Celtic Entertainment
The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers
The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers was formed in 1986 when Alasdair Fraser placed an advertisement in a local newspaper for people interested in sharing Scottish fiddle music. A small group of enthusiasts quickly gathered, and in the years since, it has grown to over 300 members. Most of us live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Still, we have members from all over California and beyond, even some overseas.
Scotland has a long and noble musical tradition. In order of antiquity, the three most important Scottish instruments are the harp, bagpipe, and fiddle. In the days of Mary Queen of Scots, the “rebec,” a bowed instrument, was in vogue. When the Italian violin developed, it took immediate hold in Scotland. As the new fiddle beckoned the Scots to dance, a newly reformed Church (now Presbyterian) condemned the instrument as a vehicle of licentiousness. The gentry would not give up their dance, and rich and poor alike side-stepped the clergy’s protestations. All over the land, from Duke’s ballroom to shepherd’s fields, the fiddler’s “up-driven bow” power made the gathering successful.
Bowed string instruments have been called fiddles in Northern Europe since at least the 12th century. The word in Old English had various spellings from fithele to fiddlel. In Gaelic, it’s fidhle, and in Yiddish, fidl. As for ‘violin,’ it is a 16th-century adaptation of the Italian word violino.
Classical music is a composer’s medium. Fiddling is a performer’s medium. Great fiddling demands spontaneous inventiveness on the player’s part, bringing alive exciting variations of tunes. While classical music might focus on tonal purity, fiddling technique projects the beat. Since fiddle music is dance music, fiddlers value rhythmic drive highly.
The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers was formed in 1986 when Alasdair Fraser placed an advertisement in a local newspaper for people interested in sharing Scottish fiddle music. A small group of enthusiasts quickly gathered, and in the years since, it has grown to over 300 members. Most of us live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Still, we have members from all over California and beyond, even some overseas.
Scotland has a long and noble musical tradition. In order of antiquity, the three most important Scottish instruments are the harp, bagpipe, and fiddle. In the days of Mary Queen of Scots, the “rebec,” a bowed instrument, was in vogue. When the Italian violin developed, it took immediate hold in Scotland. As the new fiddle beckoned the Scots to dance, a newly reformed Church (now Presbyterian) condemned the instrument as a vehicle of licentiousness. The gentry would not give up their dance, and rich and poor alike side-stepped the clergy’s protestations. All over the land, from Duke’s ballroom to shepherd’s fields, the fiddler’s “up-driven bow” power made the gathering successful.
Bowed string instruments have been called fiddles in Northern Europe since at least the 12th century. The word in Old English had various spellings from fithele to fiddlel. In Gaelic, it’s fidhle, and in Yiddish, fidl. As for ‘violin,’ it is a 16th-century adaptation of the Italian word violino.
Classical music is a composer’s medium. Fiddling is a performer’s medium. Great fiddling demands spontaneous inventiveness on the player’s part, bringing alive exciting variations of tunes. While classical music might focus on tonal purity, fiddling technique projects the beat. Since fiddle music is dance music, fiddlers value rhythmic drive highly.
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers will perform dances ranging from the 18th century to one devised locally just this year. Included will be one of the most popular dances ever, “Mairi’s Wedding.” This began life as a song and the audience is invited to sing the chorus as we dance:
Step we gaily, on we go,
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and row on row,
All for Mairi’s wedding!
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers enjoy keeping alive the tradition of Scottish country dancing. They meet each Thursday at 6:30 pm in the church hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N Washington St. Anyone interested is welcome to join us for social dancing and instruction. Find us at www.inlandnwscots.org/scottish-country-dancers.html.
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers will perform dances ranging from the 18th century to one devised locally just this year. Included will be one of the most popular dances ever, “Mairi’s Wedding.” This began life as a song and the audience is invited to sing the chorus as we dance:
Step we gaily, on we go,
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and row on row,
All for Mairi’s wedding!
The Spokane Scottish Country Dancers enjoy keeping alive the tradition of Scottish country dancing. They meet each Thursday at 6:30 pm in the church hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N Washington St. Anyone interested is welcome to join us for social dancing and instruction. Find us at www.inlandnwscots.org/scottish-country-dancers.html.
Crooked Kilt
Crooked Kilt
This local band, with a rich and trusted history of over 20 years, plays lovely ballads, hot jigs & reels from the British Isles, originals and old-timey, and more. With the voice of an angel, Sarah Carter will touch the heart deeply as she sings and plays the Celtic Harp. Sarah also plays a mean Bodhran! Tom Carnegie, musician extraordinaire, will thrill you with his guitar styling, highland pipes, and vocal prowess. Carla Carnegie (Tom's sister-in-law) plays fiddle, piano, accordion, voice, and more. You will tap your toes or be moved to dance as they blend! The band has performed all over the Pacific Northwest at Festivals, and you can often see them playing for contra dances in the region. Three CDs are available: Crown & Hamster, Complex Presence, and the recently released CKIII (Crooked Kilt 3). While Crooked Kilt most often plays as a trio, this year's ensemble includes auxiliary members Kevin Jones on Bass and McKenzie Lamb on percussion and voice. These fine musicians will not disappoint!
