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Beoga in Concert
The Philadelphia Ceili Group will present a concert of Traditional Irish Music featuring Beoga on Saturday September 27th 2008 at 8.30pm at the Commodore Barry Club, http://www.theirishcenter.com Carpenter Lane and Emlen St (6815 Emlen Street, Philadelphia, PA)
Beoga (Irish word for 'lively') are a five-piece traditional band based in the Glens of Antrim, Ireland. The band was drawn together after jamming in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in August 2002. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, Beoga were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the best traditional newcomer's award. With the addition of one of Ireland's premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga are confirming their reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years.
The band released their debut album 'a lovely madness' in September 2004, to critical and popular acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America. Describing Beoga as a ‘phenomenon’ and their music as ‘madcap genius’, Irish music magazine predicted they would make a big mark on the Irish music scene. The bedrock of Beoga’s music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, the debut album 'a lovely madness' earned 9/10 in Ireland’s Hot Press music magazine and was one of the Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year. The group’s 2007 release Mischief’ has also received excellent reviews across the board, including a phenomenal 9.5/10 rating from Hot Press. The album is tipped by Irish Music Magazine and US based ‘The Celtic Connection’, among others, as a contender for 2007 album of the year. The Chicago American Times proclaims “super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm, with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major major band to be reckoned with.” The Irish Echo describes Beoga as “perhaps the most audacious band rooted in trad today” ranking them with Irish group Grada, as the two most promising bands launched in the new millennium.
Over the last few years Beoga have performed at major Celtic and Folk festivals throughout Europe and the USA, including the All-Ireland music Fleadh, Dranouter, Tonder, Boston, Kansas and Milwaukee Irish Festivals, the Guinness Irish Christmas tour of Austria, the Irish Folk Festival tour of Germany along with Solas and Kevin Burke, and the Irish Unplugged Tour of Holland with the Fureys and Davey Arthur. In September 2007, Beoga performed live with the BBC Orchestra to a television audience of millions as part of the prestigious ‘Last night of the Proms’. Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish, as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality.
Tickets are $15, $13 for Ceili members.
Concert information at http://www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org, or call (215) 248 0502.
http://www.beogamusic.com
The Philadelphia Ceili Group is an all volunteer non profit 501c, educational organization run by a nine member board dedicated to the promotion of Irish traditional music,dance and culture of Ireland. It was founded in 1958 and has run a yearly festival of Irish Traditional music in early September since 1974. It is currently celebrating it's 50th year
