Denver Celtic Music

Get some hammered dulcimer this weekend

Written on 6 January 2020   By   in Uncategorized

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dulcimerJoin the bands “Balance and Swing”, “The Gael” and The Colorado Dulcimer Festival crew for a lively evening of music. These bands play a wide variety of music, from contra dance tunes to old-time, Jazz to modern pop inspired work, and lively Celtic pieces.

Tina Gugeler of Balance and Swing (with Susan and John Reading on fiddle and keyboard) is a multi-year winner of the National Hammered Dulcimer award. The Gael (Phylleri Ball on Accordion and Bohdran, Bill Ikler on Guitar, Arwen Ek, vocals, Laura Fisher on Hammered Dulcimer and Debbie Smiley on fiddle.) is a local acoustic band featuring uptempo Irish and Scottish music and more.

These 2 bands feature the hammered dulcimer, a unique and beautiful instrument and will give you a taste of what’s in store at the upcoming 17th annual dulcimer festival concerts and workshops in Littleton, February, 2020 (see the website www.coloradodulcimerfestival.com for more details and how you can join in the fun in February. They will even have rental instruments for absolute beginners!) At the concert intermission, you can visit the dulcimer “petting zoo” to try the instruments out for yourself!

Tickets for Saturday at Swallow Hill’s website.

Colcannon Christmas Show 18 December

Written on 25 November 2019   By   in Celtic music, Concerts, Events

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December 18, Colcannon will present their annual Christmas Show at the The Longmont Theatre, 513 East Main Street at 7:30 p.m. Featuring The Hub of Eternity, Christmas in Brooklyn, Rug Muire Mac do Dhia and a host of season songs and music. Mick says there’s no better way to get in the Christmas mood . . .

Spanish Peaks Music Festival September 19-22

Written on 5 August 2019   By   in Celtic music, Events, Festivals

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Spanish Peaks, Huerfano County Colorado (photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Spanish Peaks, Huerfano County Colorado (photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

The Spanish Peaks International Celtic Festival will be held September 19-22 in Huerfano County, Colorado, with events taking place in the communities of La Veta, Walsenburg, Gardner, and Cuchara, and at Uptop on Old La Veta Pass.

This festival is now in its 13th year fulfilling its mission to serve Huerfano County and beyond with fantastic concerts, singing, dancing, and tale-spinning plus a wide variety of instrumental workshops taught by our guest artists. The festival also provides free community activities like the 6th Street Hooley Concert in Walsenburg; their very popular picnic ceili (a musical party) at Up Top; Scottish and Irish folk dancing in La Veta Park; a Sunday Sing Along, and numerous free beginning instrumental workshops. Then there is our all-important Schools Outreach Program, which includes artists’ visits to every school in Huerfano County.

The Spanish Peaks Celtic Festival is designed as an intimate four-day gathering led by renowned guest artists, teachers, and scholars from Celtic countries abroad, Canada, and the United States. The Festival offers over 60 different events, including major concerts; two singing programs; instrumental workshops and master classes; a series of demonstration talks and performances on aspects of Celtic music, history, and folklore; a Celtic Harp Retreat; a newly established Piping Retreat; and sprinkled throughout are ceilidhs/ceilis and playing sessions where anyone can freely join in or enjoy as an audience. Finally, the friendly ambiance and spontaneous interplay between artists and participants spark the exciting sharing of music, ideas, and knowledge, all reflected gifts from the fullness of a rich Celtic experience.

More information, tickets, schedule, and more at http://celticmusicfest.com/

Skean Dubh at Swallow Hill

Written on 5 March 2019   By   in Celtic music, Concerts, Scottish music

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Skean Dubh will be kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day season at Swallow Hill this Saturday at 8 PM. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skean-dubh-tickets-55289149334

Skean Dubh is an acoustic Celtic band, in the Colorado Rocky Mountain region. Unforgettable vocals, Uilleann bag piping, and fiery fiddle.

