LET’S have some FUN! Mother’s Day, May 10 on the Pearl Street Mall & 14th St, Ex-Great Big Sea (Newfoundland) frontman Alan Doyle brings his “Already Dancing Tour” to Colorado with loads of talented friends on the Boulder Theater Stage! Reserve Seats Linke:
https://www.axs.com/events/1175386/?skin=bouldertheater
In tow for the show will be Alan Doyle’s just release EP “Already Dancing” along with “Welcome Home”, Doyle’s fourth full-length solo studio album and 20th overall. While upholding his status as a perennial merrymaker — a reputation burnished by his years with acclaimed folk-pop combo Great Big Sea. The wildly popular musician from Petty Harbour, Newfoundland remains the most electrifying before a live audience, abetted by his ace band. “I am the luckiest guy in the world,” Doyle says. “It’s such a privilege to stand among those players on stage.”
Alan’s special guests, Bandits on the Run, are known for their distinct combination of cello, guitar,
accordion, and found-percussion, along with sophisticated three-part harmonies.
Details: Celtic Events Presents
ALAN DOYLE and the Beautiful, Beautiful Band with special guest BANDITS on the RUN
Already Dancing Tour
Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, 2026 – 7:00 PM (6:00 PM doors)
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
All Ages (under 16 with adult)
All Seats Reserved ($35-$60 plus BO fees)
Direct Link: https://www.axs.com/events/1175386/?skin=bouldertheater
Box Office Hours (In-Person): Wednesday – Friday from 3pm – 7pm, Saturday from 12pm – 5pm, and 1.5 hours before doors open on event nights.
Box Office Hours (Phone Support): Monday – Friday from 10am – 4pm. Box Office number: 303.786.7030.
(Sunday Free Parking on City meters and parking garage next to Boulder Theater on 15th and Spruce)

THE HIGH KINGS March 25, 8PM (7PM doors) 2026, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St, Boulder, CO 80302
https://www.axs.com/events/1123947/?skin=bouldertheater

The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour 2026

As global ambassadors of Irish folk music, The High Kings have cemented their status by blending timeless tradition with a vibrant, modern energy. The High Kings are bringing The Rocky Road Tour to fans across Europe and North America. The tour is a solo engagement, featuring a full evening with the band and no support acts.

The extensive run kicks off in Ireland on December 29, 2025. It will then cross the Atlantic for a comprehensive leg across the United States in early 2026 before returning to Europe for German dates later that year. The tour will visit major cities including Dublin, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Berlin.

This tour solidifies the band’s global success, offering audiences a high-energy show focused on the rich musicianship and storytelling they are known for. Don’t miss the chance to see them live; secure your tickets soon.

SOLAS 30th Anniversary Tour – Sunday March 22, 7pm Doors, 8PM show, Boulder Theatre, 2032 14th St, Boulder, CO 80302. Special Guests: Moors & McCumber. Direct link:
https://www.z2ent.com/events/detail/solas-2026-bt
March 20, 7:30pm, Rialto Theater and March 21 7:30pm Lonetree.
Solas is lighting up stages across the globe as they celebrate three decades of pushing boundaries and honoring traditions in Irish music. Hailed by The Boston Globe as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced,” and by The Wall Street Journal as “an Irish traditional band bearing all the marks of greatness,” Solas continues to captivate audiences with their spellbinding musicianship and genre-defying creativity.
Formed in New York City in 1995, Solas quickly rose to prominence as a revolutionary force in Irish-American music. The very first iteration of Solas brought together a lineup of extraordinary talent including multi-instrumentalist Séamus Egan, fiddler Winifred Horan, vocalist Karan Casey, guitarist John Doyle, and accordionist John Williams. Together, they redefined the Celtic sound for a new generation, weaving traditional Irish tunes with elements of folk, bluegrass, Americana, and contemporary songwriting.
Now, with twelve critically acclaimed albums and a reputation for dynamic, emotionally charged live performances, Solas has set new standards for musicianship, repertoire, and intensity. Their debut album Solas (1996) established a bold new voice in traditional music, and each subsequent release has showcased the band’s remarkable ability to tell stories that resonate across time and cultures.
Among their most ambitious works is the 2013 concept album Shamrock City, a deeply personal project inspired by Egan’s great-great-uncle, who immigrated from Ireland to the mining town of Butte, Montana in the early 1900s. The album is a powerful meditation on immigrant identity, labor struggles, and lost dreams, and it solidified Solas’ reputation as not only virtuosic musicians but evocative storytellers.
Their 2016 release, All These Years, marked the band’s 20th anniversary and featured contributions from every past and present member. It was both a celebration of their journey and a showcase of their creative evolution.
While the band has seen various lineup changes over the years, the spirit of innovation and reverence for Irish tradition has remained constant. As Solas takes to the road for this milestone tour, they’re joined by a stellar lineup that honors the band’s legacy while lighting the way forward.
Founding members Seamus Egan, Winifred Horan, and John Williams are joined by guitarist Alan Murray and – depending on the night! – audiences will be treated to the luminous vocals and flute work of Irish folk star Nuala Kennedy or the genre-defying brilliance of multi-instrumentalist and vocal polyglot Moira Smiley. Each performance promises its own unique magic, as these world-class artists breathe new life into the band’s rich and ever-evolving soundscape

