Entertainment
Click here for the 2011 Entertainment Schedule.
Finn's Fury
Saturday Headliner
New York's celtic rockers Finn's Fury add blues, punk, as well as lyrical vocals to a hard rock wall of sound creating... "Urban Celtic Fusion Rock". What makes this band unique is it's improvising ability. Instrumental jams with a raw edge of unpredictability are a trademark. With well over a decade of experience in touring and concerts behind them, the members of Finn's Fury come from a diverse collection of experiences. From the Waldorf Astoria and Irish Festivals all over the country to Broadway and television, the members bring an exciting and ecclectic mix to create a high energy to performances.
Robert Tincher
One of the finest interpreters of folk songs from Ireland and Scotland.
(Saturday) The Clancy Brothers and Bob Dylan is a tribute to the late Liam Clancy, and to Bob Dylan, who turned 70 this year. Not only were they friends during the early 1960's; Dylan also borrowed Clancy Brothers' melodies for a number of his early songs. Their camaraderie is celebrated with song-by-song comparisons and excerpts from Clancy's and Dylan's autobiographies.
(Sunday) Roots and Branches: Irish Echoes in Appalachian Music focuses on the Scots-Irish emigration to North America and the evolution of Appalachian music. You'll learn the history, and hear the songs as they're sung on both sides of the Atlantic.
Chattering Magpies
Lorinda Jones & Greta Gillmeister create a mystical journey reflecting the soulful music of the Celts from ancient airs to contemporary dance tunes.” The Chattering Magpies intricately weave the melodies of traditional Celtic airs, jigs, hornpipes, and reels to bring out the nuance of each song on harp, flute, dulcimer, whistle, and spoons and bones. From toe tappping, to heart wrenching, audiences are drawn to the beautiful, unusual instruments and are spellbound by the music. As an adjudicated member of Kentucky Arts Council, Arts on Tour Directory, The Chattering Magpies have performed at traditional Irish festivals, are often heard at the regular Irish jams in Louisville, and perform in library and house concerts series across Kentucky, and as far away as Maine. They believe that the ancient tunes of the Celts encompass the range of human emotions, and those can be exquisitely expressed with the sounds of the harp, flute, dulcimer, and whistle. Contact for Booking: Lorinda Jones, 270-862-9747 (phone and fax) PO Box 123, Rineyville, KY 40162 losnotes@windstream.net or lorinda@lorindajones.com “
Guilderoy Byrne
Aa Louisville-based group, they perform traditional and contemporary songs on a variety of acoustic folk instruments. Members Greg Byrne and Dannette Rhoads are former members of Galloglass and Mark Cannon was a member of Ten Penny Bit. Newest member Virginia Copley is classically trained in voice, but grew up singing country and bluegrass.
Liam's Fancy
A fixture in the Lexington area. Dan Cummins has been singing for several decades (starting at quite a young age) and can easily make the transition from classic pub songs to traditional ballads. Beverly Buchanan is recognized as one of the leading box players in the Midwest.
McClanahan School
of Irish Dance
The McClanahan School of Irish Dance began offering classes for traditional Irish step dancing in 1993. Now, over a decade later, we offer a full range of competitive & recreational classes to accommodate each dancer, from Beginners to Champions. Whatever the purpose, our main goal is to teach Irish step dancing in a positive and fun way. In addition to competing on local, regional, national, and world stages, the McClanahan School performs throughout Kentuckiana at such venues as the Irish Rover, Molly Maloneís, Irish Fest, Kentucky Center for the Arts, and the Kentucky State Fair as well as at a variety of schools, senior centers, and nursing homes.
Cloigheann
(pronounced "klog-in") Cloigheann was founded in 1991 by Mark Rosenthal and Roy Livingston and has been playing ever since. The band performs a mix of original compositions and traditional Irish reels, jigs, aires, and songs - a blend of "Bluegrass/Greengrass."
Keltricity
While a fairly new addition to the Celtic music scene in Louisville, but some of its members have been playing Irish and Celtic music for over 25 years. While all have been in bands of various musical genres, the members decided that Keltricity would be inclusive of the Celtic tradition, featuring music from Irland, Cape Breton, Scotland, and French Canada.
Tenrec
Tenrec's unique sound is a blend of traditional and progressive styles, incorporating sometimes incorporating non-western instruments and an eclectic use of electronics. Richard Burchard, whistles, James Burns, guitar, bouzouki, Ryan Fowler, percussion, guitar, bouzouki. Frequent special guest, Rachel Blanton, violin.
