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Celtic band coming to Rimbey

Music lovers in the area will have an opportunity to enjoy a delightful mix of Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland and

Music lovers in the area will have an opportunity to enjoy a delightful mix of Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland and the Maritimes when the traditional acoustic group Celtara comes to Rimbey Aug. 17.

Celtara will present a concert of traditional and contemporary acoustic Celtic music at 7:30 p.m. at the Rimbey Community Centre, Upper Auditorium, 5109 – 54 Street.

The band features Bonnie Gregory (fiddle, harp, vocals), Andreas Illig (guitar, Irish bouzouki), Tami Cooper (flute, whistle, vocals), Steven Bell (accordion, piano, vocals) and Mark Arnison (bodhran, world percussion). They’re deep-seated love of music, has proven to be infectious. Celtara has entertained large and small audiences since 2004. Their venues vary and include sold-out shows in soft-seat theatres, intimate settings of house concerts, a VIA train, and Edmonton’s Riverboat Queen.

Enthusiastic and appreciative audiences have called their performances joyous, inspiring, toe-tapping and beautiful.

The diversity of the group comes, no doubt, from a combination of talents. Gregory, originally a classical violinist, developed her talent for flawless jigs, reels and airs in the band Scona Brae.

Guitarist Andy Illig is also from the band Scona Brae and is well known in the Alberta Celtic scene.

Tami Cooper has toured and recorded with David Wilkie’s Cowboy Celtic, and was a founding member of the long-lived Celtic quartet Sheela Na Gigh.

Mark Arnison, who also played with Sheela Na Gigh, brings his wonderful percussion talent to the band with traditional, classical and world beat styles.

And last, but certainly not least is Steven Bell, a composer/accordionist/pianist with an extensive classical, jazz and pop background.

Celtara continues to leave a lasting mark in the Celtic music world and has recently released its second album, More Than One True Love. This album follows their debut recording Until the Morning Light, released in 2007.

More Than One True Love placed seventh on CKUA’s top 30 chart the week it was released and Peter North, music journalist and CKUA host, said it is one of the best Celtic acts on the Prairies.

“It is evident Celtara has become a unit where the members breathe in unison and are on the same page when it comes to navigating the musical journey that is taking place.”

Tickets for the Rimbey performance are available at Stationery, Stories and Sounds, 5007 50th Avenue. Phone 403-843-4392.