While they do occasionally break into a jig or a reel, Väsen's music is rooted in the centuries old traditional folklore of Sweden. Be sure to listen to their music and watch their videos at www.vasen.se/video and you will see what an enjoyable evening you will have in store.

Three musicians with a singular sound, a playful yet accomplished interplay that seems to defy the laws of physics, an intensity with a great sense of humor, and modernity rooted in tradition. Väsen, a Swedish acoustic trio, now in its 27th year of touring together.

The parts: a five-string viola of sophisticated symphonic taste, an adventurous 12-string guitar, and a nyckelharpa (a “keyed fiddle”) deeply rooted in the traditions of Swedish folk music. All three are instrumental virtuosos in their own right, and together they form a unique supernatural being. To experience Väsen is to witness ensemble playing at its finest.

The band's origins are deeply rooted in the forests and rich earth of the Swedish countryside, in the centuries-old tradition of the folk music of Uppland. It's a tradition spiced with consummate playing skills. But this is more than just a traditional sound.

There's a playfulness to their music, a joyousness, and a delight in making exciting new arrangements of centuries-old tunes, and new originals inspired by the tradition. Rock, jazz, traditional, and classical influences weave together, making a music that's beautiful but never cloying. You always hear the inspiration and improvisation of the moment. And we can promise that you’ll never know what will happen next.

Raised in an Irish musical household in Asheville, North Carolina Andrew “Finn the Fiddler” Magill grew up studying with many of the world’s best traditional American and Irish fiddlers at The Swannanoa Gathering music workshops. At age 18, his debut album Drive & Lift was featured multiple times on NPR and his 2016 two-disc project Roots and Branches debuted at #46 on the Folk DJ charts. Says grammy-winner Americana artist Tim O’Brien:

“He has learned from and now plays with the best in the genre. On Branches you can hear a new musical voice emerging. I’m gonna keep listening for Finn Magill.”

Finn has built his career on Irish music having performed with John Doyle, Liz Carroll, the Paul McKenna Band, and Martin Hayes among many other Irish luminaries. He currently has a duo with Irish multi-instrumentalist Dave Curley which performs the festival circuit and concerts all over the U.S. Between this project and more he has performed at Milwaukee Irish Fest, Celtic Connections, the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, the Austin Celtic Festival and hundreds of venues.

Fire & Grace & Ash is a trio of virtuoso musicians who create a unique sound blending Bach and Bluegrass and Celtic Guitar. Edwin Huizinga, Ashley Broder and William Coulter join forces to present unique and compelling arrangements of Baroque music and American Fiddle tunes accompanied by the shimmering sounds of Celtic Guitar.

Featuring music old and new this trio will take you on a one of a kind musical adventure. The centerpiece of the trios repertoire is Partita Americana, a musical journey through the E Major Partita for violin by JS Bach with detours along the path to gentle and foot-stomping American fiddle tunes.

Recent performances include The Folktale Winery, the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, and a sold out concert at the Carmel Bach Festival. Their debut CD, Fire & Grace & Ash, will be released in early Spring 2019

The Celtic Society has been privileged to promote concerts by many of the finest performers of Scottish and Irish music over the years and perhaps none better than Old Blind Dogs.

The band has had to tour the USA without their founding member and fiddle player Jonny Hardie for the last few years due to visa issues (perhaps one of the dogs ate it?). We're happy to report that visa issues have been resolved and Jonny is foaming at the mouth at the prospect of marking his territory again in the USA.

One of the most highly touted Celtic groups of our time, OBD is the only multiple winner of the prestigious Scots Trad Music Award as 'Folk Band of the Year'. With 12 CDs already in the bag, you'll have a chance to collar their13th and brand new offering titled "Room With A View",

OBD continues to distinguish themselves as vital, innovative ambassadors of Scots music by subtly and ingeniously expanding upon the very tradition they celebrate in harnessing the rich resonance and timeless themes of the songs and tunes of their homeland and weld them to new rhythmic frameworks, dynamic arcs and textural expanses, This produces a uniquely identifiable sound that reflects the rich heritage of their forefathers, yet comes across as resoundingly fresh and immediate.

OBD's incandescent instrumental arsenal of pipes, fiddle, whistles, bouzouki, guitar and percussion and their vibrant, virile vocals have left concertgoers raving for more and led to rave reviews, such as from The Scotsman, 'Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion.'

The New World String Project is John Weed (fiddle), Aryeh Frankfurter (nyckelharpa, harp), Lisa Lynn (cittern, harp), and Stuart Mason (guitar, bouzouki). The new quartet presents a lush blend of extraordinary instruments and heartwarming music in the Celtic, Nordic and American folk traditions.

