and four meals -including the Gala banquet on Saturday evening, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday after the Irish Mass. Full details and schedule can be found at www.cceconvention2008.org