Experience Ireland with Friends of Irish Studies in the West (FISW) this summer. Two tours: May 11-May 20, 2026 or June 18 -27, 2026. Hosted by the Dr. Traolach Ó RíordáinDetails/Contact

Friends of Irish Studies in the West (FISW) [email protected]

A Celebration of Life for Patrick McMahon
Longtime member of the Colorado Irish community Patrick “Pat” McMahon passed last month in Jacksonville, Florida where he had been living with his wife Lynn since retirement over a decade ago.
Originally from Oram (near Castleblayney), Co. Monaghan, Pat moved to the U.S., served his newfound country, eventually move to Colorado and started a successful landscaping company. All the while in Colorado he was active in various Irish groups including, Irish Fellowship Club of Colorado, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Leadville ½ to St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and most recently, a founder of the Colorado Irish Festival that that started in July,1994 on the 9th Street Mall, Auraria Campus, in Denver, moved to a few locations until ending in Clement Park, Littleton in 2018.
Family and friends are throwing a proper send-off for Pat, Sept 13th from 2-6pm, at the Moose Lodge in Northglenn, (11449 York St in Northglenn CO) where he and Lynn first met almost 50 years ago.
Come raise a pint, toss back a Jameson, and enjoy the craic.
There will be music, memories, and more than a few tall tales!
Slainte! To a life well lived, and a man who will be missed! Photo by Siana McGleenon

EILEEN IVERS

“She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing”- The Irish Times
Thursday August 28, 2025, 7:00 pm show, 6:00pm doors. All Ages / Bar with ID
The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave., Denver CO
All in Pricing (fees and taxes included) $29 GA seating, $220 Reserved 4 Top Table.
Direct Link: https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/450318
or 720 420-0030. www.theorientaltheater.com

Grammy- Awarded, Emmy-Nominated, Eileen Ivers and her amazing band are flying into Denver for one show only presented by Celtic Dance Association (CCDA). CCDA are celebrating the wonderful Irish dance tradition in Colorado with a full Eileen Ivers concert named after her recent album “Scatter the Light”. The evening will also be a chance to honor Denver’s own Linnane Wick’s 35-year Irish dance career, who performed with Eileen when they were both members of Cherish the Ladies band. The All Ages Show will be at the Oriental Theater, Thursday August 28 in the beautiful Tennyson Street Arts District. Doors open at 6pm, festivities start 7pm with a few songs by some special guests, then Eileen and band will take to the stage for an amazing night of high energy, sophisticated, beautiful Celtic and Americana roots music and songs!
Described as a “a national treasure” by National Council for the Traditional Arts, Eileen Ivers continues to push traditional fiddling boundaries from a folk music staple to a fiercely fresh, powerfully beautiful, intensely driving world stage experience. In a career that has spanned over 30 years, Ivers has performed and/or toured with such diverse artists as Sting, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Hall and Oates and The Chieftains. She has guest starred with the London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, over 50 symphony orchestras to date, and was the groundbreaking musical star of Riverdance, a featured instrumentalist on Back to Titanic and film soundtracks including Gangs of New York. She is a 9-time All-Ireland fiddle champion, and one of the most awarded All-Ireland Fiddle and Banjo champions ever.
Eileen continues to bring people together in performance with her five piece, passionate, powerhouse band. The L.A. Times proclaims, “Ivers’ presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that come together when talented artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music…no wonder the audience loved every minute.”

