Bridger Folk Music Society
Press Release for
Celtic Night 2008
Bridger Folk Music Society is proud to announce the 4th Annual “Celtic Night” this coming March 15 and 17 at the Eccles Theatre, in Logan. Several local performers will be combining their talents and expertise for the fourth year running in this popular local production. Inishfre Irish Dance Company, Leaping Lulu and guest percussionist, Sam Bryson will present a full evening of “craic” (Gaelic for fun - dance, music, story and song) beginning at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices range from $10 to $16 and may be purchased in advance at the Eccles Theatre, 43 South Main St., in Logan. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.bridgerfolk.org/celtic.html or at the door. A portion of the proceeds from this year's performance will go to benefit Cache Valley's Four Paws Pet Rescue.
“We're excited to present this year's program” says Julie Zufelt, director and choreographer of Inishfre. “Celtic-based concerts tend to be rowdy, wild and fun” says Zufelt, and this year's performance promises to live up to that standard. Inishfre will present several new choreographies along with a few of the old favorites that have delighted audiences in past years. The dancing will be intertwined with liberal helpings of instrumental music, singing, story telling and sing-alongs. “We might even tell a limerick or two if we can find any suitable for general audiences – we are still looking” commented Harvey Neuber of the local Celtic band, Leaping Lulu. The two groups are striving to revive that same warm crowd-pleasing “happening” in what has become a local Spring tradition.
Inishfre Irish Dance hails from Logan. The company has
been dancing and performing around the Logan area since 2003.
Started and directed by Julie Zufelt, the company consists of nine dancers collectively totaling over fifty years of cumulative experience. Zufelt, with a background in ballet
and piano studies, arranges and choreographs the dances, staying true to the traditional dances and styles of Ireland. After visiting Scotland and Ireland and having been inspired by Riverdance, Zufelt became
passionately immersed in Irish step dancing. She has
chosen a program of both hard-shoe and soft-shoe dances that will be set
to tradtional Celtic music with a little “New Age” feel thrown in for
good measure. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Logan’s
own genre-benders, Leaping Lulu. "We are excited to be performing for the second year on the Eccles stage", Zufelt said. "..it's a superb venue, the stage and technical crew are first-rate." Last year's shows sold over 1300 seats so be advised - get your tickets early.
Leaping Lulu will be
performing a number of traditional Celtic selections along with a few more modern compositions. In their seventh year, Leaping Lulu
continues to push the envelope with their characteristic inventive
dynamics and energetic arrangements. Their notoriety has taken them from
the local music scene to include other such venues as the Sundance Film
Festival and the Celtic Stew Irish music festival to name but a few. They have had the good fortune to open for Celtic
harpist Patrick Ball and have even played dinner music for Eileen Ivers. Their music has been
featured on various radio programs in the area.
The band members are Don Anderson, Sara Law, Harvey Neuber, Kent Braddy and newest member, Liz Fallis. This year, they will also be joined by percussionist, Sam Bryson. A Logan native, Sam has graciously agreed to share his talents with the troupe and will be providing spot-on rhythm for the enjoyment of both performers and audience alike.
As an added bonus this year, Leaping Lulu will be releasing their newest recording, "The Moving Cloud" to coincide with Celtic Night. Hot off the press, "The Moving Cloud" contains hallmark Leaping Lulu instrumental arrangements along with six tracks of Kent's wonderful Irish tenor vocals. The CD's will be available for sale in the lobby.
Everyone, young and old alike, is invited to come and celebrate St. Patrick's
Day and enjoy a spirited evening of good fun and merriment, Celtic style.