From a press release:
Celtober at White Horse and Highland Brewing Co., Oct. 24-26
Western Carolina residents, get ready for an explosion of Celtic Tribal/Rock/Pop/Fusion, as the Third Annual “Celtober” comes to Asheville and Black Mountain. Celtober marks the first-ever appearance of acclaimed Irish sister act, The Screaming Orphans, in Western Carolina. Scottish powerhouse Albannach and international supergroup Rathkeltair return to headline the festival. Highland Brewing Company hosts the main event on Saturday/Sunday, October 25/26. White Horse, Black Mountain kicks off the weekend-long celebration, with a special concert featuring all three bands on Friday, October 24.
Saturday/Sunday admission is $25 in advance, and includes all activities and events for both days. Admission for the entire three-day event is $40, and tickets are limited. Single-day tickets will be offered at the gate based on availability. Advance tickets available here.
Albannach‘s lone piper, surrounded by four drummers, creates a fierce and intense yet danceable sound that has won them a devoted following across the United States. Albannach’s mission is to share Scotland’s intriguing culture through music, and their invigorating approach to the traditional music of the Highlands and Islands quickly brings audiences to their feet and always leaves them begging for more.
Rathkeltair is one of North America’s premier Celtic rock bands, featuring a powerful quartet of musicians from Ireland, England, Canada and America. Their cross-generational appeal lies in their ability to take listeners on a musical journey through time and space, weaving traditional bagpipe tunes together with tunes from Steely Dan or The Beatles. They are story-tellers as well, delivering compelling original vocals that are exciting, audience-friendly, and great fun.
Making their first-ever appearance in Western Carolina are The Screaming Orphans. The Orphans, a band of four sisters who hail from County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, are the toast of the US Celtic festival circuit because of their unique approach: their music is firmly rooted in Irish tradition but crosses many cultural boundaries and is heavily influenced by a diverse set of musicians including Simon & Garfunkel and The Bangles. They have toured with Sinead O’Connor and recorded with The Chieftains.
The Saturday and Sunday portions of the event, at Highland Brewing, will include vendors whose wares range from chain mail jewelry and accessories, to Scottish/Irish imports. The popular Black-Mountain based Appalachian Smoke will be serving its award-winning regional barbecue. Asheville’s own chapter of international not-for-profit New World Celts will host a Saturday night Hallowe’en costume contest, plus other fund-raising activities for its numerous charitable efforts.
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