Entertainment
Kansas City Irish Fest features more than 30 of the world’s top Irish performers from 5 different countries. You’re going to be busy. Here is an introduction to your 2012 Kansas City Irish Fest entertainment so you can start planning your weekend. View Schedule
The Elders
Call it home field advantage. These hometown boys generate enough energy on Irish Fest’s stages to lower our light bill. Know for their “‘Arse Kickin’ music from the heartland,” the Elders have established themselves throughout the U.S. and Ireland for their electrifying live performance and their crowd participation. Their music is great Celtic rock ‘n’ roll with touches of bluegrass and country. The lyrics tell us stories of Irish history, tales of exile of oppression and lessons in friendship.
http://www.myspace.com/theelders
Gaelic Storm
After a few year hiatus from KCIF, Gaelic Storm is back in full-force with their newest album, ‘Cabbage.’ The record held the #1 position on the Billboard World Music Album Chart for 3 consecutive weeks in 2010. As many hundreds of thousands of record buyers and live music lovers know, Gaelic Storm is “a whirlwind ruckus” (Village Voice) that tours over two hundred days per year and play high-energy, foot-stomping, feel-good music. ‘Cabbage’ is further testament to the bands contagious energy, combining influences from rock, bluegrass, Jamaican, African and Middle Eastern music that may surprise those expecting purely traditional Celtic music. The quintet’s new release once again showcases Gaelic Storm’s signature acoustic sound with a brand new batch of crafted story-songs and driving instrumentals.
Scythian
They call it “Celtic with a Kick”, however their music has been described as an “adventure of some hard kicking, infectiously hypnotic fiddling music”. Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays kicked-up Celtic and world music with hints of Gypsy and Klezmer, all infused with a touch of punk-rock sensibility. Take a pair of classically trained dueling fiddlers, toss in a rhythm guitar and the occasional funky accordion, then power it with the driving rhythm of a jazz percussionist, and you’ve got the ingredients for a show you won’t soon forget. Their repertoire ranges from traditional and contemporary Celtic and folk music to the alluring and dramatic strains of Gypsy and Eastern European tunes, and then crosses back over the border to pick up some good old-fashioned bluegrass licks
Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
From her star musical turn in Riverdance and her thirty-plus medals in the All-Ireland Championships to her session work and appearances with such diverse artists and ensembles as Paula Cole, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and Paddy Maloney, fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today, and is affectionately referred to as the Jimmy Hendricks of the fiddle.
McPeake
Ask Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, or Bono about the roots of Irish Music, and they will point you to the McPeake Family!
The four generations of the McPeake Family are one of those rare Irish gems that have been whispered as ‘folk-royalty.’ Francis McPeake I penned the famous ballad “Wild Mountain Thyme;” Francis McPeake II influenced Van Morrison, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan; Francis McPeake III taught John Lennon the Uilleann Pipes; and now Francis McPeake IV - who has worked with iconic Hollywood film companies, such as Walden Media, and Academy Award-winning actors - has formed the vibrant new band McPEAKE.
McPEAKE’s unique blend of pop, folk, and Irish music attracts widely diverse audiences that might not otherwise commingle. Fans consistently use superlatives such as fresh, authentic, original, and dazzling to describe the experience that is – McPEAKE!
Pogey
Pogey’s fiery live show combines electric guitar, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, bass, drums and four-part vocal harmonies to produce their trademark Nova Scotia Sound. This fun quintet will bring you quickly to your feet with their unique blend of traditional Irish and rocking contemporary music.
Goitse
Goitse, pronounced gwi-cha, is Donegal Irish for “Come here.” As one of the best young trad bands to come out of Ireland in years, these students of traditional music and dance at the University of Limerick mix modern rhythms and traditional melodies to create their original sound. This group is brimming with All Ireland titles in their respective instruments, and at their age, they have no where to go but up.
Sprag Session
Sprag Session, formerly Colin Grant Band, has developed a unique style and repertoire of music. Lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of traditional Cape Breton music and the grooves of a thousand branches of rock and funk, Colin Grant embarks on his latest project: a dynamic and thoughtful mingling of beats and melodies from an extensive host of musical influences. The Colin Grant Band has created a kind of Celtic fusion that is as much Steely Dan and Yes as it is Ashley MacIsaac. While the lively sound never strays too distantly from its Celtic roots, the Colin Grant Band has found an open ear in everyone from indie scenesters to blue-haired bingo stampers.
Eddie Delahunt & Friends
Not long after wandering musician Eddie Delahunt mustered out of the Irish Merchant Marine, he caught the big immigration wave to America. Delahunt, celebrating his 22nd year in America this year, knew nary a soul when he arrived with rucksack in hand and guitar over his shoulder. But the natives were starving for new and younger sounds from the country of their grandparents. Delahunt’s workingman concoction of traditional Irish ballads, energized guitar riffs, and original lyrics and tunes has made him an adopted native son in Kansas City and local Irish music legend.
Kelly
Based in Kansas City, Kelly members are loaded with years of experience and talent. Their ability to combine their past experiences and deep understanding of where Irish music has been, bring it full circle with new ideas mixed with time-honored traditions. It truly makes for a very exciting performance experience.
Bob Reeder
Kansas City based Irish folk singer, Bob Reeder, entertains audiences with humor, toasts, limericks, audience sing-alongs and discussions of current affairs. Armed with a banjo, a 12-string guitar and whatever else he decides to bring along, the Irish-American regularly gives listeners a reason to bust a jig.
Ashley Davis
Raised on the plains of Kansas, Ashley Davis is a musician whose songs are as much a product of the natural beauty found in her childhood environment, as they are the bluegrass, folk and classic country sounds that surrounded her in her youth. Through her many travels and experiences, Ashley has grown into a true artist, whose influences live in ancient Celtic lore, American folk music, and the love and magic that has painted her life.
KC Irish Dance
Bridgid Driscoll has performed at every Kansas City Irish Fest since its inception and is pleased to present KC Irish Dance, featuring the Driscoll School of Irish Dance and Rincé Revolution Irish Dance Company. The Driscoll School offers Irish dance classes for all ages and levels in a fun, encouraging atmosphere. Rincé Revolution is an Irish Dance company with a modern twist. The young women in the group perform contemporary Irish dance pieces infused with elements of ballet, modern, jazz and even flamenco.
The O’Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy of Irish Dance
The O’Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy offers a wide range of competitive and recreational classes for children and adults of all levels in both Kansas City, Missouri and our new location in Lawrence Kansas. In addition to participating at local, regional, and international competitions with great success, O’Riada-McCarty-Manning dancers enjoy having many opportunities to perform throughout the city.
