GAELIC STORM

It has now been more than a decade since Gaelic Storm’s career lifted off with their appearance in the blockbuster film Titanic. Musically, Gaelic Storm’s compelling originals and fresh arrangements steeped in Celtic traditional melody combined with their unique blend of world rhythms continue to broaden the musical horizons of the Celtic music genre creating new standards for generations to come. Highlights from their decade-spanning career include six Billboard Chart topping albums, a DVD, a full-length concert film featured on HD.net in 2007-2008, song placement on two EA Sports Games, a 2008 Hallmark greeting card featuring their song “Kiss Me I’m Irish”, countless television and radio appearances, and of course, an appearance in James Cameron’s Titanic. www.gaelicstorm.com

MAKEM AND SPAIN BROTHERS

Not in the past 30 years has a group taken the international stage with such vocal power and stage presence, capturing the essence of their genre, while standing out as something truly unique. A host of various instruments and five male vocals, using precise three-part harmonies blend perfectly for what many have described as a wall of sound. The Makem and Spain Brothers are at their best onstage where their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music. www.makem.com

JOHN DOYLE TRIO featuring JOHN DOYLE, JOHN WILLIAMS, AND DUNCAN WICKEL

SCYTHIAN

Rousing and raucous, 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 high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music has one goal in mind; to get people on their feet and dancing. 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. www.scythianmusic.com

SCREAMING ORPHANS

The Screaming Orphans are 4 sisters from Donegal in Ireland who were brought up playing traditional Irish music. They first came to prominence when Sinead O’Connor took them as her back up vocalists and her opening act. Sounding like a mix between the Cranberries and The Corrs, their own songs are high energy pop songs with unbelievably catchy melodies and with some rousing Traditional Irish tunes thrown in for good measure, they are a band not to be missed. www.screamingorphans.com

GLENGARRY BHOYS

To see the path of where you’re headed, you have to know where you’ve been. Canada’s Glengarry Bhoys continue to combine the traditional elements of Celtic music with contemporary sensibilities, giving a fresh perspective to that which they’ve inherited from generations of like-minded artists. The common observation of those who have been enchanted by the Bhoy’s live shows is that clearly, this is a band in love with music and performing. Energy and good humor are as much a part of their shows as their musicianship, crossing cultures and ages—it’s not uncommon to see grandchildren and grandparents alike dancing in the aisles! www.glengarrybhoys.com

DAVID KINCAID - THE IRISH VOLUNTEER

According to Dave Kincaid, it all started in a Brooklyn apartment back in 1985. Together with two fellow musicians they tried to set the sound and style of their new formed band: The Brandos. In 1987 they released their first album: Honor Among Thieves including hit single: Gettysburg. Kincaid had written this song together with Carl Funk, song-writing partner and best friend, after they had visited Gettysburg Battlefield, and discovering that Kincaid's ancestor had fought there. He started his search for forgotten songs in fall 1995, kicking of with a book from a friend "Songs Of The Civil War", but he stranded pretty soon in libraries. Most lyrics he found only provided a small air to which the words had been written. This gave Kincaid a fighting chance of finding the melody and forming a complete, singable arrangement. Combining the phrases and airs to known melodies - adding new words to old music was a common 19th century practice - resulted in a beautiful collection of rare ballads that represent both Irish pride and Irish pain...

HOMELAND

CAHAL DUNNE

Cahal Dunne credits his winning of Ireland's National Song Contest as his biggest break. With his winning song, "Happy Man", he earned the right to represent Ireland at the International Eurovision Music Contest in Israel. The song became number one in Europe and Ireland with record sales topping the 250,000 mark. Cahal Dunne is a composer, pianist, comedian, storyteller, and television personality. His style is rich and deep, reflecting the many strands in his distinguished career. www.cahaldunne.com

DENNIS DOYLE

ALAN IRVINE

www.alanirvine.com

BBI

CALLAN

GUARANTEED IRISH

Guaranteed Irish have been performing Irish ballads and dance music for over 20 years. Their name refers to an Irish marketing effort similar to 'Made in America' and reflects their respect and passion for the music. Paddy Folan, Bruce Foley and Jimmy Lamb combine button accordion, guitars, uilleann pipes, whistles and voices in their own distinctive and energetic way to make a sound that is true to the traditions of Irish music. Whether singing traditional ballads or interpreting modern folk/rock/pop songs, their vocal harmonies are tight and spirited. With an easy, collaborative charm the lads are equally at home in a small session or on stage in a pub, concert hall or festival.

HOOLEY

Hooley is a collection of Pittsburgh’s finest traditional Irish musicians and dancers who perform at concert halls, festivals, colleges and high schools, clubs and pubs, dances, receptions, and weddings throughout western Pennsylvania and the Ohio valley. Learn more.

MARK GUISER

MATTHEW CRAIG AND THE KERRY TIPPER BAND

MICHAEL MURPHY AND THE SHANNON RIVER BAND

  Michael Murphy and The Shannon River Band features leading-edgeperformers of this blend of popular styles. Their training, athletic energy and years of live performance experience mix to create an inspired and up- to-the minute show that truly connects with a broad spectrum of audiences. Both old and young, traditional and modern can't resist this rhythm-infused approach to traditional Celtic music. michaelmurphy.us

MIKE GALLAGHER

NA GAELS

 An exciting Irish group in the Pittsburgh area, it mixes traditional Irish tunes and songs with roguish Celtic rock. Most of the members have been playing and singing this music for several years and decided to come together in 2005. A versatile David Yates plays multiple instruments including the tin whistle, the box, bass, and guitar. Charles May is the consummate celtic fiddle player bar none. Gerard Rohlf does much of the lead singing and handles the rhythm guitar to perfection. Richard Henry, the percussion guy, began playing the bodhran (Celtic drum), some fifteen years ago both here and in Ireland when he visits relatives.

PATRICK REGAN

Patrick Regan the Bagpiper takes the stage, street, or classroom with an exuberance paralleled only by the instrument he brandishes. A native Texan and world-class bagpiper with his own brand of blarney, Patrick captivates audiences of all ages. In classroom settings, his animated rapport makes Texas history come alive (even teenagers sit up and take notice). Concertgoers expecting only a few choruses of "Amazing Grace" are in for a delightful ear opener. His stories, punctuated by audience laughter, singing, and even dancing in the aisles, provide the perfect balance for a rare presentation of the bagpipe at its finest. Patrick presents a varied repertoire of Scottish, Irish, and American bagpipe music, laced with humorous anecdotes, history, and stories. While the material remains the same, his delivery varies substantially depending on the audience. Scottish music and stories touch the hearts and minds of the very young, the very old and everyone in between, but he adjusts the blarney accordingly. Patrick's performances fit venues from schools to concert halls.

PIOBAIRE

PITTSBURGH POLICE EMERALD SOCIETY PIPES AND DRUMS

The Pittsburgh Police Pipes and Drums was formed in April 2001 after realizing there was a need for a fitting tribute for those in the law enforcement community who have paid the supreme sacrifice. The band has been honored to participate in many funeral services to honor public safety workers in and around the City of Pittsburgh. policebagpipes.com

IRISH DANCE SCHOOLS

Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh
Bell School of Irish Dance
Burke Conroy School of Irish Dance
Pittsburgh Ceili Club
Pittsburgh Irish Reelers
Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance