St. Patrick’s Lures Celtic Music’s Best

A slew of Celtic music is making its way to Spokane to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you are a leaping or a listening leprechaun, luck is on your side - it’s harps and shamrocks all the way.

The Magical Strings perform at The Met Friday at 8 p.m. The family quartet from Seattle will bring along their harp, hammered dulcimer, cello and pennywhistle. They will also bring William Pint and Felicia Dale to do acoustic guitar and Celtic vocals. The Haran Irish Step Dancers will kick up their heels at the gig, and in case that weren’t enough, a juggler who pushes the boundaries of gravity and wins, Thomas Arthur, will be on the stage.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $9 for youth 12 and under, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT. Discounts are available for Spokane Folklore Society Members at the Mallon Street G&B office.

The Spokane Folklore Society’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance with the Celtic Nots will be Saturday at the Woman’s Club, Ninth and Walnut. Irish dancing will be taught by Vickie and Pat Marron at 7:30, then you’re on your own from 8-11 p.m. with live music by the local Nots. Participants are encouraged to bring a green snack or dessert. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted.

Admission is $5 for SFS members or $7 for non-members. For more information, call the Spokane Folklore Society at 747-2640.

A Celtic Celebration will be presented by the Spokane Spiritual Center on Sunday at 10 a.m. Irish ministers Austin and Mary Hennessey will deliver a special St. Patrick’s message, and there will be Celtic dancing by the Haran Irish Dancers, those lilting Irish melodies sung by Michael Robinson, and traditional music by the Travelling Lundbergs. There is no charge for this event, but a collection will be taken. The Spokane Spiritual Center is located at 12323 E. Mission. For more information, call 928-1938.

William Jackson, a Scottish harpist, will perform Wednesday at 8 p.m. at The Met. Jackson’s main instrument is the Scottish harp, but he also plays the wire strung harp, flute, whistle, uillean (Irish) pipes and piano.

As a founding member of Ossian, the traditional Scottish band, he has been recording and performing Celtic music for more than 20 years. Just last year he was involved in four recordings: “The Carrying Stream” with Ossian and “Spirit of Scotland,” “Spirit of Ireland” and “Celtic Christmas” on the Crimson label.

In 1996 Jackson’s commission from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra was premiered. His composition “A Scottish Island” brought together traditional and classical music. Jackson’s music has been frequently featured on BBC programs and, in this country, on NPR’s “Thistle and Shamrock.”

Advance tickets are $10, or $7 for seniors and students, available through G&B. All tickets at the door will be $12.

More upcoming Irish music includes Altan on March 24, and Will Millar and the Irish Rogues on March 28, both at The Met. Look for complete previews of these events next week.