The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present RUNA, Friday, March 14, 2014 at 8 PM in Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $25 advance, $28 at the door and $22 for museum members plus fees. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Museum Box office at 231-995-1553 or on line at www.dennosmuseum.org, also at 1-800-836-0717 or www.MyNorthTickets.com.
RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its members to offer a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Through its repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful acoustic melodies, along with its fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.
RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia; Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra; Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion; Dave Curley on mandolin, vocals, bodhrán, and step-dancing; and Maggie Estes of Louisville on the fiddle. The band often performs with world-renowned musicians, including Isaac Alderson on the uilleann bagpipes, flutes, and whistles.
Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Fiddlers’ Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Hazel O’Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Barcó, Téada, and the Guy Mendilow Band.
RUNA was recently recognized on an international level in the Irish Music Awards for 2013, winning Top Group (US, IRE, EU, UK) and Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, Concert, and a nomination for Best Female Vocalist (2013, 2012), and in the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards, winning both the fan ballot and judges’ votes for Best Song in the World Traditional Category for “Amhrán Mhuighinse” (Somewhere Along the Road). The band won several awards at the 2010 Montgomery Buck Music Awards, including Best Entertaining Band, Best Folk Artist, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Album – “Jealousy”.
RUNA will offer a performance for schools on Friday, March 14, 2014 at 10 AM in the Milliken Auditorium of the Dennos Museum Center. Teachers may call Jason Dake at 231-995-1029 or e-mail jdake@nmc.edu for information or to reserve tickets for the school performances.
Listen to Runa at http://www.runamusic.com/wordpress/videos/
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
“For contemporary Celtic music at its very best – do yourself a favor and check out RUNA.. brilliant!” – Gene Shay, co-founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival; WXPN-FM
“There is truly a mystical quality to their playing. They create a lyrical sound that is at once unique as well as seamless.” – Lori Lander Murphy, Irish Philadelphia
Jim Allford of PA Music Scene writes, “The band is going to be reckoned with and I really feel they are Grammy bound within time.”
The 2013-2014 performance season at the Dennos Museum Center is made possible with support from the Robert T and Ruth Haidt Trust, and the Osterlin Performance Endowment with media support from
WNMC 90.7, WCMU Public Broadcasting and TV 29&8. Housing for our performers is provided by the Cambria Suites and Country Inn.