Irish Uilleann Pipe musician to perform
The vibrant skirl of pipe music echoed throughout the Vacaville Town Square Library on a stormy Thursday.
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Irish uilleann pipe musician David Winter of Berkeley performed in the library's meeting room.
After explaining a little bit of how the pipe works, Winter performed several tunes for the audience. Some of those songs included “The Merry Blacksmith,” “Patsy Geary's,” “My Darling Asleep,” “Going to the Well for Water,” “Tell Her I Am,” “The Battering Ram” and “I'll Tell Me Ma.”
Winter also offered up traditional Irish tales, such as “The Story of the Tea Man” who was a travelling tea merchant in Ireland.
He also explained the parts of the bagpipe and how there are different types of Irish songs, including reels, jigs, polkas and slow air.
“In the old days in Ireland, they didn't have television or cell phones so they had to make their own fun,” said Winter. “You might have to do that too when you get home from the rain and the electricity goes out.”
One child raised his hand and asked Winter if there was a toy version of the Irish uilleann pipe that he could play. Winter replied that he was not sure if those exist but one day the youth could play the real thing.
Winter also told the group about the kinds of river dancing and Irish dancing that can be performed alongside the Irish uilleann pipe's music.
To close out his performance, Winter showed off his saffron Irish kilt and sporran. The sporran is a small pouch that can hold
items because the kilt has no pockets.
“You have to have somewhere to carry a little bottle of whiskey,” he said. “It's
been great fun playing you some tunes today. I have to head back to Berkeley now. With this rain, it should take me about a week.”