NEWS ARTICLE
Celtic music at Clark Art
by Seth Rogovoy(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Nov. 22, 1999) - The Clark goes Celtic this winter, when the Clark Art Institute will present a series of internationally-known Irish music groups, beginning on Saturday, January 8, when "Celtic at the Clark" kicks off with a performance by Lunasa, a "new traditional," all-instrumental Irish quartet featuring flutes, whistles, guitars and violins.
A double-bill featuring famed Irish fiddler Kevin Burke, along with the duo of guitarist Ged Foley and fiddler Sandy Jones, will perform on Saturday, Feb. 5, followed by Celtic group Anam on Saturday, March 11.
The series will conclude on Saturday, March 25, with Kila, a lively new, Dublin-based septet whose music has been called "the cutting edge of progressive Gaelic-language music" by Billboard. Kila's Irish-fusion music includes other ethnic elements, including South African, Gypsy and reggae, as well as some contemporary jazz touches.
"The intention for this year's series is to focus on current trends in Celtic music, from the traditional approach taken by Lunasa to the music of Kila, which pushes the boundaries into a much broader, world-music context," said Brian O'Grady, the Clark's concert programmer.
"As in other years, the series offers opportunities for our audience to hear the best in traditional and folk music," said O'Grady. "This winter's series differs in that rather than being a broad survey of different traditions or genres, it focuses on one specific area in traditional music."
Since performing at the Clark a few years ago, Edinburgh-based Anam has reconstituted itself as a quintet, adding singer/percussionist Fiona Mackenzie from Scotland and fiddler Anna Wendy Stevenson to the group's original lineup, which still includes guitarist/founder Brian OhEadhra, button accordionist Treasa Harkin, and mandolinist Neil Davey.
All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $10 for members, $8 for students. Tickets go on sale the first week of December at the Clark museum shop, or by phone at 458-2303, ext. 324. Tickets are also available at Wood Brothers Music in the Allendale Shopping Center in Pittsfield and at Cold Spring Coffee Roasters in Williamstown.
[This article originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on Nov. 25, 1999. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1999. All rights reserved.]
Seth Rogovoy
rogovoy@berkshire.net
music news, interviews, reviews, et al.
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