Irish KC: My Friend Eolai Hits the “Joyriders”
I was checking out my friend Eolai’s blog, earlier, when I realized how important it is that you all check it out. I especially enjoy his coverage of Irish film and video, in whatever denomination it occurs. This week, it’s Best Short Film at the Irish Film and Television Awards, Joyriders.
Eolai’s ironic wit just makes me yearn for my own family’s lost sarcastic patriarchs. The younger of us haven’t preserved that tradition as well as they did, and Eolai reminds me of its place in my mind. Of course, Eolai’s wit is less likely to warrant some good old American therapy, so serve it up.
Check out Eolai at Irish KC.
Now, after years in Kansas City, our ballad-rendering friend has been garnering a good sum of well-deserved press. As I mentioned in an article a few months ago, our man, and one of Dublin’s Top Expatriots in Kansas City, Eddie opened a coffeehouse in the West Plaza neighborhood last year. The business has been building, and Eddie has two baristas on staff. In addition, some of my other friends, and many other musicians, have been popping in to perform in the courtyard. Artists have included Eddie and his band, Kelly, Roger Landes and Chipper Thompson, and many other local and regional bands.
If you haven’t had sweet potato chips, you must try them. You must try Natural Fact’s Sweet Potato Chips. They are awesome!
One of my pet causes involves the distribution of new and refurbished instruments to schools. Practicing music in childhood and adolescence provides a great foundation for self esteem, greater performance in school, and an important attachment to culture and art. Unfortunately, most schools I’ve been involved with always had more money for sports than any of the arts. This is sad, because I’ve seen many children find something worthwhile and develop skills and confidence through music in their schools. I’m proud to say that, after my family, I owe a lot to a handful of extremely dedicated, caring, if woefully underfunded music educators.
