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Getting your Irish on early

Traditional folk group Dervish to perform at Nancy Appleby Theatre March 12
20200102-Heartwood Preview-04
The second performance of the Heartwood Folk Club’s 2020 spring season will see Irish traditional folk group Dervish perform at the Nancy Appleby Theatre March 12. The group’s performed around the world for the past 25 years, and has performed on the same bill as artists like James Brown and Neil Young.

ATHABASCA - The Heartwood Folk Club is providing a chance for residents to start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day five days early, with Traditional Irish folk group Dervish set to perform the second show of the 2020 spring season March 12 at the Nancy Appleby Theatre. 

Dervish originated from County Sligo in Ireland in 1989. According to the group’s website, the BBC has described them as “an icon of Irish Music,” and have performed on the same bill as well-known artists such as James Brown, Neil Young, Sting and Iron Maiden.  

“It will be their first time here, and we can expect some emotional and rocking Irish music during this performance,” Heartwood artistic director Peter Opryshko said. “Typically, their agency will call us and we just make arrangements. Dervish may be a little more expensive than your average group, but we should still be okay.” 

Opryshko said the group was already set to perform in Edmonton March 13, which makes booking easier for the club. 

“We bank on the groups coming and going and it makes it less expensive for us,” he continued. “It should be a really exciting group for our loyal concert goers. We just hope the weather is cooperative.” 

Cathy Jordan, Dervish’s lead vocalist, said on the phone from Indianapolis, Indiana that while this is their first time in Athabasca, this is not their first trip to Alberta. 

“We were at the Edmonton Folk (Music) Festival last year, and we have also previously been to Calgary and a few other places in the Rockies,” Jordan explained. “We also like coming to the smaller towns too when we get a chance.” 

She added that Dervish will be playing music from their albums Harmony Hill, Playing with Fire, The Thrush in the Storm and The Great Irish Songbook

“The album Harmony Hill was the first one I was on (when I joined the band in 1991),” Jordan said. “The Great Irish Songbook was just released last year and features a marriage of great Irish songs that are in the hearts and minds of people who have listened them over the years.” 

Jordan, who also has a successful solo career, said all the songs performed will be from the group itself. 

“There’s more than enough of them without having to go to the solo stuff,” she explained. “When it comes to our audience, there’s always a lot of fun with the tunes bringing on a roller coaster ride where they’re so frenzied, happy and energetic all the way to more traditional ballads and sensitive pieces, as well as anything in between.” 

She said Dervish will be performing around eight concerts throughout their western Canadian tour. 

“We arrive in Canada Feb. 29, and we will perform in Vancouver March 16 before heading back south to Seattle for St. Patrick’s Day,” Jordan continued. “Anyone who would like to take a musical trip to Ireland can check out www.inishfreetours.com.” 

Opryshko said that Athabasca is very lucky to have such a good venue in the Nancy Appleby Theatre. 

“Tickets are still available for this event,” he explained. “Often people feel that they have to travel hundreds of miles and pay big bucks to see shows like these, and we are glad to provide such a quality show without the travel and expenses to go with it.” 

Tickets for the show are available for purchase in advance or at the door, and are $35 for all attendees ages 13 and over. Children 12 and under always get free admission. 

Anyone looking to purchase tickets in advance can do so at Athabasca Value Drug Mart and Whispering Hills Fuels, or by checking out the Heartwood Folk Club’s website at https://heartwoodfolkclub.org/

Bryan Taylor, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BryanTaylorNews

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