Karan Casey Joins the festival this year with her trio including Niamh Dunne and Seán Óg Graham. She has long been recognized as one of the most innovative, provocative, and imitated voices in Irish traditional and folk music. Singing songs charged with a sense of social responsibility in a career spanning over 25 years, Karan has […]
Cillian Vallely Trio – 2023
Cillian Vallely is the uilleann pipes and low whistle player with the renowned Irish band Lunasa, described as “The hottest Celtic band on the planet” (Irish Voice). Cillian learned music the old-fashioned way – from his parents Brian and Eithne, who founded the Armagh Pipers’ Club, a group that for over three decades has fostered […]
Biddy on the Bench – 2023
Biddy played in Yachats many years ago. Since that time, and with a few new members, they have become a popular and well-respected addition to many Celtic festivals and events in the Northwest. We are very pleased to have them joining us this year. In addition to their appearances on the Commons concert stage, they will […]
On the Lash – 2023
Back in 2018, we hosted a fine young band of 7 musicians, going by the name of ‘The Founding’. Since then, The Founding has distilled its vibrant spirit and musical talent into this powerful quartet. In honor of Irish traditional music, On The Lash creates timeless sounds through original voices. With new takes on classic […]
Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest – 2023
We are very happy to host this wonderful duo, a fine addition to Northwest Celtic music culture. Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest met at the Bellingham Farmers Market in 2009. Desperately jealous of each other’s busking success, they neutralized the competition and started a band together. This was the beginning of a decade-long musical partnership that descended into marriage. […]
Kevin Carr – 2023
“For over thirty years dynamic fiddler-piper-storyteller Kevin Carr has honed his craft in smoky Irish pubs, remote cabins in Quebec, and in dance halls across America. He’s played banjo in Latvia, learned to play the bagpipes of a dozen countries, and dug deep to find just the right stories to share. His one-man musical theater […]
