Until recently, this Celtic Republic of Appalachia concept was mainly centered around a loose network of folks in the Knoxville, Asheville, and Lexington area. To coin a research term, we hardly could be called a representative sample of the Celtic revival in the Appalachians, and that was a limitation we were keenly aware of.
During the past year the core has grown to include some additional contacts as word has spread among the Celtic enthusiasts around the region. A couple of months ago, we had the good fortune of reaching two defenders of the faith--one in West Virginia, the other in Virginia--who have made great contributions to our effort to preserve and promote Celtic traditions in Appalachia. We extend a hearty welcome and a deep thanks for their efforts. We also hope it leads to greater confluence and community among regional Celtic fans.
Susan Howard was born and raised in D.C. where her Irish-descended grandparents gave her an appreciation for her Celtic roots. Ten years ago she moved to Winchester, located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley where she substitute teaches and raises a family. Susan, who took dance from Maureen Malcolm and frequented D.C.'s The Dubliner and Hugh Kelly's Irish Times for some time, proudly proclaims: "Love traditional Irish music...I was Celtic when Celtic wasn't cool!!!" In her spare time she volunteers for the Potomac Celtic Festival and the Washington Irish Festival, and tries to catch the Chieftains anytime they come through the area.
Regarding the Shenandoah Valley Celtic scene, Susan says there's little happening in Winchester; however, she's "seeing little concerts pop up here and there" and hopes that someone will have the foresight to open a pub in the region. In Northern Virginia, she notes Harrisonburg and Loudoun County as places that might foster a burgeoning Celtic scene, and exhorts Celtic artists to get their "Celtic arses" up to the area. Judging from the sheer volume of performances in the Virginia section of the Celtic Calendar over the past couple of months, we'd say performers have already begun to heed the call.
Pam Curry, a West Virginia native, was raised on the traditional Appalachian ballads her great grandmother and both her grandmothers used to sing. Her parents also sang and played Appalachian music. In 1982 Pam attended Davis & Elkins College's very first Irish Week, hosted by Mick Moloney, in Elkins, WV. Subsequently, she and several friends developed a taste for the Irish tradition, and eventually formed "Mountain Thyme", an ensemble with a sound she describes as: "Celtic music with mountain touches." Mountain Thyme has performed at several pubs in Ireland. Pam works for the Center for Economic Options, a non-profit that "works statewide to promote microbusiness development, particularly for women." She is also the founding member of FOOTMAD (Friends of Old Time Music and Dance) which hauls in traditional artists from the British Isles, as part of its annual concert series.
In depicting the Celtic scene in West Virginia, Pam notes a nexus of Marshall University music instructors who call themselves "Shenanigans" as the movers and shakers in the region. The ensemble leads the only ongoing seisiun in the state. The diffusion of the Celtic revival in West Virginia, according to Curry, is somewhat topographically challenged: "Travel in West Virginia/Appalachia is a challenge...so the mountains (and full life/work commitments) still kind of keep us isolated- we haven't been to the Huntington sessions about an hour away."
Also, the native Old Time / Bluegrass music continues to predominate the jams in her region. Pam has found it difficult, at times, to pluck out a Celtic tune on her bouzouki without alienating other musicians: "It is the taking turns thing and apologizing for changing the theme."
In addition to the Marshall scene in Huntington, the focal point for the West Virginia Celtic scene can be found at the Elkins, WV "Irish Week" where informal seisiuns last well into the evening. Pam is also a patron of the other major Celtic Week, The Swannanoa Gathering, located at Warren Wilson College, in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
The Celtic Republic of Appalachia has been greatly enriched by Susan's and Pam's energetic advocacy of the Blue Ridge Celtic scene. Blue Ridgers are encouraged to check in on the Celtic Calendar frequently and to contact Pam or Susan about any pertinent events to add to the listings. We look forward, with great anticipation, to the increased synergy and collaboration that can come from this latest extension of the CRA community.