THE WILLIS CLAN

Brehm Preparatory School Gym,  1245 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale; tickets $20 at the door ($18 advance); $14 students; $4 children age 12 & under.  The Willis Clan, from the Nashville TN area, consists of Brenda and Toby Willis and their 10 children, all of whom are involved in Irish music and dance.  They were the surprise hit of last year’s Festival and are back by popular demand.  Check their website, www.thewillisclan.com, to learn more about Jessica, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Jeanette, Jackson, Jedidiah, Jasmine, Julie, Jamie, and Joy Anna.  And expect to be wowed by their stage show at Brehm School, combining beautifully lush instrumental arrangements with dazzling Irish dance.  You can also get a taste of their musical and dance talents during the Celtic Fair both Saturday and Sunday.

PATSY O’BRIEN

7:30 pm at Cousin Andy's Coffeehouse, 515 S. Orchard Drive, Carbondale

(basement of Church of the Good Shepherd; Orchard Drive is next to Subway on W. Main)

Tickets $10 at the door; $5 students

A Cork native, now based in Minnesota, Patsy O’Brien has toured nationally with Téada, Cathie Ryan and Paddy Keenan among others, and his award-winning songwriting skills have prompted one music critic to describe him as "Ireland's best kept secret".  As well as supplying the driving guitar rhythms on Irish/World Music diva Eileen Ivers' last European tour, and frequently treading the boards and collaborating with piping legend Paddy Keenan, who also sprinkles some of his own magic onto a few tracks on Patsy's last album, Patsy has been busy gathering material for a new album, which should see the light of day later this year, we hope.  Along with his connection to Irish music, Patsy's interest in contemporary songwriting as well as his jazz influences are also apparent on "WHAT YOU KNOW" his second solo CD, a 14 song testament to his abilities as songwriter, guitar player, singer and interpreter, the jazz influence being most evident in a blistering jazz/blues version of "Star of The County Down" with Paddy Keenan on low whistle, an arrangement of the old Irish ballad that has been featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered".  We welcome Patsy back to the Festival after his first appearance in 2008 when he accompanied Cathie Ryan.  His website is www.patsyobrienswebsite.com, where 30% of all music downloads goes to THE HAITI RELIEF FUND.

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. http://www.slia.org

Barry Cloyd

Barry Cloyd is a touring singer/songwriter/guitarist/educator from Illinois who has spent a lifetime creating a performance style that weaves the genres of Celtic, Blues, Folk and Roots music into a unique blend all his own. A strong vocalist and multi-instrumentalist as well as a storyteller, theatrical performer and historian, Barry delivers his music on a multitude of guitars (6 & 12 string, Dobro, high-strung, etc.) and other stringed instruments, such as 5-string banjo, mandolin and bouzouki. His stories of his travels, and the history of the songs that he sings, provide an added dimension to his performances. Barry is also the founder of the band Celtricity, a fusion group that weaves together the genres of Celtic, Blues, World and Original music. He has produced three solo CDs and three with Prairie Folklore Theatre based on Native American tales, riverboat ghost stories, and prairie Christmas stories. He has performed at wineries, festivals, and coffeehouses in southern Illinois. This will be his second appearance at the Festival. You can catch him at the Celtic Fair on Sunday.   www.barrycloyd.net

The Bankesters

The Bankester Family Band was actually discovered in the parking lot at a small bluegrass festival. They only knew two songs at the time, but it was enough to get them hired for their first gig.  Five years, hundreds of shows, thousands of miles, eleven states, two CDs, two vans and one son-in-law later, the family has matured into a fine-tuned band featuring exceptional vocals, with rock-solid instrumental backing. The band features Kyle Triplett, a gifted multi-instrumentalist who first met the family at Silver Dollar City in 2007. He later joined the band and family, marrying the oldest of the sisters, Melissa. She is the bass player, and does quite a bit of lead and harmony singing. Lindsey plays mandolin and brings a lower vocal range to the sisters’ blend. Emily and Alysha both sing and play fiddle, providing that great traditional twin fiddle sound. Dorene (Mom) plays guitar and sings, as does Phil (Dad).  Their first music video, featuring the Becky Buller song "Carolina Rain" and produced by Nashville's Genuine Human Productions, has generated considerable attention. Featuring a mix of gospel, contemporary and traditional material, the Carbondale-based band has a loyal following in the Midwest and is adding new fans everywhere they go.    www.bankesterfamily.com

