When Pigs Fly!
Pigatude
Steeped-in-tradition jigs, reels and hornpipes from the British Isles and old time American fiddle, rag, bluegrass and waltz tunes.
GRAB A LITTLE PIECE OF HOG HEAVEN!
WHEN PIGS FLY! presents PIGATUDE, a new CD featuring steeped-in-tradition jigs, reels and hornpipes from the British Isles and Old Time American fiddle, rag, bluegrass and waltz tunes. You will hear the collision of Middle Eastern and Irish drums and the enchanting sounds of hammered dulcimers complimented by a myriad of acoustic instruments: guitars, mandolins, bass, bowed psaltery, bones, pennywhistle, fretted dulcimer, concertina, accordion and, of course, a banjo. The powerful arrangements of traditional tunes weave the fiber for Celtic and Old Time music into exciting new cloth. With 22 selections and over 57 minutes of pure ear-pleasing delight, PIGATUDE is a must for every CD collection.
PIGATUDE by When Pigs Fly! is so hot you will not only want to take these tunes home with you, but share the joy a plenty. It's upbeat and easy to listen to - the perfect gift for any occasion. Tired of the same music in every store and event? This is the best complimentary background music to any store, boutique or craft shop. It's fun for back-yard parties, and country fairs. Timelessly designed for all ages, even children love the tunes, and teachers are suggesting its use in classrooms.
Please join us for a toe-tapping adventure in hog heaven! We guarantee the spontaneous combustion will zing straight from your head to your feet. You won't be disappointed!
Based in Southern California, we invite you to come and hear us LIVE! We'll be glad to meet you!
Sunday, November 29, 2009, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
South Coast Plaza Jewel Court
Level 1 under the Christmas Tree near Macy's
3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30
Heritage Hill Historical Park Candlelight Tour
Orange County’s first historical park is a celebration of light, with 1,000 luminaries
guiding you through our beautifully decorated park grounds. Enjoy the holiday
season with the Amigos de la Colina (Friends of the Hill) volunteers, who graciously
host four beautifully decorated historic buildings and offer warm cider, cocoa and
homemade cookies for a small donation. Delight to the sound of holiday carolers
in the crisp night air! Take photos of your visit with Santa Claus in the Arbor, in the
one-room schoolhouse seated at an antique desk, or have your very own silhouette
cut. Entertainment: Promenade the park paths as Victorian carolers, musicians, local
talent and Scout groups share favorite holiday melodies. Step into the buildings and
be captivated by storytellers, authentic flamenco dance, the sounds of Spanish guitar,
dulcimer, harp and more!
25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.ocparks.com 949-923-2230
Event Fee: $4 Adults, $3 Children ages 3-12
Parking Fee: None (entrance located inside
Ralph's shopping center parking lot)
Age: Fun for the whole family!
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30
WHEN PIGS FLY!
Heritage Hill Historical Park, in the old shoolhouse
25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
See Sat. Dec. 12 entry.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
WHEN PIGS FLY!
South Coast Plaza Jewel Court
Level 1 under the Christmas Tree near Macy's
3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa 92626
www.WhenPigsFlyMusic.com
Saturday & Sunday, February 6 & 7, 2010
When Pigs Fly! at the Dickens Festival, Riverside
www.dickensfest.com details to follow
ABOUT TODAY'S BAND:
When Pigs Fly! is an exciting and distinct four-member ensemble who has been gracing Southern California since 1999. At their concerts they not only play and sing, but also teach the history of the tunes and tell silly pig jokes to boot! They have been described as one of the "most refreshing sounds" out there today. From back-yard parties to museums, festivals, and pre-concert lobby shows, When Pigs Fly! compliments every event. Your guests will surely be pleased!
MEET THE PLAYERS ON "PIGATUDE":
Mike (aka The Gig-meister) has played in various bands over the past 30 years including rock, folk, bluegrass and contemporary Christian groups. Although his first true love is Bluegrass & Bluegrass Gospel, Mike also enjoys all types of music. In addition to guitar, Mike also plays lead mandolin, banjo, and hammered dulcimer and contributes to vocals for the band.
Bea is one of three Hammered Dulcimer players in the band. Bea also plays the bowed psaltery and contributes to the vocals. Bea particularly enjoys Renaissance, O'Carolan, and Americana music, especially Shaker style. She is one of the founding members of Southern California Dulcimer Heritage. Bea presents musical enrichment programs at churches, libraries, schools and club meetings on the history of the hammered dulcimer. Bea demonstrated the hammered dulcimer on the Special Extended Edition of the Lord of the Rings DVD (disc 4).
Jim is the rhythm section of the band playing both the Bodhran (Irish Drum) and the Dumbek (Middle Eastern drum). In addition, Jim plays guitar and fretted dulcimer and contributes to the vocals. Jim is active in both The Living Tradition and the Southern California Dulcimer Heritage. An avid contra dancer for many years, he also promotes dances throughout the Southern California area.
Marianne is the demure, quiet one of the group. She plays wonderful Hammered Dulcimer bringing out beautiful harmonies and counter melodies in many of our songs. From an early beginning teaching guitar in high school, Marianne has a lifetime of experience with guitar and vocals. A teacher by profession, Marianne is just what this band needs to keep us in line.
Ellen, "I'm just the Bass player” keeps "When Pigs Fly!" anchored with her upright bass. Ellen plays a variety of other instruments from the flute to the accordion. In addition, Ellen has a great voice and a wide array of witty dither. Her musical experience includes six years performing for elementary school assemblies in History Sings, and five years with the jugband, Second Hand Smoke.
George (aka Mr. Soundman) plays lead and rhythm guitar and mandolin for the band. George is "the man" when it comes to sound reinforcement and technical expertise for "When Pigs Fly!" as well as visiting bands performing for The Living Tradition Concert Series and local contra dances.
Jim S. is a thirty-year veteran of the concertina wars. Although a difficult instrument to play, (some say it was invented by the devil), Jim's concertina playing adds a great dimension to the “When Pigs Fly!" sound. In addition to the concertina, Jim plays the bones and contributes with vocals. Jim has played in the Irish band, Shenanigans, and participated at Renaissance Faire with The Renaissance Revelers. He has also been a Muso for a Morris Dance side. R.I.P. 2005
THE CRITICS SAY:
LOS ANGELES TIMES, Orange County Edition Re: The Living Tradition Concert:
Drawing material ranging from the 1600's to the present, When Pigs Fly! .... the most tradition steeped act on the bill (4 acts). Featuring three hammered dulcimer players alone, the three-year-old Downey septet draws from a deep well of American and Celtic tunes. ....the freewheeling instrumental attack ...the soft collision of the dumbek, bodhran, recorder, concertina,, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, and just about anything else with strings. The group is also a lot of fun, with a silly pig joke or two thrown in for good measure. John Roos
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Long Beach:
You have spoiled us! ....instruments have the tone and feel of unparallel sound.........
Tradition that today is scarce......fans forever....... John Hauck
Private Party, Cerritos: We are still in awe over the great time we had with When Pigs Fly!
Sandy Valentine
Folk: Contra Dance