Author Archives

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Maureen O’Hara: Partying in Style

Ms. O'Hara's 93rd Birthday!

You’ve all probably been wondering, “Where’s Rachel gone?” (Well, all two of you who are still following me, that is!) Let me explain: … no, there is too much. Let me sum up: It’s tough to keep your page updated when you’re getting married, traveling to horsemanship events, and prepping for two weeks outside of the US. Nonetheless, I promise the music has not fallen by the wayside! This website and my page will be undergoing some changes soon, but as anyone who’s ever needed a laundromat knows, change is good.

On to the exciting news! Maureen O’Hara, Irish actor and singer, is turning ninety-three on August the 17th and has organized quite the birthday fundraiser bash. Starting at 10 a.m. she’ll be at the Egyptian Theater for the showings of a few of her movies and a meet and greet, and at 6:00 her “birthday gala” will be held at the Boise Grove Hotel. The Giant Leprechauns will be playing at the start of the gala to kick it off and providing background music during the dinner, and later in the evening our friends from Irish Dance Idaho will showcase their energetic Irish steps and choreographies!

It’s a huge honor to play fiddle for Maureen’s celebration and net proceeds from the event will go to the Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults, an Idaho elder abuse foundation. Happy birthday, Ms. O’Hara!

Giant Leprechauns at the Grove Hotel
August 17th, 6 p.m. onward.

For more information on Maureen O’Hara’s event, check out her page!
Maureen O’Hara Birthday Celebration

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Slow down, it’s a hoedown!


Short notice? Probably, but the Second Chance Square Dance at the Linen Building in downtown Boise is not something to be missed! The hoedown series has been going on for a while now thanks to the many people who come to enjoy live, local music and the-real-deal square dancing. The beauty of this style of dance is that you don’t even have to think, you just do what the caller tells you to do!

As many of you know, I’m pretty fond of dancing and therefore have always enjoyed coming to these hoedowns, but this time it’s going to be a bit more special for me. If you go to this hoedown on May 3, you’ll see little ol’ RDNaturally up on stage with Idyltime, helping provide the tunes for all those swingin’ dancers out there! Beth and Tate Mason of Coos County, OR, moved to Idaho a few years ago and recently joined up with the versatile Boisean fiddler, Dave Daley, and talented guitarist, Ava Honey, to create Idyltime. I’m looking forward to fiddling with these fantastic musicians, for sure. See you there!

Boise Events: Second Chance Square Dance at The Linen Building
1402 W. Grove St., Boise ID
Doors open at 7:00, Idyltime performs at 7:30, dancing starts at 8:00
$7 per person or $20 per family (up to six people)

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Psst! Looking for the Best St. Pat’s Party?

Giant Leprechaun's St. Pat's Extravaganza, March 15th, 2013
Follow the sultry sound of my fiddle… that’s right, just a few steps more — mind you don’t step on the leprechaun.

Actually, the worst you’d do is tread on his toes. I’m talking about The Giant Leprechauns here! This Friday at the Linen Building they’ll be putting on the finest Irish celebration in all of Boise! Forget the joints serving tinny jigs pumped over loudspeakers and canned corned beef; these shenanigans will be powered purely by live Irish musicians (way better than the dead ones), Irish dancers, and some of the finest folk singers in the Ada County. Come see me as part of the Giant Leprechauns and stay for all the fine performances, 7:30 on Friday the 15th!

“But wait,” you may be saying. “St. Pat’s isn’t until Sunday! Whatever will you be doing from Friday to the blessed day o’ the Irish?” The correct answer is: Taking Sacramento by storm. I have the joy of reuniting with the Celtic band, The Glens of SMOW (Sambandha Music of the World), for five performances on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th. That’s right, Sacramento is getting a little bit of Idaho love in just seven days!

Check out my calendar for the schedule and details!
Calendar

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Come be Clumsy!

The first annual Clumsy Fest is happening right here in Boise this Friday the 15th, featuring The Clumsy Lovers! Warming up the show will be the fantastic Irish group The Giant Leprechauns, including for her first time as a Leprechaun herself, Rachel Dunn! (Who, me? Shoot, surely looks like it!)

February 15-16, 2013 -- First Annual Clumsy Fest!The Clumsy Lovers have brought their mix of fiddle and banjo-fuelled, bluegrassified Celtic rock to North American audiences for over a decade. With more than 2500 performances under their belts, their high-energy shows have worn out dance floors and created a loyal following in 49 states and across their homeland of Canada. The San Antonio Express-News review says: “Their fusion of bluegrass and Celtic with a rock attitude is the soundtrack for a kinetic show that has helped the band become a favorite of the roots music crowd.”

I had the immense pleasure of dancing for the Giant Leprechauns at Curtis Stiger’s Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza last December and have been fiddling with them at the Ha’Penny sessions for over five years. It was a real honor when Dave Daley asked me to become a Giant Leprechaun a few weeks ago! Also joining us will be Michelle Estrada with her incredible vocal talents. You will not want to miss this!

The music kicks off at 7:00 with an open jam followed by the Giant Leprechauns on stage at 8:00. It’s all happening at Humpin’ Hannah’s on Main St.! Get directions here: Directions to Hannah’s
I’m super excited for this show and can’t wait to see you there!

Check out the Clumsy Fest’s facebook page for extra info and updates:
First Annual Clumsy Fest Facebook Event

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The Dragonfly Set

Hey, Boiseans and beyond!

I have the immense pleasure of performing at the Pengilly’s open mic in downtown Boise tonight with the talented musician and songwriter, Paul Russell, and angelic singer and general miscreant, Michelle Estrada. We’re super excited to share our music with you! Here’s a teaser to whet your appetite for what’s to come tonight; or, for those who can’t make it into Idaho on such short notice, a chance to hear one of the sets I’ll be playing with Paul.

We are delighted to present: The Dragonfly Set

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Ludovico Einaudi Meets the Harp

It’s not the first time Mr. Einaudi’s gorgeous piano tunes have been played on the harp but this is the first time I moved one of his songs from horizontal keys to vertical strings. “Nuvole Bianche” strikes me as poignant and contemplative, a song that isn’t played so much for the glitz and glamor like a hot set of reels on the fiddle as it is for reflection and thoughtfulness. (Okay, it does get a little fancy a few minutes in…)

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Watch out, world: I’m on facebook now.

That’s right, this Boisean Celtic musician is going viral and there’s no health clinic that can cure it!

If my website were my house which I try to keep tidy and presentable in case company drops by, think of my facebook page as my bedroom in which posts, thoughts, questions (to which every answer is ’42’), and the small goings-on of life are scattered like the clothes and random pieces of daily living that I’m too lazy to pick up and put in their proper places.

So come on in, make yourself at home, and please don’t mind the mess!
RDNaturally Celtic Music
https://www.facebook.com/rdnaturallymusic

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We could make beautiful music together…

You’ve probably heard that old line before, but this time I’m serious. You, me, and the world of music at our fingertips! I offer Celtic, Beginner, and Classical violin lessons as well as beginner to intermediate Celtic/Folk harp in Boise, ID.

Don’t have a fiddle? I offer rental fiddles to get you started on your musical journey. Don’t have a harp? There’s a rental harp here for you, too.

Kickin’ Celtic music starts here. What are you waiting for?Image