Fan favourite, The Drowsy Maggies, is on our pre-Saint Patrick’s Day concert lineup. Local folk icon Barry Luft will also take the stage, with Get Reel rounding out the evening at the Irish Cultural Society Calgary, Hickey’s Place.
The evening is in a concert format (attentive audience) in an authentic pub-style setting, with three acts and the ICS bar. Looks like we’ll be back having some food via A Certain Flair Catering. Cash and electronic payment options.
It will be another fantastic show.
Previous concerts have sold out, so don’t wait to get your tickets – you’ve been warned. Tickets are available on the Eventbrite website or at the secure embedded checkout at the bottom of the page.
The Drowsy Maggies
The Drowsy Maggies are a talented trio hailing from across the pond. Their performances feature upbeat and energetic traditional Irish tunes contrasting with the stripped-back acoustic versions of some of Ireland’s most beloved folk classics.
Fiddler Emilie Kirwan brings her West Clare (from Ballynacally in County Clare) playing style to the stage. Emilie studied at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, where she received a MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance. Martin Hayes and Siobhan Peoples were two of her instructors. Emilie regularly performs, teaches, and hosts Irish music sessions in Calgary.
Multi-instrumentalist Nicola McLaughlin (button accordion, banjo, guitar, bodhran, whistle) learned traditional Irish music through the Coventry branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (in the UK). Nicola’s enthusiasm for Irish music brings a wonderful energy to traditional Irish music sessions across Calgary.
Thirdly, vocalist and guitar/bodhran player Ciara Lane hails from Dundalk, Co. Louth, and grew up in a house where trad music, the Dubliners, the Clancy Brothers, Christy Moore, and Mary Black were all household staples. She is self-taught on the guitar. Her vocal style is influenced by the softer tones of Christy Moore, Sinead O’Connor, and Dolores O’Riordan.
Barry Luft
Barry Luft’s singing has woven rich, colourful threads into the fabric of folk-style music in Alberta for more than fifty years.
He presents Canadian, British and American songs and ballads with instrumental accompaniment or a cappella arrangements. Barry engages his audiences in these musical performances and gives a healthy lift to minds, hearts and voices. Good times leave good memories!
Much of Barry’s material is unusual and refreshing. It comes from sources across North America and the British Isles and is seldom known in the everyday music scene. For example, in his repertoire are songs learned first hand at guitar and music camps.
A variety of instruments perks up Barry’s performances and his intricate style on the five-string banjo is his trademark. He was taught at age five to play the harmonica by his dad. Other instruments now include guitar, autoharp, English concertina, and Appalachian dulcimer. However, to this day, Barry claims he’s not able to read music well enough to hurt his playing.
Get Reel
Hailing from the East Coast of De Winton and the North Shores of Calgary, our jolly ship’s crew will explore a lively set of songs and fiddle tunes from the East Coast, Irish, Scottish, Folk, and other Celtic traditions.
Blending a mix of harmonies into their songs, Get Reel is Doug Wagner (vocals, bodhran, guitar, and fiddle), Greg Black (vocals, guitar, electric bass, and octave mandolin) and Tony Hogan (vocals and percussion).
Over many years, Get Reel has performed in numerous venues around Alberta, including the Water Valley Celtic Festival, the Irish Cultural Society, Okotoks, and the High River. We are also the house band for Celtic Folk.
When the fog is just right, you can almost smell the ocean, see the shipwrecks, hear the crashing waves with “a tiny trace of fiddling in the distance far behind him.”
Show Details
Date and Time: Saturday, 1 March 2025 at 7 pm (doors open 6:30)
Location: Irish Cultural Society – Hickey’s Place (downstairs) – 6452 35 Ave NW, Calgary, AB
Cost: $21 per person (plus processing fees)
Important Notes
It is a concert format (attentive audience) in an authentic pub-style setting. It is not a pub night. The ICS provides the bar service. Please be responsible and reasonable while enjoying the performance so everyone else can enjoy their evening.
There is a stairlift but no ramp or elevator to access Hickey’s Place. As a private venue, children are permitted. However, they should be old enough to focus on the performance or another non-disruptive activity and must be supervised by a parent at all times.
Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Due to the nature of running concerts, all ticket sales are final.
Tickets via Eventbrite
Tickets via the secure embedded checkout below or on the Eventbrite website – use this link if you have problems with the embedded form.
