Tickets Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $20 Door $22 Child Advance $10 Child Door $12 Student Advance $10 Student Door $12
Member discount $2
Molly's Revenge with special guest vocalists and Irish dancers will present Winterdance, an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance will include Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars.
The core of the Winterdance show is the dynamic Celtic trio, Molly's Revenge. This year they will be joined by guest vocalist Amelia Hogan, along with Irish dancers. As always, this Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration will capture the traditional spirit of the season and warm the hearts of all who attend.
Molly's Revenge is comprised of a trio of Californians who have dedicated their lives to Celtic music. David Brewer has been playing whistle, bodhran, and four types of bagpipes for over 20 years. He studied in Scotland at the Ceolas Music School in South Uist under the tutelage of some of the best pipers in the world. His authentic and unique style of playing has earned him the reputation of being one of the most accomplished pipers on the West Coast.
John Weed is a classically-trained violinist who switched to playing Irish fiddle about 20 years ago. John lived in Ireland in 2000 and taught fiddle workshops at the Flowing Tide International Music School in Doonbeg, County Clare. He attended the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Dunlewey, County Donegal where he has studied with Ciaran O'Maonaigh and Dermot Mcloughlin. In recent years his fiddling has grown to include American, Quebecois, and Swedish fiddle styles.
Guitarist Stuart Mason has been collecting and performing traditional music for over 40 years. He has appeared on stage from Ireland to China performing Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, and his own compositions, which have won awards from the West Coast Songwriters Association. He also leads workshops and classes in traditional music techniques at music festivals and camps.
Guest vocalist Amelia Hogan sings traditional Irish, Scottish, British, American and contemporary folk ballads with lilting grace and subtle power. She transports you with a spell into another time and place, where the banshee wails and lovers embrace. Haunting melodies, stirring passion, and evocative storytelling are what you’ll find with Amelia’s music.
Tickets are also available in person at Michael's On Main, Main Street, Soquel.
If you are interested in Irish music at all, you'll surely know the name John Doyle. Guitar wizard extraordinaire, John started his career as a founding member of Solas and in recent years has toured solo and with many different performers, including Liz Carroll, Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker, Eamaon O'Leary, Nuala Kennedy and others too numerous to mention.
John and Mick's nearly telepathic musical connection began in the early '90's in the truly groundbreaking Irish-American band, Solas. Now, both have flourishing high profile solo careers but periodically come together to brush off some Solas standards and lots of their individual material, played together, for these magical musical offerings.
It's impossible to describe John's guitar playing whether picking out a tune or accompanying with chords nobody but he could come up with. The only way to get a taste is to click on the video link above, imagine yourself sitting in Michael's On Main, then click the Buy Tickets button to make it real
Irish Christmas In America
"Lively and reflective...a powerful evocation of the season" - Folk Wax
Tickets Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $25 Door $30 Child Advance $13 Child Door $15
Member discount $2
Celebrating its 15th year, the hugely popular holiday show “Irish Christmas in America” brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions. Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the long running show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humour and boundless energy.
The 2019 tour features special guest singer Niamh Farrell, a Sligo vocalist who has toured with UK singer/songwriting star David Gray. Niamh teams up with legendary West Kerry singer Séamus Begley, famous for his charming wit and stunning voice.
The family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp, along with thrilling Irish old-style dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland.
A new CD for this anniversary tour is "LAST NIGHT IN CHICAGO" , recorded live over two magical nights at Chicago’s famed Old Town School of Folk Music. The CD will be available at the concert, or at this link: https://irishchristmasinamerica1.bandcamp.com/releases
Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2019.
Advance $25 Door $28 Child Advance $10 Child Door $12
Member discount $2
This show will leave you feeling in the spirit! By popular demand, Molly's Revenge returns to St. Mary's beautiful Victorian sanctuary, which will be aglow in the light of the season. In this perfect setting, the lilting vocals of special guest Amelia Hogan will blend with the superb talent of Stuart Mason, John Weed and David Brewer, as they ring in the holiday with a decidedly Celtic "take" on old favorites. Angelic Irish Dancers, will take flight and will bring some dazzling Christmas magic to the evening, too. An annual event not to miss! Tickets make a great gift for family and friends.
Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band known for its unique and infectious enthusiasm. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, and fiddle, with a backdrop of guitar, mandola, and bodhran guarantees an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. Molly's Revenge has performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing arts events in the USA, and prestigious events in Scotland, Australia and China. Their arrangements of traditional Celtic jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting for more.
"Revered in California as one of its most energetic, exciting and innovative bands." --Shay Black, of the legendary Black family.
"They bring to the music a vital and joyous creativity that excites even the hardest of hearts." --John Doyle, founding member of Solas.
"The instruments are traditional... but the wild passion they exhibit is thoroughly modern." --Metro Santa Cruz (CA).
"There is an engaging freshness and yet an impressive maturity in their playing." --Mick Moloney, National Heritage Award recipient.
SVER play epic Nordic folk music with relentless energy and seductive spark taking you on a fantastic musical journey guaranteed to excite you. Ranging from the very dreamy to a swinging, pounding and sweaty madness – you are invited to the party, greeted by a welcoming primal force that pulls you into the dance. Since the group’s inception, SVER has gone from strength to strength, playing extensively throughout Europe and the US, gaining a reputation as one of the most acclaimed live acts in the Nordic folk scene.
SVER’s latest album “Reverie” (2018) – their fourth release – arrives as they celebrate 10 years together as a quintet. Listen to these musicians as they gel and swing together in a way that’s seldom encountered and you will understand why they have won a reputation as red hot performers whose shows are sizzling affairs. the long-awaited follow up to the critically acclaimed albums ”Fryd” (2015), “Fruen” (2010), and “SVER” (2007).
SVER has often been described as “sounding electric without electricity”, and their flexible musicianship has also made them an attractive backing band for some of Scandinavia’s leading singers in different genres. That has lead to playing on TV-shows, big festivals and positions in the radio charts with the music ranging from folk to reggae/dancehall and rap. Their imaginative soundscapes, grooves, and melodies will take you on a journey over the Norwegian fjords and mountains, into the lively pubs and back out into the deep forest of their musicality.
SVER consists of Olav Luksengård Mjelva (fiddle and Hardanger fiddle), Anders Hall (fiddle and viola), Leif Ingvar Ranøien (diatonic accordion), Adam Johansson (guitar) and Jens Linell (Drums and percussion). Olav and Leif Ingvar have played together since 2002. Vidar Berge joined the group in 2007 on guitar and together they released the self-titled album “SVER”. In the spring of 2008, Anders and Jens completed the band, and they released “Fruen” in 2010. Vidar quit the band later that year and Adam joined the group. Since 2011 SVER has collaborated with the Swedish dance-hall artist Snakka San.
Jim has been gracing us with his presence for several years now and his unique talents always make for a great, entertaining concert.
This time, Jim is joined by his wife Susie, an award-winning Scottish traditional singer, who has been performing with Jim Malcolm throughout Scotland for 20 years and more. She sings complex harmonies in a traditional style, and is known as a tradition bearer for the ancient ballads of Scotland, with particular expertise in the bothy ballad tradition from North East Scotland. Performing together, Jim and Susie Malcolm offer our audience a unique cultural experience.
Jim Malcolm is the ultimate Scots troubadour. Traveling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, engaging wit (and recently his trumpet!), he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic. He is highly regarded as an interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been described as “one of the finest singers in Scotland in any style”.
As a solo performer with ten solo CDs to his credit, Jim can mix it with anyone out there. As well as a renowned singer, he is in the top handful of simultaneous guitar and harmonica players in the world. He plays mostly in the folk guitar tuning dadgad in both fingerpicking and plectrum styles.
His concerts are always highly entertaining, peppered with funny stories and observations, in the great tradition of Scottish artists through the ages.
