Ralph describes himself as a folk vocalist with Celtic roots. Born and raised in Cape Breton, he was imprinted with the traditional Celtic songs sung by John Allan Cameron, Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy and Ryan’s Fancy. As he matured, he was greatly influenced by Canadian folk artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Murray McLauchlan and Stan Rogers. Since moving to Calgary, he has added a prairie flavour to his music, especially in his original compositions.

Ralph’s solo CD project “Roots” explores the daily lives of his Scottish ancestors, their migration to the new world, and the East Coast Canadian culture they spawned.

Tir Na Nog is……..
Brian Volke: lead and harmony vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, mandolin
Christie Simmons: lead and harmony vocals, whistles, guitar
Shawn Kingston: harmony vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, mandolin
Colin Peters: fiddle, harmony vocals
Brad Uphill: percussion
RJ McConnell: bass

Tir Na Nog is Irish for Land of the Young. TNN’s brand of Celtic eclectic folk rock fusion has charmed audiences in Calgary and southern Alberta since the band’s inception in 1999. With a combination of original songs, traditional material and esoteric interpretations of some oft-heard pieces, Tir Na Nog loves to energize and uplift.

Founded by Saskatchewan ex-pat Brian Volke, the band’s current line-up coalesced about seven years ago. Native Calgarian singer/songwriter Christie Simmons brings brings along her Bluegrass folk roots and heartfelt voice. RJ McConnell, who joined in 2000, has been rock steady on bass. Colin Peters, who has lived in Alberta and BC, is masterful at filling in the gaps on fiddle, while always ready to jump in when it comes to a tune or two. Originally signing on as a bodhran player, Brad Uphill has gradually been expanding his percussive purview. Newest member Shawn Kingston brought his dobro along in the spring of 2011 and the band hasn’t gotten over it yet.

Tir Na Nog has been a mainstay at the Water Valley Celtic Music Festival since its inception in 1999. As well TNN has performed at the Lethbridge Folk Club, the East Coast Kitchen Party at the David Thompson Resort, the

Ruth’s childhood rambled the prairie highways between urban and country homes. Her mother, a cultured English teacher, lived in the city, and her father and stepmother operated an antique woolen mill in Rural Alberta. This paradox is apparent in Ruth’s music. While the stories may appear to be simple, traditional country, they are supported by a sound that pulls influence from the city: complicated, restless and sometimes loud. The story of Ruth’s career is no different.

In the fall of ’87, Ruth answered an ad for a “girl country singer” The ad was posted by Frank James, a one man band who played the bass guitar with his toes while playing guitar with his left hand and piano with his right. Frank had appeared on the Johnny Carson Show and That’s Incredible. Wow, the Big Time. Ruth soon discovered however that Frank was nuts. She recalls, “As long as my hair was big enough and my skirt was short enough, Frank would play the songs at their proper tempo. Otherwise it was “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” at 90 miles an hour.”

Next came Ruth’s first real band, Rodeo-A-Go-Go. In its various incarnations, Rodeo traveled the “B” country circuit throughout rural Alberta. The band was often too far out to be country, but too country to be anything else. This didn’t make for a very long run. By 1989, it was over.

Ruth then joined an

Our crew will explore a lively set of songs, tunes and dance from the Maritimes and other Celtic traditions. Doug Wagner (fiddle, guitar and vocals) caught the Celtic bug a number of years ago, leapt into playing the fiddle and then added step dancing as well. Deborah Mandzuk (whistles and step dancing), a long-time dancer, loves a lively toe tapping whistle tune and is now an accomplished step dancer. Greg Black (vocals, guitar and bass) is a multitalented musician and song writer. Get up (get dressed), get food, get your favourite beverage, Get Reel and join the party.

Step N Up is a growing group of adults who want to share their love of Canadian step dancing with their audience. The dancers range in experience from a few years to… (well a few more) and perform a variety of styles including Ottawa Valley, PEI, Cape Breton, Old Tyme and Irish. The group is based out of the Calgary Dance Through Life studio and comprises several levels of students taught by Paula Callihoo and Deborah Mandzuk. Almost anyone can learn this style of dance and newcomers are welcome. The dances are choreographed to some high energy and popular music that is sure to get your heart beating and your hands clapping. Sit back and enjoy the show, Step N Up will take care of the toe tapping and foot stomping for you.

