UPCOMING CELTIC SOCIETY CONCERTS
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Together in their trio, One for the Foxes, Dave Curley, Tadhg Ó Meachair & Joanna Hyde form
an exciting and dynamic transatlantic trio that presents a rousing blend of Irish and American
folk music, having already won over audiences on both sides of the ocean. The group is made
up of Dublin's Tadhg Ó Meachair (Goitse), Galway's Dave Curley (SLIDE) and Denver,
Colorado's Joanna Hyde (The Hydes), and features a mix of Irish and American folk music and song – both traditional and newly-composed – presented in an energetic and engaging manner.
Their performances strike a tasteful balance between the stories found in ballads across both
sides of the Atlantic and the respective instrumental music traditions of these places.
Award-winning instrumentalists each in their own right, Dave, Tadhg & Joanna take a unique
twist on the diverse strengths of their individual backgrounds, weaving between traditional
melodies, their own compositions, and songs from the broader folk canon. The results are highly personalised and thrilling in their daring and forthright grasp of their material.
Through a shared deep-rooted passion for Irish traditional music, this trio highlights the vital role of that music as an origin of many American folk musics, and explores how those styles can interact with one another in a manner both eclectic and grounded. Having collaborated on the recently-released 'One for the Foxes' CD, this trio looks ahead excitedly to its upcoming 2018 US tours.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.facebook.com/oneforthefoxes/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-224-3819 or email fiddlejamjp@gmail.com
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St. Mary's proudly kicks off its fall season with the always effervescent MAC (Ryan McKasson, fiddle; Elias Alexander, bagpipes; Colin Cotter, guitar). MAC represents the natural progression of Celtic music as it has worked its way into the American consciousness where influences from folk to rock have left a decidedly innovative mark on tradition. MAC is fiery and funny; lyrical and rhythmic. Their incomparable virtuosity draws from a deep well of traditional tunes and original arrangements. MAC is back, and we couldn't be more pleased. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit http://www.tunesbymac.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email concertdirector@celticsociety.org
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Heron Valley are an energetic, young traditional band from Scotland who have serious enthusiasm for the music they play. Their roots lie in Scottish and Irish traditional music, while taking influence from various Folk, Country and Bluegrass styles. The five-piece, energy fuelled group comprises piper/guitarist/whistle player Euan McNab, banjo player/drummer Nick Hamilton, pianist Arlene Mackechnie, guitarist/vocalist Abigail Pryde and bassist Callum Cronin.
Since their inception in 2014, Heron Valley have always ensured that they are conveying the highest amount of energy they have to every crowd they play to, ensuring that people who come to see them live have a fantastic experience. In 2015, they set themselves the challenge of releasing a music video and a debut single, to allow people to clearly see their intentions. This began with their set of tunes, Pressed for Time, and their original idea of filming out on open water on a yacht. The storyline took the band from performing out on this moving boat, to their journey to and performance at a gig. The idea of this was to convey to their audience the enjoyment people have when they come to see them live. This was extremely well received and racked up 85K views, with people all over the world purchasing the single. A year later, they released their second single ‘Home’ along with an extremely diverse music video. This time, they set off at 4AM to climb up Beinn an Lochainn, a hill in the west coast of Scotland. The video sees this journey from bottom to top and shows them playing on cliff edges in the area they all grew up. This gathered an incredible 173K views, and was shared over 2,000 times.
Due to this success, Heron Valley then quickly made a massive impact on the folk scene in Scotland, and 2016 seen them on their tour of 11 Festival stages over the UK, while 2017 seen them on a tour of over 20 festivals around the UK and Europe. Johnny Walley at Folk Music Radio was ‘particularly impressed by the structure of their set, building up the energy incrementally in a series of waves, taking the audience along with them every step of the way.’ With the unbelievable reaction they received at these gigs, and the demand for more recordings of their music, Heron Valley released their debut album, Roam, in May 2017. This has been extremely well received by the public, and has been the focus of their gigs during their 2017 Summer tour. This features 8 brand new tracks of self-penned songs and lively sets of tunes.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.heronvalleyband.co.uk/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-224-3819 or email fiddlejamjp@gmail.com
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We welcome back to St. Mary's stage the incomparable master of the Scottish fiddle, Alasdair Fraser and his world-class musical partner, Cellist Natalie Haas. This is a special opportunity to hear this innovative duo in our lovely intimate setting. The concert will be preceded by the short film, “The Groove Is Not Trivial,” a powerful documentary on the healing power of music, featuring Alasdair’s exploration of Scottish and other traditional music styles in search of “The Groove.” What does it all mean? Come explore how Alasdair and Natalie have led so many to find their musical "voices." Extraordinary! Doors open at 2:30 p.m., 50 minute film starts at 3:00 p.m., with concert to follow after a brief intermission. Wine bar and refreshments will be available. Ticket price includes film and concert. Kudos to filmmaker Tommie Smith for creating this beautiful film, first featured at the Marin Film Festival, and currently showing at venues worldwide.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit http://www.alasdairandnatalie.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email concertdirector@celticsociety.org
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Tony McManus is the leading celtic guitarist worldwide and has just been listed as one of the 50 transcendental guitarists of all time by Guitar Player Magazine. While Tony is known as a soloist his frequent collaborations with diverse musicians have always been a significant part of his work.
