2025 FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
RANDAL BAYS- USA
Is an American born, Irish style fiddler and guitarist who brings power and passion to the old tradition. He’s devoted many years to learning not just the tunes, but more importantly the feeling of Irish traditional music as handed down by the many great players and music lovers past and present. He renders the music with an intensity not commonly heard in any genre, powered by a deep love of the music, the culture, and a heartfelt wish to share this magnificent tradition with audiences.
DON PENZIEN- USA
Has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. It was the never- ending traditional music playing at the Irish pub he frequented while earning his Ph.D. (clinical psychology) in Athens, Ohio that inspired Don to play and where he began his exclusive use of the “DADGAD” guitar tuning. Along the road, Don has played with many of the greats of Irish music including Gailfean (featuring Brian Conway, John Whelan & Máirtín de Cógáin), The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and singer song writer great, Jimmy Crowley. Don is widely recognized for his reserved backing style and his dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs.
THE HERE AND NOW - IRELAND & TEXAS
The band is made up of Chris Buckley (fiddle), Niamh Fahy (fiddle, vocals), Rob Forkner (Bodhrán) and Tony Davoren (bouzouki/ guitar / vocals). All accomplished musicians in their own right, together they create a rich and captivating sound full of energy that presents Irish traditional music in a contemporary context. Drawing from each of their backgrounds in Irish music, with a geography that spans the United States and Ireland, The Here & Now keep tradition at the heart of their music while widening the breadth of their repertoire with original compositions.
Their live sets demonstrate both the playful and soulful sides of Irish music; at one moment rousing you to join in a hearty sing-along and the next entrancing you with haunting and melodic tunes. The result is an experience that captures the spirit of the Irish session and the fire of the Louisiana bayou. The Here & Now has become a favorite in the Irish music scene, playing in festivals and venues throughout the United States and Ireland. Their debut album, also titled The Here & Now, was released in 2012 and features a mix of traditional tunes and original compositions. With their high-energy performances and unique blend of traditional and original music, The Here & Now is a must-see for any lover of Irish music.
WHISHT - IRELAND & USA
Whisht is one of Louisiana’s newest and most exciting Traditional Irish music bands. Formed in 2022, some of the most prominent members from of South Louisiana's Irish music scene have joined forces, featuring Baton Rouge native Pete Dawson (Flute, whistles, Vocals), harpist Shannon Kelly (Harp, Fiddle, Accordion), Kentucky musician Kendall Rogers(Guitar, Accordion, Piano), and County Clare fiddler Kevin Muggivan (Fiddle, Vocals). They effortlessly combine various Celtic music genres whilst digging deep into their Irish repertoire of Jigs, Reels, Polkas and anything that will get folks smiling and heading for the dance floor. Throw in some Ballads, drinking songs and the odd sad song or two and you will feel like you are in a traditional pub in Ireland, passing a good time with the locals. Remember to hold on tight to your pint!
HUGH MORRISON & BETH PATTERSON - SCOTLAND & USA
Scottish born musician, Hugh Morrison calls Texas home. Groomed in the Celtic/folk traditions of his native Highlands of Scotland, Morrison writes songs that tell tales from his homeland as well as Texas and Louisiana, in particular New Orleans where he has spent a good number of years recently. His main gig is lead singer with Celtic rockers Murder the Stout, who tour and perform at many festivals across the USA. Morrison has toured Europe as guest musician for Boston punk rockers Street Dogs, and Kansas City folk band Tullamore.
Hugh decided to join forces with Beth Patterson on a gig in 2019 when they commiserated that there was too much fried baloney and not enough potatoes in the world. Beth picked up her bass guitar and the rest is history. Determined to restore balance and goodness, they donned their capes and masks, forming the duo Iron Roux.
VULCAN EEJITS- USA
Jil Chambless—vocals, flute/whistles. This Alabama native has been a prominent figure on the Celtic music scene since the late 1980s. Jil performs with various Celtic music groups around the country and abroad, including Henri’s Notions, the Ed Miller Band, Scooter Muse, the Mairtin de Cogain Project, and others, as well as with the Eejits! She has completed many recordings and has appeared as a guest artist on others’ projects. Jil is also a math instructor at the University of Alabama.
Dan Vogt — guitar, bouzouki, vocals. Dan is a long-time rocker, playing electric guitar in various Tuscaloosa-based rock bands, since coming to Alabama in the early 1980s. After listening to Celtic music and attending many Celtic music events with Jil for many years, Dan became interested in playing Celtic-style acoustic guitar in DADGAD tuning. Later he picked up the bouzouki and more recently the tenor banjo. Now he’s completely hooked on Irish, Scottish, English, and American folk and traditional music! Dan also works at
Jack Vogt - drum set, vocals. Jack Vogt is a professional jazz drummer and composer located in the central Alabama area. Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jack studied jazz drumming at the University of New Orleans. He now lives in Tuscaloosa and is a popular drummer-for-hire in the heart of Alabama.
