2024 FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
GERRY O’CONNOR - IRELAND
Legendary Irish fiddle player, Gerry O’Connor grew up in the town of Dundalk, County Louth in a family of musicians, dancers and singers. From an early age Gerry was involved Irish music and dance, winning numerous All Ireland titles between 1967 and 1973 in a range of formations including duet, trio and four Céili Band titles. He has played and recorded with such highly-regarded groups as Lá Lúgh and Skylark, recording four CDs on the Claddagh label. Gerry has toured and recorded with members of all the legendary groups including Planxty, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Boys of the Lough and Chieftains. Lá Lugh’s album “Brighid’s Kiss” was voted Album of the Year 1996 by readers of the Irish Music Magazine. His solo album “Journeyman” was counted in the top five Albums of the year 2004 by the Irish Times. In 2018 Gerry was awarded “Ceannródaí”, the prestigious Bardic Award by Comhaltas for his valued contribution to the Traditional Arts. He will be accompanied on guitar by Don Penzien from Michigan, who has become one of the greats of Irish style guitar in America .
DON PENZIEN- USA
Has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. It was the never- ending traditional music playing at the Irish pub he frequented while earning his Ph.D. (clinical psychology) in Athens, Ohio that inspired Don to play and where he began his exclusive use of the “DADGAD” guitar tuning. Along the road, Don has played with many of the greats of Irish music including Gailfean (featuring Brian Conway, John Whelan & Máirtín de Cógáin), The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and singer song writer great, Jimmy Crowley. Don is widely recognized for his reserved backing style and his dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs.
THE HERE AND NOW - IRELAND & TEXAS
The band is made up of Chris Buckley (fiddle), Niamh Fahy (fiddle, vocals), Rob Forkner (Bodhrán) and Tony Davoren (bouzouki/ guitar / vocals). All accomplished musicians in their own right, together they create a rich and captivating sound full of energy that presents Irish traditional music in a contemporary context. Drawing from each of their backgrounds in Irish music, with a geography that spans the United States and Ireland, The Here & Now keep tradition at the heart of their music while widening the breadth of their repertoire with original compositions.
Their live sets demonstrate both the playful and soulful sides of Irish music; at one moment rousing you to join in a hearty sing-along and the next entrancing you with haunting and melodic tunes. The result is an experience that captures the spirit of the Irish session and the fire of the Louisiana bayou. The Here & Now has become a favorite in the Irish music scene, playing in festivals and venues throughout the United States and Ireland. Their debut album, also titled The Here & Now, was released in 2012 and features a mix of traditional tunes and original compositions. With their high-energy performances and unique blend of traditional and original music, The Here & Now is a must-see for any lover of Irish music.
AVOCA - IRELAND & USA
Avoca is one of Louisiana’s newest and most exciting Traditional Irish music bands. Formed in 2022, they feature two of the most prominent members from Legendary Lafayette Celtic/Cajun fusion project “Celjun.” Tony Davoren (Bouzouki, Guitar, Bodhran, Vocals) and Pete Dawson (Flute, whistles, Vocals) have joined with harpist Shannon Kelly (Harp, Fiddle, Accordion), Kentucky musician Kendall Rogers (Guitar, Accordion, Piano), and County Clare fiddler Kevin Muggivan (Fiddle, Vocals). They effortlessly combine various Celtic music genres whilst digging deep into their Irish repertoire of Jigs, Reels, Polkas and anything that will get folks smiling and heading for the dance floor. Throw in some Ballads, drinking songs and the odd sad song or two and you will feel like you are in a traditional pub in Ireland, passing a good time with the locals. Remember to hold on tight to your pint! Cajun fiddle two-step in unison with the Irish Flute, Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes, all sharing a strong sense of groove and creating a new fusion: CELJUN MUSIC.
BREIZH AMERIKA COLLECTIVE - BRITTANY
Is a non-profit organization established to create, facilitate, promote, and sponsor wide-ranging innovative and collaborative cultural and economic projects that strengthen and foster relations and cooperation between the United States of America and the region of Brittany, France.
Through the development and sponsorship of ambitious artistic projects we hope to increase awareness of Breton culture, language and film to American audiences. We are guided by a passion to develop unique exchanges and collaborations between Breton and American musicians and artists, while inciting economic actors to expand opportunities and build durable Transatlantic links through our projects.
They will be bringing a Breton music duo and traditional dancer to this years Festival. They will also provide a traditional Brittany crepe experience with a crepe chef from Rennes which is the capital of Brittany. Attendees will be able to sample a small variety of products from the region as well as merchandise.On top of this they will offer brief workshops on the language, culture and history of this uniquely Celtic region of France.
