1. CELTIC SEATTLE/
MUSIC AND
TRADITIONS
Pictured at right is musicians playing Celtic
music in a gathering known as a session.
Celtic music is considered the world's
most popular form of folk music. Irish
pubs are popular worldwide, as music and
culture from Celtic lands found it's way
around the world over the centuries as
immigrants migrated in search of better
opportunities. Ancient traditions have
been readily combined with more modern
elements, yet retain the essence of
musical themes formed long ago. Celtic
music and it's influence is felt in numerous
musical genres, from blues to country,
rock and new age. Old yet constantly in
renewal, Celtic music and tradition
continues to inspire new generations who
discover the enduring Celtic culture.

2. SEATTLE SCENE/ CELTIC FOLK MUSIC AND
TRADITIONS
The Seattle area is home to a lively folk music and culture scene. The
Folklife Festival is held every Memorial Day weekend and is preported
to be the largest free folk music festival in the country. Events are held
year around and celebrate the traditions of various ethnic groups and
their culture. A major local element is the Celtic music and culture
scene. With traditions from Ireland and the British islands to Northern
Spain, the influence of these cultures and traditions continue to be felt.
With a resurgence of Celtic culture in the 1990s to today, Celtic music
and culture continue to evolve and influence regions far from their
place of origin. This website seeks to highlight some of the major local
events, festivals and establishments focusing on Celtic culture and
music.

3. CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE
SEATTLE AREA
•.
The Seattle area is home to the second largest Celtic music
scene on the West Coast after San Francisco. As Celtic music
is traditionally regarded as the folk music of the Celtic lands,
its influence can be found wherever its people have ended
up settling. Elements of what would be considered Celtic in
origin have found their way into many cultures of the world,
with its influence being felt in many other folk traditions. A
good place to be exposed to the many traditions found in
Celtic music is folk music events. Pictured at left is a Ceili, a
traditional Irish dance being experienced by participants
at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival. It is held at the
Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World's Fair, every Memorial
day weekend. Folklife is considered the country's largest
free folk music festival. While featuring folk music from
around the world, there are several stages, some of which
are entirely devoted to music Celtic in origin. While the main
festival is held every spring, other smaller events are held
throughout the year. Another local festival favorite is the
more intimate Wintergrass gathering. Held for several years
in Tacoma, it migrated to the Bellevue area four years ago.
Musicians and participants mingle freely and share music
and friendship, with many folks attending the event every
year.

4. CELTIC MUSIC OF THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
• Many cultures have incorporated
Celtic influences into their musical genres.
its many traditions readily weave their
way into more modern interpretations
that combine current and ancient
elements. Pictured at right are The
Paperboys, a locally popular Celtic band
from Vancouver, Canada. Frequenting the
Seattle area several times a year, they
tour internationally and feature a hybrid
sound based on Celtic, Rock, Spanish and
Country themes. They are one of the
leading examples, including the local
band The Clumsy Lovers, of an energetic
hillbilly style known as Stomp.

5. CELTIC MUSIC OF THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
A unique sound fusing country, punk, folk,
traditional Irish, and bluegrass, with an indie
rock sensibility, Casey Neill is a long time local
favorite. Frequently seen playing the local
Ballard scene at Conner Byrne Pub.
Hailing originally from Maine, Gordon Bok has
been a staple of the local Celtic music scene for
decades. His work emphasizes a more traditional
sound with a comprehensive collection of sea
shanties culled from Maritime culture.

6. CELTIC MUSIC OF THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
The Fire Inside performs the full spectrum in
Stout Pounders is a Seattle based Celtic Folk
band bringing new energy and comedic twists
to time tested Scottish and Irish Folk music.
Scottish music is especially suitable for jigs and
dances.
Celtic music - from foot stomping jigs and reels
to those lovely slow airs that make you smile,
plus hilarious songs, well known sing-alongs
and more.

7. LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR ALL
THINGS CELTIC Alley above historic Pike Place
Nestled in the Post
The Owl and Thistle. This Seattle landmark originally
opened in 1930 and today it is a popular Irish pub
and restaurant. The speckled bricked walls and
inviting tables are enveloped with live music and
fun. A local St. Patrick's Day hot spot. Located only
blocks from Pioneer square, nightly featuring
local music from the local Irish scene.
Market, Kells is always hopping with pub crawlers.
Its warm and cozy atmosphere and outdoor patio
make it inviting to tourists as well. Every year they
celebrate St. Patrick's Day with energetic fervor. A
Seattle staple.

8. LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR ALL
THINGS CELTIC
Perhaps the premiere local venue for all things
Celtic, folk and acoustic since the closing of the
Backstage. Located in historic Ballard on
cobblestone streets just north of the ship canal. The
Tractor regularly features big name acts as well as
local favorites in a casual and intimate setting.
Featuring music seven days a week. Great on tap
beer selection. A local institution. Just down the
street from Hatties Hat café.
Since1983, Galway Traders has tried to present the
world of Gaelic Ireland—and of the Celtic world in
general—in a warmly respectful manner, and hope
you will find the store a cultural center as well, with
gifts representing the best of the Old Country.

9. CELTIC CULTURE IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
T he purpose of the Seattle Folklore Society is to
preserve and foster awareness and appreciation of folk
and traditional arts in the Seattle area. Our non-profit
folk organization, founded in 1966, has one of the
largest and most stable memberships in the country.
We produce folk music concerts, dances, song circles,
camps and a newsletter, the SFS Flyer. Many of our
members are active concertgoers, dancers and players
of the acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin,
dulcimer, ukulele and other folk instruments. The SFS is
a member of Folk Alliance.
The Irish Heritage Club is a non-profit, non-political,
non-religious organization that promotes Irish cultural
activities in the greater Seattle and Puget Sound areas,
especially activities that promote the Irish language,
Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish history, Gaelic games,
and cultural exchanges between the Puget Sound area
and Ireland. The City of Seattle maintains an active
cultural exchange with the Irish sister city of Galway.

10. CELTIC CULTURE IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
Victory Music has maintained a strong commitment to
local musicians since its inception in 1969. In addition
to providing performance and networking
opportunities at our Open Mics, we have published the
Victory Review since 1974. This magazine contains
acoustic music reviews of CDs from the world over;
columns and features on Northwest musicians; and a
calendar of NW acoustic music events, many with a
Celtic flair.
Held indoors in Bellevue, WA, this mid-February event
has many headliners, five stages, fifty workshops,
dances, kids' activities, open mics and jamming.
Even with a Bluegrass theme, Celtic bands and themes
are frequent participants in the extensive lineup of
performers at the annual Wintergrass gathering.