The tour will kick off at the Towne Crier in Pawling, New York and will continue around the East Coast and into the American West. Among the highlights are appearances at the Rubenstein Atrium of New York’s famed Lincoln Center on March 7 and on the nationally-syndicated Mountain Stage with Larry Groce radio broadcast, which will take place on Sunday, March 10 from the Paramount Theatre for the Arts in Bristol, Tennessee. Also on the bill for that show will be western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, Larry Keel & and the Natural Bridge and The Down Hill Strugglers. The show will be recorded for broadcast later in the year on some 100 public radio stations across the U.S. and overseas via the Voice of America satellite service.
Their appearance at the Sellersville Theatre outside of Philadelphia will be filmed for the On Canvas television program on PBS’ WHYY-TV for broadcast this spring.
Since coming together in 1996, Lúnasa has performed over 1500 concerts and achieved a worldwide reputation as a distinctive Irish traditional music band. The all-instrumental quintet is noted for double bass and guitar-driven rhythms, original compositions mixed with material from Celtic regions such as Brittany (France), Galicia (Spain) and Asturias (Spain) and an unexpected focus on slower melodies involving three-part harmonies played on the traditional pipes, fiddle and flute.
Lúnasa includes Kevin Crawford on flute, Seán Smyth on fiddle and low whistles, Trevor Hutchinson on double bass, Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes and low whistles and newest member Ed Boyd (guitar). Since their first U.S. tour 16 years ago, the band has criss-crossed the country, playing intimate clubs, concert halls and prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl.
“The audiences in America bring a great energy and goodwill to the table,” explains Smyth. “Often, I think it’s because the Irish have a history of good standing and respect in America, and Lúnasa are benefiting in a way from this famous historical connection.”
Lúnasa’s upcoming U.S. concert dates:
February 22
Towne Crier, Pawling , NY
February 23
Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg , MA
February 24
Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland , RI
February 27
Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
February 28
Performing Arts Center, Tarpon Springs, FL.
March 1
University of Florida Performing Arts Center, Gainesville, FL
March 3
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
March 6
Reston Community Center, Reston, VA
March 7
Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, New York City
March 8
Carlisle Theatre, Carlisle, PA
March 9
Carnegie Lecture Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
March 10
Mountain Stage with Larry Groce radio broadcast, Paramount Theatre for the Arts, Bristol, TN
March 12
Fenian’s Irish Pub, Conklin, MI
March 13
P.J. McIntyre’s Irish Pub, Cleveland, OH
March 14
Palace Theatre, Syracuse
March 16
Center for the Arts, Jackson, WY
March 17
Powell High School Auditorium, Powell, WY
March 20
Evanston Celtic Festival, Evanston, WY
March 22
Myrna Loy Center, Helena, MT
March 23
Hamilton Performing Arts Center, Hamilton, MT
March 24
Mother Lode Theatre, Butte, MT
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
