Fifteen years have passed since the North Coast Performers Society first held Celtic Night in Prince Rupert. Today, it is one of the few remaining European cultural events occurring annually in the community, with Celtic Night taking place at the Lester Centre of the Arts on Saturday, February 25.
“Celtic Night will have a bit of everything… a real smorgasbord of talents, styles and genres.” Said Ken Shaw, who has organized Celtic Night every year since it began.
The family-oriented performance will include a number of musical guests, as well as dancing from cultural backgrounds such as Irish and Scottish.
Headlining the musical performances for the evening will be Twisted String, a large group made up of musicians of all ages. Twisted String was started by fiddler/composer Oliver Schroer in 2003 as a unique teaching and performing concept for young musicians. Schroer formed two groups in British Columbia, one in Smithers, who learned music written by Schroer and performed it as big group.
After years of hiatus, two alumni’s of Twisted String restarted the group, sticking with Schroer’s original concept.
Another group headlining Celtic Night will be Talsiker, a Telkwa group who will be returning performers. Talisker were one of the groups to play at the first-ever Celtic performance back in 1997.
Additionally, Gaelforce will be performing a musical set, along with students Ruby Ferlaino and Brock Griffin.
As well as the musical talents, there will be dancing throughout the evening by the Spectrum City Irish Dancers and the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert Irish Dancers.
Additionally, Ian Cullen and Helen Moore will be performing Scottish dancing, accompanied by a piper from Terrace.
Tickets for Celtic Night can be purchased in advance at Cook’s Jewelers or the Lester Centre box office, costing $15 for adults and $12 for students. The performance will start at 7 p.m.