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Berea is the hometown of The McLain Family Band, balladeer Robert Tincher, Christmas Country Dance School, Hands Four Spring Dance Weekend, several arts and crafts events, dulcimer maker Warren A. May, and a bunch of wonderful musicians such as Donna and Lewis Lamb, Al and Alice White, Mudpi and Randall Conn and his bluegrass friends. And Beverly Buchanan graduated from Berea College. The famous Renfro Valley and The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame are located only 10 miles from Berea in Rockcastle Co.

We are very content about last year's Celtic gathering and happening which was filled with good solid educational components, great quality music and dance from the Isles across the pond. The area around Berea was mainly settled by the Scots and Irish, so we feel a strong connection. Let the chemistry work!

 

In recent decades our region has attracted dozens of quality musicians - both native-Irish and American-born - who have dedicated themselves towards developing an approach to "Celtic" music that might be described as "pure drop". The musicians developed the skills - within their heart and hands - that allow them  to readily assimilate their playing into more established musical circles, such as those found in Chicago, St. Louis and in several cities in the East. Vibrant "pure drop" teaching traditions have sprung up in nearby Cincinnati, Asheville, Knoxville and more recently Kansas City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Berea Celtic Festival brings together some of the primary carriers of this emerging regionwide scene and presents the music via informal, accessible, collaborative workshops and sessions. In may cases the music will be complimented by skilled dance enthusiasts thus completing the energetic circle that is ceol agus rince - i.e. the music and the dance.

 

No such Scene would be complete unless ample opportunity was granted to various ballad traditions that have sprung from The Isles - be assured that you will find ample opportunity to both sing and to listen throughout the festival weekend.

 

Please come and join and aid us continue a going-forward tradition by supporting this second  Berea Celtic Festival!!

 

 

 

The Red Wellies of Asheville, NC will participate in the Berea Celtic Festival as "Woolly Jumpers". And they are Vincent Fogarty, Beanie Odell, Helen Gubbins and Jeanne Chirdon.

Here is something to be looking forward to: Special concert Thursday evening.

 

 

 

One of Kentucky's finest balladeers and interpreters of Scottish and Irish music, Robert Tincher. After many years with the trio Pale, Stout and Amber, Robert is now pursuing a sole career, including annual trips to Scotland.

 

 

 

 

A new generation of traditional, authentic Celtic music is ready to commit an arm and a leg for their passion: Celtic music. Simone Westerkamp and Friends are ready to rock the town.

 

 

 

 

 

Howard Carlberg, enthusiastic dance leader in Berea, KY. Howard is the engine behind the Morris dance group Squash Beetle, and he will conduct the Irish Kerry Sets at his own living room that is big enough for a small contra dance. Very supportive of the spoken word and the folk school tradition.

 

 

Beverly Buchanan and Dan Cummins a.k.a. Liam's Fancy known all over the Ohio Valley region for their traditional Irish music and support of the Celtic tradition. Co-founders of Berea Celtic Festival and spearheaded several fundraisers to establish this event.

Resides in Lexington, KY.

 

 

 

 

Bulgarian-born Bella Issakova, classically trained violin player, who fell in love with Celtic music when she moved to Atlanta, GA. Her unique and gentle fiddling brings her to the stars.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Benson and Stephanie Cornelius Benson from Rochester, NY brought much quality to Berea Center for the Arts at the 2010 festival. And they are back!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celtic harpist Jennifer Balcom and daughter Simone of Cincinnati, OH, co-founder of Berea Celtic Festival filled the festival with joy. Not to mention superb performances at Union Church and Hotel Boone Tavern.

 

 

 

 

 

Also participating:

 

                      John Skelton, England/KY, Cliff Croxford,            

Berea, KY, Corner House, Columbia, SC, Turlach Boylan, Ireland/Kansas, Geoff Maher, Tim Clarke, Steve Matyi, Alex Sturbaum, Wally Carroll, Cincinnati, OH, Martin McCann N. Ireland/PA, Brian Coakley and Vince Burns, Pittsburg, PA, Bella Issakova, Atlanta, Dan & Robert Curtin, Matt McNeely (Knoxville, TN), Vicky Goodloe, Keith Murphy, Larry Green  and Kelly Smith

                            of Lexington.   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berea Center for the Arts, presenting Festival Partner, is located in the former movie theater. The balcony has been turned into a unique, rustic auditorium that can seat 50 people.

Large selection of arts and crafts,

and working artists.

 

 

 

Main Street Cafe is located on College Square and offers live music every Saturday night, either inside or on the nice patio.

MSC can seat up to 100 people.

Has hosted Celtic related musicians Four Shillings Short, The Red Wellies, Molly Moon, Martin McCann, Robert Tincher and Liam's Fancy.

 

 

The Music Makers, Inc. is an instrument store and recording studio located on N. Broadway in Old Town, Berea. Also known for small concerts and music lessons.

Owners are Randall Conn and Danny Barnes, both sought-after bluegrass musicians, with numerous appearences at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Renfro Valley and WoodSongs.

Phone: 986-3616. See MySpace.