Arizona Daily Star from Tucson, Arizona • Page 57

CalienteFriday, March 12.2004 1 1 After up fo NMfys 5 yea ns, jig is By Gerald M. Gay ARIZONA DAILY STAR Patrick's Day holds special I meaning for local musician Nancy McCallion. 1 1-1 1 I the Mollys seemed to trailblaze the way for local and national musicians with their fusion of Irish culture and Southwestern influences. McCallion guaranteed that the band did not end things on a sour note. On the contrary, the singersongwriter said she loved every minute playing with Zavala and the list of rotating band members during their 15-year run.

Some of her fondest memories of the group were during their extensive tours across Europe and through the United States particularly along the East Coast "We had that sort of Mexican-American influence and we also had the Irish and the country going on," McCallion said. "We went to the East Coast because there is a lot of Irish music there. But there wasn't a lot of Mexican-American folk music. "They (audiences) liked it because it was Irish music. But then it had that twist to it, and that helped us a lot" This fusion of Irish and roots-music led to popularity in Europe where McCallion said Americana Her family's Emerald Isle heritage aside, McCallion's Irish-flavored group the Mollys made its debut performance on the festive holiday at the Cushing Street Cafe and Bar in 1989 the start of a most fruitful and groundbreaking folk-music experience.

"The band was just a lot of fun and it was different," said McCallion, 41, in a recent phone interview. "There seemed to be a spot in Tucson for an Irish band. There weren't very many people doing it at all" Fifteen years to the day, McCallion and her original partner in crime, mandolin player Catherine Zavala, will end that chapter in their lives as the Mollys give a farewell performance at O'Malley's, 247 N. Fourth Ave. "We actually stopped playing nightclubs in town a few months ago," McCallion said.

"It just seemed like the band had run its course." It's the end of an era for some, as Limell Lawson Nancy McCallion, left, and Catherine Zavala, founding members of the Mollys, will perform at 'son Wednesday. Continued on next page Two women who started the group will give a farewell performance on St. Patrick's Day QUICK TAKE The Mollys Duo with Round the House When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where O'Malley's. 247 N.

Fourth Ave. Tickets $5, families welcome Information: 623-8600 1. ft The festival will have inflated attractions and games for kids, souvenirs, and such St Patrick's fare as corned beef, stew bowls and Irish bangers. Singer and comedian Mark Luther will entertain on stage at 10:30 a.m.; followed by the Seven Pipers bagpipe and drum corps, 11:30 a.m.; musicians Morton, O'Connor and Davies, 12:15 p.m.; Cheat the Hangman, 1:15 p.m.; Bracken School dancers, 2 and 3:30 p.m.; Round the House, 2:45 p.m.; The Mollys Duo, 4:15 p.m; and Trim the Velvet 5:15 p.m. Elena Acoba is a former Star reporter.

7 cv "rs vi Irish eyes to be smiling Sunday Convention Cam I-4V Cushing Stremy -r7 "1 I Ativan Stall 1 Tucson 1 1 QUICK TAKE St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival Where 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The parade starts at Ua.m. Where Southeast parking lot of the Tucson Convention Center.

Admission: Free Hugh or Hugo? I Humor, Music and Dance" is the theme of the parade, which will include about 60 entries. They'll be led by grand marshals David Fitzsimmons, the Arizona Daily Star's political cartoonist; the Irish band Round the House; and Thomas P. Bracken, owner of the Bracken School of Irish Dance. Fitzsimmons will be the festival's master of ceremonies. Some of the new entries this year will include a 1940s bus from Sun Tran and a clown from Michigan pulling his "giggle machine." The Irish Elvis, clan floats and old-time fire and milk trucks will By Elena Acoba SPECIAL TO THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR From Hugh O'Connor to Colleen Bagnall, Tucson's Irish celebrities and revelers will step it up at the annual St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday.

This is the second year the parade and festival will run on Sunday instead of the traditional March 17 holiday, "so more people can participate," said Mark Murphy, parade chairman. Someone will dress up as O'Connor, who founded the Tucson presidio, while Bagnall, an anchor with KGUN-9 News, will ride with her clan. "Ireland's No. One Exports: The redheaded Irishman who literally put Tucson on the map by founding our city Aug. 20.

1775. is named Hugh O'Connor. However, the Spanish spelled his name differently, calling him CoL Hugo 0'Conor, and that's what we usually call him in these parts. Star archives.