Craobh Rua

This 4-man band from Belfast chose their name (pronounced "Crave Roo-uh") from the Irish term for the Red Branch Knights of Ulster, a name well known in ancient Celtic history.  The band has recorded five albums over the past two decades, the latest taking its title from a Belfast colloquialism:  "If Ida Been Here, Ida Been There."  Craobh Rua have performed at festivals all around Europe, in Canada, Australia, and the U.S., including the world's largest Irish festival, Milwaukee
Irish Fest.  The band members for the current U.S. tour include founding member Brian Connolly (banjo and mandolin) from Belfast, Jim Rainey (guitar & vocals) from Belfast, Conor Lamb (uilleann pipes and tin whistle) from Crumlin, Co. Antrim, and Gabe McVarish (fiddle), originally hailing from California's Sacramento Valley and now living
in Scotland, where he plays with several leading bands.  Craobh Rua will perform at 8:00 p.m. at Mugsy's Entertainment Center, and at 11:00 Saturday morning on the main stage of the Celtic Fair at Turley Park.
 

Liz Carroll & John Doyle

Liz Carroll (fiddle), from Chicago, and John Doyle (guitar, vocals), from Dublin, are the most dynamic duo in Irish music today!  Liz has appeared at two of our past festivals, but this will be John's first appearance.  Their recent duo CD "In Play" on the Compass Records label is a tour-de-force of energetic dance tunes, most of which were composed by Liz.  John Doyle's most recent solo CD, "Wayward Son," won the "Celtic Connections Album of the Year" award for 2005 for its
muscular guitar playing and captivating vocals.  Liz Carroll won the all-Ireland senior fiddle championship when she was only 18, and her career has gained more and more honors ever since, including the National Heritage Fellowship, awarded to her by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1994.  Her most recent solo albums have honored her native city with titles like "Lost in the Loop" and "Lake Effect."  You can hear a preview of their evening concert at the Celtic Fair at 2:00 Saturday afternoon on the Pavilion Stage, but don't miss their full evening concert Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at Mugsy's Entertainment Center, where their guests will include dancers in Celtic costumes from the St. Louis Irish Arts school.
 

St. Louis Irish Arts

The festival is fortunate to be close enough to St. Louis to take advantage of the excellent ensemble of 20 or more dancers and musicians from the St. Louis Irish Arts–a branch of the Irish music association "Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann,” which promotes the music, culture, and arts of Ireland. The group has won top awards in dance and music competitions in Ireland as well as in North American competitions. The group's director, Helen Gannon,  is currently Chairperson of the North American Province of Comhaltas. The St. Louis Irish Arts ensemble is best known for their precision step-dancing, and you can count on seeing a high level of hard-shoe and soft-shoe dancing, particularly featuring girls in traditional dresses with Celtic designs. All the dancers also play instruments and/or sing. The ensemble will appear at Turley Park several times during the day on Saturday. On Saturday evening the senior dancers will join Liz Carroll and John Doyle to accompany them during the first half  of the main concert at Mugsy's Entertainment Center.

Dan Keding

Dan Keding, storyteller, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces.  A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons.  This combination of dynamic storytelling and powerful ballad singing has made him a festival favorite throughout the U.S., Great Britain, and Ireland, endearing him to audiences of all ages.  He was presented the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Festival, and has won numerous other awards. Dan will be performing both Saturday and Sunday during the Celtic Fair.

Brennan & Erin Brooker

Siblings Brennan Brooker (17, fiddle & bodhran) and Erin Brooker (15, harp), from Fairview Heights, IL, have been performing traditional Irish music together for the past 5 years. For the past 3 years they have represented the United States in solo and duet competitions at the International Music Fleadh held in Ireland. In 2004, they were part of the group of St. Louis Irish Arts students who brought home first place in the over-18 Groupai Cheoil competition. They have played at numerous events, including Vice Pesident Cheney's visit to Scott AFB in 2006. They will perform at Saturday's Celtic Fair at 12:30 on the Redhook tent stage.

Harpeggio
Local pianist, organist, and harpist Joyce Hesketh has been teaching classical and Celtic harp in her home the last few years, and this group is an assemblage of some of her students with an emphasis on their Irish repertoire. Joining her will be Krista Ashton and Joyce Ford. They will open the concert performances at the Celtic Fair on Saturday morning.