TWO August Celtic house concerts in Fort Collins. RSVP’s required – email: [email protected]
August 7th – John Whelan with Shannon Muenchow and Graeme Danforth
August 9th -Natalie Padilla, Blayne Chastain and Peter Romero
About John (button accordion):
Artist info:
For over 50 years John Whelan has been hailed as one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players. Originally from England and now based on the US West Coast, the seven-time All-Ireland champion fearlessly explores the creative reaches of music, artistry, and expression while carefully preserving the musical roots from which he originally flourished, and passing those on to the next generation.
As a celebrated recording artist, John has recorded more than 15 CDs, appeared on more than 30 albums with other artists, and spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard World Music Charts. John is also a sought-after composer and producer and has written more than 65 original tunes, many of which have been recorded and performed by artists all over the world. He is widely recognized for forming the John Whelan Band, and also his duo performances with Grammy Award-winning fiddle player Eileen Ivers during the first years of Riverdance.
Find out more about John Whelan at www.johnwhelanmusic.com.
About Shannon (fiddle) and Graeme (cittern):
Shannon Muenchow is a young fiddle player who was brought up in the Irish music and dance community in Boulder, Colorado. Her parents brought her to sessions at the same time she began to play fiddle and Irish step dance. Her growing love of the music experience encouraged her to travel in a van playing music along the west coast for a few months with some friends at the beginning of 2020. While on this trip, she and her friends accompanied John Whelan on his Monday’s With John Facebook live program. Shannon and bandmate Graeme Danforth (cittern) play regular gigs and house concerts around Colorado in their band Bangers and Blunders.
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More about Natalie (fiddle):
Now based in Western Massachusetts, Natalie was raised in Montana to a musical family, then spent 13 years in Colorado studying and playing music all over the state. She’s a full time performer, teacher, recording artist, and tunesmith with a background in Oldtime, Irish, Bluegrass, Classical violin and Texas Style fiddle.
Her fourth album of original music Eostre was released April 22, 2025, produced by Canadian multi-instrumentalist and engineer Quinn Bachand, adding to the collection of recording projects.
She currently plays with Vermont based trio Low Lily, was a founding member of Colorado acoustic band Masontown, and has been a violinist with The Bozeman Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Colorado Bach Ensemble, National Repertory Orchestra, and Opera Colorado.
More about Blayne (flute):
Blayne is a master Irish flute player and guitarist who composes and has a special fondness for hymns, which fits with his “dream job” of music director at Saint Patrick Presbyterian Church in Greeley. Attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and being a working musician in Nashville exposed him to a wide variety of music, but it wasn’t until he moved to Colorado years later that I would be introduced to “pure-drop” traditional Irish music via Irish flutist and friend Shannon Heaton.
More about Peter (piano):
Peter Romero holds a degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado. His compositions have been widely in Colorado, and he has composed commissioned works. Peter is also an accompanist for the Greeley Children’s Chorale and has performed with them in locations across the U.S. and Canada. He has performed with the University of Northern Colorado choirs, the Greeley Chamber Choir, and accompanies at two Greeley churches.

SPANISH PEAKS CELTIC FEST 20TH ANNIVERSARY BASH
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2025
The annual gathering of traditional Celtic music, dance, and traditions in Huearfano County Colorado has an impressive list of performers and instructors confirmed to date:
Lúnasa -Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – Joanna Hyde & Tadhg Ó Meachair (One for the Foxes) –
Oisín Mac Diarmada, Daithí Gormley, & Samantha Harvey – Old Blind Dogs…
More information at: https://celticmusicfest.com/