Science tells us that cross pollination can result in hybrid vigor and transcend the sum of its parts. Likewise, the vibrant West Coast traditional music community has given birth to the New World String Project. These four highly skilled and well known multi-instrumentalists -- two veteran duo acts -- recently joined forces to create an exciting weave of traditional world music. Ancient and modern sounds mingle freely on Swedish nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, fiddle, guitar, cittern, bouzouki, and more. Singing is also a part of the show, with Stuart Mason sharing his unique arrangements of ballads as old as the hills where he was born.

Fiddler John Weed is a classically-trained violinist who has spent the last 25 years immersed in traditional Irish fiddle styles. John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason also play together in the long-running Celtic band Molly’s Revenge. Celtic harp master Lisa Lynne, who gained international renown via recordings and tours with the label Windham Hill, often performs in a duo with NWSP-mate Aryeh Frankfurter. For years, Aryeh Frankfurter has been delighting audiences around the globe with his passionate, enduring and evocative music on Celtic harp, Swedish nyckelharpa (or keyed fiddle) and other stringed instruments. Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals and nimble skills on guitar, mandola, and banjo. Together, these intrepid string explorers take audiences on a thrilling, melodically exuberant musical ride.

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland 's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better...yet continue to do just that.

The Tannahills have turned their acoustic excitement loose on audiences with an electrifying effect. They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and rich vocals that make their performances unforgettable. As the Winnipeg Free Press noted, "The Tannahill Weavers - properly harnessed - could probably power and entire city for a year on the strength of last night's concert alone. The music may be old-time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll."

Born of a session in Paisley , Scotland and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes. Inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2011, they are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage. From reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

As they tour their 51st year, the Tannahill Weavers are joined by dynamic young fiddle player Malcolm Bushby, and inimitable piper Mike Katz of Battlefield Band fame. They are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage - from reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

Daimh – Gaelic Supergroup and un-challenged champions of straight in the eye Highland music are based around West Lochaber and the Isle of Skye.

Formed around the turn of the century and taking the name from the Gaelic word for “kinship” Daimh (pronounced Dive) have taken their contemporary take of Highland and Gaelic music to over 20 countries, setting audiences alight from Moscow to San Francisco.

With a reputation as giants of the Bagpipes and Fiddle, Angus Mackenzie and Gabe McVarish lead the melodic powerhouse with fellow founder member Ross Martin underpinning the groove on the Guitar. The Band are joined by “new guy” Murdo “Yogi” Cameron on Mandola and Accordion to complete the instrumental line up.

Daimh have always had the renown and notoriety of working with some of the finest Gaelic singers in Scotland and the current line up only serves to cement that distinction with the addition of the Gaelic firmament’s most rapidly rising star, Ellen MacDonald on vocals.

Recent accolades include last year’s award for the “Best Folk Band in Europe” at the prestigious Folkherbst competition in Germany and most recently winner of “Folk Band of the Year” at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.

Hailed in the New York Times, ‘Burke imparts a rhythmic intensity that is remarkably powerful… a superior instrumentalist in any idiom… impressively virtuosic… one of the great living Celtic fiddlers’ & in the Irish Times, ‘Burke’s fiddling is one of the high spots of the current Irish music scene.’

For over 30 years Kevin Burke has been enthralling people around the planet with his performances & recordings, at the same time as influencing an entire generation of fiddlers with his unique, sly spin on the silken-smooth Co. Sligo style of Irish fiddling. Kevin has been a member of such illustrious ensembles as the Bothy Band, Open House, Patrick Street & the Celtic Fiddle Festival & formed notable musical partnerships with Micheal O’Domhnaill & Cal Scott.

This special solo concert in an intimate house concert setting will give full flavor to the force & frolicsomeness of Burke’s fabled fiddling & his wicked sense of humor in tune introductions & stories.

The hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show, now in its 14th season, features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in history, humour and boundless energy. Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Téada, the 2018 tour brings back the amazing Séamus Begley, (TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year) along with the immense vocal talents of Sligo’s Niamh Farrell.

This family-friendly performance features evocatively-sung Irish ballads, lively instrumental tunes and thrilling Irish dancing, while evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions. 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 2018.

The holiday show was first conceived in 2005 with past tours featuring such stellar guest vocalists as Séamus Begley, Teresa Horgan, Méabh Begley, Lumiere, Karan Casey, Cara Dillon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”

A sparkling tradition among holiday events, Irish Christmas in America is a special show to see this season.