Celtic Spirit

For over 5 years Celtic Spirit has been entertaining countless people in the Tri-State Area, bringing their combination of Lively Irish and Scottish Music, traditional tunes and their mix of current Folk and Soft Rock Songs with a “Celtic Edge” which is their hallmark. With a vast repertoire of songs both old and new, they can entertain at just about any venue and delight their audiences both young and old alike.

Celtic Spirit features the collective talents of Terry Algier on Accordion, Whistles and Electronic Pipes, Jim Oldham on 6 and 12 String Guitar and Octave Mandolin, and Jack Rickenbach on 6 and High Strung Guitar, Tiple, Banjo and Ukulele. These three lads have been performing music since their teens, with a broad range of musical experience that shines through in each of their performances.

Their recently released CD “Down the Winding Road” features a tasteful mix of Irish, Scottish and Folk/Soft Rock style songs that take you on a wonderful journey from Galway, County Down, to the Highlands of Scotland, Liverpool, Maui, North Carolina, Lake Superior, back to Derry and on a memorable ride down the N17!

Celtic Spirit enjoys not only the wonderful tunes and lyrics of the songs they perform, but they also enjoy the history behind this music which shapes their repertoire. They enjoy researching songs and stories and will always find a few minutes in their performance to impart some of that history as well as some of the humorous tales of their travels.

They will have your feet tapping, hands clapping and hopefully you’ll be singing along to their lively songs. Enjoy your day and be sure to stop out to hear them as they continue their journey Down the Winding Road.

www.celticspiritband.com www.myspace.com/celticspiritband

Broesler School of Irish Dance

The dancers performing at this year’s festival are from the world renowned Broesler School of Irish Dance, established in 1986, with classes in NJ, NY and MD. All dancers that will be performing at the Berks Celtic Oyster Festival have qualified and competed in this year’s Irish Dance World Championships.

In 2004 Kevin Broesler was honored by Irish American Magazine as one of its top 100 Irish Americans. In 2005, the Broesler School was named the top Irish Dancing School in the U.S. by Irish Dancing and Culture Magazine.

Their dancers have won the Great Britain, All-Ireland, All-Scotland and North American National Championships, as well as the World Championships. Former and present dancers are currently touring with the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance shows.

www.broesler.com

Kim Killen & Gerry Clark

Kimberly Killen Scheffey and Gerry Clark met in the early ’90s in Philadelphia. The Irish music scene was just blossoming and through mutual friends they found a common interest and ancestral bond with Ireland and its songs. Kim and Gerry performed together with the popular group ‘Causeway’. From the coal regions of Schuylkill County to the shores of New Jersey, they shared their music with many. Kimberly left ‘Causeway’ to pursue her other musical interests while Gerry continued on with the band.

Fast forward to 2009; Kim and Gerry each have their own musical endeavors, but there is a vacancy in the soul that can only be filled with the music of the Celts. Kim and Gerry reunite to form ‘Killen Clark’. They sing songs of the sea, the sod, love, rebellion and of course some whiskey and a pint. Two voices, one guitar, a bit of tin whistle thrown in, and you have the makings of an evening of song and friendship that will leave you with a happy heart and a smile on your face.

www.myspace.com/killenclark