Previous events

Mar10

Laura Byrne (flute & tin whistle), Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Donna Long (piano & fiddle) have been performing together for nearly two decades, spending many years performing as a trio at the iconic J. Patrick’s Pub in Baltimore’s Locust Point. Each has traveled the world entertaining audiences with performers such as Cherish the Ladies, Billy McComiskey, James Kelly, Brian and Rose Conway, John Whelan, and O’Malley’s March, to name a few. They will be joined by the talented rising-star Eileen Estes (vocals & guitar) who grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, Her extraordinary voice is both powerful and emotive. Dedicated to Irish traditional music, each member of this quartet grew up with extensive musical training, and a broad musical background. Together they create a unique and dynamic musical sound steeped in tradition that energizes and delights audiences.

Feb8

HoCoPoLitSo’s guest for its annual Irish Evening on February 8, 2019, is the award-winning poet Vona Groarke, recipient of the 2017 Hennessy Hall of Fame Award for Lifetime Achievement. Groarke’s reading will be followed by a concert of Irish music and championship step dancing. During intermission, complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Irish coffee, specialty cocktails, and Guinness will be offered for sale beginning at 7 p.m. and during intermission. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Smith Theatre of the Horowitz Center for Visual and Performing Arts on the campus of Howard Community College

Jan13

Concert with Maggie Sansone

Rams Head Annapolis, 33 West St., Annapolis, MD

4:00 pm. Rams Head on Stage featuring: Maggie's Music Celtic Celebration for the New Year 2019! An annual event and this year features host Maggie Sansone on hammered dulcimer with Belgium Harp-Guitarist Paul Oorts, Irish musicians Laura Byrne on Irish flute and Jim Eagan on fiddle, Seth Kibel on clarinet and sax and percussionist Matthew Bell on bodhran and percussion. 33 West St. Annapolis MD 21401,Venue Phone: 410-268-4545. www.ramsheadonstage.com

Dec14

Get into the holiday spirit with An Irish Christmas featuring songs, tunes and airs from Ireland performed by some of the finest musicians in Irish music today. This dynamic quartet will perform an engaging blend of holiday and traditional tunes and songs.

Laura Byrne (flute & tin whistle), Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Donna Long (piano & fiddle) have been performing together for nearly two decades, spending many years performing as a trio at the iconic J. Patrick’s Pub in Baltimore’s Locust Point. Each has traveled the world entertaining audiences with performers such as Cherish the Ladies, Billy McComiskey, James Kelly, Brian and Rose Conway, John Whelan, and O’Malley’s March, to name a few. They will be joined by the talented rising-star Eileen Estes (vocals & guitar) who grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, Her extraordinary voice is both powerful and emotive. Dedicated to Irish traditional music, each member of this quartet grew up with extensive musical training, and a broad musical background. Together they create a unique and dynamic musical sound steeped in tradition that energizes and delights audiences.

Laura Byrne is one of only a handful of musicians to successfully cross over to Irish traditional music from another discipline. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 1995 for classical flute but now is highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic for her proficiency in the Irish traditional style, performing around North America and Ireland with many of the greats. Both Laura and Jim are members of the Old Bay Ceili Band which recorded Crabs in the Skillet in 2014. Laura and Jim won first place at the North American fleadh in duets. Laura’s solo recordings Tune for the Road (2005) and Lucky Day (2010) received rave reviews and receive radio airplay in the U.S. and Ireland. She released an acclaimed duo recording, Forget Me Not, in 2014 with New York-based Sligo-style fiddler Rose Flanagan. In 1999, Laura was the winner of the U.S. Eastern Fleadh Championship in New York. She is a two time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist award. Laura teaches privately and founded and directs The Baltimore Irish Trad Fest which is held annually in the spring.