BRENNAN AND ERIN BROOKER

Siblings Brennan and Erin Brooker, from Fairview Heights, IL,  play traditional Irish music on fiddle and harp.  They have represented the United States in Solo, Duet, and Group competition and have won medals at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland, the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in Saint Louis, and the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoil in New York among other competitions.  They have studied with many internationally renowned musicians including Martin Hayes, Grainne Hambly and Michael Rooney.  Brennan and Erin take great pride in keeping their Irish culture and tradition alive. Brennan also plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, Irish tin whistle and bodhrán.  Erin plays Classical harp as well as Traditional Irish and is a member of the Saint Louis Youth Orchestra.  They have been showcased at several Irish and Scottish Festivals, and can often be heard at the local Irish pubs in the greater Saint Louis and Metro East area. 

BUCKLEY & WALSH

Kevin Buckley and Ian Walsh comprise this duo of Irish music’s prized fiddle players and multi-instrumentalists.  Walsh grew up playing fiddle in St. Louis and his father’s home in Ireland, winning many Midwestern Fleadh competitions, mastering the mandolin and also expanding his interest in bluegrass and old-time music.  Buckley, another St. Louis native, had similar competitive success, including an all-Ireland Fleadh title and critical acclaim as a singer/songwriter in more recent years.  Utilizing fiddles, mandolins and guitars, both musicians play Irish music fluently in the traditional style while incorporating other elements of folk music into their performances to form a thrilling and unique take on age old traditions.  Their debut album, “Keeping It Reel,” will be released summer 2010.

BLACKBERRY BLOSSOMS

This southern Illinois quintet weaves a tapestry of sound with voice, mandolin, guitar, autoharp, pennywhistle, recorder, bass, and hammered- and banjo-dulcimer.  A unique blend of traditional, old-timey and Celtic is likely to please all ages from children to adult audiences.  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.  They have lots of fun while performing, and convey a genuine love of Celtic and old-timey music. Gary Childers, who plays bluegrass and old-timey music, is considered to be a southern Illinois legend.  He has mentored several area musicians.  Andrea Stader is a standout singer/songwriter/multi- instrumentalist who has performed in many local and regional bands, as well as performing solo throughout the Midwest at prestigious folk festivals and coffeehouses.  This group will have you tapping your toes as well as taking you down memory lane with Celtic and old-time tunes.

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 performing in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Alaska. Members include Mickey Soltys on fiddle and guitar, Mike Shanahan on guitar and vocals, and Bryan Kelso Crow on flute, whistle, keyboard, and vocals. They will perform at Turley Park on Saturday.

DENNIS STROUGHMATT

Dennis Stroughmatt, born and raised in southeastern Illinois, is an authority on French Creole music and the culture of "Upper Louisiana," a.k.a Illinois and Missouri. First introduced to local French history as a teenager in Indiana, Dennis later moved to southeast Missouri and spent over three years studying and learning to speak Illinois French Creole, to play the fiddle, and to sing many of the traditional songs that have permeated the region for over three hundred years. He would also go on to live, work, and play music in the "Cajun country" of Louisiana and study in Quebec, thus completing the circle of French culture in North America.  His band Creole Stomp is well known in our region as well as nationally.  Dennis will be performing at the Celtic Fair on Sunday.

www.creolefiddle.com

Etherton Switch

   Etherton Switch is the name of a railroad switching area south of Murphysboro. It is also the name of one of the region's finest bluegrass bands. The band is made up of former Shady Mix members Mark Stoffel (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Kelley Sims (guitar, vocals), and Mila Maring (vocals, accordion). They offer a beautiful mix of old-time and bluegrass songs and tunes, featuring Mila's crystal clear lead singing, and the instrumental artistry of Mark and Kelley.

THE WHISTLE PIGS

The Whistle Pigs were founded in early 2007 by singer/songwriter “Banjo Joe” McCamish (banjo/lead vocals) and Randy "Bulldog" Hill (bass fiddle/vocal harmonies). Alex Pape (accordion/guitar/vocals) of Bourbon Knights joined shortly after. Adam Hawk, a Memphis blacksmith and former Carbondale resident, plays washboard.  The band is named after a “hillbilly” term for woodchucks:  “whistle pigs.”  McCamish says “We sing the old-time songs, and we use the old-time instruments.”  They also play their own original music.  This will be their first year at the Irish Festival, but they are already well-established as a crowd-pleasing band at venues around Carbondale.  They will be appearing both Saturday and Sunday. 