Julia Toaspern is a multi-talented musician from Berlin who combines classical training on violin and voice with a wide interest in genres such as jazz, baroque and traditional music. She has released two albums of original songs and has performed in both classical and singer/songwriter modes on both sides of the Atlantic. On top of all this her skills as a guitarist are prodigious and make and exciting fit with Tony’s work.
Their twin guitar treatment of traditional music is unique and each supports the other in exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and not so old, tunes. Each of the pair both flatpicks and fingerpicks at the highest level but always at the service of the tune rather than a display of technique. Her violin can effortlessly morph into a fiddle as she weaves from Italian madrigal to Scottish reel. Julia’s songs go to the heart of love and loss, hope and survival and are inflected with musical input from a wide and eclectic experience of musical life. Tony’s and Julia’s arrangements are rooted in deep musicality and heartfelt expression.
Having met over a conversation in Berlin about JS Bach, together they play and sing music that speaks to them and hopefully through them to a wider audience.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit http://www.tonymcmanus.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-224-3819 or email fiddlejamjp@gmail.com
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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. The angelic Turco 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.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit http://mollysrevenge.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email reservations@haworths.org
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A review of Jim's album "Live In Perth" in Folkworlds
Scotland’s first and foremost singer/songwriter Jim Malcolm is presented on this album at his very best – in a solo concert in front of a home audience. Jim’s songs come best to life when performed to an audience, so this is a wonderful follow on from his previous live album “Live in Glenfarg” – I can’t quite believe that this was released already 12 years ago.
The new album features many of his greatest songs, including his version of Brian McNeill’s “Lads of the Fair”, the traditional songs “Jolly Beggar” and “Lochaber no more”, and his very own songs “The train from Perth to Lochearn”, “First Cold Day” and “Corrievrechan”. There is also the usual fair dose of good humour, and I enjoyed listening to his storytelling of the amusing story “The Pickpockets” or a somewhat political comedy song about a member of the gentry cleaning out his moat – featuring many frogs.
Having been on the road for 30 years, Jim’s new album sees him in superb voice, backed by his guitar and characterful harmonica playing. This is wonderful and classy entertainment of the old style – a singer presenting great songs with good stories to a live audience.
© Michael Moll
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.jimmalcolm.com |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email concertdirector@celticsociety.org
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Winner of 'Best Group' in both the Live Ireland awards and the Tradition In Review awards, The Outside Track are one of the top Celtic acts in the world. They were 'Best Live Act' nominees in the MG Alba Scots Traditional Music Awards, and won the German Radio Critics Prize, for their album Flash Company. Live Ireland called them, 'Among the top bands in the world - stunning on every cut!'.
The Outside Track’s marriage of Celtic music, song and dance has been rapturously received around the world. Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, and Cape Breton, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on this as a foundation. They blend fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, whistle, step-dance and vocals with breathtaking vitality. Their blend of boundless energy and unmistakable joie de vivre has won them a large following around the globe.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.theoutsidetrack.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email concertdirector@celticsociety.org
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Described by Irish Music Magazine as “a full bodied pipe and whistle extravaganza”, Réalta carry on the Bothy Band tradition of taking tunes by the scruff of the neck and firing excitement through them like hot flames!
Hailing from the Ulster city of Belfast, this award winning multi-instrumentalist group present an enchanting programme of dance music interspersed with the occasional story, air and song. While Conor Lamb and Aaron O’Hagan pursue the melody on uilleann pipes and whistles, guitarist and vocalist Deirdre Galway explores the harmony and rhythms within the tunes. All-Ireland champions Dermot Mulholland and Dermot Moynagh complete the line-up with dynamic accompaniments on double bass, bouzouki, banjo, voice and bodhrán, making this one of the most exciting acts on the Irish music scene today.
The release of their second album, Clear Skies, has brought Réalta widespread critical acclaim, with the Irish Music Magazine summing things up by writing "Réalta have grown bigger, bolder and braver and this is one of the best CDs to have come out of Ireland this year". A performance by Réalta is joyous, energetic, foot-stomping, unforgettable and unmissable.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.realtamusic.com/ |
| more info | For more information, call 831-464-9778 or email concertdirector@celticsociety.org
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There are many reasons to be excited about new Glasgow-based five-piece Ímar – not least a line-up featuring current and former members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk, Barrule, Cara, Mabon and The Lowground, whose collectively crammed trophy-cabinet includes a BBC Young Folk Award and several All-Britain/All-Ireland titles. By far the best and biggest reason, however, is how excited the band are themselves.
“As soon as we all sat down to play together properly, it just worked,” says bodhrán player Adam Brown (RURA), originally from Suffolk. “We were a bit stunned, to be honest; all looking round at everyone else, thinking, ‘Is it just me, or was that really good?’”
“It’s definitely more of a pure-drop trad sound than most of the other bands we’re involved in,” adds Cork-born uilleann piper, flautist and whistle player Ryan Murphy (Mànran), “but I think that’s partly why it feels so natural. We’re going back to the music we started out playing – which is ultimately the reason why we’re all here as musicians.”
Ímar’s formation also embodies a more personal reconnection with its members’ formative years, dating back long before their recent camaraderie around Glasgow’s justly celebrated session scene. All five of them – also including fiddler Tomás Callister and bouzouki ace Adam Rhodes (Barrule/Mabon), both from the Isle of Man, plus Glasgow native Mohsen Amini (Talisk) on concertina – originally met as teenagers through Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Irish traditional music network that tutors budding players throughout the British Isles and beyond, and stages the annual schedule of Fleadh competitions.
For more info, sights and sounds, visit https://www.imarband.com/ |
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