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Event
Island Celtic Celebration
Wear your green, don your kilt and join in the lively celebration when more than a dozen Vashon Island Celtic musicians, singers and dancers take the Blue Heron stage. Islander Dan Brown, who will head up the extravaganza, says this also marks the ten year anniversary of Island Celtic band, Geordieâs Byre.
And in fact, a lot of Island Celtic music was spawned about 10 years ago thanks to the popularity of River Dance and a Vashon Allied Arts fiddle workshop offered in conjunction with a Blue Heron concert. The concert featured guitarist William Coulter and fiddler Deby Grosjean. Who would guess that more than 30 fiddlers would turn out for the workshop! Vashon Celtic Players formed and Geordieâs Byre was born from this larger group. Vashon Celtic Players continues to play weekly and Geordieâs Byre remains one of the Islandâs busiest, most beloved Celtic groups.
The first half of the Island Celtic reunion variety show will feature Vashonâs own step dance group, a chapter of Scoil Rince Slieveloughane (SRS) which in Gaelic means the Hillside Irish Dancers. Parent coordinator Chris Jovanovich has successfully managed to corral 7 talented Island girls between the ages of 11 and 18 on a weekly basis for the past five years. This group also stemmed from a VAA Celtic performance five years ago that featured SRS dancers and resulted in a class first held in the Blue Heron Dance studio. Current teacher, Sara Fogard is a senior SRS dancer and frequently performs in Irish dance competitions. âThe girls are excited about the opportunity to perform at the Blue Heron,â said Jovanovich. Dancers will be accompanied by members of Geordieâs Byre. Jovanovich adds that both beginning and intermediate classes, for ages 6 to 18 are always open. Dancers are: Clara Summers, Helen Pendergast, Joanna Jovanovich, Kristen Woodley, Kara Woodley, Josie Veatch and Brynn Reardon Cronin. The group has performed at the Hardware Store Restaurant, St. John Vianney and Strawberry Festival.
Sword dancing, a grand tradition of the Scottish Highlands will be performed by Islander Evan Malczyk. He will be accompanied by John Dally on bagpipes.
Other guests will include well-known Island Scotsman/piper/storyteller Gordon Millar, an original Geordieâs Byre member, vocalist Julie Mainstone and surprise guests.
The second half of the evening will showcase the music of Geordieâs Byre in an entire set of jigs, reels and ballads. Current members are: Dan Brown, bass; Jean Richstad, fiddle and vocals; Jasper Forrester, vocals, Steve Amsden, guitar; Larry Lawson, flute; and cittern player and storyteller, Wally Bell. Donât miss this all-Island celebration, a fun event for the whole family.
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LocationBlue Heron Art Center
19704 Vashon Hwy SW
Vashon Island, WA 98070
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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