We are open and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today! Starting at 6 we have Charlie Sporn and Jim Basil bringing their Irish trad to the Barn.

BIOGRAPHY--CHARLES SPORN

Charles Sporn has lived in Plainfield for over 25 years.  He started off as a classical violinist but began his lifelong journey playing traditional Irish music on the fiddle since discovering it while he was a student at Rutgers in the early 1970's. Charles was fortunate to be living in New York City at a time when the music was becoming more widespread, finding its way to pubs and concert venues, and attracting many more musicians. He has since learned hundreds of tunes. 

In addition to playing on stage, Charles proides music in pub sessions, dances, weddings and parties throughout New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia, focusing on the style played by fiddlers from County Sligo.   In addition, he plays the keyless wooden flute in the East Galway style.  He studies that instrument with the renowned Dublin-born Uilleann piper and flute player, Ivan Goff.  He has been awarded Folk Arts Grants by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts three times for his work in preserving that endangered regional style.  In 2013, Charles was honored by the mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for his dedication to, and performance of, traditional Irish music.  Currently, he coordinates and leads the twice-monthly traditional Irish music sesiun at Flounder Brewing Company. 

BIOGRAPHY--JIM BASIL

Jim Basil is a New Jersey–based uilleann piper and Irish tin whistle player devoted to the rich tradition of Irish music. In 2017 he began studying with world-renowned uilleann piper Ivan Goff. Jim was awarded a Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant from the New Jersey Council on the Arts, immersing himself more deeply in the tradition. He performs regularly at Irish sessions, concerts, and private events throughout New Jersey and New York.