6th Annual Berks Co. Celtic Oyster Fest
Saturday August 23, 2008 - Noon - 9pm
2008 Entertainment Schedule
This year the festival will feature two entertainment venues for your listening pleasure. Brendan's Pavilion will be the main stage, and The Highland stage will be the large tent adjacent to the Vendor area. Each performer will be scheduled to entertain at each location, and there will be continuous entertainment at all times.
For your convenience we have added a printable list of the entertainment schedule. If you desire, you can print out a copy of the schedule for future reference. The schedule is in PDF format therefore Adobe Acrobat is required.Click here for a listing of the performers and the times they will appear on each stage.
HEADLINERS & ENTERTAINERS SCHEDULED FOR 2008
Paddy’s Well is a music project that came about when two men with a common interest in Irish Music finally got an opportunity to chat. Paul Moore and Joe Hughes have been playing Irish Folk, Traditional and Original Music for years in and around Philadelphia; Paul with Blackthorn and Joe with Banna. Through the years, their busy schedules rarely left them time to share a stage let alone discuss tier common interest in music over a pint.
Both men left their respective bands in 2004. A chance meeting at a benefit for a friend brought them together on stage for the first time. Joined by talented bassist Frank Reed, Matt Brescia on tin whistle, flute and concertina, & Laine Walker on fiddle a band slowly emerged from the smoke and Guinness stains at Brittingham’s pub.
Paddy’s Well has a sound that is often familiar yet sometimes foreign; with lyrics that lift the heart and raise a glass…and sometimes smack you in the face. The songs will reflect their life experiences as well as their love for Ireland and Irish-America with all it’s triumphs an tragedies.
Beyond the Pale has been performing Celtic Music for over 15 years, with performances in venues ranging from large festivals to large concerts to private weddings and small personal concerts. Their range of music is broad with original compositions by Steve Dowdall, Matthew Burke, Chris Morris, Allison Smith and Terry Algier that connect the listening audience to countless aspects of Celtic History.
BTP is a very warm group of musicians that connect with each audience and strive to not only perform music but also impart some history and personal tales of travel and experience. With many performances for private venues in their portfolio, there are numerous statements of how the band has tailored their music to create a beautiful and lively event for all of the guests. Here are a few quotes from satisfied clients:
Ann Door, Assistant Mgr. Blair House, Washington D.C.:
"Everyone here is still talking
about your music and how much they enjoyed it"
Office of Protocol, Washington D.C.:
"It was so great - Ambassador Collins (Ireland) absolutely loved Beyond the Pale...we were more than thrilled with the performance, to say the least. It was perfect. "
The current lineup of BTP has increased not only the instrumentation and versatility of the band, but also the experience and creative talents that enhance their music and bring a very full sound to your event. Their music will inter-mix traditional Irish or Scottish melodies into original songs or music from other great composers, all with a unique approach to rhythm and threading of their varied array of instrumentation into each piece.
IRISH & CELTIC ENTERTAINMENT
A great favorite in the USA and Canada, this Pennsylvania based singer has enjoyed success all over the world. Gerry started singing and playing guitar back in 1965 in his home town of Coalisland, County Tyrone, Ireland. His musical education began in his home with family and friends singing songs indigenous to his native area, and continued with influences by Sean Nos (unaccompanied) singers and on to his studies of every aspect of traditional Celtic music.
For over thirty years Gerry has appeared at many festivals and has headed the bill at many concerts, clubs, and dinner shows. Gerry formed a very successful and musical partnership with Tom Kane of Philadelphia in 1973, and they have been performing as a duo in countless venues ever since.
Gerry has shared the stage with The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, Paddy Reilly, The McPeak Family, Davey Hammond, Tony McCauley and The Sands Family. With fourteen albums to his credit as a soloist and as a member of The Jolly Tinkermen and Timlin and Kane, he demonstrates his dedication to his music.
Now in their third year, Burning Bridget Cleary hit the ground running in 2006, playing major Celtic festivals, concert stages, community and regional events like old pros . . . all of this, and the girls are still in high school! (Lou is still working on his GED). Their first CD, “Catharsis”, is in its second printing, having had airplay on a wide variety of NPR stations nationwide.
Rose and Genna met as pre-teens at a local traditional Irish music session where they became instant friends. Since that time, both have been first-place trophy winners at Celtic Classic fiddle competitions. Both were born into musical families (Genna’s parents are founding members of the Celtic band, Blackwater). The natural pairing of these talented sprites, backed by Rose’s dad, a life-long musician, has created a polished musical team with exuberant gusto, who will leave you singing and dancing!
