Rose & Shamrock Celtic Festival Returnts to Lancaster

The third annual Rose & Shamrock Festival brings Irish and Scottish music, dance, and workshops for an eight hour daylong celebration. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 6 at the Ware Center and includes a lineup of six Celtic bands to perform in the Ware Center's Atrium, along with workshops including a special presentation for the 100th year Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Uprising. Celtic wares by local vendors and food catered by Tellus360 will be for sale on site. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

MUSIC

Belfast Connection will start off the festival with Frank Reed on vocals, bass and guitar, Charles Kadyk on fiddle, and Damian Larkin on vocals, bodhran, and guitar. This three-piece band infuses each performance with energy as they tell the story of Ireland and her people, performing a wide collection of well-known Irish Pub songs, tunes, and ballads that invite audiences to dance and sing along.

The duo Charlie Zahm & Tad Marks consists of PA based balladeer Zahm, considered one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals and maritime music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. Zahm, a rich baritone who plays both the guitar and bodhrán, is joined by talented Baltimore fiddler Tad Marks, who has toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe. He is considered one of the finest old-time fiddlers on the East Coast.

Fire in the Glen is a three-piece band making a bold effort to bring Irish, Scottish, and Maritimes music to south central Pennsylvania. A Fire in the Glen performance means a lively presentation of blistering fiddle tunes, mug-thumping pub songs, and soulful ballads and airs. Now with a loyal following in their native Lancaster County, band mates are Tom Knapp (fiddle, bodhran, backing vocals), Mick Mullen (vocals, guitar) and Megan Mullen (vocals, keyboard).

Seasons is an award-winning family band of five siblings, the Lees, whose worshipful tunes blend a healthy serving of Celtic with a touch of bluegrass. Anchored by two harps and a hammered dulcimer, and sprinkled with mandolin, fiddle, Irish flute, violin, guitar, bodhran, penny whistle, and piano, Seasons brings a lively mix of sprightly jigs, contemplative lullabies, and unique vocal arrangements.

Down By The Glenside includes a cast of seven band members, Brian Fink on fiddle, Richie Maggs on banjo, Marilyn Moedinger on tin whistle, Joe Pascuzzi on mandolin, Tom Webster on guitar, Rob Riley on bodhran, and Brendan Zeigler and Webster with lead vocals. They offer the traditional sounds of Ireland, humbly paying homage to the Irish generation that helped build this and many other great nations worldwide.

Dublin Five brings a mix of traditional roots and blazing instrumentals with an amped up rock twist. The name Dublin 5 is the region in Ireland where Ray Murphy (lead vocals) grew up as a child. With five excellent musicians backing Murphy -- Jenn Belle on fiddle, Gary Hewitt on bass, Jim Martin on percussion, and Kevin Shook on drums -- Dublin 5 has a fan base continually growing in the local region.

WORKSHOPS

A special 100th anniversary presentation of the 1916 Easter Uprising will be led by Tom Daniels of the Lancaster Irish American Cultural Society. Daniels will examine the story of how a small but dedicated group of men and women, poorly armed and vastly outnumbered, struck a blow for Irish freedom against the mighty British Empire.

Hooley Irish School of Dance will provide a Irish dance demonstration in the Owen Salon featuring their school's talented performers.

A presentation on Irish Sports - Gaelic Football and Hurling - will be presented by Donal Lally of Tellus360. The presentation will cover the rules of the games, their impact on Irish culture and history, and why these two sports are Ireland's favorites.

Celtic harper Diane Kadyk will lead a demonstration on the Celtic harp and its music and history in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales from ancient to modern times. A native of West Chester, PA, Kadyk has participated in workshops with noted harpers Grainne Hambly, William Jackson, Sue Richards, Maeve Gilchrist, and Ellen Tepper. Kadyk has also performed at the PA Renaissance Faire, aboard the Colebrookdale Railroad, and with the Harrisburg Harp Orchestra. She is a founding member of the harp trio, "Harpers Frolic."

FOOD AND WARES

Celtic-themed jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing, and other items will be for sale in the Ware Center's third-floor Atrium by local vendors Oxford Hall Celtic Shop, Nancy Bradley Designs, Celt Wares, Lancaster Irish American Cultural Society, Just Peachy Jewels, and Creative Renaissance.

Food is catered by Tellus360 will also be available for sale (cash only) in the Atrium.

Adult beverages are complimentary during bar service hours throughout the festival. Soda and water are also available at all times during the festival.

For a schedule of events, please visit ArtsMU.com.

Tickets at the door: Adults $35 | Seniors $32. Pre-purchased tickets: Adults $30 | Seniors $27. Tickets for students 20 years and under are $15, pre-purchased and at door. All tickets are available for pick up at the event; no mailing or electronic delivery is available. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting ArtsMU.com or by calling 717-871-7600. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster.

Special thanks to Tom Knapp, the Lancaster Irish American Cultural Society, and Tellus360 in their assistance in planning this festival.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Platinum Partner Rodgers & Associates and Gold Season Sponsors Aussie and the Fox and Hagelgans & Veronis, and Silver Season Sponsors Clipper Magazine, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, and Weber Advertising. First Friday Music Stage is sponsored by Fine Living Lancaster. This season's Luminary Donors include Ann Barshinger, John & Susan Garofola, Mary Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, William McIlwaine, Peggy Neff, Mary Kearns & Jon Walker, and Paul & Judy Ware.