About Our Entertainers
The Elders
https://eldersmusic.com/elders-home
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050581415637
“The Elders” remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the U-S after 24 years because of their timeless sound. It’s their passion, great melodies, unique harmonies, unparalleled musicianship and strong song-writing that keeps them connected.
And that songwriting began in 1998 when two musicians moved back from L.A. to Kansas City to play Irish music. Norm Dahlor and Brent Hoad, played in numerous bands but their American and Celtic-folk rock roots were calling and The Elders were born.
Their most recent studio album, number 9, “Well Alright Then”, released in March, was conceived after the band retired and the country experienced a lockdown. The band had not intended on recording again but did so in honor of guitarist Steve Phillips, who urged them to finish the album. Phillips recorded all of his vocals and musical parts before he passed in 2020.
“Well Alright Then”, their 9th album, includes the unique story-telling the band is well-known for, with stories of love, loyalty and Irish feistiness.
From an Emmy-Award Winning DVD, to an induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and to a PBS concert televised across the U-S, The Elders are still going strong because of their powerful, personal and musical chemistry.
Reviewed in numerous publications such as PASTE Magazine, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Music Row Magazine, Goldmine Magazine, TRAD Magazine (France), Chicago Sun-Times, The Kansas City Star and more, the band still remains a recognizable music force.
The Elders are Ian Byrne, lead vocals and percussion, Kian Byrne, vocals, drums, bass guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin, Norm Dahlor, vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, Diana Ladio, vocals, fiddle, William “Liam” Latas, vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar and Daniel Loftus, vocals, keyboards, bass guitar.
Brianna Brown and Friends
https://www.facebook.com/TheBriannaBrownBand
The Brianna Brown Band is a traditional Irish music project from St. Louis, featuring Brianna Brown (concertina, harp, whistle, mouth organ), John Bolduan (guitar, banjo), Tim Yau (fiddle, guitar), Lisa Gilbert (flute), and Matthew Brown (bodhran)
Celtica
Celtica is a traditional session group, playing weekly in the local area (see our Calendar Page for details). The group comprises musicians of all proficiencies, walks of life, and backgrounds in Celtic music. All participate as they are able; but the draw is all the same – an intense interest in the Celtic heritage, its music, and its people – in short, all things Celtica!
Clarkson Irish Dancers
https://www.clarksonschool.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ClarksonIrishDance
The Clarkson School of Irish Dance has been sharing the art of Irish dance with children and adults in St. Louis and St. Charles for 30 years.
Considered one of the premier Irish dance schools in Mid-America, our dancers compete at the local, regional, national and world level in solo, ceili and choreography dancing. We also perform throughout the year at festivals, fairs, parades, schools and special events in Missouri and Illinois.
Clarkson is the only Irish dance school in Missouri with four certified TCRG teachers – and two ADCRG’s – on staff, designations that require years of training, teaching and rigorous testing by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha in Ireland.
Eileen Gannon & Friends
https://www.facebook.com/eileengannonharpist
Eileen Gannon has been lighting up the St. Louis music scene for many years. Eileen, a St. Louis native, is one of the top Irish harp players in the world. She has won numerous accolades including the highly coveted Senior Harp title at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (World Irish Music Championships). She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from St. Louis University and a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from University of Limerick. Eileen has toured and performed all over the world and is a regular tutor at international festivals like the Catskills Irish Arts Week, and Scoil Eigse. Eileen also represented Ireland at World Expos in 2010 in Shanghai, China and in 2015, in Milan, Italy. Eileen launched her debut solo CD, The Glory Days Are Over in 2017, and has appeared on albums with Tommy Martin, Bernadette NicGabhann, Eimear Arkins , Kevin Buckley, and Robert Ryan.
Eileen studied classical harp with Laura Hearne and spent most of her summers growing up studying with various harp masters in Ireland. Many of Eileen’s students have now won honors in All-Ireland competitions. She also holds the TTCT teaching certificate awarded byComhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirreann. Eileen was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and has performed with the Clayton and University City Symphony Orchestras. Eileen has also appeared with the Musical Diversions Society Orchestra and the St. Louis Women’s Chorale.While studying in Ireland, Eileen taught at the Limerick Municipal School of Music and performed regularly at Dromoland and Bunratty Castles.
Irish Aires
https://www.facebook.com/irishaires
The Irish Aires have been playing Irish folk for some 30 years and have managed to maintain a loyal fan base for whom they recorded 2 CD’s, aptly titled “You Asked For It” and “Past the Point of Rescue”.
Keltic Reign
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063686104184
Keltic Reign is Celtic with a Kick! Still our family band at the core, but in Keltic Reign, we perform with Randy Getz, and Marc Waters on drums, playing our own driving brand of songs and tunes.
Lore
The band that adds sophistication to Pop, Lore formed in 2015. Famed for turning the
legendary Teenage Kicks on its head, Lore have gone from living room dreams to Sell
Out Theatre Tour success. The band have just performed their biggest show yet at Derry’s
Iconic Guildhall, a show which underscores their upward trajectory in the Irish music
scene. With captivating harmonies & finely crafted original songs, Lore’s rapid rise to Theatre
success has come to a band yet to release an album.
Having been described as the Northern Irish Fleetwood Mac, LORE have gained acclaim and
recognition nationally. The dynamic 4 piece have been playlisted consistently on local and
national mainstream radio. They have wooed audiences with their enigmatic live
performances playing alongside legendary Irish acts alike such as Mary Black, Ryan McMullan,
The 4 of Us and Cara Dillon.
2023 saw Lore perform in some of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious venues, including
Belfast’s Waterfront, The Grand Opera House & Derry’s Guildhall. Next year, Lore will join
forces with the renowned Dublin Gospel Choir for a unique collaboration incorporating
original songs composed by Lore.
The bands passion for telling their story through their original songwriting has endeared
them to audiences across the country.
St. Louis Irish Arts
https://www.facebook.com/stlouisirisharts
‘Céad míle fáilte’ is the Irish way of saying “One hundred thousand welcomes”.
St. Louis Irish Arts is a school dedicated to the instruction of the music and dance of Ireland. We pride ourselves on our continual persistence to teaching the Irish music, song and dance the way they were taught throughout the centuries in Ireland: the traditional Irish way. Nothing is more beautiful than the natural innocence and splendor of a young child. We truly believe in that. So for this reason, you will never be asked to have your child wear a wig or makeup or to use spray tans. If you would like to give your child ringlets for special occasions that is up to you, but for the most part, our little girls just wear a plain red bow in their hair. At no time will you ever see our dancers dancing in public to pre-recorded music. Our own students play the music for our dancers. That is the traditional Irish way; the way it has been done in Ireland for centuries and centuries.
The Wee Heavies
https://www.facebook.com/theweeheavies/
The Wee Heavies are an off-the-wall a cappella band dedicated to the music from and inspired by the Celtic tradition. . .and whatever we feel like singing next.