Upcoming Traditional
Celtic Music Events

Old Blind Dogs - Masters of the tricky art of innovating within a musical tradition while remaining true to its essence, Old Blind Dogs have stood on the cutting edge of Scotland's roots revival since forming in 1990. With their repertoire that features high-octane instrumentals and traditional songs, it's always a joy to hear the Dogs' dynamic fusion of delicately phrased melodies from Scottish tradition with world music, jazz, and rock undercurrents.

The Dogs' founder, Jonny Hardie (fiddle and mandolin), hails from Aberdeenshire on Scotland's northeast coast, an area steeped in traditional songs and fiddle tunes. While a decidedly contemporary musical attitude often takes tunes in unexpected directions, Jonny's fiddle and Ali Hutton's superb Border pipes deftly tie the music back to its roots. Aaron Jones' bass and bouzouki and Fraser Stone's drumming round out the roster of this group, who were named Folk Band of the Year at the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards. Old Blind Dogs' latest release is Four on the Floor (Compass).

The Community Music School of Santa Cruz is planning its annual Teen and Kids' Celtic Music Camps for the summer of 2010.  Learn and perform tunes from Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Brittany, Celtic Spain, Scandinavia, and America, hang out in the California redwood forest, meet new friends, and have a great time!

These traditional music camps are for players of fiddle, flute, pennywhistle, recorder, oboe, harp, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, keyboards, accordion, percussion, cello, bassoon and other traditional instruments. Other activities include dancing, swimming, crafts, knitting, campfire, and bamboo flute making. 

All participants must be proficient on their instrument – these camps are not appropriate for beginners. Sheet music will be available, but we encourage students to learn by ear. 

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Teen Camp: June 21-26, 2010.  Concert at 11 AM on Saturday, June 26.

a) Day Program: Ages 12-17, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  $450  NEW THIS YEAR!

This program is intended for students wanting more of a challenge than kid camp, but not quite ready for the overnight program, or for students who have evening commitments.  Students will participate in all musical activities, including small bands, group class, camp ensemble and the final concert, as well as fun afternoon activities, such as crafts, swimming, and flute-making. Students will spend 

Friday evening at camp (until 9:30 p.m.)-- the night of the Ceilidh!   Program includes lunch.

b) Overnight Program: Ages 13-18 $575

Spend all day playing music in the redwoods, and have a great time  dancing, watching a movie in the meadow, and sessioning every night!  

Before dinner in the late afternoon the pool is open as well as the volleyball court, ping pong table, basket ball and tether ball.  And of course there will be crafts including flute making.  Program includes all meals and boarding.  Returning overnight students will also have the opportunity to be mentors to new students!

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Kids' Camp: August 2 - August 14, 2010. Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.$375.  Ages 7 - 13. Come learn tunes in the redwoods of Bonny Doon and meet other young musicians. Other amenities include swings, a slide, spinny-go-round, and a pool. Bring a bag lunch. No camp on Sat. Aug. 7th and Sunday Aug. 8th. Concert on Saturday, August 14 at 1 PM. Camp will take place at the Boomeria, in Bonny Doon. Come see the new repaired castle! (Yes, the typhoon got a tree, which got the castle…)

Andy Irivine Singer, songwriter, and master of many instruments (including guitar, harmonica, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy), Andy Irvine has long been known as "a tradition unto himself." A world music pioneer with a crystal clear artistic vision and highly unique performing skills, Andy takes his listeners on a musical journey from his native Ireland through Eastern Europe, Australia, America, and back. Few others can equal his repertoire of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes, and compelling originals.

Over the course of his 40-year career, this archetypal troubadour has recorded and performed with many of the most influential groups in Irish traditional music, including Planxty in the 1970s and Patrick Street starting in the late 1980s. In 2002, Andy drafted some long-time musical friends and formed his "dream band", Mozaik, with Donal Lunny, Dutch guitarist Rens van der Zalm, Hungarian bagpiper Nikola Parov, and American fiddler Bruce Molsky. Andy continues to tour extensively with both Patrick Street and Mozaik, releasing albums like Mozaik's new Changing Trains.