Monday was Different Drums of Ireland on the Heyde Center stage.The band was on tour all the way from Derry City and Belfast Northern Ireland. It was an interesting show. The second such interesting show I have seen at the Heyde Center featuring drums. The last time I was there it was for Japanese Taiko drums. The band, Different Drums of Ireland, played well. They involved the audience, even teaching us to clap out a beat by seating section. It was a fun show, a fascinating show, and I thank the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association for bringing them in.
 
That said, if I was disappointed at all, it would be in just one way. But, before I get into this, I have to explain where I am coming from. Until a couple of years ago, for the past twenty years, I was in a small community theatre group. Every spring, we staged an Irish Medieval feast, complete with musicians. For the first two weekends of March, I was totally immersed in Irish traditional music. Loving every moment of it, but listening to very little irish music outside of that time. When I first heard the Heyde Center was featuring a band with such ancient instruments as irish drums, I was really hoping for my springtime fix. But, it wasn't to be. My only complaint for the show was the mix. I would say not quite half of what they played was what I would call contemporary Irish music. And, for my small part, it wasn't really what I was looking for. Does that make me closed minded? I suppose it does ...

• Check out the rest of the Different Drums review (including some video) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
•