The Arizona music community was shocked early in 2010 when Jane announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Over the years many of us have had the pleasure of knowing Jane Hilton; whether we took fiddle classes from her, watched her on stage or shared the stage with her, she has touched many lives with her music and her endearing personality. Jane is one of the most genuine and talented women I have met; her integrity, her passion for music and her compassion for people are all things that come to mind immediately when I hear her name.

The attached artwork represents a sticker that has been created as a fundraiser* to help Jane throughout this difficult time in her life. These are available to anyone who would like to support Jane- there is a $5 minimum donation for each sticker. These are high quality 3” round vinyl decals that are suitable for indoor or outdoor use; put one on your car window and/or your instrument case to show your support for Jane around Phoenix. The cost to print these decals has already been covered by a small group of Jane’s friends and 100% of your donation will go directly to Jane. We have printed 1,000 of these decals and the goal is to raise at least $5,000 (1,000 decals at $5 each) to help Jane with medical expenses. The added bonus is that Jane will see the stickers around town and know that she is loved and supported by her community.

About the design:
Having known Jane for the time that I have, I know that she is not the kind of woman to be defined by cancer or any other disease. For this reason, the traditional breast cancer awareness “Pink Ribbon” is present but it takes up only a small portion in the design. I have no doubt that Jane will overcome this disease and, just like in this design, the cancer will one day be just a footnote in her life. The main focus of the design is an image that we can all relate to Jane by; a fiddle (or violin, depending on which musical circle you know her from!). The text within the banner is a simple expression of love and support for Arizona’s favorite fiddler.

Please contact Johnny Kerr for details (kerr.johnny@gmail.com) on how to get your decal. 
Decals are also available at the Irish Cultural Center

Sincerely,
Johnny Kerr

*Please note that I have proceeded with this fundraiser only after sharing the idea with Jane and receiving her permission.

27th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Faire is Saturday, March 13.  This Year's Theme is "Arizona's Irish...Proud Past, Present & Future".  Parade is on 3rd Street from Virginia south to Margaret T. Hance Park.  Parade begins at 10 am.  The Faire starts immediately after at Hance Park on the west side of Central at the Irish Cultural Center. Admission is $10.00 adults, 12 & older $1.00 Kids 6-12 and under 6 FREE.

Wednesday, March 17th St. Patrick’s Day at the ICC  Open 10 am Serving Chef Frank Hand’s Irish Lamb Stew all day.  Gift Shop and Cash Bar open all day.  Enjoy the evening with music from Arizona's Irish Chorale Group Celtica! Top off the evening with  our traditional St. Patrick’s night ceili at 7:00 pm.  Live music and all dances will be taught. Dances for all levels of  experience.

Julie will be appearing at the Center at 7:30 on Friday, March 26.  Tickets are $10.00.  Julie Henigan, whose performances have been characterized as “mesmerizing,” her vocals as “stunning,” and her instrumental work as “absolutely superior,”  performs traditional songs and instrumentals from Ireland and Scotland, as well as selected contemporary and original material.  Specializing in the songs of County Donegal, where she learned to speak Irish, Julie sings unaccompanied (in the old style), as well as accompanied with her guitar or fiddle.  According to Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, founder of the Donegal supergroup Altan “She’s like a reflection of the old music in America. . . .  When she sings, she has the nuances of our older singers.”

The Center will be presenting Ceilis on the second and third Friday of the month. Enjoy Irish social dancing in a relaxed atmosphere with live music and dance lessons.  We will be learning set dancing at our second and third Friday Ceilis.

The Academy of Celtic Studies began the second term on April 5th.  The cost for music and language classes is $100.00 for the 8 week term. Private lessons are available in 30 or 60 minute time slots. The cost for private lessons is $20.00 per 30 minute class and $40.00 per 60 minute class. For further information, please call (602) 254-6094.

Gerry O'Beirne and Rosie Shipley in Concert on Sunday, April 18th at 4:00 pm.  Tickets are $10.00
Irish singer/songwriter Gerry O'Beirne and American fiddler Rosie Shipley have been delighting audiences worldwide for over seven years.  

The City of Chandler's new Sister City affiliate, the Chandler Irish Cultural Council (CICC) representing the "twinning" between Chandler, Arizona and Tullamore, Ireland, invites youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age to participate in the first annual Young Artists Showcase.

Three Irish Sopranos Performing Live at Mesa Arts Center

Trio includes Lead Singer from RIVERDANCE for inspired show of Irish, popular and classical music

Sunday, March 14, 3 p.m.