ON THE GROUNDS PERFORMANCES & GAMES:

ANCIENT ATHLETICS HIGHLAND GAMES

Ancient Athletics is a unit of the St. Andrew Society of Central  Illinois.  Over the past decade, central Illinois has become nationally recognized for its Highland Games and is also home to several world class Highland games athletes.  Havana IL’s Chad Braden represents the region at the professional level, competing in games across the country.  Local amateur athletes include world record  holder Kevin Rogers, and Oregon State Masters Champion Merl Lawless, both of Springfield.  Both Merl and Chad will be returning to Carbondale this year along with several other athletes to compete in traditional and colorful Scottish and Irish kilts, adding to the spectacle of the event.   Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, athletes throw the 56 lb. heavy weight and the 28 lb. weight for distance.  The competition will consist of two equal groups.  Matched individuals will throw against each other and the winner of each event will earn a ribbon to be placed on their clan Flag.  At the end of the day, the clan with the most ribbons wins the overall.  There could be up to 36 individual battles on the field, with the rest of the athletes cheering for their own clansman to prevail.  After a warmup in the morning, the competition should take all day to complete, ending in the caber competition and an award ceremony.  The traditional Scottish Caber Turn involves athletes attempting to turn end over end a 17-24 foot tall pole which weighs between 80 and 150 pounds. 

LUKE CUNNINGHAM

Luke Cunningham is a professional Highland Bagpipe player.  He has played with multiple competition grade pipe bands throughout the midwest, especially in the Chicagoland area.  Luke began playing bagpipes at age 12 with Chicago Caledonian Pipes and Drums, and currently makes a living playing pipes full-time.  With a recent concentration on instruction, Luke now teaches individual students and bands including The Pipes and Drums of The Chicago Police Department, and The Chicago Fire Department Pipes and Drums.  He will open the Celtic Fair on Saturday morning at the pavilion, and will play on the grounds throughout the weekend. 

FINE AND BAWDY WENCHES

The Fine and Bawdy Wenches are 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. They will be performing on the grounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Sean Folsom 

Sean Folsom of Kinmundy, IL researches, collects, restores, and performs on an incredible array of bagpipes as well as other instruments. His knowledge of the history and cultural importance of each instrument is displayed as he describes and performs on each instrument. He is a perennial Festival favorite! Look for him in the tent with a big crowd standing around! Sean’s website is www.seanthepiper.com.

MAGIC STORYTELLER CHRIS McBRIEN

The Magic Storyteller will present The Fun Show at this year’s Celtic Fair.  “The Irish Tinkerer” will consist of stories, magic, and an old-time slideshow on the grounds.  Audience participation (children and adults) will be a key part of this show.  Chris McBrien is a mesmerizing and engaging entertainer as well as an educator.  He has studied early childhood education, studio art, theater, folklore and business.  He has worked theatrically in  London, teaching classes K-12 at the prestigious Bettendorf Center for the Cultural Arts (now The Family Museum); marketing the famous American Academy of Art in Chicago; and for Clearchannel Communications Worldwide.  He has been an entertainer since age nine.  Since then he has become an accomplished actor, magician, puppeteer, ventriloquist, singer and musician.  He and his wife Jill own and operate “The Magic Storyteller Entertainment Company.”  . www.magicstoryteller.biz

MEDIEVAL COMBAT SOCIETY

Medieval Combat Society is a Dagorhir Chapter based in Carbondale.  We participate in a safe yet fast-paced full-contact combat simulation/sport with elements of live action role-playing.  MCS combat consists of in-group mélées or combat between individuals, which are similar to the battle scenes in movies like Braveheart and Gladiator, with the biggest difference being that MCS “weapons” are well padded to prevent injuries.  MCS weapons are constructed to resemble Dark Age/medieval swords, shields, spears, etc. and generally consist of soft foam layers bonded to a rigid core.  The Personas of the Roleplayers range from Irish to Scottish, from Roman to Barbarian, from Native American to Japanese.  To find out more, contact Matthew Stearns at forgottenmatthew@hotmail.com.

WOMEN’S RUGBY DEMONSTRATION

The SIU Women’s Rugby Football Club will offer a demonstration game at the Celtic Fair on Saturday between 1:00 and 3:00.  The Club has been in existence for about 25 years. With 15 players on the field, we play a combination of soccer and football and your only protection is a mouth guard and no pads. The sport consist of tackling, kicking, rucking, mauling and scrumming. We travel all around Illinois playing other colleges and other women's teams. We also travel to Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. We play hard together and we are always there for each other, kind of like a second family.  Our slogan is "Trample the weak and step over the dead." Website: siuwomensrugby.com.