Jim Eagan grew up in Baltimore’s renowned Irish traditional music scene. He fondly recalls being enchanted by the violin even at a very young age. Until the age of fifteen, Jim exclusively studied classical violin, both through Suzuki classes and at the Baltimore School for the Arts. Jim’s roots in Irish tradition truly sprouted from Irish step dancing, which he began studying from that same early age. Jim qualified for the World Championships in Dublin in 1991. This exposure to the jigs, reels, and hornpipes while learning his steps was instrumental in developing his desire and ability to play Irish traditional fiddle. From ages 15 to 18, Jim studied fiddle with Brendan Mulvihill. Brendan is a primary influence on Jim’s playing, which is reflected in his musical style. Jim immersed himself in Irish traditional music. Jim’s first trip to Ireland (1996), was to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil, the all Ireland music competition. Jim won third place in the 15-18 age group category for fiddle. Soon thereafter, he began teaching privately. In 1997, Jim was invited to the Augusta Heritage workshops as an instructor where he continued to teach through 2005. In the late 1990s, Jim spent several years as a member of the John Whelan Band and toured Ireland, Europe, Canada, and the U.S. For the past fifteen years, Jim has been a member of O’Malley’s March, led by former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. In 2012 Jim was invited to play at the White House with the band. Jim is also a member of the Old Bay Ceili Band. Jim plays regularly in and around Baltimore with many of the other distinguished musicians that are in the area. He leads a weekly Irish Jam session at Cafe Hon and at Racer’s Café (along with Laura Byrne.)

Irish-American musician and singer Eileen Estes has thrilled audiences for years with her extraordinary voice, which effortlessly combines vocal power with subtle emotional expressiveness. She works as a vocal instructor to private students and is a former song class instructor at the Blue Ridge Irish Music School. Daughter of Nita (Conley) Korn, Celtic Thunder’s original lead singer, Eileen grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland. In addition to her appearances with Narrowbacks, she is a singer-songwriter who performs solo and with other musicians throughout the D.C. area and beyond. In 2015, Nita and Eileen released a beautiful album of Irish and Scottish songs called The Apple Tree Project.

Donna Long has traveled the world playing the piano and fiddle and entertaining audiences with Cherish the Ladies. She continues to foster an impressive music studio in Baltimore, where she teaches both fiddle and piano. Her recordings with fiddler Brendan Mulvihill and her more recent solo recording Handprints are highly acclaimed. In 2001, she was commissioned by The Library of Congress to compose music for piano and fiddle which she titled “Before the Snow Falls” and “Pandora’s Box.”

Dec2

Dec. 2.2018 The 18th Annual Celtic -Christmas at West River Concert! One Show only at 3pm, followed by reception. Enjoy traditional favorites, sing alongs music from the ancient Celtic lands and more! Musicians are Maggie Sansone on hammered dulcimer, Andrea Hoag on fiddle; Laura Byrne on Irish flute, Sharon Knowles on Celtic harp and Irish singer Connie McKenna. "Sparkling musicianship…joyous and spirited" (Living Traditions, UK/ Scotland). Christ Episcoal Church, 220 Owensville Road, West River 20778.Parish Secretary: Petey Kitzmiller Tickets and informatioin: 410-867-0346. ccwroffice@comcast.net

Three preeminent traditional Irish musicians perform lively Irish dance tunes and soulful ballads. Originally from County Tipperary, singer and guitarist Pat Egan resides in Virginia and was a 2014 WAMMY (Washington Area Music Association) recipient for Best Traditional Singer. Award winning flutist Laura Byrne is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and one of a handful of classical musicians to successfully transition to traditional Irish music. Billy McComiskey is a recipient of the 2016 NEA National Heritage Fellowship. Billy, Laura and Pat are recipients of Maryland State Arts Council grants and have performed together and independently of each other both locally around the Mid-Atlantic, andat countless festivals and venues around the world, including the Kennedy Center, The White House, Lincoln Center, and many other great venues across North America and Europe. http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Winchester.html

Jul6

Join the Smithsonian Folklife Festival for a concert of Irish music and dance from the Mid-Atlantic region with Mick Moloney and Billy McComiskey, two National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows.

Moloney has recorded and produced over forty albums of traditional music (including with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings) and acted as advisor for scores of festivals and concerts all over America. McComisky is a world-renowned accordion, or “box,” player and composer who was taught by the great Sean McGlynn, a master of the East Galway style of Irish traditional music.

This concert is part of the 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 29-July 4 and July 6-9 on the National Mall between Seventh and Twelfth streets. This and other evening concerts take place on the Ralph Rinzler Stage.