The band's name honors the memory of Bridget Cleary, a vivacious and fashionable young woman who lived in 19th century Ireland. Her husband and family burned poor Bridget to death, convinced that her flu symptoms were the result of her possession by evil fairies. The perpetrators were later convicted of murder, and laws were ultimately passed to protect women from such terrible acts. Bridget is now remembered as the last witch burned in Ireland, but we remember her as an innocent young woman.
Trinity's musicians blend the sounds of "strings and drums and pipes and tongues," as one line from the original "Under the Greenwood Tree" states it. Trinity members John Cronin and John Dodson are the core members of Trinity with their combined creative energy shining forth in all the music they perform.
JOHN CRONIN
(lead vocals, guitar, Irish whistle, Bodhran drum, bones)
Born and raised in Vermont, and tuned to the state's progressive politics, John Cronin is Trinity's lead singer, whistler, percussionist, and songwriter. He has received awards for performing musical theater on stage and has acted for several community theater companies, including the state's largest - Lyric Theater. As a folk musician and song writer, he has had the opportunity to perform in a number of projects, but his Trinity family has been the most productive platform to tell stories with music.
JOHN DODSON
Born near Philadelphia, John Dodson moved to Vermont 5 years ago. He is an accomplished fiddler, but also plays every stringed instrument you can think of. His sense of harmony and musical wisdom are a signature sound for the band. He comes from a diverse musical background, playing many different styles of music. He has played guitar with various groups throughout Pennsylvania and Vermont and has also enjoyed playing sessions in Ireland. His 18 years of experience playing the violin in a variety of classical and Irish backgrounds attributes to most of what you hear on stage.
FOLK MUSIC & IRISH & SCOTTISH DANCERS & PIPERS
For 40 years Veronica McAleer has served the Tri-State area, providing Irish dance instruction for people of all ages and levels of advancement.
The McAleer tradition began 50 years ago when Veronica's aunt, Alice McAleer, began the first McAleer school in Ireland. When Veronica came across the water in 1967, she began her school in Delaware. Veronica has coached generations of children and adults and enriched our community through passing on her love and knowledge of Irish dance and culture.
Veronica has brought numerous dancers to various competitions, including World Championships in Ireland. The McAleer school colors of black and white are recognized world-wide, Veronica's sister, aunt and cousins also have schools in Armagh as well as London. Be it in Dublin, Toronto, or New York, the McAleer Dancers demonstrate extreme skill and great sportsmanship. While McAleer Dancers have won many championships, we find that the friendships formed between dancers and within the dance community is one of the most rewarding treasures of the dance experience.
The Reid School of Highland Dance
The non profit Philadelphia Highland Dancing Association was founded by Marguerite Reid over 60 years ago. The School, the Reid School of Highland Dance, performs at various venues such as the Green Lane Scottish/Irish Festival and Philadelphia St. Andrew's Society events, such as their Tartan Ball. Their dancers also currently compete throughout the Eastern Region of the U.S. and historically have competed throughout the US, Canada, and Scotland. A special memory for the school was performing with the Davidson School at the Kennedy Center Honors Gala for Sir Sean Connery, the President and other distinguished guests when Mr. Connery received the honor in 1999.
Hamilton Celtic Pipe and Drums In the spring of 2006, Pipe Major Sara H Kent, invited three of her pipe students to assist her with several upcoming engagements. The students, appearing as the Hamilton Pipers, were rewarded for their outstanding performance by winning the approval by all in attendance. The small group found there were other opportunities to share the proud traditions of their Celtic Heritage. New members joined, and the Hamilton Celtic Pipes and Drums of Pottstown, PA was formed. Two banner carriers present the band’s theme of Celtic unity. Next, follow members of the Colour Guard. They execute several drill maneuvers while marching and carrying the American Flag and the National Flags of Scotland and Ireland. The band’s Guidon, posts the Red Dress Hamilton Tartan, and is proudly carried to the Pipe Major’s right. Individual members wear traditional kilts of their own choosing. The colorful tartans are representative of their family, clan, memorial, national, provincial or district tartans. Pipers play many traditional Scottish, Irish, American, and Patriotic tunes, many of which are recognizable song tunes. The Hamilton Celtic Pipes and Drums are under the direction of Pipe Major Sara H Kent with Richard G Clark, Drum Major. The Ryeland Harp Ring The Ryeland Harp Ring of Robesonia, PA will be performing and discussing the history of the Harp in the Celtic Heritage Glen area of the festival. Stop by for some wonderful music and to see and hear more about the harp which is the national emblem of Ireland. The group is composed of members who have been meeting once a month for over two years. For more information contact Cathleen Sauber AT 610-589-9644. Lessons are available. 