"Celtic at the Cambrian" to Feature Popular Band Blackthorn
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Welsh Society will present an evening of Celtic music at the Cambrian Hall on September 11. The "Celtic at the Cambrian" event is a fundraiser for repairs to the hall's roof and will feature the popular Vancouver folk group Blackthorn.
Blackthorn has built a reputation in Western Canada and parts of the United States for its lively and up-tempo rendering of Celtic songs and for its beautiful harmonies. Anyone who experiences a Blackthorn concert is invariably caught up in the toe-tapping jigs, funky reels and haunting ballads that are the group's specialty.
The group's repertoire consists mainly of traditional songs from Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales, together with some traditional Canadian folk music. Since its formation in 1988 Blackthorn has released three popular CDs. Its current CD, Singing the Travels has been very well received.
From its early gigs in local Vancouver bars and coffee houses the band has expanded its horizons and now makes regular appearances in concerts and festivals throughout Canada and the U.S. Most recently the band has performed in folk festivals in Seattle and St. Louis, and at the Festival du Bois in Maillardville, as well as performing at Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver.
The band's members consist of Graham Carver, Rosie Carver, Michelle Carlisle, Diane Foster, Michael Vieng and Tim Renaud, all of whom play several instruments and each of whom contributes to the vocals.
Steve Edge of The Edge on Folk (CiTR FM) said of Blackthorn: "For all this city's Celtic roots and its devotees of Celtic music, there are precious few bands performing traditional material, so Blackthorn deserves your support."
Also appearing at the "Celtic at the Cambrian" evening will be the Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team, a group of high level ancers from the Joan Murray School of Dance. This experienced competitive group dances to modern and traditional music as well as both Irish and Scottish steps. The group recently performed at the Highland Games in Monterey, California and in Coquitlam, B.C.
The organizers also hope to include Rince Na Gael dancers and possibly a Welsh soloist to round off the evening's entertainment.
"Celtic at the Cambrian" promises to be an entertaining and pleasurable evening. In addition to what promises to be a lively evening of entertainment, refreshments will be available to Welsh Society members and guests at the Red Dragon lounge in the lower hall of the Cambrian Hall.
Tickets for this evening of Celtic music cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets and further information can be obtained by phoning (604) 294-4332 or e-mail Cambrian@blackthornband.com. Blackthorn also has an excellent website at www.blackthornband.com.
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