We often focus on Michael Coleman as THE Sligo fiddler who had the most influence in New York City, but actually his contemporary the "Professor" James Morrison (1893-1947) from Riverstown, Co. Sligo taught more people to play the fiddle over the years. One of his last remaining fiddle students, Veronica McNamara, a well-known face to many New Jersey trad folks, will lead a night of musical history at the clubhouse of the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey (www.iaanj.com) on Saturday, June 16 at 8 p.m.

She will help paint the picture in tunes and tales of how New York became so Sligo-oriented on the fiddle at that time down through the years and there should be some great photos of a bygone era as well.

This is part of the association's regular seisiun series so you are encouraged to come along and participate. Contact Iris Nevins at 908-813-8617 or e-mail at [email protected] . . .

IN July, the veteran RTE researcher and producer Harry Bradshaw will be visiting the Catskills Irish Arts Week (www.east-durham.org) to expound more on Morrison and Coleman (and even Chief Francis O'Neill) as the highly regarded summer school dedicates its Saturday festival (July 21) in honor of the late Andy McGann who kept the Sligo tradition alive until his death in July of 2004 . . .

ON Monday, June 18 there will be another fleadh fundraiser to help the 2007 young travelers to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Tullamore up at Rory Dolan's, that community-minded hostelry on the Bronx-Yonkers border on McLean Avenue. This time the beneficiaries would be students of the Michelle Bergin and Mary Rafferty schools of music, the tandem who have been based in Woodlawn for the past couple of years under the patronage of Martin O'Grady. Donating their time and talent for entertainment are Mike Rafferty, Willie and Siobhan Kelly, Jerry O'Sullivan, Donal Clancy, Deirdre Connolly, Mary Coogan, Donie Ryan, Chris McLoughlin and more for the soiree which will guided by that Cherished Lady herself, Joanie Madden. The fun begins at 7 p.m.

Hopefully the Monday night turnout will be better than last Saturday's dismal showing for the Annmarie Acosta School of Irish Music and Dance where but a handful of outsiders showed up to join family and friends.

Nonetheless, they cheered on a terrific lineup of well-trained and enthusiastic young musicians who gave a "professional" performance regardless of the size of the audience. Perhaps a sunny Saturday afternoon in June isn't the best time to draw a crowd, but it was a very well organized event and the music never stopped and was capped by the appearance of the old Jigsaw crew of Joanie Madden, Eileen Ivers and Gabe Donahue, who rocked McLean Avenue in their younger years with their emerging Celtic-trad style.