Arts and Entertainment
Sometimes, destiny comes in the form of a message that tells you you’re on your own.
So it was for Joanie Madden some years ago when she was part of a new groundbreaking all-women Irish music group. Formed in 1985 for what was envisioned as a one-time... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both.
One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both.
One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both.
One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents.
Of... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents.
Of... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents.
Of... Read more
There’s something about the phrase “between the earth and sky” that really works for the Dublin quartet Lankum – which will make its Boston-area debut Jan. 11 at Club Passim in Harvard Square – and not just because that’s the name of their most recent... Read more
There’s something about the phrase “between the earth and sky” that really works for the Dublin quartet Lankum – which will make its Boston-area debut Jan. 11 at Club Passim in Harvard Square – and not just because that’s the name of their most recent... Read more
Most artists spend a lifetime perfecting their craft. But whether someone is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, designer, or painter, he or she may not be completely comfortable in maneuvering the business side of the arts.
Longtime arts administrator... Read more
Highlighting January’s area Irish/Celtic events is the 16th annual Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), which takes place Jan. 17-20 in Harvard Square. In addition to spotlighting many performers with ties to Greater Boston, the festival will welcome... Read more
Not surprisingly, holiday-themed performances – such as “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn” and the Robbie O’Connell-Rose Clancy “Celtic Christmas” benefit [see stories elsewhere in this issue] – are plentiful amidst this month’s offerings of Irish/Celtic music... Read more
Steph Geremia, “Up She Flew” • New York City’s Geremia, now living in Galway, is familiar to many for her fine flute and whistle-playing and vocals with the Alan Kelly Gang. But her musical development may not be, and is quite fascinating: In college,... Read more
A local holiday-themed event coming up in early December offers a very desirable combination: great entertainment to help support a worthy cause that is inspired by one person’s good works.
Legendary Irish singer-songwriter Robbie O’Connell and Cape Cod... Read more
“A Christmas Carol” celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. First published as a novella in 1843, Charles Dickens’s classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption has been adapted again and again for film and stage audiences around the world.
From Dec... Read more
Former All-Ireland champion Brenda Castles, outstanding on both concertina and tin whistle, and The Fretless, a Canadian quartet that has championed the “chambergrass” folk-string ensemble sound, will make their debuts at this year’s “A Christmas Celtic... Read more
The return of all-star fiddle ensemble Childsplay – which plays at the Somerville Theater on Nov. 20 – highlights Boston-area Irish/Celtic music events these next several weeks.
Childsplay comprises some two dozen musicians – many from Boston or elsewhere... Read more
Altan, “The Gap of Dreams” • One of Donegal’s greatest natural resources returns to the firmament with this, its 13th studio album. Where Altan’s previous release, “The Widening Gyre” (2015), was Irish-Americana fusion (with guest stars like Alison Brown... Read more
by R. J. Donovan
Special to the BIR
From the time he was a small boy growing up in Marblehead, Lucas McMahon set his sights on becoming a commercial theatrical producer. Even when he was performing in a show, he was focused on what was going on backstage... Read more
It’s not just the regular influx of high-profile, established acts – Lúnasa, Dervish, The Chieftains, Altan – that make Greater Boston such an Irish/Celtic music fan’s dream. Area venues also frequently host performers who have attained a solid following... Read more
