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Buffalo Irish Dot Com

A 501-c-3 (in process) Not-for-Profit Company

Operates Buffalo Irish Festivals beginning August 22,23,24 of 2008

Mission Statement:

"To provide unique and entertaining platforms (including the Buffalo Irish Festival, Paddy's Party and future concert and educational series) to foster and nurture the interest in and awareness of Irish and Celtic cultural heritage in Western New York, and to establish and maintain a continuum of academics and entertainment forums for succeeding generations."

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BuffaloIrish.com

Dance Council Meeting

June 2, 2008 Minutes

 

Goal of Dance Council - to set guidelines for participation of dance schools in the Irish Festival.

· The Council will create a distribution of funds, based upon a point system, to be distributed back to the school- to be determined by participation in the festival weekend.

· Amount of funds will be dependent upon each year's profit

· All dance schools need to take part in encouraging the community to attend festival and to have fun while there,.

· Locations set to date for advertising purposes

1. Bison's Game June 17th

2. Artpark Celtic Night - August 12th

3. Buffalo Rocks The Harbor - August 15th

4. M&T Noontime Entertainment Series - August 20th

 

Responsibilities for teachers and dancers

· Dancers from each school (2-4), who will distribute slingers at a designated time before each show and at other Irish and Celtic events throughout the summer.

· Dancers will be expected to provide volunteer hours at the festival by

1. Working at Kids Camp

2. Acting as ambassadors at festival; including answering questions

3. Encouraging and teaching crowd ceili dancing at Crossroads throughout park

4. Taking part in Theater performance directed by Mary Kate O'Connell

5. Attend one or two set dance classes to learn basic set dance steps

6. Distribute programs at the Irish Festival

· Teachers will be asked to provide 2-4 senior (15 years and up) dancers for each of the specific promo events to represent the festival only.

· Schools (parent organizations) will receive points for their participation

· The number of dancers per school for Crossroads events is to be decided

· 10-12 dancers (approx. 2 per school) will be needed to work in the Kids'Camp on Sat. and Sun.

· Dancers who volunteer will also be able to earn volunteer credit hours for community service requirements for high school or confirmation.

Shows

· Dance schools wishing to participate in the Festival must send a representative to future meetings of the Dance Council.

· Each school will perform one, regular, 30 minute show throughout the weekend.

· To make all performance days and times equitable, the council is considering having a draw for show times, which will then be rotated yearly.

· All shows will be performed by all dance schools on the outdoor stage, weather permitting. Spectators have expressed a positive response to the outdoor stage due to the greater ability to see the dancers' feet. If rain, dancers will perform under the big tent.

· A specific site ( possibly the octagonal building) will be designated for schools to meet to rehearse their numbers, change, etc. during an allotted time period prior to their show.

Dance School Vendors

· Each school will receive one 10x10 area to set up own tents, represent the school, and perform fundraising activities subject to limitations set by festival management

· There will be free admission for volunteers working the table that day.

· Free admission for dancer and one parent on the day of their performance.

· Each school must submit a list of volunteers for each day for free admission.

· Each school must designate a representative to attend Dance Council Meetings.

Buffalo Irish Festival Greatly Expanding This Year ...

The 27th Annual Buffalo Irish Festival is expanding into several new and exciting areas.

The brand-new Theater Building will host a show called “Ireland to Buffalo”, produced by and starring Mary Kate O’Connell (O’Connell & Company) and Josephine Hogan (Irish Classical Theater Company), professional actors, along with local musicians and dancers. The 50-minute show will be free, and will tell the story through song and story of the Irish families who homesteaded on Buffalo’s “Seawall”, along what is now Fuhrmann Boulevard, from 1840 to 1919, before they were evicted to make room for port expansion. The show will run eight timesduring the weekend.

The Theater Building will also house Beacher’s Pub, which will feature FIFTEEN local singers and bands through the weekend, performing between performances of “Ireland to Buffalo”. AND, the Building will host the first ever mobile display of the James Joyce Exhibition owned by the University of Buffalo, host to the 2009 World James Joyce Symposium.

The new Geneaology and Irish History Building will also feature stories and photos of the Seawall era, along with loads of information on your Irish heritage, hosted by BIGS, the Valley Community’s new Museum “Waterfront Memories and More”, along with others.

