Irish Night at Bar 98

While I was out running errands yesterday I saw a sign outside of Bar 98 that they would be having traditional Irish music lessons at 8:00 yesterday evening.  It was too much to resist, so I e-mailed my upstairs neighbor, Susan to see if she wanted to go with me to check this out.  Saint Patrick's Day is coming after all, but more to the point, I did bring my hammer dulcimer with me and it would be nice to actually get to the point where I could play it--in public, with other musicians.  So, off we went.

I might add that I tend to be a night nester.  I usually go out in the mornings and afternoons, but evenings almost always find me at home.  So, this was a departure for me and a step out of my comfort zone.  I have never been truly comfortable in bars, as I am really not much of a drinker, but this felt different.

Bar 98 is an eclectic place.  It doesn't seat very many people--perhaps 20 at most. The owners, Didier and Norma both speak excellent English and Norma often sports their infant son on her hip.  Didier is a fan of live music, and even though they are pressed for space, he hosts local musicians several nights a week.  Last night was Irish, Friday it's hip-hop. (I will be skipping that one.) There seems to be a knot of regulars who gather to have a drink, read the paper, discuss local or not-so-local politics and meet their friends.  Last night saw an international mix of people there, some Canadians, a Scot or two, several Brits, Martin, who's Irish and a token American.   A glass of red or rose will set you back all of 2 Euros, but last night, I broke my pattern and ordered a beer.  Didier usually mans the bar by himself, therefore service can be a little spotty.  You can't wait for him to come around to take your order--you just take your glass up to the bar if you want a refill.  It's a friendly place with a casual atmosphere. 

Me and my red scarf (and a beer!!!)

A funny thing happened on the way in--I was greeted warmly by some woolly haired guy and introduced to someone called Serge...as if he had been expecting me.  As it turned out, he WAS expecting some woman, and the clue was that she would be wearing a red scarf!  You guessed it--I was wearing a red scarf.  I don't think the expected girl ever did show up.  It was an innocent and pleasant enough mix-up and broke the ice.  Any reservations I had about being a stranger melted away pretty fast with THAT welcome!

The musicians

The music started out with two fiddle players, a youngish woman and an older guy, who obviously was the one in charge.  At about 8:30 a group of people came in laden with instruments--mandolin, penny whistle, flute, guitars, a viola, and a drum that looked like a bodhran, but without the cross frame.  I learned later in the evening that they are from Limoux, which has a very lively music scene, maybe even more so than Carcassonne.  They played jigs and reels and waltzes and were still at it by the time Susan and I left at about 10:30. 

Making toes tap

One of the musicians--flute, drum, guitar

At some point during the evening a couple came in.  The guy carried a guitar case; he and the woman with him seemed to know all the other patrons in the place.  During one of the breaks, I turned to her and introduced myself, as I had overheard her speaking English.  She commented that I looked familiar--and as it turned out, we lived next door to each other here at 34 for the months of January and February!!! Her name is Debbie and I had met her only briefly on the steps during her sojourn here.  Obviously not a long enough meeting to remember her!  How embarrassingly serendipitous!  She is, by way of her copain, Martin, who is an Irish balladeer and guitar player, plugged into the local music scene.

As a result of meeting them, I was introduced to the group of musicians who were amazed and delighted to learn that there is a dulcimer (if not a dulcimer player) in town.  The older fiddler turns out to give lessons in traditional Celtic music every Wednesday evening.  I asked them for the names of 5 tunes I should learn so I could play with them and they kindly obliged.  They invited me to the free lessons this evening and to bring my dulcimer and play with them when they get together.  

I am not good enough to play much in public, but as it turns out I do know three or four tunes already that they know and play...whether or not they are in the same key remains to be seen, but it will be fun to sit in with them.  I don't know if I can make the lessons tonight--it's a bit of a hike and it's pouring down rain as I write this.  My dulcimer case is not waterproof and it's pretty heavy to lug for any distance.  We will just have to see what the weather does.  Neither the hike nor the weight of the dulcimer will keep me home, but the rain will.  I don't want to ruin either my case or my instrument.

Didier joins in from behind the bar

I no longer believe in coincidences.  I think there was a reason I stopped to read that sign outside Bar 98--to connect with Debbie and Martin, to get a toehold into the local music scene.  I don't go out at night, but decided to do so last night.  I have looked inside Bar 98 with interest, but have never overcome my reticence about entering.  Now I feel like that barrier has been breached and I feel perfectly comfortable going in there.  Didier knows my name and I know his.  I am looking forward to more live music evenings at Bar 98.

Oh, and a huge thanks to Susan.  I forgot my camera, but she had her cell phone with her, so we were able to get some photos for today's article.