Joanna Hyde (fiddle, vocals) and Tadhg Ó Meachair (accordion, piano) share a passion for Irish traditional music, and for American folk music rooted in Celtic traditions. US-born Joanna has played (and studied) Irish music since childhood and has played with the Hydes and One for the Foxes. Born in Ireland, Tadhg grew up speaking Gaelic; he’s an All-Ireland title winner on piano and has played with the bands Goitse and One for the Foxes.
Heron Valley
Heron Valley captures the iconic sounds of the bothies, village halls and kitchen ceilidhs. With a mixture of traditional Scots and original songs they tell enchanting stories from the places they were born. From the rugged Atlantic islands of the Outer Hebrides, to the mystical hills of Argyll, these musicians are passionate about their heritage. Let Heron Valley transport you to the heartlands of Scotland, through their dynamic performance of the ancient sounds of their home! https://www.heronvalleyband.com/
SuperTrad
We are so excited to bring back this collaboration trio that can only be enjoyed at the Durango Celtic Festival! When they’re not playing as part of this “super” group, they are regular members of Ímar, Mec Lir, and the Paddy Callaghan Trio, among other musical endeavors. Tomas Callister (fiddle), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), and Paddy Callaghan (button accordion) absolutely mesmerize the audience when they combine their skills. As a bonus, SuperTrad will be helping to lead our late-night ceilidhs.
The Jeremiahs
A festival favorite, The Jeremiahs is an Irish folk band that comprises four musicians who have come together with the common goal of writing, composing and performing folk songs and music. With a wonderful mixture of newly composed songs and tunes in the folk genre and a well-selected catalogue of older folk songs, Dublin’s Joe Gibney (vocals), New York’s Matt Mancuso (fiddle), Co. Clare’s Conor Crimmins (flute), and Dublin’s James Ryan (guitar) are sure to rouse all the emotions. https://thejeremiahs.ie/
One For the Foxes
Dave Curley, Tadhg Ó Meachair, and Joanna Hyde form an exciting and dynamic transatlantic trio that presents a rousing blend of Irish and American folk music.The group is made up of Dublin’s Tadhg Ó Meachair (Goitse), Galway’s Dave Curley (SLIDE) and Colorado’s Joanna Hyde (The Hydes). Through a shared deep-rooted passion for Irish traditional music, this trio highlights the vital role of Irish traditional music as an origin of many American folk music. https://oneforthefoxes.com/
Dave Curley
Dave Curley, a multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from Corofin, Co. Galway, has been making big waves in the Irish music scene in Ireland, Europe and the USA in the last number of years. After graduating from the University of Limerick’s groundbreaking Irish Music and Dance programme, Dave became a creative member of award-winning bands SLIDE and RUNA. His most recent record, ‘A Brand New Day’, showcases his vocals and writing style which has a contemporary sensibility rooted in tradition. https://davecurleymusic.com/
Kitchen Jam Band
The Original Kitchen Jam Band was formed in 2004 to provide music for contra dances in Durango, but plays locally at Celtic festivals, farmer’s market, Noel Night and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, including the Durango and Silverton Shamrock Express train. Longtime members (top to bottom) Ken Beegles, Bob Condon, Terry Double,
Barry Longwell, and Jo Ann Beegles recorded the band’s fourth Cd “Ships In the Night” with fiddler/vocalist Emily Huntsman and dancer Jenny Shine.
The Bowmaneers
The Bowmaneers perform modern and contemporary Celtic music. Exploring the more recent imaginings of Celtic songs and tunes, you will hear songs about the sea, love, betrayal, mermaids, boats, and the occasional dragon or scoundrel. Songs are filled with multiple harmonies and vocal collaborations. Band members include: Brittany Hinger (ukulele, vocals), Zach Phelps (guitar, vocals), Elizabeth Lawyer (violin, vocals), Shiela Lane (piano, whistles, vocals), Linda Dolder (drum, vocals), and Jarod Lane (bass, vocals).
Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College
The Community Concert Hall is located on the Fort Lewis College campus at 1000 Rim Drive in Durango, Colorado. The Box Office at the Community Concert Hall opens one (1) hour prior to show time & remains open through intermission. If there is no intermission, the box office will stay open one (1) hour past curtain.
Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at (970) 247-7657.
- Orders and questions via phone will be handled M-F, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
- Questions may also be sent to concerthall@fortlewis.edu.
- Tickets may be purchased online or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, or Discover debit/credit cards. Convenience fees will apply and are necessary to help offset the costs of ticketing services, a venue Box Office, sales staff, a website, advertising, credit card fees, equipment, and support staff for all provided services. Concert Hall convenience fees are lower than industry standards.
Late-Night Sessions
There will be informal sessions and ceilidhs hosted by our visiting festival musicians each night after the concert series has ended from 9:30-11:30 PM!
Tom Ward’s Downfall
Tom Ward’s Downfall is a Durango based Traditional Irish Music trio that’s played Fridays at the Durango Winery since Spring of 2023. Aside from the Winery, the trio has had the pleasure of sharing their upbeat and lively tunes with audiences at house concerts, restaurants, non profit events, shops on Main Street and contra dances in the Durango area. The band features Erick Morningstar (Bouzouki and Bodhran), Ed Webb (Irish flute) and Ari Schermer (Fiddle).
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Truckely Howe
Truckely Howe performs the traditional lively dance music of the Celtic Isles, as well as beautiful airs and songs. They are know for their pure drop style. Musicians are: Erick Morningstar (bouzouki, bodhran), Susan Vidal (whistles, cello), Patrick Dressen (guitar, vocals), Ed Webb (flutes), Yvonne Holland (fiddle), and Steve Martin (tenor banjo).
Ga Greine
Ga Greine, Gaelic for “Sun Beam,” are a four-piece Celtic band hailing from the Four Corners. Their music reflects their love of traditional Celtic music flavored with folk and Appalachian fiddle music. Meet Charles (lead vocalist and guitar), Deb Gaita (Spanish bagpipes, flutes, and penny whistle), Abigail (fiddle), and Carl (guitar, bass, and drum). They have been blessed to play at various venues in New Mexico and Colorado and have completed 4 CD projects over the span of five years together. https://www.facebook.com/people/Ga-Greine/100061153251922/
Saturday Workshops
Saturday 3/30/2024
Note: (Workshop times and venues could change). Mobile: Scroll horizontal for more info.Workshop | Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Mandolin/Banjo with Dave Curley (One for the Foxes) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Room 10 (Downstairs), Community Concert Hall |
Flute with Connor Crimmins (Jeremiahs) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Bagpipes with Kenneth Mcfarlane & Ben Muir (Heron Valley) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Advance Fiddle with Joanna Hyde (One For the Foxes) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Piano-Melodies & Accompaniment with Tadhg Ó Meachair (Foxes) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Jones Hall, FLC (In the Piano Lab, several keyboards available) |
Scots Song Singalong with Abigail Pryde and Callum Cronin (Heron Valley) | 9:00-10:00 AM | Jones Hall, FLC Learn to sing fun songs in the Scots language. Anyone welcome! |
Bodhran with Dave Curley (One For the Foxes) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Room 10 (Downstairs), Community Concert Hall |
Guitar with James Ryan (Jeremiahs) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Whistle with Kenneth McFarlane (Heron Valley) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Irish Fiddle with Matt Mancuso (Jeremiahs) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Piano & Keyboard Accompaniment with Ben Muir (Heron Valley) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Jones Hall, FLC (In the Piano Lab, several keyboards available) |
Intro to Cape Breton Dance with Joanna Hyde (One For the Foxes) | 10:15-11:15 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Intro to Irish Step Dance with Dave Curley (One for The Foxes) | 11:30-12:30 AM | Jones Hall, FLC |
Bass with Callum Cronin (Heron Valley) | 11:30-12:30 AM | Jones Hall, FLC (Double bass workshop, but all bass players welcome) |
Friday Workshops
Friday 3/29/2024
