JIM and SUSIE MALCOLM
Tue, Feb 18th 2025, 7:30PM
House concert, Soquel
(Address supplied after ticket purchase)
JIM and SUSIE MALCOLM photo
Video videocam Website link
Suggested Donation $25

Jim has been gracing us with his presence for several years now and his unique talents always make for a great, entertaining concert. Jim is again joined by his wife Susie, an award-winning Scottish traditional singer, who has been performing with Jim Malcolm throughout Scotland for over 20 years. She sings complex harmonies in a traditional style, and is known as a tradition bearer for the ancient ballads of Scotland, with particular expertise in the bothy ballad tradition from North East Scotland. Performing together, Jim and Susie Malcolm offer our audience a unique cultural experience. Jim Malcolm is the ultimate Scots troubadour. Traveling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, engaging wit (and recently his trumpet!), he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic. He is highly regarded as a brilliant interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been described as one of the finest singers in Scotland in any style. As a solo performer with over ten CDs to his credit, As well as a renowned singer, he is in the top handful of simultaneous guitar and harmonica players in the world. He plays mostly in the folk guitar tuning dadgad in both fingerpicking and plectrum styles. His concerts are always highly entertaining, peppered with funny stories and observations, in the great tradition of Scottish artists through the ages.
 
Tommy and Saundra O'Sullivan
Afternoon in Dingle with Tommy and Saundra O'Sullivan
A Production Of St Mary's Celtic Music Series
Sun, Feb 23rd 2025, 3:00PM
St Mary's By The Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove place
Tommy and Saundra O'Sullivan photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance tickets are available unitl 12:01AM on 02/23/2025
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $12 Child Door $15
Member discount $3

If you have ever wandered into the most lively musical pub in Dingle, Ireland, you probably already know Tommy and Saundra, the hospitable proprietors of O'Sullivan's Courthouse Pub. Not only do they have the gift of making everyone feel welcome, they are also marvelous musicians who sing and play traditional songs, both old and new. But how did this Irish lad and Texas lassie make this charming connection? For the whole story, read on...Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan’s paths crossed when she attended an annual traditional Irish music retreat in Midlothian, Texas, where Tommy was an Irish guest instructor on guitar and vocals. As they explored singing together, they discovered her alto harmonies to be a perfect match to his tenor vocals. The two married in Houston, Texas, in March 2010 and now live in Dingle, Ireland. In 2011, they opened O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub in Dingle which has gained a reputation for world class traditional Irish music. In 2015, National Geographic cited O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub as the go-to pub for traditional Irish music on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Prior to opening O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub, Tommy was a full-time touring musician. As a member of Sliabh Notes he recorded 3 albums. He also toured for years with Irish piper Paddy Keenan with whom he recorded a duet album, The Long Grazing Acre. He has also recorded two solo albums, Song Ablaze and Legacy. In contrast, Saundra followed a career in the medical profession. As a flight nurse, she flew with Aer Evac and worked as an ER nurse at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. She brings to the table a strong background in choir and folk singing. These skills are heard to great effect on their first duet album, Safe Home, which they released in early 2018 with album launches on both sides of the Atlantic. In late 2019 Tommy & Saundra enjoyed a visit to Dingle from Casey Driessen & family. They recorded a session with Casey as part of Casey’s “Global Music Exploration Project.” A track from this session, along with many other collaborations from six countries is now available on the album Otherlands: One. Their version of Janis Ian’s song, Better Times Will Come, along with many others.  Recording can be found on Janis’ especially created site: bettertimeswillcome.com. This was a special recording session during the pandemic, aptly called the “Shelter in Place Sessions.”
Recently Tommy & Saundra were involved in two Traditional Irish Festivals in Ireland as well as playing and presenting music five nights a week at O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub. The O’Sullivan’s are gearing up to get back on their American tour trail, and St. Mary's is eager to host this delightful duo again.

St Mary's would like to thank Cultur Eireann for providing a grant to allow these talented musicians to travel here to promote Irish culture.

