Oh to be in Camden in the Autumn

I lived in London for 12 years and know the city like the back of my hand. It is a huge and scary place at times and it really does take a certain type of person to survive and enjoy it. For that reason the Irish have not only survived hundreds of years of migration to the English capital but in more recent years have thrived and made it our own.

I often miss London more than Ireland which sounds like a sinful admission until you have been there for a while and see just how the city and it's thriving Irish music community works. The first and second generation Irish blend seamlessly together in the great melting pot and even merge with the many other genres of music that pervade the London musical landscape.

I even believe it is very important for the young Irish musicians who arrive from the Irish mainland to get into London sessions as quickly as possible. For many they see what a session can become, maybe for the first time. Not that the sessions back home are not fun but there is something about a good London session that is free flowing and easy and still very pure.

One of the first sessions I ever played there was in a pub called The Fiddlers Elbow in Kentish Town , just a stones throw away from Camden. On one of those first nights out in the big bad city I met up with two young players from London, Teresa Heanue and Karen Ryan (pictured left) . These two teenagers were making their way into the session world as well and we hit it off musically right away. All these years later and they are two of the most accomplished musicians in traditional music anywhere in the world. Karen particularly has become one of the most important (and talented) people on the London scene and works tirelessly to promote and spread the music to the up and coming generations.

Of course Karen and Teresa were just a couple of hundreds of great musicians who play and have played in London over the years. So it was almost inevitable that the Return To Camden Town festival would evolve and flourish. It takes place every October in various venues in the Camden area. The events range from Ceili Dances, to sessions and workshops as well as concerts from many very well known names in Irish music. The great thing is that many of the events are free so those of you who want to try the music for size can get some great quality sessions over the 10 day run. Other events range in price but I certainly think a 3 day set dancing or music workshop for £25 is really good value as you are being taught by the best there is.

Some of the performers taking part this year are;

Danú, Karen Casey (pictured on right), John Whelan, The London Lasses with Pete Quinn, Johnny Connolly and Charlie Lennon among many many others. The list is still being finalized as we speak but you can get full info and ticketing details from the official website at

http://www.returntocamden.org

The events take place over 10 days beginning on October 24th with a concert at the London Irish Center featuring John Blake, Liz and Yvonne Kane, Teáda and Meitheal Cheoil.

And if you do find your way there make sure to look up Karen Ryan and give her a big hug from her old pal in Atlanta.