August 2016 Ceolta Notes  (From 2016 August Celtic Connection newspaper)

By Rodger Hara

Michael “Cal” Callaghan was a big hit at last year’s Long’s Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival with his band, Cal Music.  This year he’s getting a head start on the Festival with a series of solo gigs in Colorado that began in Boulder in July and continues in August in Estes Park.  Born in Scotland, Cal is a singer, guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter who has performed in Europe, the U.S. and Canada and won a Scottish national song-writing competition in 2007.  You can see/hear him on the 4^th, 11^th and 18^th at Up Close and Personal with Cal shows at The Estes Park Resort from 6-9 PM and at the Sheabeen Pub in Aurora from 8:30-11:30 PM on the 5th.  No cover for the shows.

While Cal is in Colorado for August, Potcheen is spending most of the month in Montana.  On the 12^th and 13^th, they’ll be playing at an “After Party” following the closing of the An Rí Rá Festival, at the Yellowstone Brewery in Livingston on the 16^th, at Stage 112 in Missoula on the 17^th, the Lewis in Clark Brewery in Helena on the 18^th, at Miller’s Crossing in Helena on the 19^th and for what sounds like an interesting event – an Irish USMC Wedding in Silver Gate, MT on the 20^th.  They finally return to Colorado on the 27^th for a gig at the Whitewater Bar and Grille in Cañon City on the 27^th.
The Mountain Road Ceili Band is continuing its 2st year at The Margarita at Pine Creek on August 19 at 6 PM outdoors on the patio bar.

Chancer’s Hooley plays at the Blue Spruce Brewery in Centennial on the 12^th from 7:30-9:30 PM and at the Keystone Summit House in Dillon on the 19^th from 4-7 PM

Avourneen does their usual Friday night gig at Katie Eile’s in Westminster on the 7^th, 14^th 21^st and 28^th at 5 PM, play for the folks at The Abbey on East Colfax in Denver at 7 PM on the 7^th, for the Contra Dance at Club Tico in Ft Collins at 8 PM on the 20^th (Admission $10) at wind up the month at Jack Quinn’s in Colorado Springs at 8 PM on the 27^th.

After another successful and fun Elizabeth Celtic Festival, Skean Dubh entertains the shoppers at the Highlands Square farmers market at 32^nd Ave & Meade St. in Denver on the 21^st from 9 AM till 1 PM then closes out the season for the Music on the Plaza program on Belmar Plaza in Lakewood on the 26^th from 6-8 PM.
Wild Mountain is on stage at Clancy’s Irish Pub in Wheat Ridge on the 27^th from 5-8 PM.

Keep Britain Irish is at Jack Quinn’s Pub in Colorado Springs on the 9^th at 9 PM where I’m sure they’ll be playing too.

Brian Clancy entertains at Jack Quinn, Downtown Colorado Springs, on the 4^th, 11^th, and 25^th at 7:30 PM.

The fabulous Bedlam Boys play at The Barrel in Estes Park on the 20^th from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.

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August 2016 Festivals

An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival, August 12-14 at Original Mine Yard, Butte, MT.  Entertainment by The Elders, Gailfean, Makem and Spain, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, Kevin Doyle, Dublin Gulch, Trinity Irish Dancers W/Trinity Dance Workshop on August 12th, Genealogy, Dance, Irish Language, Music & History Workshops – The Rising, Patriotic Spirit of Irish Music with Derek Warfield and Butte’s Irish Heart, Authors, Fun, Food and Merchandise, Raffles for trips to Ireland, Hawaii and a Notre Dame Football Game, 1M, 5K & 10K runs Free Admission! www.mtgaelic.org

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Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games (51st Anniversary) August 5-7, Town Park, Snowmass Village, CO.  Entertainment by Tartan Terrors, Ren Scots and Highland and Irish Dancers W/Dogs of the British Isles, Automobiles of the British Isles, Clan tents, Pipe Band

and Highland Dance Competitions, Whisky Tasting, Scottish Athletics, Kirkin’       Service, fun, food (including haggis) and merchandise.  Dog friendly! Free Admission! www.scottishgames.org

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Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, August 20-21at Marcus Daily Mansion, Hamilton, MT

Tra la Gael, Craicers, Albeni Falls, Swagger, Tom Robinson, Missoula Irish Dancers, W/Irish and Highland dancing, Scottish Athletics, clans, Pipe bands, historical  demonstrations, Whisky and Mead tastings, Kirkin’ service, Mansion tour, fun, food and merchandise.  No dogs allowed

$5-15 depending on days, age, etc.; parking $10/weekend  http://www.bcgg.org/