Fine and Bawdy Wenches

The Fine and Bawdy Wenches is a five-woman a capella singing group specializing in irish ballads, sea shanties, bawdy songs, and period pieces. Shows include music, humor, and audience participation and are appropriate for all ages. The Fine and Bawdy Wenches are one of the many groups associated with the Greylight Theatre Collective, a parent organization, and were created as part of the Southern Illinois Renaissance Faire.
 

Blackberry Blossoms

This southern Illinis quintet weaves a tapestry of sound with voice, mandolin, guitar, autoharp, pennywhistle, recorder, bass, and hammered- and banjo-dulcimer with a unique blend of traditional, old-timey and Celtic. 

   The group consists of Andrea Stader, performing on banjo-dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, guitar, pennywhistle and vocals; Gary Childers on mandolin, guitar, and vocals; Jo Dodd on autoharp and vocals; Kathy Hollister on pennywhistle and recorder; and Molly Beckley on bass and vocals. Gary Childers plays bluegrass and old-timey music, and is considered to be a southern Illinois legend. Andrea Stader is a  singer/ songwriter/multi- instrumentalist who has performed in many bands, as well as performing solo throughout the Midwest at folk festivals and coffeehouses. 

The Gordons

The Gordons, from Sparta, IL, have built a solid fan base in the Midwest since 1974, playing and singing  bluegrass and country music as well as gospel and their own songs. Gary Gordon plays guitar and dobro and Roberta Gordon plays autoharp.  They have toured Europe, including Ireland.  Joining them on Sunday afternoon for two sets will be Mark Stoffel, formerly of Shady Mix.

The Bankester Family

            Sweet, clear harmonies should be anticipated from local bluegrass performers, the Bankester Family, who will perform Irish tunes featuring twin fiddles in addition to their more traditional pieces. All four of the Bankester girls, ranging ages 12 to 19, began their musical training at the age of 3. Melissa, the oldest of the sisters, sings and plays the upright bass. Lindsey plays mandolin and adds some lower vocal harmonies. Emily charms audiences with her sweet lead voice and fiddle, while Alysha adds a constant sparkle with her fiddle, sweet voice and delightful smile. Dorene (Mom) and Phil (Dad) both play guitar and sing. The family’s tours have taken them from Illinois to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. They are regular performers at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri and share stages with many of bluegrass music’s top acts.

Sean Folsom

 Sean Folsom researches, collects, and performs on an incredible array of bagpipes, as well as other unusual instruments.  His collection stands at over 30 instruments.  His knowledge of the history and cultural importance of each instrument is displayed as he describes each instrument, on which he performs masterfully. He appears in costume and always draws a crowd of appreciative onlookers.

The Dorians
Carbondale's own Celtic band has been a regular part of the festival each year, both onstage and behind the scenes in hosting the visiting musicians. As part of the Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour program, they have taken the music to audiences all around the state, as well as Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Alaska. Members include Mickey Soltys on fiddle and guitar, Mike Shanahan on guitar and vocals, and Bryan Kelso Crow (host of Celtic Connections on WSIU radio) on flute, whistle, keyboard, and vocals. They will perform at Turley Park on Saturday.

Duddy Breeks:
This Scottish trio from St. Louis, whose name means "old wornout trousers," includes Ken MacSwan on vocals, guitar, octave mandolin, and bodhran; and George Kieffer on accordion, Scottish smallpipes, and flute. They have produced one CD and are in big demand for Scottish events around St. Louis. They feature traditional ballads as well as dance tunes and pipe marches. This will be their third appearance in Carbondale, and will be performing both Saturday and Sunday.

The Tomato Kings

The Tomato Kings are made up of former Shady Mix members Mark Stoffel (mandolinist and fiddler, also the current tomato king); Kelley Sims (guitar, not yet a tomato king); Mila Maring (vocals, accordion, perhaps a future tomato queen) and and unnamed bass player (quite possibly a former tomato king). The Quartet presents a contemporary mix of Old-time and Bluegrass Music, featuring Mila's hauntingly beautiful lead vocals and Mark's and Kelley's tasteful instrumental work. Don't miss "The Tomato Kings"!

Dan Cheatum
Dan Cheatum is a local singer specializing in songs of the Civil War period, including those associated with the Irish Brigade. He was part of the Civil War reenactors music group “The Rose of Elanoy,” and he has been involved in the reenactments in Makanda as well as in other battlefields. Dan will perform Sunday  at the Celtic Fair.