Meet Your Band

The Irish Trad Sessions in Bonn date back to the 1990s. Some of the founding musicians from that era still play regularly today. Thanks to prominent teachers in Bonn, such as uillean piper Tom Kannmacher and fiddler Sabrina Palm, there is a steady stream of new talent – some of the players have even stumbled upon Irish music by chance and ended up sticking with it. Because playing jigs and reels together is simply addictive! For many years now, sessions open to everyone have been held every Wednesday at the Fiddlers Pub in Endenich. There is also a monthly session at the James Joyce Pub in the city centre.

Music is played entirely from memory and by ear. This means that getting started requires a fair bit of practice. But once you’ve learnt a few tunes, you’ll make rapid progress. Typical instruments in Irish music include the fiddle (violin), flute (a wooden transverse flute), whistle (something like a metal recorder), uillean pipes (the Irish bagpipes), accordion and the small concertina, banjo and mandolin. Guitars, bouzoukis and the frame drum known as the bodhrán are commonly used for accompaniment. Irish songs are interspersed amongst the countless dance tunes in typical Irish rhythms.

For once, half an hour longer, 7–9 pm

Have you heard of »Boeufs«? These aren’t just four-legged animals grazing in French pastures; since the 1920s, the term has come to refer to the legendary gatherings of musicians who come together with violins, harps, hurdy-gurdies, bagpipes, accordions, flutes and other acoustic instruments to play dance music without sheet music. Back then in Parisian jazz clubs, today at many festivals, such as the Grand bal de l’Europe or the Boombal.

The repertoire of such Balfolk music gets your feet moving: waltzes, mazurkas, Breton chain dances, polskas, Scottish dances, bourrées, merry circles … – Beethoven would have delighted in so much groove and variety. Here, young and old, big and small – everyone dances with everyone else.

Musicians from Bonnerboeuf (who have been meeting regularly in Bonn Kessenich for over ten years) will be playing Balfolk that evening in varying line-ups.

You can simply listen and enjoy some authentic folk music, or join in the dancing (no partner required).

You’re also welcome to bring your own instrument and join in – anyone who registers will receive a link to the traditional tunes in advance (bonnerboeuf@alexander-loch.de).