This year also marks the first “Irish Kids’ Camp”. It takes place Saturday and Sunday of the festival, is limited to kids aged between 8 and 12, and includes a series of 20-30 minute small-group sessions. In each of these sessions, the kids will be eposed to all things Irish, including the Irish language, storytelling, history, geography, Gaelic football and hurling, a little bit of dance, the history of Irish emigration and why they came to Buffalo, songs and singing, the whistle and bodhran, etc. The Irish Kids’ Camp runs from 9-2 on Saturday and Sunday, you can choose either day. For tuition and sign-up information, go to www.BuffaloIrish.com.

The Folk Stage will feature “Andy Cooney and his Band” this year, along with Barley Bree’s “Tom Sweeney”, the “Dady Brothers”, “Seamus Kennedy” and many others.

The New Traditional Irish Music Tent will feature the amazing world-class fiddler “Liz Carroll”, multiple-All-Ireland guitarist “John Doyle”, and traditional stars “Gan Bua” and “Blackwater”, and our own Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann musicians and Innisfree dancers. Visitors will be able to learn their name in Gaelic, and even learn how to pronounce their street name in South Buffalo!.

The Celtic Music Tent will include such world-famous Celtic Rock bands as “Seven Nations” and “The Prodigals”, and newcomers “Emish” from the Catskills.

Father John Joyce will celebrate a bi-lingual Roman Catholic Mass at the Festival on Sunday Morning at 10:30am, with a traditional Irish breakfast available immediately following.

This year’s festival will be managed by Buffalo Irish Dot Com, a new non-profit association formed “to provide unique and entertaining platforms to foster and nurture the interest in and awareness of Irish and Celtic cultural heritage in Western New York, and to establish and maintain a continuum of academics and entertainment forums for succeeding generations.”

Much more information is available at www.BuffaloIrish.com.

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Irish Festival Meeting Minutes

Buffalo.com

Kevin reported that the 501c3 scheduled to be completed…not in yet because we are going for the educational certification with the State Ed. Dept..

A question was raised as to whether we could join the Arts Council in the meantime to expedite the process. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of this working as a pass through organization while waiting. Watson/Bennett Law Firm is pushing the 501c3 process in Albany.

All applications are ready for grant requests, just waiting for 501c3. Kevin mentioned that we are looking for a contact at National Fuel. Ed Patton will contact Steve Brady.

Lawrence Shine is working on the James Joyce exhibit through UB Center for the Arts via Mike Kazinsky. Lawrence described this as a “fabulous collection”.

Questions were raised regarding:

- Insurance needs – would UB take care of this?

- Volunteers needed to man exhibit? Lawrence reported that UB is training folks

- Possibilities for posters, T Shirts, etc.

- Elaine Herald will work with Lawrence regarding Bloomsday advertising for festival

Mary Kate O’Connell reported that we will be appearing at M&T Plaza Noontime Series as entertainment on August 20th- noon. MaryKate will give a preview of what visitors to the festival can expect and what the festival will offer.

MaryKate O. went on to describe a bit about the multi-media interactive piece that will be performed twice on Friday, three times on Saturday and twice on Sunday during the festival. The topic will focus on “The Beachers” storyline.

- Mike Flynn questioned, “Who are we doing this for? Who will want to see it?”

- Discussion indicated that the play will become a permanent record of the history of the Irish in artform with further segments to follow in future years.

- The piece will involve traditional music and dance, drawing upon local talent.

- The same “Crafts Building” at the Fairgrounds will house the play, a pub and the James Joyce exhibit.

- The show will be participatory and interactive according to Mary Kate O’Connell.

- MaryKate O. will work with Bridget English on the talent for the show.

- MaryKate O. will email Katie Cunningham and Mary Holzerland and others regarding the dancers.

Artpark will be hosting a Celtic Show in early August. They are willing to allow Festival dancers, in costume, to hand out slingers for the Festival.

The 10th Anniversary of the Irish Famine Memorial will also take place this year.

Mike Flynn reported that the Famine Mass has been moved to July 23 or 27 due to the Festival Mass.

Margaret McGrath will continue to be in charge of the Famine Mass and has consented to run the Festival Mass, as well, which will be held at 10:30AM on the Sunday morning of the Festival, officiated by Fr. Joyce. Donna Kerr’s fiddle students will play for the Mass.

Traditional Tent

Tim will work with Bridget to figure out a schedule to play during set changes, including some spoon demos, stories, etc. Discussion regarding the logistics of this will continue.

Dance schools will still do traditional shows during the weekend on the Main Stage and other stages. The Traditional Tent will have set dance demos, area school dancers will take part in interactive ceili dancing along with Comhaltus group.

Kids Camp

Located in Indian Village

9-2 Sat. and Sun.

8-12 year old childen invited.

It is hoped that the children will be exposed to many different activities including hurling, Gaelic Football, Irish Language, Music, dancing, geneology, history, and arts and crafts.

Sign up form is in the creation stage- Katie Cunningham will create as an attachment

Katie will set a meeting date with Kevin to visit Fairgrounds, along with Bridget English.

Elaine Herald reported that the Gaelic Football League will play against Toronto’s Gaelic Team.

Kevin reported on the 32 page program that will come out 3-4 weeks prior to the event…Irish Times – 7th issue…

- Need volunteers to sell advertising

- The program goes to press on August 10th

- All festival schedules will be included

- Will be distributed at M&T Plaza event, Thursday in the Square, Artpark and through ArtVoice

- Kids Camp sign up form will be included

- Rates for ads – to be determined

Vendors

Mary Heneghan has 12 vendors committed with the possibility of others to come

Supporting Companies

- Time Warner

- M&T

- National Grid

- Hoping to get others- looking for connections to Verizon, Fios, Dell, Apple, etc to donate media sponsorship

- Elaine Herald will continue to make contact with public media and work on creating a media kit

- Tracy Dargan will take care of PSA Productions

- Sue will contact Channel 2

- Bridget will contact Comhaltas groups in Toronto

- Kevin will contact Toronto radio and tv and will check on Buffalo Bills contacts

- Mr. & Mrs. Murphy, Lockport, will distribute advertising through their Erie Canal Cruise Line. The couple stressed the importance of use of website for advertising- reaches many more people- brings folks in.

It was decided that meeting dates would be one time per month – Tuesdays seemed to be the best day- the next meeting may be on Tuesday, June 10th. Kevin will notify membership.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Holzerland

May 14 updates:

We've arranged the following bands to perform at the festival:

Mr. Kieran McLoughlin

The American Ireland Fund

345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10154

Dear Mr. McLoughlin:

I am writing to you seeking support from the American Ireland Fund for the Buffalo Irish Festival. Our festival is one of the longest running regional cultural festivals in the country and is now entering its 27th year. Attendance has grown from hundreds of people in 1982 to over 12,000 in 2007. We've established a remarkable line up of programming that honors our mission of provide unique and entertaining platforms to foster and nurture the interest in and awareness of Irish and Celtic cultural heritage in Western New York. We see an opportunity this year to expand our audience and perhaps reach over 20,000 people. To do that, we need to enlarge our marketing and promotion efforts and we're trying secure additional support for that initiative.

The Irish play an important role in the fabric of our regional history. They were some of the first settlers of what would become the City of Buffalo, the second largest city in the State of New York. The Erie Canal also drew many Irishmen to our area with the promise of good jobs. The Irish also gave us our first Catholic Bishop - John Timon - as well as 10 consecutive bishops. So it should not be a surprise that Buffalo and the greater region including southern Ontario, Canada have a deep appreciation for its Irish heritage; hence the growth of our festival.

The 27th annual Buffalo Irish Festival is going to be held from August 22-24 at the Hamburg Fair Grounds. It is a vibrant display of the majesty of Irish and Gaelic

culture. Virtually all of Buffalo's many Irish cultural organizations participate and contribute to the festival, including the Buffalo Irish Center, the Knights of Equity, South Buffalo Rugby Club, Goin' South, six local Irish dance schools, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (a worldwide organization fostering Irish traditional music, dance and language), the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Belfast Summer Relief Agency, and many more. Vendors of Irish goods and crafts from all over the United States, Canada and Ireland visit Buffalo the same weekend every year, making the festival an amazing shopping opportunity for Irish and non-Irish.

A weekend long series of seminars and discussions on Irish Heritage will be given by the Buffalo Irish Genealogy Society. Visitors can also take the opportunity to research their families. For children, the Festival hosts a camp where they can learn tin whistle, be exposed to the Gaelic language, and explore Irish history and culture.

We are particularly excited to have the Saw Doctors, who hold the record for Ireland's biggest-selling single of all time, perform at the Festival this year. In addition, we have a special exhibit planned of artifacts and original manuscripts of James Joyce, loaned from the collection owned by the State University of New York at Buffalo. This exhibit is a rare advance peak at the material that will be highlighted at the Joyce Symposium to be held in 2009 in Buffalo.

This year, we've have formed a 501-C-3 not-for-profit company (Buffalo Irish Dot Com) to enhance our ability to attract grants, patrons, and sponsor affiliations. The primary costs have been paid. We are specifically looking to secure $5,000 to support promotion of the Festival, to provide infrastructure rental, musician fees, sound, lighting, insurance and security. Excess funds, if and when available, will be offered to support other local Irish groups and events as determined by the board of directors. These groups may include the Irish Classical Theatre, O'Connell Theater Company, Buffalo Irish Genealogy Society, the Buffalo Irish Center of the Belfast Summer Relief Program.

Like the American Ireland Fund, we are proud of our Irish heritage and desire to expose more people to our rich and vibrant history. The Buffalo Irish Festival has been steadily growing in size since its inception. We think it is a perfect vehicle for the celebrating our impact on the world and local region. This is consistent with the work of the American Ireland Fund. If we were to receive a donation, we would be proud to promote the American Ireland Fund and invite representatives to attend. You can contact me at (716) 563-1781 or via email at BufIrish@aol.com if you are interested in partnering.

Sincerely,

Kevin Townsell

Chairman, Buffalo Irish Dot Com

Proceeds will benefit the following beneficiaries among others

Belfast Summer Relief Program

Buffalo Irish Center

SS Columba Brigid Fire Fund the recipient of the LOVE OFFERING for the mass

Saint Vincent de Paul Society

We need:

Someone to lead the program book sales initiative

Someone to lead up the "Friends of the Festival" solicitation of individual & small business patrons

Here's our new letterhead for press releases, website, etc...

First Draft of Mission Statement, your comments welcome...

“To provide unique and entertaining platforms (including the Buffalo Irish Festival, Paddy’s Party and future concert and educational series) to foster and nurture the interest in and awareness of Irish and Celtic cultural heritage in Western New York.”

Bookings to Date for the 2008 Buffalo Irish Festival:

This note went out to the dance schools today (2/13/2008)

Good Morning,

The Buffalo Irish Festival Committee Meeting was held at the Shannon Pub last evening to discuss details pertaining to this year's festival. At that meeting, Kevin, and the other members, asked that I contact each of the teachers to explain what the committee is thinking with regard to having dancers from each school assist throughout the festival weekend. Below, please see some of those details:

Elaine Harold is in charge of publicity for the festival. She is looking for information from each school about the history of the school and any other pertinent info they would like to have published on the website link that she is creating. Pictures are also fine. Please send info to: BuffaloIrishFestival@Yahoo.com

The committee decided that it would be wonderful to have 6 dancers (preferably seniors), from all area schools, who would dance/work with each other to :

1. Distribute slingers and info as Festival ambassadors

2. Teach/demo ceili dances at the Crossroads that will be in various spots throughout the festival

3. Dance with the Comhaltus group under their tent as they demo throughout the day

4. Take part in the play being performed throughout the weekend

5. Assist with dance demos in the Kids Tent throughout the weekend

6. Take part in the Mass on Sunday morning (smaller dancers, too!) Possible readers, procession, etc.

7. Perform a combined choreography designed by all of the teachers

8. Dance with the various local and visiting musicians under different tents throughout the weekend

They are looking at this part as being a combined effort among all dancers from the region. To that end, they think that the dancers would wear some type of street clothes and no wigs (as opposed to school or opens costumes). Kevin suggested black pants and an Irish Festival shirt that would designate them as Irish Festival Ambassadors.

In addition, schools would still do their regular performances, throughout the weekend, in school dress, etc.

It was suggested that all of the teachers, and myself, and possibly Kevin, attend a meeting, at a mutually agreed upon time and place, to work out the details of how the weekend would look, with regard to the dances and other details.

We could make that meeting on Tuesday evening at the Irish Center, which would allow Paula the opportunity to be here. The Comhaltus group practices that night, and Margaret English would like the opportunity to discuss her vision for working with the dancers in the Comhaltus tent. She also suggested that night so that the groups of 6 dancers from each school could use Tuesday evenings to meet and practice two hand sets, etc. with the Comhaltus group.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would all check your schedules to see if any of the following Tuesday evenings, at 7PM, would work for all of you to get together as a group to begin planning for the festival weekend.

Feb. 26th

March 4th

March 11th

We are hopeful that this will be a wonderful experience for all of the WNY dancers selected by their teachers to take part in this cultural event.

If I left any dance schools/teachers off this list, please let me know.

I hope to hear back from each teacher by Feb. 20th.

I look forward to seeing all of you,

Mary Holzerland

• act as ambassadors at the festival, handing out our programs (below), giving directions, answering questions
• work in the Irish Kids' Camp, teaching kids the elements of step-dancing, and escorting groups of kids to and from each workshop
• perform, and bring the public into crossroads dancers, which will occasionally break out during the festival
• shill, then perform during the theater performance
• hand out programs and posters around town in the weeks leading up to the festival
• be part of the Comhaltas Traditional Irish Music Tent, including the ceilidh on Saturday night
• choreograph a dance or two for general performances
• in the end, the individuals will garner experience, confidence, pride

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00pm, Shannon Pub

I've attached a bunch of "stuff" for your perusal. Each committee can get started on their respective areas, and report to the meeting next month. If you look at www.BuffaloIrish.com, the main page, in the bottom right-hand corner, you'll see "Dot-Com". That's our committee page, and I'll be posting all manner of updates there, and will get it organized as we go along. So, send me anything and everything, and I'll post it there. Great meeting, great set of minds. Looking forward to your feedback and input!

Kevin

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In attendance:

 John Blest

 Ed Patton

 Elaine Harold

 Mary Holzerland

 Gary Holzerland

 Katie Cunningham

 Bridget English

 Sue Leary

 Mark Leary

 Stephanie

 Tim Daly

 Tracy Marks Dargan

 Kevin Townsell

 Scott Schumacher

 Susie Fay

Unable to attend:

 Mike Flynn

 Mary Heneghan

 Bill Rupp

 Kathleen Delaney

 Mike Cryan

 Josephine Hogan

 Mary Kate O’Connell

 Laurence Shine

 Tom Barnes

 Andy Mahoney

 Marty Biniasz

 Airborne Eddy

 Donna Shine

 Mike Murphy

 Margaret McGrath

 Rich Meyers

 Tom Martin

 Ben Hoey

Buffalo-Irish-Dot-Com

 January 15, 2008

 Committees

 Theater Building – Josephine & Mary Kate & Laurence

 Genealogy, History of Irish in Buffalo – John Blest, Ed Patton

 Irish Kids’ Camp & Children’s Entertainment – Katie C, Tim Daly

 Traditional Music Tent –Bridget English

 Vendors Placement & Selection – Mary Heneghan

 Local Cultural Organizations & Dance Schools – Tracy, Mary Holzerland

 Entertainment, Sound & Lighting –

 Liturgy – Margaret McGrath, Mary and Gary Holzerland

 Grounds, Equipment Rental --

 Security, Gate-keeping --

 Public Relations – Marty, Ed & Elaine Harold, Ed Patton (friend of Mike Vogel)

 Sponsorship Solicitation – Sue Leary

 Grant Solicitation – Kathleen Delaney, Bill Rupp

 Program Editing and Ad Sales --

 Parade of County Flags – Kathleen Delaney

 Artwork, Posters, Wearables, Creative – Dave Miller

 Festival CD & Wearable Booth --

 Pub, Food and Beverage Vendor(s) – KT, Scott

 Paddy’s Party – KT, Scott

 Marketing at Other Festivals -- Everyone

Website – KT

 Canadian PR – Tracy

 My Space – Facebook – Elaine

Board Duties

 Legal – Ben Hoey

 Insurance –

 Contracts – Ben Hoey

 Non-Profit Status – John Moscati

 Annual Reporting – KT, Ben

 Accounting, Budgeting & Check-Writing –

Benefits of 501-c-3

 Sales tax exempt

 Contributions to us are tax exempt

 Enables Guinness and others to write a check

 Paperwork is underway, should be done by April

Sponsorship Opportunities

 Bill Rupp committed to $5,000

 Guinness meeting this week

 Shannon Pub covering facility rent from 15% f/b, Should be $15,000 plus

 Sue Leary working on sponsorship packages

Paddy’s Party

 Bridget working on traditional music

 80-100 people committed, need 300-400

 $35 includes dinner, tax, tip, entertainment, cash bar

 Benefits the Comhaltas tent at the festival

Concert Series

 Throughout the year, throughout WNY

 Looking to create a “bank” to underwrite concerts and events

Irish Kids Camp

 Gaelic language

 Gaelic football & hurling

 History of Irish in Buffalo

 Storytelling

 Musical Instruction

 Tin Whistle

 Singing

 Step Dancing and Line Dancing

Genealogy and Irish in Buffalo Tent

 Seminars and exhibits

Theater Building

Media Night on Thursday

“Buffalo Irish Dot Com”

 Presents

 The 27th Annual 2008 BUFFALO IRISH FESTIVAL

 August 22, 23 & 24

 Grove at the Hamburg Fair Grounds

The 27th annual Buffalo Irish Festival is an event that is highly recognized and anticipated each year. This non-profit Festival will attract over 20,000 attendees from the WNY area. The Festival will benefit local charities and organizations. The Irish Festival includes three stages of continuous music and dance, Theater building featuring Irish Classical Theater and O’Connell & Co. performances of “From Ireland to Buffalo,” James Joyce exhibit, Kids area, Irish Geneology, delicious food, vendors booths and much, much more! Don’t miss out on being represented at this well attended annual event!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gold Sponsorship

 Includes:

 ? Logo signage at the Main Stage or prominent area of Festival

 ? Logo on all advertising material, TV spots, print advertising, Festival brochure, posters & invitations prior to Festival

 ? Logo on Web Page with link to your website

 ? Display booth space at Festival

 ? 30 Tickets to Festival

 ? 15 tickets to private VIP party prior to Festival

 ? Other creative opportunities available

Gold Sponsorship Investment: $5,000

Silver Sponsorship

 Includes:

 ? Logo signage at secondary stage of Festival

 ? Logo on all advertising material, TV spots, print advertising, Festival brochure, posters & invitations prior to Festival

 ? Logo on Web Page with link to your website

 ? Display booth space at Festival

 ? 20 tickets to Festival

 ? 10 tickets to private VIP party prior to Festival

 ? Other creative opportunities available

Silver Sponsorship Investment: $2,500

Bronze Sponsorship

 Includes:

 ? Logo signage at event

 ? Logo on all advertising material, TV spots, Festival brochure, posters & invitations prior to Festival

 ? Logo on Web page with link to your website

 ? 10 Tickets to Festival

 ? 5 tickets to private VIP party prior to Festival

 ? Other creative opportunities available

 This package does not include booth at event

Bronze Sponsorship Investment: $1,000

2008 Buffalo Irish Festival Initiatives

 New Activities

 · Theater Building - Weekend-long pub, theater and cultural display building. 14,000 square foot indoor, air-conditioned facility with it's own bar, will have continuous pub-style entertainment between shows. Shows will be a collaboration of the Irish Classical Theatre Company, headed by Josephine Hogan, and O'Connell & Company, headed by Mary Kate O'Connell. In addition, Laurence Shine is working to secure a major exhibit loan from the University of Buffalo of artifacts and original manuscripts of James Joyce in advance of Buffalo hosting the Joyce Symposium in 2009.

 · Traditional Music Tent - Headed up by Bridget English of the Martin Wynne Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, this tent will provide three days of continuous traditional music and dance.

 · Irish Kids' Camp and Children's Entertainment Schedule - 50-75 children will be enrolled in a five-hour Camp on either Saturday or Sunday, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The children will be split into groups of five to ten based on age, and will spend 30-45 minutes in each of a dozen learning areas. They will be given a tin whistle, and taught how to use it. They'll learn some practical conversational terms in the Gaelic language. They'll be taught about how the Irish lived, and why their ancestors came to Buffalo. Genealogy experts will talk about their surnames, and the counties from which their families may have emigrated. The local GAAA members will teach the kids a little about Gaelic football and hurling, hopefully providing a ball or hurley to take home with them. Representatives from some of the local schools will show the kids how to do a little bit of step-dancing and/or set dancing. Katie Cunningham and others will coordinate this effort, along with a special children's entertainment schedule featuring among others touring entertainers Tom Sweeney from County Armagh and Seamus Kennedy from Belfast. Storyteller (seanache) Tim Daly and genealogist John Blest are among the instructors.

 · Genealogy Building - John Blest of Daemen College will represent the Buffalo Irish Genealogy Society (BIGS) and present a weekend-long series of seminars and discussions of Irish heritage, with a concentration on why Buffalo was their destination, and discussions on building the Erie Canal, and working the grain mills and shipping operations. People will be given assistance in researching their own family. It is hoped that Lower Lakes Historical Society, WNY Heritage, Buffalo Industrial Heritage and others will present static exhibits.

 · Sunday Morning Mass - Hopefully to be headed by Margaret McGrath, who is also managing the Famine Mass the day prior, this mass will be held at the outdoor stage (Celtic stage in the event of rain) on Sunday morning at 9:30 am. Mary Kate Lachut has offered her assistance.

 · Media Night - The Theater Building will be the site of a Thursday evening event designed to show off for the local and regional media. The event will include theater, dance, food and beverages. Marty & Ed will run the event.

 · Paddy's Party and Other Events - This event will be held on March 7, 2008 at the Classics V Banquet Center in Amherst, catered by the Shannon Pub, featuring festival entertainers Seamus Kennedy, Knot Fibb'n, Comhaltas and Rince na Tiarna. The event will serve as a fundraiser specifically for the Traditional Music Tent, and the entertainment budget allocated to trad music. Kevin Townsell and Scott Schumacher are planning the event, with assistance from Bridget English and Comhaltas. Tables may be reserved by calling 743-9348.

 Ongoing Activities

 · 501-c-3 Applications, Incorporation. Headed up by Ben Hoey of Watson, Bennett & Colligan. This work is underway, and we'll have a NYS and Federal ID number and charity number shortly. The final 501-c-3 designation is not expected to be completed until the spring.

 · Grant Applications - Kids Camp, Traditional Music Tent. Headed up by Kathleen Delaney of Canisius College.

 · Sponsorship Solicitations - Stage, Theater building, Kids' Camp and children's entertainment. Headed up by Sue Leary.

 · Media Partner Solicitation --

 · Program Book Ad Sales and Publication --

 · Public Relations Ongoing Plan - Headed up by Marty Biniasz and Eddy from Artvoice.

 · Vendor Solicitation and Management - Headed up by Mary Heneghan, we'll be seeking to expand the shopping experience with a greater variety of shops.

 · "Friends of the Festival" Solicitation - An effort has begun to invite civic and business leaders with an interest in Irish culture to get involved financially in raising the scope and quality of the festival.

 · Year-Round Activities - Buffalo Irish Dot Com will also endeavor to not only bring in Irish talent through the year, but also support other groups in similar endeavors throughout Western New York. Bill Rupp will be heading this group.

Board and Committee Members

Board

Board membership decisions

Board

Determine minutes-keeper, treasurer, etc.

Board

Distribution of Proceeds, Timing, Application Process

Board

Invitation to Irish VIPs

Board

Set mission statement

Board

Children's and Family-Oriented Entertainment

Children

Children's Workshops in music, Irish language, Irish sports, dance, etc.

Children

Liaison with Buffalo's Irish cultural community, identify fundraising opportunities for all

Community

Local Organizations, Input, Fundraising during Festival, Distribution of Proceeds

Community

Dance School Center, Booth Management, Scheduling

Dance

In-Kind Donations, Determine Needs and Solicitation, including buses, tents, tables, pop, water, t-shirts, security, etc. Wish-list

Donations

Buskers and Pub Entertainers

Entertainment

Entertainment, Stages, Sound and Dancefloors

Entertainment

Building of Irish immigrant "village", a la Cobh and Ulster Folkpark

Facilities

Facilities Management, Incuding Planning, Set-Up, Take-Down, Fairgrounds Liaison

Facilities

Handyman Group, to help setup, build new exhibits, etc., electrician, carpenter, etc.

Facilities

Streetscape

Facilities

Determination of Distribution of cash flows before, during and after festival and other events

Finance

Finances, Cash Flow Planning

Finance

Clan Tables, reunion areas, gathering times at Genealogy booth

Genealogy

Genealogy Workshop, Seminars, Management and Expertise, Computerization

Genealogy

Irish in Buffalo displays with Industrial heritage commities, First Ward, Valley Community, South Buffalo

Genealogy

Sponsorships and Grants, Preparation, Solicitation, Naming Rights, Ireland Fund

Grant Writing

Insurance considerations, including general liability, dram shop (thru Shannon Pub), exhibit insurance for Joybe exhibit

Insurance

Incorporation and all legal work is underway

Legal

Legal Considerations, Completion of 501-c-3 Requirements, attorney on board

Legal

Tax-exempt status of admissions, wearables, and payments to others for tent rental, sound, etc.

