Ask just about anyone whoever experienced the Gaelic Roots festival at Boston College - "experienced" is really the most appropriate verb - and chances are you'll get an earful of fond memories and anecdotes, along with a sigh of regret that it didn't last longer. Read more
Frankie Gavin, one of the most iconic fiddlers in the modern Irish music revival, will lead a new, dynamic version of his band De Dannan when he joins Celtic guitar virtuoso Tony McManus and innovative harpist-vocalist (and Boston area resident) Maeve Gilchrest for the fifth annual "A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn" concert on March 20 at 8 p.m. in Harvard University's Sanders Theater. Read more
The Seaport Boston Hotel has booked legendary Irish fiddle player Seamus Connolly to perform on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, as Boston celebrates its title as America's most Irish city.
Considered one of the world's finest exponents of traditional Irish music, Connolly won Ireland's national fiddle contest a record ten times and is artist-in-residence at Boston College. He is being joined by Laurel Martin on fiddle and Kevin McElroy, a multi-
Regaled as the grand "ambassadors" of traditional Irish music, The Chieftains will get St. Patrick's Day festivities started early in Massachusetts with performances at Worcester's Hanover Theater (March 9), the Amherst Fine Arts Center (March 10), and the Lowell Auditorium (March 11). The band also has collaborated with Ry Cooder to produce a new album, "San Patricio," inspired by the story of the San Patricio Battalion of Irish-Americans who deserted the United States Army to join the Mexican side in the Mexican-American War of 1847. Read more
March 1, 2010 by R. J. Donovan, special to the BIR
One of the liveliest places in town this month will be Robinson Theatre in Waltham as The Reagle Players present "A Little Bit Of Ireland." Conceived and directed by Reagle Executive Producer Robert J. Eagle, the impressive revue of uniquely Irish entertainment offers something for everyone, from classic step dancing to pub music, lullabies, standards, reels, jigs, comedy and a magnificent troupe of harpists. Performances run March 12 - 14.
Performers set to appear in this year's show, the revue's 12th annual edition, include: Read more
February 10, 2010 by by R.J.Donovan, special to the BIR
The confetti has just settled at The Charles Playhouse following the 30th-anniversary celebration for "Shear Madness." Set in present-day Boston, "Shear Madness" is all about the scissor-stabbing murder of a famous concert pianist who lives above a unisex hair salon on Newbury Street. Read more
February 6, 2010 by Sean Smith, special to the BIR
It seems hard to imagine, somehow, but more than a decade has passed (almost 14 years to be exact) since the debut album of Solas, whose members at the time included guitarist John Doyle and lead singer Karan Casey. To many ears, Solas was a revelation, creating an Irish-American sound built on tradition but clearly pointed toward contemporary styles and influences. Doyle's accompaniment - sometimes relentless, other times lyrical - provided inspiration for more than a few guitar players, while Casey attracted attention in her own right, her vocals high and clear, but demonstrating an unmistakable strength and resolve. The fact that as a college student she had been a jazz singer (and did a mean impersonation of Ella Fitzgerald) and studied classical music made her all the more intriguing. Read more
IT'S TIME -- The 7th annual BCMFest is all set to go, with a weekend full of music and dance showcasing some of Boston's best performers in the Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic-related traditions. The festival, which runs January 8 and 9, will take place in Harvard Square with events at Club Passim and nearby First Church, and at Springstep in Medford. Read more
January 7, 2010 by R. J. Donovan, special to the BIR
Seaghan McKay is a man of many talents. Born and raised on the Cape, he attended both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Boston College. For the past decade he has been on staff at Brandeis University, where he designs multimedia content for the performing arts, teaches computer drafting to graduate design students, and serves as Lighting Supervisor in the university's acclaimed theater department. He owns his own company, Seaghan McKay Design, and has lent his talents to the New England Spring Flower Show, the American Repertory Theatre, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, among others. In addition to being an accomplished photographer, he's a competitive runner, a longtime member of the Somerville Road Runners, and has competed twice in the Boston Marathon. Read more
It seems so natural, such an everyday event, says Lindsay O'Donovan, for an adult to share music with a child, to sing and dance together – as O'Donovan has, whether with her own four children or the kids of relatives and friends. Read more