Skean Dubh is one of the most enjoyable Celtic/Acoustic bands in the Rocky Mountain region. Their diverse repertoire spans centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, Scottish ballads, Irish pub-songs, Celtic folksongs, and gorgeous slow airs. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances. They have that unique combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and extremely musical vocals that make their performances unforgettable. The music may be Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to full on rock. They have continually delighted audiences both with their musical styling and with their unusual instrumentation (a unique blend of traditional and modern instruments) including: Uilleann, (Irish) bagpipes, fiddle, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, whistles, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, doumbek, and accordion.

Since 1994 Skean Dubh has performed, at numerous, major Celtic festivals such as the Colorado Irish Festival, Kiowa Celtic Highland Games, Rocky Mountain Highland Games, Longs Peak Scottish Festival, High Plains Scottish Irish Festival, and the Grand Junction Celtic Festival, and too many more to mention.

 

Colcannon Announcements

Written on   By   in Concerts, Irish music

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News just in from Mick of Colcannon:

“This Saturday, March 9 we’ll be at the Kathryn Mohrman Theatre inside Armstrong Hall on the Colorado College Campus. Show time is 7:30 p.m. The show is FREE
On Monday, March 11, we’ll be performing in the upstairs lobby and Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver. Show is at 12 noon and is FREE
On Tuesday, March 19, we’ll be at the Boulder Public Library at 12 noon — again, it’s FREE.
All the events above are linked to maps or visit our website calendar for more details — https://www.colcannon.com/calendar

And now a notice that has been brewing for a while: as of April 2020, Colcannon will be based in Ireland. Jean and I are moving there next year and the band will be based there in the future. We’re excited and more than a bit sad but we do hope to keep playing in the US and most particularly for our home audience — you.”

Mick, Jean, Mike and Brian

Skean Dubh in Niwot on Saturday

Written on 24 January 2019   By   in Celtic music, Concerts, Events, Scottish music

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skeandubhCome join Skean Dubh for an afternoon of  acoustic Celtic music that features uilleann pipes, fiddle tunes and songs from Scotland and Ireland. Other instruments include Celtic harp, unforgettable vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin, and bodhrán.

Saturday, January 26th
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Old Oak Coffee Shop
136 2nd Ave B, Niwot, CO 80503

 

Colcannon at Nissi’s

Written on 17 December 2018   By   in Celtic music, Concerts

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colcannonColcannon have announced a concert coming up at Nissi’s. This will be their annual presentation of the Colcannon Christmas Holiday show and will take place on Tuesday, December 18 at 7.30 p.m.

So come and have dinner — the food is very good! — and join them for an evening of Christmas revelry, rascality and reflection! 

Nissi’s is at 2675 North Park Drive, Lafayette, CO (MAP) 

There’s more ticket information here: (Tickets) 

Colcannon in Evergreen

Written on 6 November 2018   By   in Celtic music, Concerts, Irish music

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colcannonColcannon will perform at Evergreen Center Stage on Saturday, November 17, 7:30 p.m.  It’s a lovely, intimate venue and Mick says “We’re greatly looking forward to playing there again.”

The address is 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen CO 80437  and you can get tickets here.or  call  303-674-4002. 

The Elders say goodbye at the Colorado Irish Festival

Written on 12 July 2018   By   in Uncategorized

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The Elders will be performing at the Colorado Irish Festival all three days, Friday – Sunday, July 13th – 15th in Clement Park, Littleton.

The Elders were founded in 1998 by six individuals with a passion for music rooted in Americana and Celtic folk rock. From the beginning The Elders seemed to be channeling something ancient and enduring – something unaffected by fads, trends and the giant maw of mind-numbing commercialism. Their ability to bring together the art of storytelling with elements both musically progressive and rooted in tradition, has won them a broad international fan base, as well as critical acclaim.

Send off the Elders in style at the Colorado Irish Festival.

Send off the Elders in style at the Colorado Irish Festival.

After 20 years, The Elders are making their final tour in 2018 and perhaps, their last performances in Colorado at the Colorado Irish Festival. Tickets available at the main gate.

Wild Mountain warming up for Colorado Irish Festival

Written on   By   in Events, Festivals, Irish music

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Wild Mountain has announced they are returning to the scene of their last video shoot – Violet’s Venue in Wheat Ridge this Friday – at 9:00 pm. This will be their warm up for the Colorado Irish Festival. Come and check out the band. They will feature some new songs.