Tickets Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $27 Door $30 Child Advance $13 Child Door $15 Student Advance $13 Student Door $15
Member discount $2
With a career in Irish music for 35 years, Altan has achieved legendary status in a genre that has been equally shaped by the band’s influence and genius. Audiences from Ireland to Japan to Australia to Europe have embraced their heartwarming, dynamic live performances and their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings. Over a dozen releases to date, ranging from the most touching old Irish songs to hard-hitting reels and jigs. Altan’s newest release, The Gap Of Dreams (2018 Compass Records), follows their acclaimed 2015 album on the same label, The Widening Gyre.
Adding to their long list of awards and honors, fiddler, singer and founding member Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was the recipient of the Gradam Ceoil/Traditional Musician of the Year in 2017. Though the band received the same award for Band of the Year in 2001, Mairéad was glad to be recognized on her own in a genre that has been slow to recognize female musicians. She is only the third woman in twenty years to receive the main award.
The seeds of Altan lie in the music and spontaneity of sessions in kitchens and pubs in their hometown of Donegal, where their music was heard in an atmosphere of respect and intimacy. It is here that the band’s heart still lies, whether they are performing on TV in Australia or jamming with Ricky Skaggs on the west coast of the United States. In spite of a hectic touring and recording schedule, Altan continue fresh in their vision of bringing the beauty and joy of traditional music to audiences everywhere, and have always promised themselves to continue as long as it’s fun — fortunately, it still is!
Dummy card in case there's only 1 card in this deck
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Help us to continue bringing world class Celtic musicians to the area by becoming a member. Individual and family memberships are available, starting at $20 per year.
These events are not sponsored by the Celtic Society. If you have any questions, please direct them to the contact information in the event listing. Check out the Americeltic and Irish Culture Bay Area events calendars for more local events.
Join the Santa Cruz Traditional Irish Seisiun every Thursday for lively Irish tunes and songs in the spirit of the tradition. Hosted by Julie Horner, David Chadwick, and Mark McCornack. All ages welcome, bring the family for dinner and stay for the taste o' the pure drop. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SantaCruzTradIrishSeisiun, or www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-South-Bay_Irish-Music-Meetup/.
This moderate-to-fast tempo session happens every Saturday from 1pm - 4PM. We play outdoors on the East Side of Main Street -- approx address would be 425 Main St -- between the Half Moon Bay Electric store and the Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company. Celtic/Old-Time. All players welcome.
A traditional Irish seisiún for experienced Irish style musicians every Tuesday evening. The South Bay's longest running and only up-tempo seisiún! Please visit us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OFlahertys.Irish.Seisiun).
'A seriously joyous, masterly musical experience.' — Tom Clancy, Irish Music Magazine
Molly's Revenge, starring David Brewer, John Weed and Stu Mason with guest vocalist Amelia Hogan, and the award winning Rosemary Turco Irish Dancers will present an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance will include Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars. Amelia HoganMolly's Revenge, whose lineup includes bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, guitar, mandola, and bodhran, have toured the world with their unique and infectious on-stage enthusiasm. Their arrangements of traditional jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting for more.
As always, this 14th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration will capture the traditional spirit of the season and warm the hearts of all who attend. Vocalist Amelia Hogan, and her voice of lilting grace and a subtle power will again balance the evocative storytelling of these great songs, and the Rosemary Turco Irish Dancers will bring a percussive, joyful, and colorful exuberance to the stage.
California-based Molly's Revenge has toured since 2000 as a four and five-piece acoustic band, releasing eleven CDs along the way, and in 2014, Molly's Revenge and Christa Burch recorded a collection of Celtic Christmas and winter-themed music at a remote windswept retreat in the redwoods of the Mendocino coast. This beautiful Winterdance holiday album will be available at the shows.
Peace United Church (Upper Hall), 900 High Street Santa Cruz
If you can count and skip and tell your right hand from your left, you can begin doing the easy dances immediately. This form of dance does not require fancy footwork or a high level of coordination. This is an excellent place to learn, even if you’ve never done any folk dancing. Beginners are very welcome.
Come and join in the fun on the second Thursday of every month.
