Selections

NTIF Urchin Street Performers

The Urchin Street stage feaures a number of true Celtic performers, including musicians and storytellers with programs especially for the younger audience.

Arabesque

Arabesque is a musical duo that has been mesmerizing audiences since 2003 with their unique blend of Celtic, Arabic, Judeo-Spanish, Turkish, and other world folk traditions. Any given song can be a vehicle to take the musicians and the listeners to new places, creating spontaneous and heartfelt expressions through the blending of musical forms, ornaments, and styles.

Their performances are an intelligent mix of instrumental music, storytelling, history, humor and hands-on fun. Both hail from Norman, Oklahoma, where Miranda teaches World Music at the University of Oklahoma and Steve does archaeological survey work. They have performed at fairs, festivals, contra dances, workshops, schools, universities, and private functions throughout Oklahoma and neighboring states.

Come take a magic carpet ride around the globe with Arabesque as this unique pair unveils the mysteries and enchantments of the world's diverse musical cultures, marrying lilting Irish reels and jigs to the sensuous and evocative melodies of the East.

Calamity Holler’

Calamity Holler’ (formerly Calamity Road) are: Vince Cole: guitar, banjo, vocals. Maggie Drennon: fiddle and vocals. Jenifer Harrison: doghouse and gutbucket bass, vocals. Rogan Muldoon: 12 string guitar and vocals.

The Music: Some old...some new! From the Plains of Texas to the Curragh of Kildare. The Hills of Appalachia to the Highlands of Scotland. Songs for everyone, young or old, with roots reaching back to the Old Sod!

 

Don Gabbert

Don Gabbert is known as the "Voice of the West Texas Celts" and performs throughout the region. A proud first generation Irish-Texan he presents the music of his heritage with the added flavor of his native Texas.

Don reminds us that we are proud to be of Irish heritage and lucky to be Texans. So lift up your voice with him and say, "Tejas Go Bragh"!

 

 

 

 

Flowers of Edinburgh

The Flowers of Edinburgh is a family group featuring 17 year-old twin sisters, Laura and Rachel Bennett, on fiddle and their mother, Malia Bennett, on guitar. The trio performs traditional jigs, reels, polkas and other tunes representing their Celtic heritage, which includes ancestry from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Laura and Rachel began studying both classical violin and Celtic fiddle when they were fourth-graders and were especially inspired by another Oklahoma band, Boru’s Ghost. Malia has also played with Oklahoma City based Celtic groups Suspicious Contra Band and As the Crow Flies, and has performed with Tulsa area Celtic bands The Four Fiddlers of the Apocalypse and Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer.

The Flowers of Edinburgh participates in festivals throughout Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival in Stillwater; Iron Thistle Scottish Festival in Yukon; The Oklahoma Scottish Festival in Tulsa; The Bricktown St. Patty’s Day Block Party in Oklahoma City as well as playing at Sean Cummings’ Pub and St. Patrick’s Day Festival. This is their first year at NTIF.

Ghost of a Rose

Meeting in a bardic circle at ApolloCon 2007, by the end of the evening Dene & Sundara were talking about singing as a performing duo...and Ghost of a Rose was born. Their debut performance was at Fencon IV, three months later. They have performed at SCA events, Coffee Oasis, Waldo’s Coffee House, in concert at Apollocon 2008 & 2009, and were the Musical Guests of Honor at Conjour 2 Fantasy/SciFi/Horror convention.

The music Ghost of a Rose plays is eclectic; within the same performance you can hear Celtic music, SCA/Renaissance music, Pagan music, Filk music, or original pieces. Sundara received a BS in Theatre from Illinois State University and is originally from the Chicago Area, where she participated in filk circles at conventions and SCA events. Dene has been playing guitar and singing folk music since 1967, playing with several different groups over the years, performing everything from folk music to German Oktoberfest songs. Along the way he received a Bachelor's in Music Education and taught music for a year.

Killavil

Recently arrived on the Irish music scene, Killavil is a group of young musicians with an unwavering dedication to the Traditional Irish Music.

They have performed at festivals, clubs, and pubs, across the United States, England, and Ireland. Killavil focuses on traditional music originating from the Galway and East Clare regions of Ireland.

The band consists of Michael Stribling on the uilleann pipes, tin whistle, and flute, Rachel Stribling on the fiddle, and Daniel Stribling on bouzouki, banjo, bodhran, and piano.

Linda King

An original founder of Amberhawke, Linda has been a professional musician since the age of 10 when she began singing folk music for women’s and church groups. Playing guitar and piano, the alto of the group crafts the vocal arrangements, and writing her own original songs. She is also one of the founders of Under the Mistletoe, a Victorian Christmas ensemble.

Linda also works as a solo performer and has performed at festivals from California and Ohio as well as Texas. Prior to beginning AH, she studied and sang a variety of musical styles including classical, pop and gospel and composes in a variety of genres.

As a children’s performer she performs under the name of Lady Amber and has used her unique blend of storytelling and song to introduce young audiences to Celtic history in schools, festivals and museums and libraries. In Linda’s other life", she has worked with children of all ages as a childcare administrator, Christian Education Director and teacher for eighteen years.

Micheal Price

Weaving stories of family and the sea with original songs and standards you know by heart, Micheal brings a smile to the faces of children of all ages. From early in life his love of entertaining, music and his gift for spinning a tale has led him on a long, colorful voyage. He has been a singer, a songwriter, a thespian, an improv comic and a nightclub DJ. His travels have taken him from Texas to Maine, Michigan, California, Puerto Rico, Germany and England.

He is a former member of the Blarney Brothers and a current member of the Trinity River Whalers and has performed at Festivals from Milwaukee to Boston. His solo CD Anum Ceol - Soul Music is a compilation of recordings covering over 15 years. New original songs, including Standing Stones, Sleeping Dragon and Back to Her, will be featured in these rare solo performances.

Come join him for this musical journey. So this Leprechaun walks into a bar …

Rebekah Passmore

Rebekah Passmore, an award winner in both Celtic and classical harp competitions, is sought out as an ardent performer noted for her ethereal arrangements, spicy touch, and captivating musicality.

Educated throughout North American and Europe with a BM and MM in harp performance, Rebekah performs on a variety of harps not only with international symphony orchestras but also for leading Renaissance and Celtic festivals. Her effervescent spirit and passion for fusing ancient melodies with alluring harmonies transports audiences to the Realm of Harp unrivaled by any other.