Bands
CHULRUA
“At once a wakeup call and a reminder of the things that matter in Irish traditional music.”
— Irish Music Magazine
Chulrua’s music is the old instrumental dance melodies of Ireland: jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, and the occasional song. We also play walking marches, slow airs, set dances, and the harp music of Turlough O’Carolan and others. Our concerts are in keeping with the old tradition—music in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, and tunes offered as they were handed down from generation to generation in Ireland. The heart of Irish music is the session, where tunes are played and traded, and conversation about music is the central theme. Sessions can be held anywhere, but are usually the best—and most relaxed—in a small, intimate place like the kitchen of a house or a small pub. The music we present onstage comes from that tradition. Together we have almost 70 years of experience performing at community fairs and festivals, colleges and universities, folk clubs, and a variety of other venues—doing concerts, workshops, dances, and school residencies all over the United States, Canada, Ireland, and beyond.
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PADDY O’BRIEN & PAUL WEHLING
Paddy and Paul began playing together at Kieran’s Irish Pub, and over the years have developed a wonderfully complementary style, with Paddy on button accordion, and Paul on bouzouki, banjo, guitar, and vocals. Paul was a founding member of Clumsy Lovers, a band which dominated the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Irish/Celtic music scene in the early 1990s, made two recordings and won a Minnesota Music Award. He also founded a Celtic music trio, the Blackbirds, with Sean Egan and Sam Adams, and is a highly sought-after accompanist. In addition to Kieran’s, Paddy and Paul have played the highly-regarded Showcase series at the Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar in Minneapolis, and the Moorhead Celtic Festival. They were joined by fiddler Tom Schaefer and singer Erin Hart for their 2011 debut recording, THE SAILOR’S CRAVAT.
Reels: The Singing Kettle / Sean Ryan’s
Jigs: Michael Coleman’s / The Rose of Lough Gill
Reels: The Silver Spire /Sean Ryan’s
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THE DOON CÉILÍ BAND
“Impeccable… joyous in its expression. This is a great band.”
— Claddagh Records
Based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota, The Doon Céilí Band performs Irish traditional music for the discerning dancer and the demanding listener. We play at festivals, concerts, dances, weddings, wakes, and all manner of occasions in between.
Read more about The Doon Ceili Band
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O’ROURKE’S FEAST
A seven-piece ensemble featuring Paddy O’Brien on button accordion; Danielle Enblom, Nathan Gourley, and Ann Sandberg on fiddle; Suzanne Rhees and Amy Shaw on flute; and Sherry Ladig on piano. O’Rourke’s Feast performs Irish traditional music: jigs, reels, hornpipes, clan marches, some beautiful old slow airs and songs, and some original pieces composed in traditional style. The group has performed at the Saint Paul Public Library and at Celtic Junction in Saint Paul, and is in the process of making a debut recording.
Read more about O’Rourke’s Feast
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Paddy’s Previous Band Affiliations:
The Ballinamere Ceili Band — 1966 to 1969
The Sean Ryan Band — 1968
The Castle Ceili Band — 1969 to 1978
Ceoltoiri Laighean — 1971 to 1978
Bowhand — 1978 to 1982
Hill 16 — 1983 to 1984
