She Scot rhythm
Iona Fyfe kicks off Celtic Music Series in Lincoln City
Celtic rhythms, strings and vocal styles are interpreted differently throughout Ireland and Scotland — and even in Canada and the US — taking new forms and adding new branches to the ancient musical tree. This fall, the Lincoln City Cultural Center will launch a nine-month celebration of this verdant tradition, with its 2022-23 Celtic Music Series.
The party will begin on Sunday, Sept. 18, with the unforgettable Scots vocalist Iona Fyfe, who has been winning awards and hearts across the UK, Canada, Australia and Europe with beautiful renditions of traditional and contemporary Scottish songs and more. She has graced major festival stages as well as intimate club venues, wowing audiences at both and winning several traditional music awards along the way. She has also performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as part of the World Premiere of Disney Pixar’s “Brave in Concert” at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Critics have been praising her CD "Dark Turn of Mind," with its mixing of Americana and jazz elements with the more traditional. Her charmingly beautiful voice slips easily from sadly wistful to strong and vibrant within the same song.
The series wraps up in May 2023 with a concert by a local favorite: the Gaelic supergroup DÀIMH.
In between will be eight other remarkable performances, including the acclaimed Le Vent du Nord, a leader in Quebec’s progressive Francophone movement and local Celtic series favorite, The Tannahill Weavers from Scotland. There will be brothers from Ireland, Ye Vagabonds; sisters from Washington, The Gothard Sisters; and a duo from Ottawa and Missouri, Newberry & Verch. The series also features a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with Tiller’s Folly, adding the Oregon Coast to their 25th anniversary tour.
Concerts will take place on Thursdays and Sundays, with a mixture of evening shows and matinées. Reserved ticket prices range from $30 to $35, with discounts for seniors, students and kids younger than 18. Season packages and single concert tickets are on sale now.
“This year we’re offering two different ways to subscribe,” said cultural center Executive Director Niki Price. “Purchase all 10 shows, and you'll receive a 25-percent discount, which works out to $232.50 for adults and $198 for seniors/students. Or, you can choose your own subscription — five concerts or more — and receive 20 percent off. Either way, you'll be getting the best seats at the best price.”
Price encourages all the coastal fans of Celtic and folk music to take a chance on the season package, even if they’re worried about health, COVID safety or future shutdowns.
“We're still living in a strange world, where cancellations and postponements can and do happen,” she said. “We will do our best to stay in touch and to let our season ticket holders know of any changes as soon as we can. And we know your plans may change as well. Refunds are happily provided upon request. You can also transfer the use of your tickets to another party, if you wish.”
In response to audience member feedback, the upcoming series will offer more Sunday matinée concerts.
Band members usually sell their merchandise in the back, not far from the counter where center volunteers sell Northwest beers and wines, along with sodas and freshly baked cookies.
There will be two different seating arrangements for each concert: theater-style for 150 and cabaret-style table seating for 100. If you purchase a subscription, you’ll need to select seats for both configurations.
But no matter where you sit, you’ll enjoy an intimate concert.
The first concert in the series, Iona Fyfe, begins at 7 pm. Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.
Full series schedule
Sunday, Sept. 18, at 7 pm: Iona Fyfe
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 7 pm: Le Vent du Nord
Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 pm: The Tannahill Weavers
Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm: Ye Vagabonds
Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 pm: The Gothard Sisters
Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 pm: Kalos
Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 pm: Newberry & Verch
Sunday, March 12, at 7 pm: Tiller's Folly
Sunday, April 30, at 2 pm: Old Blind Dogs
Sunday, May 21, at 2 pm: DAIMH