CELTICA

CELTICA from Central PA- Playing with the infamous Irish Rovers “Farewell Tour” program in 2014, at the Williamsport Community Arts Center members’ lounge, Celtica mixes traditional Irish and British Isles’ melodies with acoustic and stage electronics. Celtica has made its name over the years by delivering bawdy tavern covers and interpretations of Dylan and the Dead, sea shanties, political plain songs from the old country and folk reveries sweet enough for fairies. Celtica’s top download is continuously “The Whaling Song” which has a contemporary political theme for the environment and comments on over-fishing of the seas. Handsome Molly, upbeat and lively, also earns many a listen. “Girl of the North Country” (Dylan) is a favorite of listeners. They perform "Galway Girl"  and several Steve Earle songs; these fantastic jams are fan favorites!

 The band has been together since 2008 when they discovered the impact of many a siren voice. Angelic voices and bawdy tavern deliveries make this band divine listening when they invite guest artists during the month of March for their larger shows. The Celtica shows may include pipes and they join forces with fiddlers and high step dancers from time to time. Electronically, the band uses affects units on the flute. The traditional-music audience includes 20-80 year olds at shows. Wide appeal!

 Members of the year-round band include Rich Grace, singer/guitar/banjo/harmonica; Steve Catania of world-renown, Catania Folk Instruments, on mandolin/dulcimer/bodhran; and Flora Eyster (five-time award winning grant recipient) on the wooden and silver flutes (rosewood, C flute, alto flute, bass flute), recorders, and percussion family. The band tours and records as a five-piece unit, with Bill Stetz, bass and Jeff Wisor, fiddle.  They also feature their award-winning Irish high-step dancer, Jennifer, who appeared with Eileen Ivers!

Other music includes: "Girl of the North Country; Red Haired Boy; Ashokan Farewell; Black is the Color; Praties; Whiskey Before Breakfast;" ballads, laments, sea shanties and assorted jigs and reels. Their first trio album entitled “Up She Rises,” is available on CD Baby.  The new band album “Coming About” will be released in early 2017.

The band performs regularly at festivals, Renaissance fairs, Irish tavern and bar settings and many a brew pub and winery! Past venues include:

Bears Picnic; Williamsport Community Arts Center; The Appalachian Brewery; Spyglass Ridge Annual Celtic Festival; Front Street Station; The Bullfrog Brewery; Old Forge Brewing Company; Fero Vineyards and Winery; Old Forge Brewing Company; Hunter Valley Winery; Elk Creek Café and Aleworks; Selins Grove Brewing Company; Fero Vineyards;  Smiling Chameleon; Appalachian Brewing Company; Big Springs Spirits Tasting Room; the Green Drake; Little Buffalo Festival of the Arts; Danville Iron Fest; Bucknell University Gallery Series; Lewisburg Festival of the Arts; The (former) Gamble Mill;  Hickory Fest; and most fine PA wineries/distilleries and breweries.