215 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI 49201
Phone: 517-782-3221 www.jacksonsymphony.org
Jackson Irish Festival set for
March 13-14, 2015 in Downtown Jackson
featuring art, music, science, stories & dance
A tribute to the late Mrs. Mary Ann Donley Kessler
As the weather shifts from bitter cold to warmer hints of spring, there is no better time to kick up
your heels and welcome the Second Annual Jackson Irish Festival, March 13-14, hosted by
Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School and a collaborative group of Jackson
arts and human service non-profits, including Jackson School of the Arts, Dahlem Center and
Jackson District Library. The event will pay tribute to local resident, the late Mrs. Mary Ann
Donley Kessler, who is described by her family as a truly loving and “Very Irish” mother of
seven daughters, the Kessler Girls.
The late Mary Ann Donley Kessler is shown here
with her husband, William, who is a retiree of Consumers Energy and a resident of Grass Lake Township.
Mrs. Kessler was a principal in East Jackson and an active parishioner at St. John’s Catholic Church.
The two-day festival is designed to produce a regional music/arts festival that promotes Irish and
Celtic culture and heritage while providing enjoyment, enrichment and educational opportunities
for families and residents of Jackson and neighboring counties.
Irish music, dance, displays, art projects, demonstrations and culinary delights will all be
available to those with a love for all that is Irish.
“The vision of the Jackson Irish Festival is a thriving family-friendly festival that celebrates and
promotes the Irish and Celtic heritage of Jackson and surrounding areas through musical, cultural
and educational activities,” explains JSOCMS Director Carol Ivkovich. “We are contributing to
the vitality of the community by promoting awareness of Irish culture and its impact on our
surrounding area.”
The two-day event will also serve as a Memorial Tribute to the late Mary Ann Donley Kessler,
who, according to family members was “VERY Irish”. Mrs. Kessler was a former principal at
East Jackson and a longtime and very active member of St. John’s Catholic Church. She was
married to William Kessler, a retiree of Consumers Energy and a resident of Grass Lake
Township. Mr. Kessler is still very active with the St. John’s Catholic Church. The couple raised
7 daughters, often referred to as the Kessler Girls. According to daughter Patti Poppe, who is a
lead sponsor of the Jackson Irish Festival, this tribute to Irish culture and music is a very fitting
way to pay tribute to her mother’s legacy.
Activities will not be confined, however, to the Friday night and Saturday activities. In order to
promote this special event, educational outreach events are planned in February and March
within Jackson Public Schools that bring Irish and Celtic traditions into the classroom.
The Jackson Irish Festival begins with a rollicking celebration of music featuring The Moxie
Strings Celtic rock group from Ann Arbor on Friday, March 13 @ 7:30 p.m. Additional activities
will take place on Saturday, March 14, offering a family-friendly, fun-filled day of
demonstrations, educational workshops and art projects.
The Moxie Strings: Cellist Alison Lynn, Percussionist Fritz McGirr and fiddler Diana Ladio.
The opening performance featuring The Moxie Strings brings to Weatherwax Hall the
electrifying combination of fiddler Diana Ladio and cellist Alison Lynn. With their feel-good
melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms, this duo has put a fresh, enticing spin on
Celtic and Americana music. They will join forces with world percussionist Fritz McGirr, who
lends an engaging rhythmic energy to the show.
Though rooted in tradition, The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to
experience some of the world’s best known instruments and oldest genres through a young,
progressive lens.
Demonstrations on Saturday, March 14, will include fiddling by Neil Woodward (Michigan’s
Troubadour/Fiddler), traditional step dancing with Sheila Graziano and Irish Dancers from
Jackson School of the Arts. Woodward has been sharing folk music’s warmth and wisdom with
Great Lakes audiences for over 30 years. In 2003 the Legislature of the State of Michigan
officially named him Michigan’s Troubadour in recognition of his lifelong commitment to
preservation of Great Lakes folk music and culture. Graziano started dancing as a youngster and
has become an expert in traditional dance steps from England, Ireland and Canada. Together they
have formed a new collaboration called “Matter & Ghost”. Both historical and original material
is offered up in the course of a presentation/workshop, with stories and anecdotes adding
perspective to individual pieces. Woodward will be offering a fiddling master class for string
students of all levels. Cost for the Saturday master class is $10 per student.