Teada
Celebrating 24 years of the Best Irish Trad from Sligo
A Production Of St Mary's Celtic Music Series
Sun, Mar 2nd 2025, 3:00PM
St Mary's By The Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove place
Teada photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance tickets are available unitl 12:01AM on 03/02/2025
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $12 Child Door $15
Member discount $3

 A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo. In 2014, the band performed to 40,000 people during an extensive 7-week tour of Japan / Taiwan, and continues to have a strong touring presence in the United States, where Téada has toured actively since 2001. May 2022 brought the release of the band’s new album on the Gael Linn label, featuring an exciting vocal collaboration with Hollywood actor & singer John C. Reilly in addition to the band’s customary reenergising of rare tunes from the tradition. Legendary Kerry singer and accordionist - Séamus Begley - Téada’s vocalist since 2012, sadly passed away in January 2023, a great loss to Téada and the entire musical community. Notable festival appearances in 2023 included Savannah Music Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany) and Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland), with the band set to return to Dublin Irish Festival, Ohio in Summer 2024. 
Teada
Tue, Mar 4th 2025, 7:30PM
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz place
Teada photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance tickets are available unitl 5:00PM on 03/04/2025
Advance $25 Door $30
Child Advance $15 Child Door $15
Student Advance $15 Student Door $15
Member discount $3

Teada returns to Santa Cruz, celebrating 24 years as one of Ireland's leading traditional bands. The five members of the band are fiddle player Oisín Mac Diarmada, button accordion player Paul Finn, Damien Stenson performs on flute, Samantha Harvey, piano/dance,  Seán Mc Elwain who switches between the bouzouki and guitar and bodhrán player Tristan Rosenstock. You will undoubtedly recognize fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, if you have attended an Irish Christmas In America concert. A leading exponent of Irish traditional music, Teada is driven by a fascination for the timeless, expressive force of music inherited from previous generations of musicians. An Irish band with a truly worldwide reach, Teada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, Israel and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and the Milwaukee Irish Festival. The group also received an invitation from the Irish Embassy in Rome during 2008 to perform at a commemorative event marking the 400th anniversary of the landmark event in Irish history known as The Flight of the Earls.. With engaging textural arrangements, Teada, which means "strings", will have you dancing in your seat.
The Party for Paddy with The Weeds
Sunday Matinee Party to Celebrate the Season of Green!
A Production Of St Mary's Celtic Music Series
Sun, Mar 16th 2025, 3:00PM
St Mary's By The Sea Episcopal Church, Pacific Grove place
The Party for Paddy with The Weeds photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance tickets are available unitl 12:01AM on 03/16/2025
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $12 Child Door $15
Member discount $3

No doubt you already know and love this family as much as all of us at St. Mary's!!  We are so fortunate to have these phenom local talents right here in our backyard.  John's young'uns are tearing it up, and  in no time at all, we will be saying "I remember them when..." In fact, we are saying that already! Led by  super-talented and loveable fiddler, John Weed, this show will be fantastic, and the best way we can think of to celebrate the season of green.  Bistro will be in full swing with Guinness, other seasonal libations and snacks, and our world famous "Tatties with Toppings." So, please join The Weeds in celebrating St. Patrick’s month with Party For Paddy.

Here's More Info: This West Coast ensemble is prepared to take you on a musical journey which begins and ends in ancient Ireland. While rooted in the Irish tradition, our trip will ‘cross the pond’ into the United States where these three accomplished instrumentalists will explore folk seasonings from Appalachian mountain hollers to occasional hints of modern jazz. The performance will also weave in cutting edge modern Celtic compositions from the trio. Hailing from Carmel, California, the Weeds consist of fiddler John Weed (Molly’s Revenge/New String Project) and sons, Tyler Weed (Mandolin, Irish tenor banjo, guitar) and Evan Weed (Celtic harp, piano, melodica). Watch the folk process unfold as John enjoys a musical conversation with two of the next generation’s rising stars. Hearing sophisticated arrangements of driving Irish jigs, reels, and slower heartfelt selections, you’ll leave uplifted, knowing the future is in good hands as Weeds Trio raises your spirits, honoring this tradition with a vital, new voice. 
 
John Weed, fiddler for Molly’s Revenge and New World String Project, has spent the last 30 years immersed in various fiddle styles. With an affinity for folk traditions, John’s exploration has emphasized Irish, Scottish, Swedish, and Old-Time fiddle. While he holds a bachelor’s degree of music from CSU Chico, the musical education that charted his path began through a long series of Irish sessions. There, he learned the nuance of aural passing of melodies and the tradition of conversing in a deeply musical manner. John’s passion for the vital expressiveness of the session lead to performing across the United States and internationally. In addition to being a full time performer and instructor, John is currently on faculty at Palenke Arts, a multicultural arts organization in Seaside, California. 
 
