Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 02 Thursday Night Music Jam
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

Thursday Night Music Jam

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

Courtney Petkovsek-Powers

February 15, 2014

Share

Ceilidh Music Sessions, Thursday Night Fun For All

On Thursday nights as you pass the Saranac Lake Vistors Center office, you may notice a lot of cars in the parking lot and all the lights on and wonder what is going on. Most people would assume that it is something chamber related (maybe a board meeting or something) that is closed to the public, but that could not be farther from the truth. Each and every Thursday night (all year long), the Ceilidh Music Session meets. The Ceilidh Music Session is a group of men and occasionally women who come together to play their chosen instruments in an open jam session. An open jam session is a musical event where musicians are welcome to play in a non-rehearsed communal practice session. Allowing everyone to join in and show what can happen when people come together to create wonderful music.

Ceilidh Music Group

Listen to their music here!

This particular group of musicians has been meeting for about 12 years. They have changed locations a couple times within the Village of Saranac Lake, but have been settled into the Visitor Center open space for quite a while now. They'll make any space work, no matter how big or small and will always find space for more people. There are typically 12 to 15 local people (depending on the season) that show up every week to play, but strongly encourage new musicians to join in. If you are a local or a visitor passing through who would like a place to practice, this is something that you should seriously consider! Even if you do not play, they welcome with open arms anyone who would like to stop in and enjoy their music. They do not play professionally, since they enjoy the laid back environment that these jam session offers. You will not find them playing at the Rotary Show during Winter Carnival or in the Riverside Park bandshell in the summer, so make some time and come to Center on Thursday night from 7pm to about 10:30pm. They are just having fun playing some incredibly fun and beautiful music in the relaxed atmosphere that they love. After working so hard and being professional all week at work, you want to have some fun playing music, right? And these musicians deliver, without a doubt!

Bodhran Drum

What kind of music?

They play traditional Celtic music, enjoying the tunes from traditional Scotland, Shetland Isles and Ireland. If you bring in a new piece of music that you want to try out with them, they will not turn you away, but just make sure you bring enough copies to share with everyone (and try to stay within the Celtic/Old Time genre). Most of the them use sheet music to play, but there are a couple of them who have all the tunes memorized. They welcome everyone, whether you can read and play from sheet music or can play by ear. There are no official rules to an open jam session, except to have fun and enjoy playing music. I’ve been told that they have over 300 tunes in their repertoire and if you see one of their binders full of music you would believe it! And in any given night they will make it through anywhere from 40 to 50 tunes.

Music In The Making

Instruments Abound

This group is a sight to see. They have so many different types of instruments being played; I was entertained just by watching them play, let alone the sounds coming from the instruments. There were many people playing the acoustic guitar, one playing a hand accordion, an octave mandolin, a cello, an Irish tenor banjo, bodhran drum, a mountain dulcimer, resonator ukulele (see pictures below) and a couple violins. They were telling me that they welcome most any instruments, but would prefer to stay away from electric guitars and such (but how many people have heard of Old Time Celtic music being played with electric guitars anyway?).

Mountain Dulcimer

Resonator Ukulele

As I was sitting there enjoying the music and taking notes, I noticed I was dancing in my seat to their upbeat, fun melodies. I don’t care who you are, you can’t help but bounce your leg or dance in your seat when you hear a fun Celtic Jig. I’ve always loved and appreciated good music, especially Celtic tunes, but these musicians make you feel at home. Whether they are playing a Celtic Jig or a soft melodious lament, they capture your heart and music-loving soul. With all this Free wonderful live music happening right in our own backyard so often, it’s a wonder that more people do not come to watch, listen and play. So whether you live close and just haven’t known about this opportunity or you are coming for a visit, make sure to stop by and catch an ear full of awesome free music or bring your instrument and join in on the fun!

Listen to more music here!

Come Join The Fun!

Share

Packages and Promotions

range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf
range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: