* Tranzac session news/announcement blog *
(includes bi-weekly session updates)

Tunes frequently played at the Tranzac
(thanks to Bob Jones for maintaining this list)

Where: Tranzac Club 292 Brunswick Toronto, ON M5S 2M7 416 923-8137 (south of Bloor) When: 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month, Sept-June (but see below) Info contact: Mike Casey (Please delete the word "REMOVE" before sending your e-mail; it's there to foil the spam robots)

Map courtesy Google Maps.

Who We Are:

The Tranzac sessions were started in 1979 by members of the Toronto Comhaltas. Chris Langan was one of members, and in whose memory we now hold the annual Chris Langan weekend.

The Tranzac sessions pre-date the Toronto Irish Pub scene; they were the only place in which one could listen to and play Irish traditional music in Toronto at that time. Many of Toronto's leading traditional musicians can trace their early playing back to these sessions, including Karen Light, Debbie Quigley, Steve Jeffries, Jim McGee, Ray Caldwell, Kevin Finnegan, Pat O'Gorman, David Papazian, Kim Vincent, and Denis Lyons (to name a few),

Other accomplished musicians, some no longer living in Toronto, gave lessons and contributed to Toronto's traditional music scene at these sessions, including Ena O'Brien (Toronto), Margaret Kelly (Mayo), Seamus Maguire (Sligo/Donegal). The sessions are currently led by Denis Lyons and continue to attract a large number of beginning and experienced players.

Schedule:

The Tranzac session meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, September through until June. This schedule may vary depending on the time of year, however, so I highly advise subscribing to the e-mail announcements list run by Mike Casey. You can contact him here. (Please delete the word "REMOVE" before sending your e-mail; it's there to foil the spam robots)

We'll also be posting summaries of Tranzac session mailings in this Tranzac news/announcements blog, but updates may be late if some of us are away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a "session"?
What typically happens at a Tranzac session?
What tunes are played at the Tranzac?
What is Comhaltas?
Are you open to the public?
I've never been to a session before. Any tips?
Where can I find tunes?
Where can I find sessions in my own area?
It's taking me so long to learn tunes! Isn't there a shortcut?

Denis and Anne.