More information: www.festival.si.edu Full schedule: www.festival.si.edu/schedule

Baltimore Irish Trad Fest

 —  —

Baltimore, MD

The sixth annual Baltimore Irish Trad Fest will be held on April 7-9, 2017 and again we'll be gathering some of the world's finest traditional Irish musicians to teach workshops, perform and lead sessions. There will be an all-star concert on Saturday evening at the Creative Alliance, workshops on Saturday and Sunday, and sessions all weekend long! The 2017 line up includes James Kelly, fiddle; Daithi Sproule, guitar and songs; Kevin Crawford, flute; Kathleen Conneely, tin whistle; Billy McComiskey, button accordion; Donna Long, piano; Rose Flanagan and Dylan Foley, fiddle; Pat Egan, guitar and songs; Bob Smith, banjo/mandolin; Dan Isaacson, uilleann pipes, Alex Boatright, concertina; Aaron Olwell, flute; Myron Bretholz, bodhran, Josh Dukes, Kieran Jordan and Megan Downes, dance; Jim Eagan, fiddle and more!

Concert featuring Laura Byrne, Sean McComiskey, Donna Long and Pat Egan with the Culkin School of Irish Dance. The Hedge Band was formed in 2005 by Laura Byrne, Donna Long, Pat Egan and Billy McComiskey, four of Maryland’s preeminent Irish traditional musicians. The musicians of the Hedge Band have performed independently at countless venues around the world including The Kennedy Center, The White House and Lincoln Center. They will be joined by dancers from the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance. A treat not to be missed!

Feb17

Join us for an entertaining evening of some of the Baltimore/Washington area’s finest Irish traditional music!

Featuring greats such as Billy McComiskey (button accordion), Matt Mulqueen (piano), Jim Eagan (fiddle), Laura Byrne (flute), Megan Downes (dance), Pat Egan, vocals and guitar, Donna Long, (piano), Myron Bretholz (bodhran), and MORE!

There will be a silent auction - items include tickets to popular Baltimore venues and restaurants.

T-shirts with this year's new Trad Fest design will be on sale. (These sell out quickly every year - buy one early.)

All proceeds will benefit the 6th annual Baltimore Irish Trad Fest to be held April 7-9. Bringing in some of the world’s most talented Irish traditional musicians and dancers from around North America and Ireland, the Baltimore Irish Trad Fest is an annual weekend of educational music and dance workshops, sessions and a concert held at various venues around the city of Baltimore. Class offerings include guitar, fiddle, flute, tin whistle, button accordion, piano, songs, banjo, bodhran and more.

Previous events

Mar10

Laura Byrne (flute & tin whistle), Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Donna Long (piano & fiddle) have been performing together for nearly two decades, spending many years performing as a trio at the iconic J. Patrick’s Pub in Baltimore’s Locust Point. Each has traveled the world entertaining audiences with performers such as Cherish the Ladies, Billy McComiskey, James Kelly, Brian and Rose Conway, John Whelan, and O’Malley’s March, to name a few. They will be joined by the talented rising-star Eileen Estes (vocals & guitar) who grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, Her extraordinary voice is both powerful and emotive. Dedicated to Irish traditional music, each member of this quartet grew up with extensive musical training, and a broad musical background. Together they create a unique and dynamic musical sound steeped in tradition that energizes and delights audiences.

Feb8

HoCoPoLitSo’s guest for its annual Irish Evening on February 8, 2019, is the award-winning poet Vona Groarke, recipient of the 2017 Hennessy Hall of Fame Award for Lifetime Achievement. Groarke’s reading will be followed by a concert of Irish music and championship step dancing. During intermission, complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Irish coffee, specialty cocktails, and Guinness will be offered for sale beginning at 7 p.m. and during intermission. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Smith Theatre of the Horowitz Center for Visual and Performing Arts on the campus of Howard Community College

Jan13

Concert with Maggie Sansone

Rams Head Annapolis, 33 West St., Annapolis, MD

4:00 pm. Rams Head on Stage featuring: Maggie's Music Celtic Celebration for the New Year 2019! An annual event and this year features host Maggie Sansone on hammered dulcimer with Belgium Harp-Guitarist Paul Oorts, Irish musicians Laura Byrne on Irish flute and Jim Eagan on fiddle, Seth Kibel on clarinet and sax and percussionist Matthew Bell on bodhran and percussion. 33 West St. Annapolis MD 21401,Venue Phone: 410-268-4545. www.ramsheadonstage.com

Dec14

Get into the holiday spirit with An Irish Christmas featuring songs, tunes and airs from Ireland performed by some of the finest musicians in Irish music today. This dynamic quartet will perform an engaging blend of holiday and traditional tunes and songs.

