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Performers2020-02-14T19:48:26-07:00

Supporting Local Performers

Celtic Folk supports Celtic and East Coast folk music and traditions. We tap into primarily local talent. Local means you get to Calgary by your own means. So if the stars align, groups passing through might occasionally appear in our lineup. You might:

  • Be interested in attending a show and want more details,
  • Want to perform for us at a show, or
  • Want to find a performer for your event.

This page is intended to support all those objectives.

Call for Performers

If you are a local performer or group and think you might be a good match for one of our Club/Concert evenings, drop us a note at info@celticfolkcalgary.ca. If you are passing through the area during the fall to spring months – give us a shout – you never know what could be possible when the wind is right.

Performer Bios

The most recent performers will appear first. Click on the performer for additional information, including contact information if it is available.

See the events page for upcoming shows.

Kathy Pepers

Kathy Pepers playing a harpKathy Pepers started the piano at the age of 5 and found the Celtic harp only after flirting with a long line of other instruments. Raised with a rich appreciation for classical music, she discovered Celtic music along with the harp and is now smitten with a deep love for both.

She is grateful to be able to share both harp and music at church services, weddings, funerals and various special events and concerts in the Calgary community, and she is always especially glad to take part in events like Celtic Folk and the Water Valley Celtic Festival that shine a light on and share that beautiful Celtic music!

Get Reel

Hailing from the East Coast of De Winton and the North Shores of Calgary, our crew will explore a lively set of songs and tunes from the Maritimes, Folk and other Celtic traditions. Doug Wagner (vocals, bodhran, guitar and fiddle) and Greg Black (vocals, guitar, electric bass and octave mandolin).

When the fog is just right you can hear almost hear the waves, smell the ocean, and see the shipwrecks.

Current house band for Celtic Folk.

Sonas

Sonas, meaning happiness in the Irish language, is an exciting new Calgary based ensemble specializing in Irish traditional music. The band is comprised of Cowtowns pillars of Irish traditional music, Emilie Kirwan-Dynock, David Morrissey, Dan Mills and Graham Wells.

Driving jigs and reels, lilting, poignant and powerful vocals are all on the bill of fare with this foursome that hail from the islands of Ireland and Newfoundland. All four members have an impressive musical history and can be found keeping the tradition alive every Sunday at the traditional music session at the Oak Tree Tavern.

Caiseal

(noun, Irish Gaelic) Pronunciation: C0SH-ul

  1. Stone fort
  2. (chess) rook, castle
  3. Band name of a trio of musicians living and performing songs and tunes in Calgary, Alberta. All hail from different parts of Ireland: Simon Colgan (guitar, whistle) is from County Down, Anne Cowman (accordion) is from Meath, and Greg ONeill (bouzouki, banjo) is from Waterford.

Bow Folk

Bow Folk - Picture of band.

Jarred Albright (Calgary), Rhonda Shippy (Canmore) & Chelsea Sleep (Canmore) united in the Bow Valley through their love of instrumental folk music from around the world. Their singular focus of playing tunes that bring them joy ignores musical borders and is unrestricted by the limitations of different folk styles. Like true Canadians, Bow Folk is a melting pot of fiddling traditions from around the globe.

Plaidie

Plaidie Band Photo

Plaidie was original formed 25 plus years ago to perform at Spruce Meadows Festival of Nations and over time matured from three individuals who sang together to become a tight trio which learned to arrange both traditional and contemporary Irish and Scottish songs to make them their own. The fact that Maureen hails from Newcastle, County Down in Northern Ireland and Jim and Maurice are from Glasgow in Scotland, this gives Plaidie an authenticity in presentation.

With Maurice on guitar and bodrahn, Jim on bodrhan and mandolin and Maureen on guitar, all three members are equally capable of singing lead vocal or harmony allowing them to explore a variety of songs and styles. Their singing comes from the heart and their natural blend of voices and harmonies evokes warmth and honesty. As Maureen says “Our voices are our instruments”.

