THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012 DUE TO ELECTRICAL WORK BEING DONE FOR OUR NEW LIBRARY.  WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE

On Sunday, February 26th, the Irish Cultural Center is pleased to present direct from Ireland Goitse in concert.  Concert will start at 6:00 pm and tickets are $20.00 Goitse (pronounced gwi-cha) is a five member Irish Trad band which specializes in their unique rythmic arrangements of well known tunes and own compositions. 
Goitse is a Donegal Irish word meaning ‘come here’.   The band finished a 2011 tour where they played at many of the Irish Festivals around the USA, including The Great American Irish Festival, The LaCrosse Irish Festival and the Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Modern Rhythms and Traditional Melodies are synthesized by this newly formed five piece band all of whom are students of Traditional Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.  The band, which is now entering its third year, was formed after Eoin Coughlan asked musicians to play for Telethon at Dolan’s, Limerick. The session produced exciting playing and an instant chemistry between the musicians and on that night Goitse was formed.
All five students are rooted firmly within the tradition and are well known and respected within Irish music circles. Their recently released CD includes many of their own compositions and owes its distinctive sound to the collaborative arrangements by all members

The Academy of Irish & Celtic Studies begins its first term of 2012 on January 9th  The cost for music, dance and language classes is $125.00 for the 10 week term.  (Minimum 3 person class).  Private lessons are available in 30 or 60 minute time slots. Private classes may be adjusted to fit your schedule. The cost for private lessons is $20.00 per 30 minute class and $40.00 per 60 minute class. For further information, please call Pat McCrossan at (602) 254-6094.  Tuition is pro-rated for late start.
The 3rd Saturday of most months, we offer Ceili dance lessons. This is a 2 hour dance-intensive workshop, geared towards both beginning and advanced dancers of all ages. Cost is $16.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12.  Call Mary at 602-258-0109. RSVP requested.

The Center will be presenting Ceilis on the second and third Friday of the month. Enjoy Irish social dancing in a relaxed atmosphere with live music and dance lessons.  We will be learning set dancing at our third Friday Ceilis.  Dates for the 2012 Ceilis will be: January 13 & 20, February 10 & 17, March 9 & 16, April 13 & 20, May 11 & 18, June 8 & 15, July 13 & 20, August 10 & 17, September 14 & 21, October 12 & 19, November 9 & 16, December 14.  No Third Friday Ceili on December 21 due to the Winter Solstice Celebration.
Admission is $6.00 with children under 12 Free (2 with each paid admission) Ceilis start at 7:00 pm.  Ceili dance workshops at the Center are on the third Saturday of most months from 1:00-3:00 PM. These are two hour dance intensive for beginning and advanced dancers. Beginners will focus on basic footwork and simpler Ceili dances (Fairy Reel, Siege of Ennis, etc). Advanced dancers will learn more difficult figure dances (Cross Reel, Trip To The Cottage, etc). If you are an experienced Ceili go-er or if you have never danced before, this is the class for you! Make new friends and learn how to dazzle the spectators at the next ICC Ceili. Admission is $16.00 for adults and kids under 12 $2.00 RSVP required (602) 258-0109.

Stepping Stone Campaign to pave the way to the new ICLF Library

Nearly 200 stones will be sold to those interested in supporting the library with their own personally engraved pavers. The stones are available, for a limited time only, for just $500 each. To purchase a stone and make your mark on the library go to www.azirishlibrary.com and look under “ways to help.”  Or, download the attached form and return the form and payment to the address indicated on the form.  

The library was funded through private donations. Nearly $8 million is still needed. In addition to the stones, there are other naming opportunities available throughout the library. Construction of the Irish Cultural Center Library, the only one of its kind in the Western United States, began in February. When completed in 2012, the 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art library will feature more than 6,000 books including masterpieces by the great Irish writers.  For further information or to purchase an engraved stone contact Bridget Costello at 480-634-4001. 

