NZ Christchurch travel – The Bog session
The tee-shirt read “I spend Tuesday nights in the Bog” But on closer inspection it turned out that The Bog is in fact an Irish bar located at the end of the City Mall in Christchurch New Zealand – and every Tuesday night there is a traditional Irish music session.
Traditional? Well if you count a guy playing trumpet while standing on a table traditional… but yes the music is mainly old-school Irish celtic.
So Eve, having made sure I brought the fiddle over, suggested we have a few tunes at the Bog. I was just going to sit in a corner somewhere unobtrusive and play odd tunes as I knew them – especially when they said they were recording that particular night for a live album.
I was directed over to where other fiddle players were seated. Eve introduced me around to a few of the main players and there was a kind of band all mic-ed up and they would lead the session.
Then this guy leans over and asks if I play anything other than Irish? So I said sure – how about some scottish? and started off a couple of tunes. Suddenly it became apparent that most of the place had gone quiet and everyone was watching me. The fiddle layer in the band then leant over and said “wanna swap places?” I declined, but a couple of the main players came over and complimented my playing.
Then the session got going and to my surprise I knew almost all the tunes.
At one point Neville – with the trumpet – dragged me out to play with him on the front microphone. And when Athol Highlanders March came on it was only natural that I should dance to the tune as I played. That seemed to get a few people going and soon there was another fiddle player out and dancing too. So I kind of turned reluctantly into a guest celebrity.
It was a grand session – very lively and a load of fun. And it’s on every Tuesday evening – so if you’re travelling through, why not pop in for a pint of the good stuff and have a few tunes yourself 🙂
Cheers
Jerry
Comment by Karen
Jerry, sounds like you guys had a lot of fun in the Bog. I love following along on your adventures!
Posted on November 5, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Comment by Allison Aller
What a total blast, Jerry! It must have sounded so great. Wonderful pics, too.
Here in Portland one night we happened upon a spirited circle of players at Kell’s, our own Irish pub. What a great tradition, held all over the world, playing music while eating bangers and mash! I raise my glass to the Irish.
Posted on November 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Comment by Graham McLeod
Glad you had a good time in Christchurch.
Nice to meet you at The Bog.
Posted on November 8, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Comment by jerry
Great to meet you too Graham – nice whistle playing 🙂 And great craic!
Posted on November 8, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Comment by new zealand accomadation
The bog looks like a great place to spend a Tues night!!
Posted on March 17, 2008 at 5:12 am