You don't need to be Irish to appreciate a glass of Guinness, nor do you need to be a Celt to be appreciate good Celtic music.
The Durango Celtic Festival may have begun three years ago, but really, we could trace it to C.J. Alderton's roots, the founder of the event.
His Scottish, Irish and Welch background without a doubt influenced him to play Celtic music. Between hearing stories from his mother about "sessions" at the family farm in Northeast Missouri back in the day and his trips to Ireland, he decided that he wanted to learn more about his culture and play the kind of music that his ancestors played.
Now, he's putting his energy toward a festival each year that's gaining in popularity. In its first year in 2013, there were 175 festivalgoers; in 2014, there were close to 300. It seems like it has some momentum behind it, and with this week's big headliner, Runa, which won top group at the Irish Music Awards in 2013, it's possible that this year could be the most successful.
"This (Runa) is the top of the game. I don't know how we'll ever top what we're doing this year. We're desperately excited to see them," Alderton said.
Runa, which means secret mystery or Celtic lore, will be the main show of the four-day event, which begins Thursday. The Philadelphia-based Celtic roots band will play at the Henry Strater Theatre on Saturday night.
Two other groups, Westwind Pipe Band, and Patrick Crossing, Alderton's band, will open for Runa.
Patrick Crossing has a following in Durango. Various members of the group have been part of the Irish music sessions at the Irish Embassy Pub on Sundays for about the last six or seven years.
"It (Celtic music) captures real life in a really good way. It's not age-specific for the listener, nor is it age specific for the artists themselves. We've had an older gentleman come in and thrill audiences with a very minimalistic performance. ... And there's something exciting about that. It takes you back to the Isles," Alderson said.
Shannon Lambert-Ryan, the lead singer of Runa, says she's never been to Durango, and the band is very excited to see it. Her and her husband, Fionán De Barra, guitarist for Runa, started a side project in 2008 and eventually, it turned into the band it is now.
"'The way a lot of Irish folk music is written, it's very joyous, very sad, so it tends to pull on people's emotions very strongly," Lambert-Ryan said.
She also said that there's a lot of dancing involved in Celtic music, and with that, coupled with the infectious energy of the music, people latch onto it.
Thursday, the festival kicks off at the Henry Strater, where a ceilidh dance will be held. Everyone is welcome. Those who don't have passes can pay $5 for admission.
There will concerts and workshops through Sunday at the Irish Embassy Pub and Henry Strater Theatre, including a special Irish session with Runa on Friday night at the Pub after Westwind Pipe Band, Kitchen Jam Band and Knockabouts perform at the Henry Strater.
There may not be a better way St. Patrick's Day in Durango.
mhayden@durangoherald.com