The Celtic Crafters at the ICC will meet  Saturday, January 21st at 10:00 am at the Irish Cultural Center.   For further information call Patricia Prior at 480-242-3500 or priorhomes@cox.net

WANT TO WIN $1000.00?!
THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTER, PHOENIX, ARIZONA
ICC RAFFLE 2010 – 2011
Do you need a great gift idea ?
Buy a raffle ticket for $20.00 and have a chance to win
$1000.00!
The ICC is sponsoring a raffle that will sell only 200 tickets.
There will be only 13 prizes awarded,
so your chance of winning back your donation is 13 out of 200 !!!!!!!
The following prizes will be awarded :
$1000.00 (1),
$500.00 (2),
$100.00 (3),
$50.00 (2),
$20.00 (5).

The drawing will be held at the opening of the new
IRISH CULTURAL CENTER LIBRARY to be announced.
Scheduled to occur approximately March 2012
For further information, please contact the ICC at 602-258-0109 or info@azirish.org
OR BETTER YET BUY EARLY AND BUY OFTEN !

FEBRUARY MEETING
The Irish Foundation of Arizona will meet on Wednesday, 1 February 12, at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ.  We have moved our Board meeting to 6:30 p.m.  An episode of The Irish R.M. will begin at 7:00 p.m.  We hope to see you there.
IFA SUNDAYS
15 January 12  Johnny Fox’s (formerly Lis Doon Varna) 16100 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive, Peoria, AZ ,  623-878-2660, from 1:00 p.m. until……
12 February 12 The Dubliner, 3841 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, AZ, 602-867-0984, from 1:00 p.m.  until…….
REMINDER
It is time to renew our IFA memberships, they expire on 31 Dec 11.  Memberships are $20.00 per family.  You can send your check and any contact information changes to Mike Carney at: 12646 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85022.  Thanks to those of you who paid their membership dues at the Christmas party

We are pleased to announce the release of our "Desert Fare Cookbook" - a wonderful gift suggestion for family and friends - and one for yourself  Students from Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler and Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, Ireland have created a cross-cultural cookbook as part of a Sister Cities relationship between Chandler, AZ and Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.  Make popular Irish dishes from recipes straight from the Emerald Isle along with Southwestern flavored family favorites from Chandler!  Chandler's rich history is reflected in the culinary contributions and stories from our residents, both present and past.  Tullamore students photographed their authentic dishes and supplied a history of Tullamore.  Over 100 recipes have been published - definitely a cookbook of diverse culinary delights!
The Cookbooks are priced at $20, with a discounted price for 6 or more.  Orders are accepted on our website, www.chandlerirish.org, either paid with a credit card or by downloading a form and mail the payment.  The form is also attached.  The book(s) will be promptly shipped directly to you.  Our cookbook will also be available at designated locations in Chandler and at any of our events.
The mission of the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities group is to cultivate and maintain a strong reciprocal relationship between the cities of Chandler, AZ and Tullamore, Ireland; to encourage cultural understanding, community involvement, and economic development.  Our collaborative cookbook represents the first of our student-based activities.
For further information, please contact Chairperson and Board Member, Jill Johnson, at chandler.tullamore@gmail.com, or President, Ellen Harrington, at (480) 600-8509, or chan.to.tull@gmail.com.
So, on behalf of the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, thank you for considering purchasing this Cookbook, and we hope you will enjoy the history and tastes of Chandler and Tullamore!
 
ellen

Phoenix Gaels have a Mens Gaelic Football league beginning Jan. 14th at Chapparral Park in Scottsdale under Lights, the Games will be played between 5-7pm every saturday evening till March. If your interested or know of anyone that might be please let me know jasonryan31@hotmail.com  
We will have a kickabout on jan 7th
 
Finally, If you know anybody especially those born in Ireland who want to play either Hurling or Gaelic Football with the Gaels this year its important we have them all registered so Please notify Denis at denis.b.kelly@intel.com.
 
Jason
If your interested in playing please drop me a email jasonryan31@hotmail.com  or contact me through our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=53110445534.

For those of you interested in learning or dusting off the cobwebs we will have a few pre-league sessions at Palo Verde Park in Mesa, I will forward details to those that are interested. They will begin just after christmas.  If you still know people interested its not too late to join.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU just an overview of Gaelic Football