For booking info, email Carla Carnegie at [email protected], visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/crookedkilt, or website at www.crookedkilt.net.
This local band, with a rich and trusted history of over 20 years, plays lovely ballads, hot jigs & reels from the British Isles, originals and old-timey, and more. With the voice of an angel, Sarah Carter will touch the heart deeply as she sings and plays the Celtic Harp. Sarah also plays a mean Bodhran! Tom Carnegie, musician extraordinaire, will thrill you with his guitar styling, highland pipes, and vocal prowess. Carla Carnegie (Tom's sister-in-law) plays fiddle, piano, accordion, voice, and more. You will tap your toes or be moved to dance as they blend! The band has performed all over the Pacific Northwest at Festivals, and you can often see them playing for contra dances in the region. Three CDs are available: Crown & Hamster, Complex Presence, and the recently released CKIII (Crooked Kilt 3). While Crooked Kilt most often plays as a trio, this year's ensemble includes auxiliary members Kevin Jones on Bass and McKenzie Lamb on percussion and voice. These fine musicians will not disappoint!
For booking info, email Carla Carnegie at [email protected], visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/crookedkilt, or website at www.crookedkilt.net.
Free Whiskey
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Free Whiskey
Free Whiskey, the ultimate Irish rock band, is known for inciting random acts of dancing, revelry, and spontaneous sing-alongs. Their excellent mix of old and new, playing punchy pub fare, traditional Irish melodies, and rowdy rock anthems, ensures they can adapt to any crowd, making them a versatile choice for any event. With a lineup of drums, fiddle, bass, whistle, Bodhran, and lush vocals, Free Whiskey is a 4-member band that guarantees to create a lively and entertaining atmosphere wherever they perform. They’re made from the best stuff on Earth, ensuring a good time for all! For more information about this terrific band, visit: www.facebook.com/FreeWhiskeyFans/ |
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Deep Roots
Deep Roots is a local band from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The band consists of the amazing Arvid Lundin on fiddle, Cheri Bronstein on bass, Dave Beach on guitar, and Char Beach on Bodhran & vocals. Arvid writes many of his tunes, and the band has been a fixture of the local contra dance scene for many years. You will want to catch a few of their lilting Celtic selections. |
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Hunter Koss
Hunter Koss
Hunter Koss is a teenage solo harpist who performs Celtic and traditional folk music.
For centuries, audiences have enjoyed the magic and song of the harp. This beautiful instrument can be traced back to its origins in time and culture—Ireland, Scotland, the Far East, the Middle East, ancient Egypt, and ancient Mesopotamia, to name just a few.
Within this context of a harp’s rich tradition and enduring appreciation, Hunter Koss brings the musical strings of a Celtic lever harp to life. She favors Celtic, folk, and traditional tunes, infusing each with a deep emotional connection to her family, friends, life experiences, and the natural beauty of the Inland Northwest she calls home. This emotional depth in her music is what truly captivates her audiences.
Hunter aspires to be a professional harpist, and she dreams of being a popular stage performer. Along the path of making her dreams a reality, Hunter has been honored to perform at a diverse range of locations in the region; this includes hospitals, professional offices, conferences, schools, the VA Home, Union Gospel Mission, Sandpoint’s Panida Theatre, Scottish Highland Games, Spokane Interstate Fair, private gatherings, and other special events. Her ability to captivate audiences in such varied settings is a testament to her versatility and talent. It is always a guess to say who enjoys her performances more: Hunter or her captivated listeners.
Hunter Koss is a teenage solo harpist who performs Celtic and traditional folk music.
For centuries, audiences have enjoyed the magic and song of the harp. This beautiful instrument can be traced back to its origins in time and culture—Ireland, Scotland, the Far East, the Middle East, ancient Egypt, and ancient Mesopotamia, to name just a few.
Within this context of a harp’s rich tradition and enduring appreciation, Hunter Koss brings the musical strings of a Celtic lever harp to life. She favors Celtic, folk, and traditional tunes, infusing each with a deep emotional connection to her family, friends, life experiences, and the natural beauty of the Inland Northwest she calls home. This emotional depth in her music is what truly captivates her audiences.
Hunter aspires to be a professional harpist, and she dreams of being a popular stage performer. Along the path of making her dreams a reality, Hunter has been honored to perform at a diverse range of locations in the region; this includes hospitals, professional offices, conferences, schools, the VA Home, Union Gospel Mission, Sandpoint’s Panida Theatre, Scottish Highland Games, Spokane Interstate Fair, private gatherings, and other special events. Her ability to captivate audiences in such varied settings is a testament to her versatility and talent. It is always a guess to say who enjoys her performances more: Hunter or her captivated listeners.
