Philadelphia Ceili Group
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Help the Philadelphia Ceili Group Celebrate 50 Years of Its Annual Festival
Come October 10, 11 and 12, the Philadelphia Ceili Group hopes to present its 50th annual traditional Irish music and dance festival. “Hopes to” because it isn’t necessarily a sure thing. Whether it happens is in large part up to you. The Ceili Group is trying to raise $25,000 to bring the very best in Irish traditional music and dance to the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center (the Irish Center) because, frankly, that’s what […] Read More
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Kevin Burke Draws a Sellout Crowd in Philly
By Robin O’Brien Hiteshew On Thursday, November 16, the Philadelphia Ceili Group presented a solo concert by fiddle player Kevin Burke at the Irish Center. It marked the first time in twelve years Kevin has appeared in Philadelphia. Attendance was approximately 135 in the fireside room of the center and it was clear that they were there to see Kevin. Most knew his playing from the various bands Kevin played with through the past forty […] Read More
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By Denise Foley
Looking for Some Craic? Face “The Consequences”
They call themselves “The Consequences,” but this exciting young Irish trad group could have called themselves “The Champions.” Because they all are. Lexie Boatright is a multiple All-Ireland award winning harpist and concertina player. Jake James is a two-time All-Ireland fiddle champion. Cara Wildman is an All-Ireland champion bodhran player. And pianist and accordion player Ryan Ward is the current reigning Senior All-Ireland Accompaniment Champion. They come from all over: Lexi from the Washington, DC, area, […] Read More
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InBy Denise Foley
RUNA and the Choctaw Nation: A Friendship Rekindled
Photo of RUNA with members of the Choctaw Nation by Brad Joe In 1847, members of the Choctaw Nation, who had lost one-sixth of their population in the forced resettlement known as the Trail of Tears only a decade before, did a remarkable thing. It was an act of kindness that would reverberate throughout 175 years of history and create a permanent friendship between two cultures an ocean apart. Members of the indigenous tribe met […] Read More
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Song of the Week: RUNA
RUNA is an internationally acclaimed Celtic roots band that has its own roots in the Philadelphia area. Shannon Lambert-Ryan who “grew up at The Irish Center,” her husband, Dublin-born guitarist Fiona de Barra, and percussionist Cheryl Prashker, a Canadian who made her home in Philly for many years, are the foundation of this band whose fans around the world call themselves “Runatics.” They’ve racked up many awards over the years, including top group and top […] Read More
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Song of the Week: Mary Courtney Sings “The Patriot Game”
Singer Mary Courtney appeared at the 2015 Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival. We were fortunate to have the camera running when she sang the brilliant and heartbreaking tune, “The Patriot Game.” Dominic Behan, younger brother of Brendan Behan, wrote the tune, released in 1958. The melody comes straight from a folk song called “One Morning in May,” but the lyrics could hardly be more different. “The Patriot Game” relates the story of a young Irish Republican […] Read More
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