Note: (Workshop times and venues could change). **Most workshops are intermediate to advanced level and require that you already know how to play your instrument. If you are a beginner, you are welcome to still attend or audit the workshop. Mobile: Scroll horizontal for more info.Workshop | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Fiddle with Tomas Callister (Super Trad) | 10:00-11:00 AM | Balcony Foyer, Community Concert Hall | |
Bouzouki with Adam Rhodes (Super Trad) | 10:00-11:00 AM | Room 108, Community Concert Hall | |
Accordion with Paddy Callaghan | 10:00-11:00 AM | Room 10 (Downstairs), Community Concert Hall | |
Ceilidh Group Tunes with Heron Valley | 11:15-12:15 AM | Balcony Foyer, Community Concert Hall | Learn tunes for Saturday night Ceilidh. All instruments welcome! |
Vocal Technique with Abigail Pryde (Heron Valley) | 11:15-12:15 AM | Room 10 (Downstairs), Community Concert Hall |
Concert Schedule
Date | Time | What’s On? |
---|---|---|
FRIDAY 3/29 | 1:00-1:45 PM | Ga Greine |
FRIDAY 3/29 | 2:00-2:45PM | Kitchen Jam Band |
FRIDAY 3/29 | 3:45-4:45 PM | Joanna Hyde & Tadhg Ó Meachair |
FRIDAY 3/29 | 5:00-6:00 PM | Dave Curley |
FRIDAY 3/29 | 7:30-9:00 PM | Heron Valley |
FRIDAY 3/29 | 9:15-11:30 PM | Late Night Session/Ceilidh (Closed session–musicians by invite only) |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 12:00-12:45 PM | Truckely Howe |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 1:05-1:55 PM | Bowmaneers |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 2:15-3:00 PM | Tom Ward’s Downfall |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 4:00-5:30 PM | One For the Foxes |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 7:30-9:00 PM | Supertrad |
SATURDAY 3/30 | 9:15-11:30 PM | Late Night Session/Ceilidh (Closed session–musicians by invite only) |
SUNDAY 3/31 | 10:30 AM-12 PM | Patrick Crossing Church (Free) |
SUNDAY 3/31 | 1:30-2:30 PM | Patrick Crossing Band |
SUNDAY 3/31 | 3:00-4:30 PM | The Jeremiahs |
SUNDAY 3/31 | 4:30-5:30 PM | Stramash (includes all headliners) |
Getting Here and Around
All concerts, workshops, sessions, and ceilidhs will take place at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Located at 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301. The Community Concert Hall offers a world class facility with stunning Colorado views. For more info: https://www.durangoconcerts.com/
DuranGO! MicroTransit:
DuranGO! microtransit is a curb-to-curb, on-demand, evening bus service for Durango. Booking a ride is easy and affordable. All rides must be booked through the DuranGO! app and the regular fare is $2.00 per ride. They will pick you up at your location and bring you to your destination, on demand beginning at 8 PM until Midnight, seven days a week! (DurangoGo! services the city limits of Durango)
For more information and to download the app, visit https://www.durangogov.org/1724/DuranGO-Microtransit
BY CAR OR AIR –
Durango is easy to reach by road on two major U.S. Highways. From the west or east, visitors can arrive in Durango on U.S. Highway 160, a road once known as the Old Spanish Trail. From the north or south, visitors can arrive on U.S. Highway 550.
Above Durango, U.S. 550 is part of the scenic San Juan Skyway. Parts of the road share the former railroad grade of the Silverton Railroad. The section of U.S. 550 above Durango is sometimes referred to as the “Million Dollar Highway” a nickname that some say alludes to the millions of dollars in Silver that once was hauled on the old roadbed.
Below Durango, U.S. 550 from Albuquerque, New Mexico offers a modern four-lane divided highway. This approach to Durango is preferred by many travelers who fly to the International Airport in Albuquerque and drive the final distance to Durango, a trip just over three and a half hours by car.
Durango has a regional airport with jet aircraft service, the Durango-La Plata County Airport. The airport is served by four airlines. Frontier Airlines and United Airlines both serve Durango through Denver Hubs and US Airways offers flights through Phoenix. The newest addition is American Eagle Airlines. The airport is situated to the southeast of Durango. It is accessible from Durango by taking U.S. 550 South and then taking U.S. 160 East approximately 5.5 miles to Highway 172. From Hwy. 172, the airport is located on Airport Road, also known as C.R. 309, a right turn off of Hwy. 172.