CELTARA is a collective of five accomplished musicians from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada wielding fiddle, harp, flute, accordion, piano, bouzouki, guitar, bodhran, djembe, and world percussion instruments to great effect. From flying-fingered foot-stomping jigs and reels, to beautiful ballads and richly textured and layered songs, Celtara entertains their audiences with traditional and original “New World Celtic Music”. Tami Cooper, Bonnie Gregory, Steven Bell, Andreas Illig, and Mark Arnison bring infectious energy, engaging warmth and humour to concert halls, folk clubs, festivals, ceilidhs, community halls and house concerts, private events (and trains and riverboats! And elephants!!). Audiences describe their experience of a Celtara concert as “joyous”, “awesome, beautiful, toe-tapping music”, “a timeless and enchanting evening”, “inspiring”, “heart wrenching, soul mending, spell-binding and original”, and “foot-tapping, celtic joy.”

Sean Somers and Stewart Smith are accomplished musicians that have travelled the world together playing music – but not for what you’ll hear at Celtic Folk Calgary. Going back some 15 or so years, Sean and Stewart were formerly foes “on the boards” competing against each other at the world’s highest levels on the Highland Bagpipes as both soloists and bandsmen. Tired of wearing 40 pounds of wet wool in the pelting Glasgow rain year after year at the World Pipe Band Championships, Sean and Stew began to look for alternative musical outlets. Both took up other “celticy” instruments (Irish pipes, smallpipes, borderpipes, whistles and guitar), and haven’t looked back since. Out of the rain and wet soggy wool, they’ve enjoyed the warmth of local pub sessions, and have also been featured performers at the Calgary Highland Games, various local functions and won the top spot at The Calgary Feis’s traditional music competition a few years back.

Jeff Stockton is a Celtic harpist, storyteller & singer. He is equally at home performing in concert with full ensemble and in intimate settings with solo harp. Since 1997, he has traveled near and far, and has woven stories on the strings of the harp at national storytelling festivals, performance showcases, children’s festivals, Celtic festivals, for countless school audiences, and for listeners at work and at play. He has delved into the power of song & story in group retreats and work with individuals.

Jeff is a recording artist, and has released three recordings to date:

1. ‘Sacred Ground’ – instrumental and vocal pieces for harp, cello, violin & percussion
2. ‘Beneath the Boughs’ – a recording of gentle instrumental music for harp,cello and violin
3. ‘Wisdom of the Woods’ – a storytelling recording, featuring tales he has woven on the harp over the past decade – recorded with celtic harp, violin, percussion and cello.

More information is available at: http://www.jeffstockton.ca/

Quinn (16), Claire (14) and twins Faith and Paige (11) make up this refreshing, energetic and dynamic family fiddling group from Chestermere, Alberta.

These musical sisters have performed for audiences at the Calgary Stampede, Vermillion Fair, Moose Jaw Exhibition, Estevan Fair, Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days and Edmonton’s Capital Ex.

Recently, these talented sisters were presented the Dianne Brandson Rising Star Award at the Alberta Men and Women of Country Music Festival. They were thrilled to be included in the entertainment line up as the “Olympic Torch Relay” made its journey through their hometown. The girls enjoy meeting a lot of influential and supportive people who continue to inspire them with their positive feedback. As well as playing Traditional Celtic, “East Coast” style fiddle tunes, the girls sing and clog to their music with their Mom accompanying them on her guitar. The Keister Family Fiddlers have released their first CD entitled “How Do You Do?”

Entertaining audiences with their toe tapping fiddle music is what keeps them motivated to practice and continue to work hard.

You can find more information on their web site: www.keisterfamilyfiddlers.com.

Derick was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland and moved to Calgary in 1979. His Irish musical influences are Paul Brady, Andy Irvine and Planxty. He plays at Irish music sessions every week in some of the pubs in Calgary as backing guitarist for the melody instruments and singer.