THE TÍR CHONAILL TRIO - Ireland & USA
The Tír Chonaill Trio, made up of members from the internationally touring Gaulway Ramblers, reunites to bring the best of Irish traditional music to life. The group features C.J. Alexander, a composer and skilled percussionist on bodhrán and cajón, trained at the Berklee College of Music in Boston; Nathan Glazier on guitar, banjo, and vocals, who studied under master guitarist Brian Miller of Bua; and Scott Miller on flute and uilleann pipes, a qualified pharmacist and fluent Irish speaker, and the winner of the North American Fleadh Cheoil in the over-18 flute category in 2006. Together, they take audiences on a musical journey from the hills of Donegal to the plains of Acadiana.
With a dynamic mix of lively jigs, reels, soulful ballads, and fresh arrangements, The Tír Chonaill Trio seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, infusing every performance with captivating energy and passion.
TRIP OVER THE MOUNTAIN - USA
Steven Payne: Steven Payne, a life-long partisan of home-made acoustic music, plays harmonica and whistles in his own unique yet traditional style. He often appears on stage with well-known Trad Irish performers (e.g., Haley Richardson, The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, Donie Carroll & Dan Neely). As an avid supporter of trad Celtic music festivals and events and well known in the Trad community nationwide, Steven can be found at most such events within a few days’ drive of his home in Mississippi.
Joseph Marino: While a relative newcomer to traditional Irish music scene, Joseph is an experienced, accomplished, and versatile musician and performer. After spending most of his musical life studying and performing Jazz (upright bass), Joseph has recently and wholeheartedly devoted himself to Irish music and the wooden flute. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Joseph now resides in Asheville, NC, where he is a fixture in its vibrant Irish music scene. We’re delighted Joseph is making his first foray to Louisiana and Celtic Bayou Festival!
Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. He frequently is on the road playing concerts and festivals with Haley Richardson, Gailfean, Brian Conway, Gerry O’Connor, Randal Bays, and The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and he has served as accompanist for numerous other well-known performers (e.g., Seán Gavin, John Whelan, Liz Hanley, Nuala Kennedy, Tim Britton, John Williams, Pat Broaders, Gabe Donohue, Tony DeMarco, Billy McComiskey). Widely recognized for his reserved backing style, Don’s dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs.
BROTHER THERESA
Practitioners of what some have called “hedonistic hillbilly swing from the Louisiana swamp,” Brother Theresa first honed its craft in the dive bars of Baton Rouge, the back porches of Evangeline Parish, and the flickering campfires of farflung folk festivals and fairs, before morphing eventually into bands like the Red Stick Ramblers. Featuring a diverse fair of stringband classics, Western swing, old-time fiddle tunes, offbeat originals and more, Brother Theresa harnesses the talent of veteran pickers and grinners Joel Savoy, Richard “Big Money” Burgess, Chas Justus, Josh Caffery and Zack Pozebanchuck to create a musical melange that both delights the senses and nourishes the soul.
CRESCENT & CLOVER
Crescent & Clover are a New Orleans based quartet that plays traditional, contemporary, and original Irish and celtic-inspired folk music. We have performed across Greater New Orleans and in the Gulf Coast region. We have played a number of pubs and bars as well as private functions. We also perform at NOLA-based markets such as Freret, Abita Springs, Covington and Crescent City. We have played celtic festivals in New Orleans, Jackson, Gulfport and West Monroe.”
THE WHISKEY BAY ROVERS - USA
The Whiskey Bay Rovers perform a variety of pirate songs, sea shanties, pub songs and Irish ballads using traditional instrumentation and simple vocal arrangements. The Rovers are available for festivals, faires, pub sings, and private parties and can come either in pirate garb or not.
Performances by
The Ryan School of Irish Dance
Run by Sheila Ryan-Davoren, TCRG... The Ryan School of Irish Dance is based in Lafayette, LA & New Orleans and one of only 3 Irish Dance schools in the State. Sheila is a former dancer with RIVERDANCE THE SHOW and also Lead dancer with THE CHIEFTAINS.
Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drums
The Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drums, established in 1976 as part of the Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge, provides a teaching program in the uniquely Scottish arts of bagpiping and drumming. The band's teaching program feeds the performing band which plays over 100 performances each year and is currently the state's largest band.
The Thistle Scottish Dancers and Pipers is a group of talented young people who perform the traditional Highland dances and music of Scotland. Formed in 1998 in Alexandria, VA, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers moved to Natchitoches, LA in July of 2019 where they debuted at Northwestern State University's Folklife Festival,performing with the culturally dynamic band 50 Man Machine. Since July of 2019, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers have taken the stage st the Red River Revel Music Festival in Shreveport, LA, again joining 50 Man Machine, as well as the Car Show, Farmers Market, and area Nursing Homes in Natchitoches, LA.
Dance Workshops
Irish Workshops
Irish Language Class