Breabach
“Matching fiery intensity with exquisite finesse” --The Scotsman
Tue, Apr 2nd 2024, 7:30PM
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz place
Breabach photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $28 Door $33
Member discount $3


Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative musical ferment of their Glasgow base.

Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative musical ferment of their Glasgow base. They have released six increasingly acclaimed albums, while fuelling their creative appetites in collaborations with indigenous Australasian artists, Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord, and most recently as artists-in-residence at 2019’s Celtic Colours festival with Cape Bretoners, Beolach.

​Their 15 year adventure has included live performances from Sydney Opera House to Central Park NY. They have racked up an impressive array of accolades including five Scots Trad Music Awards, nominations as ‘Best Group’ in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and  ‘European Album of the Year’ in The Songlines Music Awards.

​An exciting new chapter begins in 2020 with the introduction of the supremely talented, multi instrumentalist Conal McDonagh to the band and work beginning on ‘Dùsgadh’ a newly commissioned film with original score in collaboration with animator Cat Bruce.

Breabach are; Megan Henderson (Fiddle, Vocals, Step Dance), James Lindsay (Double Bass, Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Bagpipes, Whistle, Bouzouki, Vocals), Conal McDonagh (Bagpipes, Whistle, Vocals) and Ewan Robertson (Guitar, Vocals, Cajon). Acknowledging and respecting the origins of both the music they play and the roots of the band whilst embracing the future with new ideas, energy and belief is a key attribute of the band and has remained a constant theme throughout their 15 years.
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Outstanding Fiddle and Cello Duo In Pacific Grove!
A Production Of St Mary's Celtic Music Series
Fri, Apr 12th 2024, 7:00PM
St Mary's By The Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove place
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $12 Child Door $15
Member discount $3


St. Mary's is pleased to welcome back the exciting and innovative duo of Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland's premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas may not seem an obvious one, but the duo's dazzling teamwork, driving rhythms, and their shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes has helped reconstruct and revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello. They have toured internationally for over twenty years, wowing audiences at festivals and concerts worldwide with their unique sound and have released six critically acclaimed and award winning albums along the way.  Come join us for a fantastic evening of music in St. Mary's sanctuary.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.



Old Blind Dogs
Return of the Scottish Supergroup!! Wednesday Evening Performance
A Production Of St Mary's Celtic Music Series
Wed, May 1st 2024, 7:00PM
St Mary's By The Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove place
Old Blind Dogs photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $12 Child Door $15
Member discount $3


The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage. Like many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands, the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band's musical heart continue to beat strong. The current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of four of Scotland's finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes/whistles) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and collectively they comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today. As recent inductees to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 'Trad Music Hall of Fame' the 'Dugs' will celebrate thirty years on the road in 2022 by launching their fourteenth studio album 'Knucklehead Circus’ in Winter 2021. A joyous, uplifting and fun album full of compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm on which ‘OBD' continue to innovate within their tradition while faithfully revealing its essence. Here’s to many more years of Old Blind Dogs!
OLD BLIND DOGS
Fri, May 3rd 2024, 7:30PM
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz place
OLD BLIND DOGS photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $28 Door $30
Member discount $3


The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage. Like many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands, the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band's musical heart continue to beat strong. The current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of four of Scotland's finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes/whistles) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and collectively they comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today. As recent inductees to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 'Trad Music Hall of Fame' the 'Dugs' will celebrate thirty years on the road in 2022 by launching their fourteenth studio album 'Knucklehead Circus’ in Winter 2021. A joyous, uplifting and fun album full of compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm on which ‘OBD' continue to innovate within their tradition while faithfully revealing its essence. Here’s to many more years of Old Blind Dogs!
DÀIMH
Fri, Oct 11th 2024, 7:30PM
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz place
DÀIMH photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Prices include 5% City Of Santa Cruz Admissions Tax
Advance $28 Door $32
Child Advance $14 Child Door $16
Student Advance $14 Student Door $16
Member discount $3


We're proud to welcome back Scottish band Dàimh. We've had some excellent concerts with them in the past and this is sure to be another one. If you love bagpipes and fiddle mixed in with some Gaelic singing, be sure to attend this one.

Dàimh – 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” Dàimh (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.
Join The Society

Benfits include monthly newsletter, concert ticket discounts, no credit card fees on ticket purchases, free CDs, and exclusive member only events

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. . 

You can also join our mailing list for free

Community Events

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.

You can now list online shows!

You are invited to O'Flaherty's Traditional Irish Session every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 10:00 pm or so at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub in downtown San Jose! Experienced Celtic musicians 21 and well behaved dogs. We play in the open doorway looking out onto the parklet on San Pedro Street. Celebrating 18 years of playing Irish music together on Tuesday nights at O'Flaherty's, where you are a stranger but once!

#livemusic #irishmusic #celticmusic #irishsession #irishjam #sanjose #sharks #oflats

A community gathering of the finest kind. Join the Santa Cruz Irish music scene as we play rollicking tunes every third Thursday in downtown Santa Cruz. Join us at Rosie McCann's Irish Pub on Pacific Avenue from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. All ages. 

Announcing the First Annual Ceili on the Lake Irish Music and Dance Festival at Lagoon Park, Marin County Fairgrounds.

Produced by Red Barn Productions, based in Marin County in California, a full-service event production company with decades of experience in the design and production of large and small-scale events. Together with an expanding community of over 1,000 enthusiastic artists, theatrical performers, musicians, directors, designers, and event professionals, we specialize in theatrically entertaining, historically authentic events, encouraging participation and learning. Founded in 1963 by the Patterson family, creators of the popular Great Dickens Christmas Fair.

Tickets go on sale March 15, 2024: https://ceilionthelake.com/
$20 Adults | $10 Children under 12

Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903

Celtic Music On The Radio

Get your Celtic music fix and support our local radio stations by listening to the following programs.

89.3 FM

The Mountain Road

Julie Horner

Monday 8 PM - 10 PM


91.5 FM

New Wood

Peter Schwarz

Thursday 7 AM - 10 AM

Friday Folk-Off

Greg Winslow

Friday 3 PM - 6 PM

The Rising of the Moon

Captain Nashville

4th & 5th Mondays, 6 AM - 9 AM


90.7 FM

Celtic Cauldron

Cindy Odom

Friday 11 AM - 12 PM


88.1

Bushwackers Breakfast Club

Dangerous Dan

Friday 6M - 9AM


Website version 1.0.4
© 2018-2024 Celtic Society Of The Monterey Bay, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (EIN 47-3366613)