Louisville Pipe Band
The Louisville Pipe Band is a competitive and performing Grade Four and Grade Five Pipe Band based in Louisville, Kentucky. Members are drawn from throughout the state and southern Indiana. The band performs at corporate and community events, weddings and festivals. We march in several parades each year including the Louisville St. Patrick's Day Parade and Worldfest Celebration on the Belvedere. We successfully compete in several Highland Games every year and our individual members are often found among those on the prize list. The Louisville Pipe Band is the result of a dedicated effort to create a community pipe band for the Louisville area. Since its formation in the mid-1970's the band has established itself as Kentucky's pre-eminent piping and drumming group. The band is under the musical direction of Pipe Major (PM) Robert Caudill. It is a community pipe band, similar to those found throughout the world. The band represents the area at regional erformances and competitions. Fostering understanding and appreciation of Celtic music is the primary purpose of the band. Through performance, competition, and teaching, the band promotes this worthy goal.
Derby Boys
The Derby Boys are named for the hats that are so popular on St. Patrickís Day and for the Kentucky Derby which is held each May in our hometown (Louisville, Kentucky). Brothers Ken and Shaun McKiernan had their start with the "McKiernan Family Singers." These ten singing siblings dominated the Nursing Home Circuit each March in the late 70ís and early 80ís. "The group broke up when we realized that America just wasn't ready for the Von Trapp family to have some serious competition," says songwriter and guitar/ accordion player Ken McKiernan. Shaun is content to sing and play the Potato Shaker, kazoo, and air tuba.
McGuire Band
(Direct from Ireland)
Moving Cloud founding members Paul Brock and Manus McGuire front an impressive group, the Brock McGuire Band. Residing in County Clare, button accordionist and melodeonist Paul Brock and fiddler Manus McGuire are two of Ireland's most celebrated traditional musicians and have been at the forefront of Irish music for many years through their joint work with Moving Cloud. Manus is also a founding member of Buttons and Bows, and both bands, ranking among Ireland's finest, have helped to introduce international audiences to the virtuosity of their playing. Performing with the Brock McGuire Band are two outstanding musicians: Galway player Enda Scahill, a multiple All-Ireland champion on tenor banjo and a senior All-Ireland champion on mandolin; and Denis Carey, an acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger who hails from Newport, Country Tipperary. Passion and precision, uthenticity and diversity: these are the hallmarks of the Brock McGuire Band in concert. They are steeped in tradition and perform it with abiding respect and creativity. The band's repertoire runs wide and deep; their tight, tenacious blend of instruments emphasizing mostly Irish music but also sprinkling in impressive arrangements of American Old Timey, French-Canadian, and other Celtic traditions. Described by the Irish American News as the "Best Instrumental Band in the Business", the Brock McGuire Band brings a wealth of experience and expertise to their performances. It's a sound and style which continues to excite audiences everywhere.
Kentucky Home Cloggers of Bardstown
Kentucky Home Cloggers of Bardstown, a clogging group that was established over 20 years ago, has become a huge part of Bardstown's rich heritage. The group, which performs a large variety of clogging styles from traditional Appalachian to contemporary, is led by Angela Ford. Angela began dancing with the group under Vicky Hagan in 1991, and took over as instructor 3 years ago. During the past three years the Kentucky Home Cloggers have seen tremendous growth in the group. At this time, there are over 100 cloggers that dance with our group at any given time. These dancers come from all over Nelson County, Marion County, and Jefferson County. The growth is due to several factors, the recent popularity of cloggin in the media due to shows like "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance" has contributed. A great many of the folks that join the group do so because of the energy and enthusiasm that they see when the group performs for the public. Cloggers radiate happiness of spirit.. they truly love this dance that is such a huge part of their lives.
Splitbow
Splitbow is a six-piece Celtic-inspired ensemble based in Louisville. The band performs traditional Irish/Celtic music alongside more contemporary songs. Splitbow currently features original members Rachel Blanton (fiddle), and Matt Schaffner (percussion), along with Amy Peer (vocals), Nathan Hunter (accordion), Dave Humphrey (guitar), and most recently, Lewis Lowrey (bass).
Dark Moll
Five friends from Cincinnati’s Riley School of Irish Music have joined forces to form an all-star band playing traditional Irish music. Founding member Susan Monroe (guitar) is joined by Tim Clarke (concertina), Dave Gilligan (vocals, harmonica, guitar), Susan Cross Gilligan (fiddle, vocals) and Geoff Maher (fiddle, banjo, tenor guitar). Dark Moll has been performing in the Cincinnati area for 12 years.