Tyler Weed was raised in a musical family. His journey began on guitar which quickly led to earning money backing his father on fiddle. He then discovered flat-picking melodies while also developing a passion for jazz. This allowed him to be equally comfortable playing in the old-world fiddle styles as well as using swing-accompaniment on Irish melodies.  World Strides Heritage Festival presented Tyler with first-place Maestro Solo Guitar award in Anaheim, Ca. 2022. Heavily influenced by Bay Area mandolin great Marla Fibish, Tyler developed nuanced traditional Irish tunes on mandolin — picking patterns for the different dance tunes, tone projection, and styling, which continues in his playing today. Tyler represented the next generation of mandolin players at his performance at 2023 San Francisco Instrumental Festival of Mandolins. He has since journeyed into the world of tenor banjo. His banjo style can be characterized by ornate, percussive triplet stylings with a driving, yet hypnotic groove.
 
Evan Weed is the youngest in the Weeds musical clan. Like Tyler, Evan grew up on the road, accompanying his father’s touring bands to festivals, performing arts centers, house concerts, and many fiddle camps. During the pandemic, Evan completely immersed himself in a world of practice on piano, Celtic harp, jazz drumming, and Latin percussion. In addition to playing harp and melodica in John Weed’s Celtic Teen Band “The McMonarchs”, Evan worked tirelessly on piano. Evan won a position in the nationally ranked SFJazz High School All Star Big Band, becoming only the third eighth grader in four decades to be selected. Evan was later presented SFJazz Education Award spring 2024, voted on by his peers and directors for superior dedication, attitude, and musicianship. Evan’s original composition, “Ask The Professor”, was recently featured in the SFJazz winter concert after Evan arranged and orchestrated for the 19 piece big-band. Evan recently became a 2025 National Young Arts Winner in the categories of composition and jazz piano. 
 
 
Lunasa
Sun, Mar 30th 2025, 7:30PM
Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz place
Lunasa photo
Video videocam Website link
Tickets
Advance tickets are available unitl 5:00PM on 03/30/2025
Advance $30 Door $35
Child Advance $15 Child Door $15
Student Advance $15 Student Door $15
Member discount $3

Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lunasa is indeed a gathering of some of the top musical talents in Ireland. Its members have helped form the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade. Bassist Trevor Hutchinson was a key member of The Waterboys, and later he, with guitarist Donogh Hennessy, would form the dynamic rhythm section of The Sharon Shannon Band. Ed Boyd (Flook, Michael McGoldrick Band) has recently replaced Hennessy. Fiddler Sean Smyth is an All-Ireland champion who has played with Donal Lunny's Coolfin. Kevin Crawford, considered to be among the finest flutists in Ireland played with the acclaimed traditional group Moving Cloud. Piper Cillian Vallely, of the famous Vallely artistic clan, has performed with Riverdance and recently recorded with Bruce Springsteen. Folk Roots magazine has rightly named them an Irish music dream team.  Having sold over a quarter of a million records and performed over 2,500 shows across 36 countries, Lunasa has won multiple awards and become one of the most influential bands in the history of traditional music.  Come celebrate the great tradition of Irish Music, with one of the greatest bands performing today,
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Help us to continue bringing world class Celtic musicians to the area by becoming a member. Individual and family memberships are available, starting at $25 per year. . 

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Community Events

These events are not sponsored by the Celtic Society. If you have any questions, please direct them to the contact information in the event listing. Check out the Americeltic and Irish Culture Bay Area events calendars for more local events.

You can now list online shows!

O'Flaherty's Irish Pub in downtown San Jose welcomes live Irish music Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 10:30 pm. Hosted by Julie Horner and David Chadwick and featuring players from the South Bay's trad scene and around the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Suitable for the experienced Irish style musician. 
O'Flaherty's Traditional Irish Seisiún is the longest running gathering of its kind in the South Bay, coming up on nearly two decades!


Follow us on Meetup: www.meetup.com/santa-cruz-south-bay_irish-music-meetup

Note: During hockey season, check for Sharks home games. No session on home game nights and select holidays.

You are invited to O'Flaherty's Traditional Irish Session every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 10:00 pm or so at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub in downtown San Jose! Experienced Celtic musicians 21 and well behaved dogs. We play in the open doorway looking out onto the parklet on San Pedro Street. Celebrating 18 years of playing Irish music together on Tuesday nights at O'Flaherty's, where you are a stranger but once!

#livemusic #irishmusic #celticmusic #irishsession #irishjam #sanjose #sharks #oflats

Join us at Steel Bonnet for a lively traditional Robert Burns Supper celebration on Saturday, January 25th w/ tasty Scottish fare provided by the Celtic Tea Shoppe and Celtic music from Scotland's Peter Daldry!!

