Irish Concerts In Washington DC This Month

[DeaconMac]

Here are some Celtic concerts happening near Washington DC over the next couple of weeks:

On Friday, 1/25, IONA will perform a Burns' Nicht at the Old Town Hall in the City of Fairfax, 3999 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030 at 8pm. Come early as reservations are not available: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Home/Components/C.../Event/11960/20
Marsha Searle will be dancing (the sword dance among other Highland steps!) and Bernard Argent will present The Address to a Haggis.

On Sunday, 2/3, Charlie Zahm offers a musical tribute to the Scots' Jacobite Rebellion (reference - the Outlander series) and Robert Burns' birthday at the Trad Concerts of Celtic Music at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760-C Walker Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066. There are 2 sittings, 4 and 6 pm. Reservations and tickets available at oldbrogue.com. Doors open 10 minutes before the show. Full dinner menu and bar available during the concerts.

On an unrelated note, Barbara Tresidder Ryan will be singing on Saturday, 2/2 from 3:30 - 4 pm at the 2019 FSGW Mini Fest in Room 108 (Traditional Song), Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park MD, 20912. For full schedule and ticketing info: https://www.fsgw.org/mini-fest Songs include mouth music, sing alongs and ballads from Scotland, Brittany, Wales, Quebec, and more. She REALLY hopes you'll join her!

[DeaconMac]

And another one in the DC area:

Ayreheart will be gracing the Old Brogue Irish Pub on Sunday, 2/10 with 2 sittings at 4 and 6 pm at 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. Tickets must be purchased in advance at oldbrogue.com: $18 general admission/$12 children. For more information: oldbrogue.com or call the Old Brogue at 703-759-3309

For centuries, the lute was considered the “prince of instruments,” and lute players were celebrities in royal courts across Europe. Ayreheart, a progressive folk trio founded by lutenist Ronn McFarlane, seeks to restore the instrument to its former glory – but in a modern context. During the Renaissance and Baroque eras, lute players were songwriters and pop stars who weren’t afraid to improvise. The three members of Ayreheart – McFarlane on lute, Will Morris on fretless bass, violin and colascione, and Mattias Rucht on percussion – all have backgrounds in rock and jazz, which comes through in their energetic performances. www.ayreheart.com

[DeaconMac]

Battlefield Band alum Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante return to the Old Brogue Irish Pub on Sunday, 2/17 with 2 sittings at 4 and 6 pm at 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. Tickets must be purchased in advance at oldbrogue.com: $18 general admission/$12 children. For more information: oldbrogue.com or call the Old Brogue at 703-759-3309.

Alan Reid was a vital member of Scotland's legendary Battlefield Band for 40 years, recording almost 30 albums, winning awards and touring all over the world. In addition to his signature keyboard work he has forged a reputation for composing songs with beguiling melodies and strong historical content. Alan has continued developing his song writing in his partnership with Dutch born Rob van Sante who adds subtle guitar accompaniments and fine harmony singing. Rob and Alan connected while the former was Battlefield Band’s sound engineer. The duo has released five critically acclaimed albums and has toured worldwide since Reid’s retirement from the Band. reidvansante.co.uk/index.html

[DeaconMac]

IONA and Riverdance/Lord of the Dance veteran Joe Duffey return to the Old Brogue Irish Pub on Sunday, 2/24 at 4 pm (6pm is sold out, but a 3rd sitting will be added if both earlier sittings sell out) at 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. Tickets must be purchased in advance at oldbrogue.com: $18 general admission/$12 children. For more information: oldbrogue.com or call the Old Brogue at 703-759-3309.

Since 1986, the East Coast’s premier pan Celtic group IONA has transported audiences to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Mann, Brittany, Asturies and Galicia, and explores the Celtic cultures of the New World. Lead singer, bouzouki and bodhrán player and pieds exponent, Barbara Tresidder Ryan, and Bernard Argent on wooden flute, whistles, vocals and percussion, are joined by Chuck Lawhorn on bass guitar, whistles and vocals, Jim Queen, fiddle, banjo and vocals, and dancer Joe Duffey, founder of the District Irish Dance Academy. The award winning band is endorsed by the VA Commission for the Arts and MD State Arts Council Touring Programs. In 1990 Ryan and Argent also established the Concerts of Trad Celtic Music at the Old Brogue Series. Ionamusic.com joeduffeydance.com