Horizon Ridge

Horizon Ridge Band

Horizon Ridge is a group of fine multi-instrumentalists and seasoned vocalists known for their intuitive, tight harmonies and polished a cappella singing. Helen and Steve Goodchild, Peter May and Dianne Quinton take musical inspiration from their roots and subsequent journeys near and far.

Horizon Ridge brings an engaging stage presence to performances. With influences spanning traditional and contemporary folk, country, blues, rock and gospel, the band is versatile and adventurous.

Their first CD, Enough is all you need, was released in July 2016. A mix of original and cover songs, it showcases the band’s ability to move effortlessly between different musical styles and genres.

The band members, who are based in Calgary, Alberta, have played festivals, music clubs and concerts in Canada, the US and UK. They have also taught a range of musical workshops in individual and group settings.

On Irish Street

On Irish Street at ICS Hickey's Place

This group of talented musicians returns to Celtic Folk for another set of lively songs and tunes. They have also played together at the Water Valley Celtic Festival, the Rocky Mountain Folk Club, formal functions at the Irish Centre, and in a weekly session at the Oaktree Tavern in Calgary.

Emilie Kirwan (fiddle) is from Ballynacally, a village outside Ennis in Co. Clare. She attended the University of Limerick and has a Master’s degree in Traditional Irish music performance. Martin Hayes and Gerry O’Connor were just two of her instructors.

Dan Mills (vocals, flute, whistles, guitar, and bouzouki) is an accomplished musician from Newfoundland. Danny was a mainstay in the popular band “The Freels with Fergus O’Byrne and Maria Peddle.

Derick Perry (singer/guitarist) is from Belfast Co. Antrim. He has performed solo and played with various bands at Celtic Folk, Rocky Mountain Folk Club, and Water Valley.

Eileen Perry-Milligan (bodhran/vocals) is also from Belfast. Co. Antrim and has played with groups at Celtic Folk and Water Valley and the Rocky Mountain Folk club as a duo with Derick. Her bodhran was built by Dave Settles.

Hazel Grey and the Hubcaps

Hazel Grey and the Hubcaps

Hazel Grey and The Hubcaps are two versatile and dynamic groups of musicians who will be joining forces to perform a set of Celtic music for the evening’s show.

The Hubcaps are Brock Smith and Murray Cameron, friends since school days, who have performed and toured the world together as part of the “Stratus Singers” and the showband “Stratusfaction” as well as “The Hubcaps.” Their humour and extensive repertoire bring toe-tapping smiles to every show. Sometimes, they join with Brock’s daughter and son-in-law, who together form their own band.

Hazel Grey consists of Peter and Josanna Justine, who moved to the USA in 1998 and began writing, performing and recording together, touring much of the US; and eventually relocated back to Calgary in 2005. Their blended vocals, plus Pete’s guitar style and Josanna’s varied instrumentation, give Hazel Grey a strong palette with which to share their love of music and stories of life.

The combined band gets together from time to time to present their eclectic mix of Celtic music at places such as the Water Valley Celtic Festival, Canmore Highland Games, and Fionn MacCool’s pub in Calgary.

The Oak Trio

Dan, David and Emilie on stage at the Irish Cultural Society.

David Morrissey, Emilie Kirwan, and Dan Mills are three talented musicians who frequent the lively Oak Tree Tavern session on late Sunday afternoons.

David (vocals, guitar, and banjo) is from County Kildare, Ireland. Dave has developed a percussive and complimentary style of playing which has been described as the “engine” of sessions. Dave has played with some of the top names in Irish music such as Frankie Gavin and Maurice Lennon.

Emilie Kirwan (fiddle) is from Ballynacally, a village outside Ennis in Co. Clare. She attended the University of Limerick and has a Master’s degree in Traditional Irish music performance. Martin Hayes and Gerry O’Connor were just two of her instructors.

Dan Mills (vocals, flute, whistles, guitar, and bouzouki) is an accomplished musician from Newfoundland. Danny was a mainstay in the popular band “The Freels with Fergus O’Byrne and Maria Peddle.

All images copyright Celtic Folk Calgary.

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