You don’t need to be Irish to appreciate a glass of Guinness, nor do you need to be a Celt to appreciate good Celtic music.
The Durango Celtic Festival may have begun three years ago, but really, it could be traced back to the roots of event founder C.J. Alderton.
His Scottish, Irish and Welsh heritage without a doubt influenced him to play Celtic music. After hearing stories from his mother about “sessions” back in the day at the family farm in Northeast Missouri and making several trips to Ireland, he decided that he wanted to learn more about his culture and play the kind of music that his ancestors played.
Now he’s focusing his energy on the festival, which has become more popular each year. The first festival in 2013 attracted 175 attendees, but in 2014, there were close to 300. With that kind of momentum behind it, and with this week’s big headliner, Runa, who won top group at the Irish Music Awards in 2013, it’s possible that this year could be the most successful.
“This (Runa) is the top of the game,” Alderton said. “I don’t know how we’ll ever top what we’re doing this year. We’re desperately excited to see them.”
Runa, which means “secret mystery” or “Celtic lore,” will be the main show of the four-day event, which begins Thursday. The Philadelphia-based Celtic roots band will play at the Henry Strater Theatre on Saturday night.
Two other groups, Westwind Pipe Band, and Patrick Crossing, Alderton’s band, will open for Runa.
With a strong Durango following, various members of the group Patrick Crossing have been part of the Irish music sessions at the Irish Embassy Pub on Sundays for about the last six or seven years.
“It (Celtic music) captures real life in a really good way. It’s not age-specific for the listener, nor is it age-specific for the artists themselves. We’ve had an older gentleman come in and thrill audiences with a very minimalistic performance ... and there’s something exciting about that. It takes you back to the Isles,” Alderson said.
Shannon Lambert-Ryan, the lead singer of Runa, says she is excited about her first visit to Durango. She and her husband, Fionán De Barra, guitarist for Runa, started the band in 2008 as a side project.
“The way a lot of Irish folk music is written, it’s very joyous, very sad, so it tends to pull on people’s emotions very strongly,” Lambert-Ryan said.
She also said there’s a lot of dancing involved in Celtic music, and coupled with the infectious energy of the music, people latch onto it.
The festival kicks off Thursday at the Henry Strater with a ceilidh dance. Everyone is welcome. Those without festival passes can pay $5 for admission.
Concerts and workshops will be held through Sunday at the Irish Embassy Pub and Henry Strater Theatre, including a special Irish session with Runa on Friday night at the Pub after Westwind Pipe Band, Kitchen Jam Band and Knockabouts perform at the Henry Strater.
There may not be a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Durango.
mhayden@durangoherald.com
If you go
The third annual Durango Celtic Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday at the Henry Strater Theatre and the Irish Embassy Pub in downtown Durango.
Full weekend passes are $45, $15 for kids 12 and younger and $60 for VIP box and reserved seating. Friday-only passes are $25; $35 for Saturday only.
For a full schedule and to buy passes, visit www.durangocelticfestival.com.