Taps open at 12pm, food available from 4pm til sell-out, and music runs from 5:30-7pm! Slainté

Santa Cruz House Concerts hosts Marla Fibish & Rebecca Richman with the launch of their new album Playdate.

This project celebrates the friendship and musical connection between these two that has blossomed over the past few years. Mixing original and traditional tunes, they mark some recent losses that offset the many joys. What comes through is the playfulness between them and the joy in making music together.
https://www.marla-becca-music.com/

Saturday, January 25  Doors 7:00, Concert 7:30
This concert will feature Lewis Santer on guitar and bouzouki.
Suggested donation $25/person, sliding scale.
To reserve your spot, please email Concerts@InstantHarmony.com
Be sure to include the total number in your party.

O'Flaherty's Irish Pub in downtown San Jose welcomes live Irish music Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 10:30 pm. Hosted by Julie Horner and David Chadwick and featuring players from the South Bay's trad scene and around the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Suitable for the experienced Irish style musician. 
O'Flaherty's Traditional Irish Seisiún is the longest running gathering of its kind in the South Bay, coming up on nearly two decades!


Follow us on Meetup: www.meetup.com/santa-cruz-south-bay_irish-music-meetup

Note: During hockey season, check for Sharks home games. No session on home game nights and select holidays.

Weeds’ Winter Jam Camp is a fiddle camp for intermediate and advanced players with a focus on the world of jamming and ensemble playing. This four day/three night camp is taught by John Weed (fiddle), Ryan McKasson (fiddle), Bill Coulter (guitar and flute), and Tyler Weed (guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin) in the beautiful Carmel Valley. The music is a combination of Celtic, Old-Time/Appalachian, Canadian, and Nordic. The cost is $450, and includes lodging, food, and all programming.

While the teachings will focus on fiddle, guitar, tenor banjo, and mandolin, people who play other instruments (woodwinds, flute, harp, bodhran, bouzouki) compatible with these styles are welcome.

To register for the camp, click here

A community gathering of the finest kind. Join the Santa Cruz Irish music scene as we play rollicking tunes every third Thursday in downtown Santa Cruz. Join us at Rosie McCann's Irish Pub on Pacific Avenue from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. All ages. 

The California Genealogical Society is pleased to host the first stop of the Ulster Historical Foundation 2025 U.S. Tour
Returning to Oakland for the first time in 10 years, the UHF is a premier research organization specializing in the breadth of Ireland's genealogy resources with special collections for the northern counties.
Friday, February 28, 2025
Sign up for one or more 30-minute consultations with genealogy experts, Fintan Mullen or Gillian Hunt, at the CGS Library, 2201 Broadway, Oakland
Saturday, March 1, 2025
A full day of in-person lectures covering a range of all-Ireland records and sources from the 1600s through the 20th century.
Optional lunch and secured parking, at Preservation Park, Oakland
Questions? Please email events@californiaancestors.org

The luck of the Irish to ye! St. Paddy's Season kicks off with legendary Celtic rock band Tempest performing an exclusive Santa Cruz area show at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm! 

Don't miss this amazing show of Celtic rock and danceable tribal mayhem! 


Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally renowned hybrid of high energy Folk Rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 30-plus years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area based act release eighteen critically acclaimed CDs and play more than 2,500 gigs. Tempest's powerful new release "Going Home" is the band's first studio album of fresh material in four years, and one of their best to date! Don't miss this very special show. Make plans to join us for a night of fist-pumping folk music like no other.

#livemusic #woodhouse #paddysday #stpatrick #paddynotpatty #tempest #celticrock #celticmusic #irishmusic #scottishmusic #mountainmusicproductions #craftbeer #santacruz

Celtic Music On The Radio

Get your Celtic music fix and support our local radio stations by listening to the following programs.

89.3 FM

The Mountain Road

Julie Horner

Monday 8 PM - 10 PM

91.5 FM

New Wood

Peter Schwarz

Thursday 7 AM - 10 AM

Friday Folk-Off

Greg Winslow

Friday 3 PM - 6 PM

The Rising of the Moon

Captain Nashville

4th & 5th Mondays, 6 AM - 9 AM

90.7 FM

Celtic Cauldron

Bill Van Bloom, Jeff Grubb, Neal Hellman

Friday 11 AM - 12 PM

88.1

Bushwackers Breakfast Club

Dangerous Dan

Friday 6AM - 9AM

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