Celtoberfest at Highland Brewing, Oct. 30-Nov. 1

Press release:

4TH ANNUAL CELTOBERFEST, OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1, 2015

Advance Tickets on Sale Now

Just the Facts:

Celtoberfest — All events at Highland Brewing Company (12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville)

Friday, October 30 (6pm to 10:30pm, *Event Center)

Saturday, October 31 (Noon to 5pm, Meadow … 5pm to 10pm, *Event Center)

Sunday, November 1 (Noon to 5pm, Meadow)

Information on advance tickets at www.celticheritageproductions.com/celtober.htm

Saturday/Sunday includes Celtic vendors; Saturday includes Hallowe’en costume contest; Food trucks Appalachian Smoke, Tin Can Pizzeria, Vieux Carre

Musical Entertainment by Albannach, Rathkeltair, The Screaming Orphans

 

Western Carolina residents, get ready for an explosion of Celtic Tribal/Rock/Pop/Fusion, as the Fourth Annual “Celtoberfest” comes to Asheville. Scottish powerhouse Albannach, international supergroup Rathkeltair, and acclaimed Irish sister act The Screaming Orphans all are featured at the festival.

*Indoor portions of the event are scheduled for Highland Brewing’s brand-new Event Center, a two-tiered indoor event space that overlooks the inner workings of the craft brewery. (More about the Event Center here: http://www.highlandbrewing.com/ashevilleeventcenter)

Albannach’s lone piper, surrounded by four drummers and the haunting tribal sound of didgeridoo, 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. (Albannach’s story here: www.albannachmusic.com/about/index.html)

Rathkeltair is one of North America’s premier Celtic rock bands, featuring a powerful quartet of musicians from Ireland, England, 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. They are fronted by Trevor Tanner, formerly of post-punk/gothic rock band The Bolshoi. (More on Rathkeltair here: www.rathkeltair.com/about)

The Screaming Orphans are a band of four sisters who hail from County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. The Orphans 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. (Learn more about the Screaming Orphans here: www.thescreamingorphans.com/band.php)

The Saturday and Sunday portions of the event will include vendors whose wares range from decorative gourds with one-of-a-kind Celtic designs, to hand-made soaps and candles, to Scottish/Irish imports. Black-Mountain based Appalachian Smoke will be serving its award-winning regional barbecue, alongside Asheville-based Tin Can Pizzeria and Cajun/Creole food truck Vieu Carre. For the sweet tooth, there’s the ever-popular “Formerly McFudge” from Charlotte. 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 activites for its numerous charitable efforts that include scholarships to the Swannanoa Gathering and support of Franklin (NC)’s Scottish Tartans Museum.

Saturday admission is $25 in advance, and includes all activities in the Meadow and the Event Center. Advance admission for the entire three-day event is $37, and tickets are limited. Single-day tickets will be offered at the gate based on availability.