Tractor Tavern & Other Celtic Concerts

Here are some clips from their latest mailing, and from Eileen's Celtic Calendar. Scan to the end for more information on the Tractor Tavern, times, & tickets.

Fri 12/18 = HANZ ARAKI & FINN MACGINTY. Hanz normally plays flute with the Paperboys, and Finn is one of the ubiquitous Seattle fiddlers. This is some good toe-tapping music to spend an evening with. The show is at the Galway Arms in the University District, a minimal cover may be charged.

Fri 12/18 to Sun 12/20 = MAGICAL STRINGS. They continue their series of Yuletide Celtic concerts, with an assortment of guest performers: jugglers, storytellers, and more musicians. Their 10th album "Legend of Inishcahey" has just been released as well. For more info write to <mstrings at harbornet.com>.

        Fri they are at the University Place Presbyterian Church in Tacoma at 7:30pm (253-564-2522). Sat they are at First Presbyterian Church in Seattle at 3pm & 7:30pm. Sun they are at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon at 2:30 & 7:30pm (360-336-2858). Tickets tend to sell out for these shows, so I would call ahead and double-check.

Wed 12/23 = RANDAL BAYS. Traditional & orginial Celtic music and stories. Free show at Crossroads Shopping Center in Bellevue from 7-8:30pm.

Thur 12/31 = WILLIAM PINT & FELICIA DALE and PILOTS OF TIGER BAY both join together for one of the "Occassional Cafe Concerts" at the Center for Wooden Boats. They will be playing traditional Maritime, Celtic, and French tunes. CWB is located at the south end of Lake Union, right next to the Burger King off of the Mercer Street exit. (Yes, this is inside. :) 7:30pm, $8 general, $6 elders & children. 206-328-3630.

Fri & Sat 1/1 & 2 = THE PAPERBOYS. Our favorite Celtic rock band from Vancouver BC. Always a packed show at the Tractor: their last concert sold out by 2pm on Fri, so get your tickets early! 9:30pm, $12.

Thur 1/7 = OPEN HOUSE. This is going to be their last show together.

Thur 1/14 = ALTAN. Big name band from Scotland, they play mostly traditional songs and instrumental pieces, but with more modern energy. The venue has finally been confirmed: Kane Hall at the Univeristy of Washington. (Trying to dance at this one ought to be interesting.) Tickets will be on sale through the sources below.

Sat 1/16 = HIGHLAND PIPING COMPETITION will be held in Medina, WA. (Near Bellevue 425-228-7833.)

Sun 1/31 = MARTIN HAYES. A phenomenal local fiddler player with an international reputation. Dennis Cahill will be joining him again. Both are well worth seeing!

Feb 9 = CELTIC ACCORDIAN FESTIVAL at the Tractor Tavern.

March 9 = PATRICK STREET

March 16 = ANAM = A hot young Scottish group, with a lot of energy. If you like some of the other "Celtic Rock" bands, you'll like these guys.

March 1999 = SOLAS. Another young, high-energy group.

---

The TRACTOR TAVERN is located in the lower part of Ballard:  5213 Ballard
Avneue NW; Seattle.  206-789-3599.  Free street parking is generally easy
to find; and the Oldtown Alehouse 4 doors to the north serves food.

On Fri & Sat the opening act generally starts about 9:30pm, then the main
show runs from 10:45pm - 1:30am or so.  Weeknight concerts usually start at
8pm, and may or may not have a 30 min opening act; they end by 11pm.  Most
weeknight concerts are also non-smoking anymore.  Doors open 30-60 minutes
before the show starts.

Tickets for most of these concerts are available about a month in advance
at the Tractor itself.  As well as at Dusty Strings in Fremont, Galway
Traders in Ballard, and through Ticketmaster (if you like outrageous fees).
 Prices range from $5 to $10 for most shows, with a top end of $18 for
international acts.  

---

Until later,
		Quarong





<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>

Karen Rall, Folk Music Programming Coordinator for Norwescon 22.  
If you'd like more information about Celtic music activities in 
the Greater Seattle area, or about Filking at Cons & SCA Events, 
please reply to <quarong at eskimo.com>.  General Convention info 
is available at <http://www.webwitch.com/>, and SCA information at
<http://www.sca.org/>.