The 2007 Elizabeth Celtic Festival
Entertainers
Last year there were two performance stages--"The Edinburgh Stage" in the Pavilion Building (where the
Saucy Wench Pub is), and "The Dublin Stage" Celtic Music Tent
& Coffeehouse in the woods.
As our new line-up is confirmed, we will update this page, so please check back in the coming weeks. Here are some of the performers who were at last year's Elizabeth Celtic Festival--
Skean Dubh
Skean Dubh (Pronounced: "skeen dew" -- Scots Gaelic meaning: Skean=knife + Dubh=black..."Black Knife" the knife worn in a
kilted Scotsman's sock.)
This internationally acclaimed band is one of the most delightful bands in Colorado. They have been captivating audiences
for over ten years with their blend of modern/traditional Celtic instrumentation. Incredible players, they are comprised of
engagingly musical lead voices and a plethora of instruments including uilleann (Irish) bag pipes, fiddle, viola, acoustic
guitar, Irish tenor banjo, bouzouki, whistles, accordion, bodhran, djembe, and darbuka and bass guitar. Playing everything
from, beautiful Celtic ballads to just-can't-sit-still foot-stomping jigs and reels.
Skean Dubh Website
Skean Dubh (Pronounced: "skeen dew" -- Scots Gaelic meaning: Skean=knife + Dubh=black..."Black Knife" the knife worn in a
kilted Scotsman's sock.)
This internationally acclaimed band is one of the most delightful bands in Colorado. They have been captivating audiences
for over ten years with their blend of modern/traditional Celtic instrumentation. Incredible players, they are comprised of
engagingly musical lead voices and a plethora of instruments including uilleann (Irish) bag pipes, fiddle, viola, acoustic
guitar, Irish tenor banjo, bouzouki, whistles, accordion, bodhran, djembe, and darbuka and bass guitar. Playing everything
from, beautiful Celtic ballads to just-can't-sit-still foot-stomping jigs and reels.
Skean Dubh Website
Gobs o' Phun
"Gobs O'Phun" is "lots of fun." An entertaining and engaging musical act, they interact with their audience--inciting laughter, sing-alongs, clapping, good-natured heckling and camaraderie.
Gobs O'Phun isn't jigs and reels, bagpipes or symphonic sound. They perform in a polished, homespun rawness that's inviting and pleasurable. The Gobs musically further the oral traditions of century-old folksongs from primarily Ireland and Scotland, as well as Newfoundland, Australia and England.
Their songs include drinking songs, ballads, historical accounts, love songs, humorous tunes, sea chanteys and more. The flavor may be celtic, but their songs are well received by all cultural backgrounds.
Gobs o' Phun Website
"Gobs O'Phun" is "lots of fun." An entertaining and engaging musical act, they interact with their audience--inciting laughter, sing-alongs, clapping, good-natured heckling and camaraderie.
Gobs O'Phun isn't jigs and reels, bagpipes or symphonic sound. They perform in a polished, homespun rawness that's inviting and pleasurable. The Gobs musically further the oral traditions of century-old folksongs from primarily Ireland and Scotland, as well as Newfoundland, Australia and England.
Their songs include drinking songs, ballads, historical accounts, love songs, humorous tunes, sea chanteys and more. The flavor may be celtic, but their songs are well received by all cultural backgrounds.
Gobs o' Phun Website
Old School Ceili Band
So, they changed their name from the Yampa Ceili Band to Old School Ceili Band. There's a story here. Perhaps they'll
tell it, between tunes. But they're still "that ceili band from Steamboat Springs" that everyone is talking about.
We're glad they're back again this year. Band members are Bonnie Murray, fiddle; Nora Parker, bodhran, dance and voice;
Greg Zulevich, bozouki, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo; Gary Burman, uilleann pipes and voice. Newest player Bruce Dean,
mandolin.
Yampa Valley Ceili Society is still them. You can also check out their
myspace music website, which has of their music.
So, they changed their name from the Yampa Ceili Band to Old School Ceili Band. There's a story here. Perhaps they'll
tell it, between tunes. But they're still "that ceili band from Steamboat Springs" that everyone is talking about.
We're glad they're back again this year. Band members are Bonnie Murray, fiddle; Nora Parker, bodhran, dance and voice;
Greg Zulevich, bozouki, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo; Gary Burman, uilleann pipes and voice. Newest player Bruce Dean,
mandolin.
Yampa Valley Ceili Society is still them. You can also check out their
myspace music website, which has of their music.
Gary Burman, Irish Uilleann Piper
It's not unusual for Gary Burman to awake with traditional Irish tones and melodies stuck in his head.
Burman has fallen in love with Irish music and wants to keep it alive. "If you were to strip me down like an onion
to the core and depth of who I am, you would find the tones of these ancient melodies," he said. "They transport
me back to the roots of ancient Druid culture."