Laura Byrne (flute & tin whistle), Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Donna Long (piano & fiddle) have been performing together for nearly two decades, spending many years performing as a trio at the iconic J. Patrick’s Pub in Baltimore’s Locust Point. Each has traveled the world entertaining audiences with performers such as Cherish the Ladies, Billy McComiskey, James Kelly, Brian and Rose Conway, John Whelan, and O’Malley’s March, to name a few. They will be joined by the talented rising-star Eileen Estes (vocals & guitar) who grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, Her extraordinary voice is both powerful and emotive. Dedicated to Irish traditional music, each member of this quartet grew up with extensive musical training, and a broad musical background. Together they create a unique and dynamic musical sound steeped in tradition that energizes and delights audiences.

Laura Byrne is one of only a handful of musicians to successfully cross over to Irish traditional music from another discipline. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 1995 for classical flute but now is highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic for her proficiency in the Irish traditional style, performing around North America and Ireland with many of the greats. Both Laura and Jim are members of the Old Bay Ceili Band which recorded Crabs in the Skillet in 2014. Laura and Jim won first place at the North American fleadh in duets. Laura’s solo recordings Tune for the Road (2005) and Lucky Day (2010) received rave reviews and receive radio airplay in the U.S. and Ireland. She released an acclaimed duo recording, Forget Me Not, in 2014 with New York-based Sligo-style fiddler Rose Flanagan. In 1999, Laura was the winner of the U.S. Eastern Fleadh Championship in New York. She is a two time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist award. Laura teaches privately and founded and directs The Baltimore Irish Trad Fest which is held annually in the spring.

Jim Eagan grew up in Baltimore’s renowned Irish traditional music scene. He fondly recalls being enchanted by the violin even at a very young age. Until the age of fifteen, Jim exclusively studied classical violin, both through Suzuki classes and at the Baltimore School for the Arts. Jim’s roots in Irish tradition truly sprouted from Irish step dancing, which he began studying from that same early age. Jim qualified for the World Championships in Dublin in 1991. This exposure to the jigs, reels, and hornpipes while learning his steps was instrumental in developing his desire and ability to play Irish traditional fiddle. From ages 15 to 18, Jim studied fiddle with Brendan Mulvihill. Brendan is a primary influence on Jim’s playing, which is reflected in his musical style. Jim immersed himself in Irish traditional music. Jim’s first trip to Ireland (1996), was to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil, the all Ireland music competition. Jim won third place in the 15-18 age group category for fiddle. Soon thereafter, he began teaching privately. In 1997, Jim was invited to the Augusta Heritage workshops as an instructor where he continued to teach through 2005. In the late 1990s, Jim spent several years as a member of the John Whelan Band and toured Ireland, Europe, Canada, and the U.S. For the past fifteen years, Jim has been a member of O’Malley’s March, led by former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. In 2012 Jim was invited to play at the White House with the band. Jim is also a member of the Old Bay Ceili Band. Jim plays regularly in and around Baltimore with many of the other distinguished musicians that are in the area. He leads a weekly Irish Jam session at Cafe Hon and at Racer’s Café (along with Laura Byrne.)

Irish-American musician and singer Eileen Estes has thrilled audiences for years with her extraordinary voice, which effortlessly combines vocal power with subtle emotional expressiveness. She works as a vocal instructor to private students and is a former song class instructor at the Blue Ridge Irish Music School. Daughter of Nita (Conley) Korn, Celtic Thunder’s original lead singer, Eileen grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland. In addition to her appearances with Narrowbacks, she is a singer-songwriter who performs solo and with other musicians throughout the D.C. area and beyond. In 2015, Nita and Eileen released a beautiful album of Irish and Scottish songs called The Apple Tree Project.

Donna Long has traveled the world playing the piano and fiddle and entertaining audiences with Cherish the Ladies. She continues to foster an impressive music studio in Baltimore, where she teaches both fiddle and piano. Her recordings with fiddler Brendan Mulvihill and her more recent solo recording Handprints are highly acclaimed. In 2001, she was commissioned by The Library of Congress to compose music for piano and fiddle which she titled “Before the Snow Falls” and “Pandora’s Box.”

