BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Celtic Cultural Alliance, which continues to extend its programming outside its annual Celtic Classic festival, on Monday announced a concert by two top names in traditional Irish music.
Irish singer and comedian Seamus Kennedy and singer Gerry Timlin will perform in the same show at 7 p.m. June 22 in Moravian College’s Foy Hall.
- The Celtic Cultural Alliance has announced a concert apart from its annual Celtic Classic festival in downtown Bethlehem
- Irish singer and comedian Seamus Kennedy and singer Gerry Timlin will perform on the same show at 7 p.m. June 22 in Moravian College’s Foy Hall
- Tickets, at Tickets, at $40, are on sale at https://celticfest.org/seamus-gerry/
The Alliance has expanded to year-round programming to support its mission of promoting and preserving Celtic Culture through arts, music, literature, dance and history programs.
'Soften the blow'
Celtic Cultural Alliance Executive Director Jayne Ann Recker said this is not the first concert the organization has booked outside the festival, but that but that "it's been a really long time" since it has, and that prior shows have been connected either to the festival or St. Patrick's Day.
"We were really excited to try this again."Jayne Ann Recker, Celtic Cultural Alliance executive director
Recker said Kennedy had been seriously ill, forcing him to stop touring and, consequently, miss the 2022 Celtic Classic.
He has gotten better, she said, but as he returns to touring, a run of shows in Ireland will force him to again miss the Celtic Classic.
The new show will be his offer "softening the blow that he's not going to be there," Recker said.
"We were really excited to try this again," Recker said. She said Timlin came aboard and Moravian College "graciously let us use Foy Hall, so it came together very quickly."
The concert also will be a fund-raiser for Celtic Cultural Alliance, which had rain through much of the 2022 festival — "the first time that's happened in 11 years," Rucker said.
"It really set us back," she said.
Preparing for Celtic Classic
Celtic Cultural Alliance said in a release that Kennedy and Timlin are among “the most recognized names in Irish entertainment,” and it is the first time they’ve shared the stage in this way.
Both are longtime favorites at the Celtic Classic. Timlin has performed at all 36 years of the festival.
“Seamus and Gerry were born in Ireland and have been friends for countless years,” the release said. “The dynamic between them is like sitting in a pub with two friends who are talented musicians and tell the best stories.
“From the edgy comedy and music of Seamus to the trad songs and storytelling of Gerry, it is the best Irish entertainment on this side of the pond.”Celtic Cultural Alliance news release
“From the edgy comedy and music of Seamus to the trad songs and storytelling of Gerry, it is the best Irish entertainment on this side of the pond.”
Celtic Cultural Alliance is preparing for the 36th Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, set for Sept. 22–24 in downtown Bethlehem. Officials are expected to begin making major announcements, including the performer line up, this month.
Celtic Classic is among the largest Highland Games and Celtic Festivals in North America, typically seeing more than 200,000 visitors a year over its three-day run.
Kennedy has performed since the 1970s and has released 14 studio albums.
Timlin, now based in Pennsylvania, began performing in the 1960s and also performed as part of the successful duo Timlin and Kane with Tom Kane of Philadelphia.
Tickets, at $40, are on sale at https://celticfest.org/seamus-gerry/.