Yampa Valley Ceili Society is part of what Gary does up in Steamboat.
You can also check out the
myspace music website, talks about Gary, including a Blog entry
about his helping visiting pipers from Ireland. Very interesting.
Yampa Valley Ceili Society is part of what Gary does up in Steamboat. You can also check out the myspace music website, talks about Gary, including a Blog entry about his helping visiting pipers from Ireland. Very interesting.
Ceol Ceili
"Ceol Ceili has a perfect alchemy of vocals and traditional Celtic instrumentation. They faithfully honor the
inherent acoustic beauty and essence of the Celtic sound." (Phil Volan, guitarist, songwriter and recording artist)
The band features Steve Hart on guitar and vocals;
Heidi McClure on Hammered Dulcimer, mandolin and bohran; Ron Sommers on fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo & bones; and
Kari Wilson with vocals, tin whistle, flute and bohran. Though mainly Celtic, the band's musical selection is quite
eclectic. The band's current repertoire includes traditional, modern, and original tunes and songs from Ireland,
the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, the Shetland Islands, Northumbria, Brittany, French Canada, New England,
and Southern USA. They perform concerts with the young and old in mind.
"Ceol Ceili are consummate musicians who are passionate about their performance. My favorite has to be
'Hard times come again no more'. Don't miss the chance to hear them." Bob Woods (Red Lodge Montana)
Ceol Ceili Website
The band features Steve Hart on guitar and vocals; Heidi McClure on Hammered Dulcimer, mandolin and bohran; Ron Sommers on fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo & bones; and Kari Wilson with vocals, tin whistle, flute and bohran. Though mainly Celtic, the band's musical selection is quite eclectic. The band's current repertoire includes traditional, modern, and original tunes and songs from Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, the Shetland Islands, Northumbria, Brittany, French Canada, New England, and Southern USA. They perform concerts with the young and old in mind.
"Ceol Ceili are consummate musicians who are passionate about their performance. My favorite has to be 'Hard times come again no more'. Don't miss the chance to hear them." Bob Woods (Red Lodge Montana)
Ceol Ceili Website
Star Edwards, Celtic Harp
Winner of the Jan Pennington Gray Award 2001
"Star's music represents the finest of her genre, evocative and powerful yet with a lightness of spirit and touch. Listen closely and let the music take you where it will." -- Don Slepian, host ArtMusicCoffeehouse.com"
"When the din of the drum sets of rock bands, the chant of the pipes, and the silvery sounds of ballad singers find some distance, my favorite moment of any Irish Festival has been to sit in the shade and hear Star Edwards play the harp ... not simply to play it, but to play it in that way that made it the national symbol of Ireland. And it is, and her music is, Irish like nothing else." -- Brian Clancy, Brian@irishrow.com"
Star Edwards Celtic Harp Website
"Star's music represents the finest of her genre, evocative and powerful yet with a lightness of spirit and touch. Listen closely and let the music take you where it will." -- Don Slepian, host ArtMusicCoffeehouse.com"
"When the din of the drum sets of rock bands, the chant of the pipes, and the silvery sounds of ballad singers find some distance, my favorite moment of any Irish Festival has been to sit in the shade and hear Star Edwards play the harp ... not simply to play it, but to play it in that way that made it the national symbol of Ireland. And it is, and her music is, Irish like nothing else." -- Brian Clancy, Brian@irishrow.com"
Star Edwards Celtic Harp Website
The Commoners
We're the Commoners, a Traditional Irish Rock Band from Ft. Collins, Colorado.
A group of everyday people performing the energetic sounds of Ireland. We rock out on a bunch of traditional
tunes and a bunch of the great contemporary Irish songs of today's artists and a couple of our own songs too.
We try to make you laugh by telling the same joke over and over until you get it.
The Commoners Website
The Commoners Website
Eric Olsen, Irish Uilleann Piper
There aren't all that many Uilleann Pipers in Colorado, but Eric has created "space" for this, the "other" type of
bagpipes. "There are about 4-5 of us that get together every once and a while for pints and tunes (and reedmaking when
we're being good)." Actually, he's good most of the time, and he has much to tell, as well as play. "It's a real treat
to be an ambassador of this very fine music played on such a fine instrument."
Mulligan Stew
Celtic sentiments expressed in music. "You're never quite sure of the ingredients and the spices change from
time to time, but the flavor's just right for a taste of home." Mulligan Stew are the "house band" at the Cheshire
Cat Brewpub in Arvada and the Auld Dubliner Irish Pub in Englewood.
Mulligan Stew Website
Mulligan Stew Website
Total hits on this page since Feb 9th, 2008: 199Monthly hits on this page since May 1st, 2008: 45
Total hits on this page since Feb 9th, 2008: 199
Monthly hits on this page since May 1st, 2008: 45