Dec2

Dec. 2.2018 The 18th Annual Celtic -Christmas at West River Concert! One Show only at 3pm, followed by reception. Enjoy traditional favorites, sing alongs music from the ancient Celtic lands and more! Musicians are Maggie Sansone on hammered dulcimer, Andrea Hoag on fiddle; Laura Byrne on Irish flute, Sharon Knowles on Celtic harp and Irish singer Connie McKenna. "Sparkling musicianship…joyous and spirited" (Living Traditions, UK/ Scotland). Christ Episcoal Church, 220 Owensville Road, West River 20778.Parish Secretary: Petey Kitzmiller Tickets and informatioin: 410-867-0346. ccwroffice@comcast.net

Three preeminent traditional Irish musicians perform lively Irish dance tunes and soulful ballads. Originally from County Tipperary, singer and guitarist Pat Egan resides in Virginia and was a 2014 WAMMY (Washington Area Music Association) recipient for Best Traditional Singer. Award winning flutist Laura Byrne is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and one of a handful of classical musicians to successfully transition to traditional Irish music. Billy McComiskey is a recipient of the 2016 NEA National Heritage Fellowship. Billy, Laura and Pat are recipients of Maryland State Arts Council grants and have performed together and independently of each other both locally around the Mid-Atlantic, andat countless festivals and venues around the world, including the Kennedy Center, The White House, Lincoln Center, and many other great venues across North America and Europe. http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Winchester.html

Jul6

Join the Smithsonian Folklife Festival for a concert of Irish music and dance from the Mid-Atlantic region with Mick Moloney and Billy McComiskey, two National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows.

Moloney has recorded and produced over forty albums of traditional music (including with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings) and acted as advisor for scores of festivals and concerts all over America. McComisky is a world-renowned accordion, or “box,” player and composer who was taught by the great Sean McGlynn, a master of the East Galway style of Irish traditional music.

This concert is part of the 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 29-July 4 and July 6-9 on the National Mall between Seventh and Twelfth streets. This and other evening concerts take place on the Ralph Rinzler Stage.

More information: www.festival.si.edu Full schedule: www.festival.si.edu/schedule

Baltimore Irish Trad Fest

 —  —

Baltimore, MD

The sixth annual Baltimore Irish Trad Fest will be held on April 7-9, 2017 and again we'll be gathering some of the world's finest traditional Irish musicians to teach workshops, perform and lead sessions. There will be an all-star concert on Saturday evening at the Creative Alliance, workshops on Saturday and Sunday, and sessions all weekend long! The 2017 line up includes James Kelly, fiddle; Daithi Sproule, guitar and songs; Kevin Crawford, flute; Kathleen Conneely, tin whistle; Billy McComiskey, button accordion; Donna Long, piano; Rose Flanagan and Dylan Foley, fiddle; Pat Egan, guitar and songs; Bob Smith, banjo/mandolin; Dan Isaacson, uilleann pipes, Alex Boatright, concertina; Aaron Olwell, flute; Myron Bretholz, bodhran, Josh Dukes, Kieran Jordan and Megan Downes, dance; Jim Eagan, fiddle and more!

Concert featuring Laura Byrne, Sean McComiskey, Donna Long and Pat Egan with the Culkin School of Irish Dance. The Hedge Band was formed in 2005 by Laura Byrne, Donna Long, Pat Egan and Billy McComiskey, four of Maryland’s preeminent Irish traditional musicians. The musicians of the Hedge Band have performed independently at countless venues around the world including The Kennedy Center, The White House and Lincoln Center. They will be joined by dancers from the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance. A treat not to be missed!

Feb17

Join us for an entertaining evening of some of the Baltimore/Washington area’s finest Irish traditional music!

Featuring greats such as Billy McComiskey (button accordion), Matt Mulqueen (piano), Jim Eagan (fiddle), Laura Byrne (flute), Megan Downes (dance), Pat Egan, vocals and guitar, Donna Long, (piano), Myron Bretholz (bodhran), and MORE!

There will be a silent auction - items include tickets to popular Baltimore venues and restaurants.

T-shirts with this year's new Trad Fest design will be on sale. (These sell out quickly every year - buy one early.)

All proceeds will benefit the 6th annual Baltimore Irish Trad Fest to be held April 7-9. Bringing in some of the world’s most talented Irish traditional musicians and dancers from around North America and Ireland, the Baltimore Irish Trad Fest is an annual weekend of educational music and dance workshops, sessions and a concert held at various venues around the city of Baltimore. Class offerings include guitar, fiddle, flute, tin whistle, button accordion, piano, songs, banjo, bodhran and more.