SWAMPLAND STRING BAND - USA
Is a bluegrass collective featuring a rotating cast of players from across south Louisiana. The band plays bluegrass standards and sometimes branches off into swing, oldtime, or jamgrass when the mood is right. Members include Jesse Reaux, Chris Roy, Gray Pumpelly, Cam Fontenot, Paul Gonsoulin, Brian Rogers, Taylor Lee, and Alex Goodrich – all top-notch pickers and veterans of the Louisiana music scene.
HUGH MORRISON & BETH PATTERSON - SCOTLAND & USA
Scottish born musician, Hugh Morrison calls Texas home. Groomed in the Celtic/folk traditions of his native Highlands of Scotland, Morrison writes songs that tell tales from his homeland as well as Texas and Louisiana, in particular New Orleans where he has spent a good number of years recently. His main gig is lead singer with Celtic rockers Murder the Stout, who tour and perform at many festivals across the USA. Morrison has toured Europe as guest musician for Boston punk rockers Street Dogs, and Kansas City folk band Tullamore.
Hugh decided to join forces with Beth Patterson on a gig in 2019 when they commiserated that there was too much fried baloney and not enough potatoes in the world. Beth picked up her bass guitar and the rest is history. Determined to restore balance and goodness, they donned their capes and masks, forming the duo Iron Roux.
THE WHISKEY BAY ROVERS - USA
The Whiskey Bay Rovers perform a variety of pirate songs, sea shanties, pub songs and Irish ballads using traditional instrumentation and simple vocal arrangements. The Rovers are available for festivals, faires, pub sings, and private parties and can come either in pirate garb or not.
JAMES LINDEN HOGG - USA
A multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter of traditional American and Celtic folk music. Along with his father, Jim, he has performed for over a decade at many fairs, festivals, churches, corporate events, museums, performing arts centers, and for a U.S. President.Hogg’s instruments include violin, banjo, Irish pennywhistle, Scottish bagpipes, piano, guitar, accordion, harmonica, and mandolin.At 13, he was the youngest artist featured at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and has since returned to play in 2022.At 15, he earned the title of Louisiana State Fiddle Champion. He recorded four albums titled College Fund Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 to pay for his education and graduated from LSU summa cum laude in 2021. Currently Hogg is in Graduate school at LSU.In 2022, Hogg authored and published the book, Finding Faith in the Waste Land.He has performed with Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Mark O’Connor, George Jones & others.
NOKOSEE FIELDS - USA
Nokosee Fields was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, studying orchestral violin at a young age. After years of learning and performing Classical music, Nokosee turned his attention to traditional American music, performing, teaching, and touring professionally. As a bassist, he tours with the Country band Western Centuries, as well as the old time band Steam Machine. As a teacher, he has taught at the Augusta Heritage Center, tutored at Centrum’s festival of American fiddle tunes, and was the artist in residence for the Portland old time gathering. He’s placed in numerous fiddle contests and most notably took first in the 2019 Clifftop Fiddle Competition. Most recently, Nokosee appeared in the box office hit, “Killers of the flower Moon” playing fiddle. He will be joined on stage at Celtic Bayou by Tony Davoren on Bouzouki and Guitar for a set of Irish, and Old time American tunes.
SCOTT MILLER & THE EMERALD ORCHESTRA - USA & Ireland
Members of the critically acclaimed The Gaulway Ramblers band together once again to bring the best of Irish traditional music to the forefront. Join C.J. Alexander (bodhrán), Nathan Glazier (guitar, banjo), and Scott Miller (flute,uilleann pipes) for a journey from the hills of Donegal to the plains of Acadiana.
Performances by
The Ryan School of Irish Dance
Run by Sheila Ryan-Davoren, TCRG... The Ryan School of Irish Dance is based in Lafayette, LA & New Orleans and one of only 3 Irish Dance schools in the State. Sheila is a former dancer with RIVERDANCE THE SHOW and also Lead dancer with THE CHIEFTAINS.
Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drums
The Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drums, established in 1976 as part of the Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge, provides a teaching program in the uniquely Scottish arts of bagpiping and drumming. The band's teaching program feeds the performing band which plays over 100 performances each year and is currently the state's largest band.
The Thistle Scottish Dancers and Pipers is a group of talented young people who perform the traditional Highland dances and music of Scotland. Formed in 1998 in Alexandria, VA, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers moved to Natchitoches, LA in July of 2019 where they debuted at Northwestern State University's Folklife Festival,performing with the culturally dynamic band 50 Man Machine. Since July of 2019, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers have taken the stage st the Red River Revel Music Festival in Shreveport, LA, again joining 50 Man Machine, as well as the Car Show, Farmers Market, and area Nursing Homes in Natchitoches, LA.
Dance Workshops
Irish Workshops
Irish Language Class