Right on the heels of my Northeast tour with Téada came my southern solo tour. Now folks, organizing and booking tours is hard work but the execution of this tour itself was totally relaxing, inspiring, and enjoyable. I cannot deny that I’m a traveler; being on the road allows me to re-connect with the communities and friends that I might not otherwise have the chance to see for long stretches so I made the most of my time. I flew into Kansas City to teach at a weekend Irish language intensive with the Kansas City Irish Center, which is always enjoyable (and conveniently located across the street from one of the best BBQ joints in the city). My friend Renata is such a stalwart of the Irish language community there and has done so much to build a community of speakers; so if you’re ever in KCMO, check out the center! From there I jumped the train and headed east along the swollen Missouri River to visit family in Saint Louis. I jumped into a car there and followed the Mississippi south to Jackson, MS for my first house concert of the tour with the Jackson Irish Dancers group. From there workshops, concerts, and presentations in Atlanta and Columbus GA, Tuscaloosa AL, and Gainesville FL before connecting with David Mehalko in New Orleans. He was gracious enough to join me for a few shows in New Orleans and Lafayette LA and Austin, Houston, San Antonio TX. We parted ways in Dallas-Fort Worth where I had dance workshops with the world famous Harrisons and then I rounded out of my tour with workshops and concerts in Memphis TN and Berea KY before arriving to family in Kentuckiana and finishing off the tour with another Irish language intensive in Bloomington, IN with the Indiana Celtic Community. Thank you for all the generosity I was shown on this tour—I have come of age among most of these communities so sitting in their living rooms and parlors and singing, dancing, playing for them was such strong heart medicine. Na laga Dia sibh!