Legal

Liturgy Committee, Dioceses Liaison, Set-up, sound, logistics, determination of benefactors

Liturgy

Fudraisers through the Year, guarantee funding of Local Irish Concerts

Paddy's Party

Workers for Paddy's Party

Paddy's Party

Parade of Ireland's 32 Counties, Presence at other Parades

Parade

Irish Toast Contest, Categories, Judging, Promotion

Public Relations

Public Relations, Promotion, Marketing and Advertising

Public Relations

ATM, Bank Booth on Site

Production

Cooking demonstrations, Savor the Flavor, coordination and solicitation

Production

Festival Poster Art, Wearables, Best-of-Festival DVD's, Booths,

Production

Horse-drawn carriages, pay-per ride, jaunting cars

Production

Shepherding, Irish Dog Showing, Galway Races, Oddsmakers and Books

Production

Stage Management, Irish Emcees, Guest Emcees

Production

Whiskey-Making display, stout-making with local brewery

Production

Advance Sale Ticketing and Pricing, Group Pricing

Promotion

Attending and promotion of Buffalo festival at Ohio, Pennsylvania, Milwaukee and other festivals

Promotion

Canadian Marketing and Promotion, Packages

Promotion

Convention and Visitors Bureau, ABA Bus conventions, contacting bus tour companies

Promotion

Family Flags on the Midway

Promotion

Irish Business Booths, Atlantic Corridor, Irish/American companies

Promotion

Media Night Thursday of Festival, setting up entertainment, food and beverages, and schedule, as well as invitation listing and direct contacts

Promotion

Other Area Irish Pubs, shuttle buses, stagger several locations using fewer buses

Promotion

Poster Distribution and Hanging, use poster as fundraiser?

Promotion

Public Service Announcement Production, and Distribution, radio and TV

Promotion

Shuttle Buses, Headquarter and Other Hotels, shopping Mall

Sponsorship

Advertising Opportunities, including website, festival program, stage naming

Sponsorship

Media Partnerships

Sponsorship

Strategic Partnerships, including Guinness, Shannon Pub, CH Wright, Palmer Foods, Sausage Maker, Headquarters Hotel

Sponsorship

Company Signs showing sponsorship, to be hung under entertainment tents

Sponsorship

Non-Irish vendor and display consideration, haven't allowed in the past, maybe only in one area, Verizon, HSBC, for example, and as part of major sponsorships?

Sponsorship

Irish Theater, including Joyce Exhibit, Finnegan's Wake, Irish Classical Theatre, O'Connell & Company

Theater, Joyce

Coordination with Joyce Symposium in Buffalo in 2009

Theater, Joyce

Traditional Irish Music Tent, School and Camp, Entertainers, Sounds, Layout, Location

Trad

Liaison with Irish charter airlines, including Kenny Tours and others

Vendors

Vendor Solicitation, Approval and Management, Including Tents/Buildings

Vendors

Travel Agency booths, Trip to Ireland Giveaways

Vendors

Volunteers Needed at Gate, Information Booths, Camps, Stage Managers

Volunteers

Addition to national and international festival listings

Website

E-Mail List Generation, Computerization

Website

Website Management, Festival Souvenirs, On-Line Store

Website

Board

Children's Camp -- Manage Camp, Coordinate kids entertainment

KC, TD, BE

Community -- Relations with local Irish Cultural Organizations

MH

Dance -- Coordination with local dance schools, camp education

KC

Donations -- In-Kind and Cash Donations

Entertainment -- Booking, scheduling, sound system

KT

Facilities -- Liaison with fairgrounds, tents, stages, tables, chairs

SS

Finance

Genealogy -- Seminars, static displays, coordination with local museums/organizations

JB, DS

Grant Writing -- Seeks opportunities, makes applications

KD

Insurance

Legal

BH

Liturgy -- Coordinate with Diocese, determine donee

MM?, MKL

Paddy's Party -- Manage this and other events through the year

KT, SS, BR

Parade of 32 Counties -- Manage parade of flags/counties and Irish Fest & St. Patrick's Parade

KD

Public Relations -- Manage Thursday media night, PSA's, local and regional media

MB, ED

Production

Promotion -- Posters, Flyers, Program, Artwork, Wearables, Other Festivals, Bus Companies, PSA's, Advertising

Sponsorship -- Seek not for profit and corporate sponsorship, both general and specific

BR, SL

Theater, Joyce -- produce and manage theater building and events

JH, MKOC, LS

Traditional Music -- produce and manage stand-alone stage and tent

BE

Vendors -- solicit new vendors, coordinate with existing and new, layout, incorporate not-for-profit tables

MH, KT

Volunteers -- build a team of volunteers for all committees to draw from, and coordinate

Website -- Build email list, maintain website, link with other festivals, link with all participants

KT