Matter & Ghost
Neil Woodward and Sheila Graziano
Of course, no Irish festival is complete without fantastic storytelling, which will be facilitated by
Jackson District Library. In addition to the arts, Dahlem Center will bring exhibits related to
nature to peak the curiosity of young and old.
Jackson School of the Arts will offer two hands-on opportunities for children to explore Irish
art and culture. The “make and take” activities will enable children to use their imagination,
learn and have fun. Also, the Jackson School of the Arts Irish Performance Dance Class will
entertain guests twice on Saturday. This class is made up of students ages 8-14. After each
performance, audience members of all ages will be invited to join the class to learn some of the
steps that make up Irish Dance.
Jackson District Library will invite visitors to a special Irish Storytime featuring Irish tales
such as “The Story of the Leprechaun.” Children can make a Shamrock hat as part of the
participatory activities. They can also interact with the Library’s friendly leprechaun and learn
some of the history behind the enchanting Irish stories.
The Dahlem Center will be planting sunflower seeds. First the children will decorate their peat
pots using markers. They will fill the peat pots with dirt. Once filled, they will receive a
sunflower seed to carefully plant in their peat pot. Each child will take his or her peat pot home
to water it and watch it grow. Once the weather is warmer, he or she can plant it outside. The
activity is designed to give each child greater awareness and understanding of environmental
responsibility.
Jackson Irish Festival participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Irish music
with the help of area musicians who will be performing throughout the event. Harpist
Deidreanna Potter started studying the harp at age 10 under Kelly Yoakam. When she was 11,
she was accepted by MSU Harp Professor Lauralee Campbell to continue her training.
Deidreanna was invited to join the MSU Symphony Orchestra as a High School Honors Student
at age 13 and continued to play with MSU ensemble groups for several years as requested.
Deidreanna was named the Lansing Symphony’s 2009 Youth Concerto competition winner with
her performance of Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro. She was also named 2012 Lansing
Concert Band Young Artist Competition (Kenneth G. Bloomquist Prize) winner with her
performance of David Bennett’s La Rougette. She has played in several ensembles throughout
lower Michigan both professional and community including the Mason Symphony, the Jackson
Symphony, the Jackson Youth Symphony, the Livingston Symphony Orchestra, the Lansing
Concert Band, the Meridian Community Band, Lange Chorale, the Jackson Chorale, MSU
Children’s Choir, and Michigan State University Ensembles.
Deidreanna Potter and Tabitha Potter
Tabitha Potter, Flute and Pennywhistle, began her musical studies on the piano with her
grandmother at age 6. At the age of 10 she began studying the flute. During her 7 years of flute
playing, she has been privileged to be under the tutelage of several fine flautists, and currently
studies with Dr. Tess Miller of St. Johns, MI. Tabitha has also taken a keen interest in the
pennywhistle and has enjoyed bringing an Irish flare to many settings. She loves bringing music
to people everywhere, and has performed in chamber settings, recitals, and at her church.
Bagpiper Gary Blohm
Bagpiper Gary Blohm, of Grass Lake, will also add to the ambiance throughout the festival. He
has studied various musical instruments throughout his life, including the bagpipes, guitar, piano
and has been very involved in vocals and theatre. He will be on hand to add to a true Celtic
celebration. He is a veteran of the US Navy and has degrees from both Saginaw Valley State
University and Delta College. He is married to Lorilyn Williams and has two children, Zachary
and Emily and is employed by Chrysler, Dundee Division.
Schedule of Events:
Jackson Irish Festival
March 13-14, 2015
Sponsored by JSOCMS, Jackson School of the Arts, Jackson District Library and Dahlem Center
The Moxie Strings
Celtic Rock Concert
Friday, March 13 @ 7:30 p.m.
Weatherwax Hall
Tickets on sale beginning February 2, 2015
Tickets $15.00
www.themoxiestrings.com
Family Festival
Saturday, March 14
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Irish Dancing with Jackson School of the Arts
Story Telling with Jackson Library
Fiddling and Step Dancing with Matter and Ghost
(Neil Woodward and Sheila Graziano)
Celtic Harp and Penny Whistle with Deidre Potter
Fiddling Master Class with Neil Woodward for string students of all levels.
$10 per student.
Activities, games, crafts, photo booth, facepainting, hurling and more..
Refreshments