Old country: fresh sound
Solas
People will be green with envy if you grab your tickets early for the Celtic Music Series at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, with tickets on sale now.
The nine-concert series will be abloom with voluminous and verdant variety, styles and performers from around the world. Now in its eight year, the series will present nine concerts of Irish, Scottish, Quebecois and Celtic-influenced folk music from September through May 2026.
The schedule will include the Lincoln City debut of Solas, which a Boston Globe reviewer called “The finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced,” touring the country in their celebratory 30th anniversary tour. Formed in New York City in 1995, Solas became a revolutionary force in Irish-American music. The band has released 12 critically acclaimed albums and forged a reputation for dynamic, emotionally charged live performances.
When the band performs at the cultural center in March, it will include founding members Seamus Egan on flute, tenor banjo, nylon guitar, whistles and mandolin, Winifred Hogan on fiddle and John Williams on button accordion and concertina along with Alan Murray on guitar and Nuala Kennedy on vocals, flute and whistles.
But Solas isn’t the only highlight in the season. There will be two returning bands: Kalos, a fan favorite from Canada; and Gadan, an energetic quartet from Italy that embraces the Celtic sound. Gadan will be joined by a remarkable banjo player, Enda Scahill of We Banjo Three. Fans of the joyful French-Canadian style of Celtic folk music will be in for a treat in November, when Elisabeth Moquin, Thierry Clouqette and Elisabeth Giroux, aka E.T.E., are featured in the series.
There will be bands from the United Kingdom, Gnoss and Dallahan, as well as two bands from the Northwest. The lineup will be celebrating local talent, featuring Gallowglass from Bellingham; and The AML Trio, a hot new local band based out of Otis. Scottish Fish, an all-female, all-strings quartet from Boston, will complete this year’s exciting potpourri of Celtic and “Celtic adjacent” ensembles.
Northwest beer, wine and cider, along with fresh baked cookies and concessions will be available for sale during the concerts. Table seating will be available and all seats are reserved.
Ticket prices range from $34 to $48, with discounts for seniors, students and kids aged 17 and younger.
“We offer two different ways to subscribe,” said Cultural Center Executive Director Niki Price. “Purchase all nine shows, and you'll receive a 25-percent discount, which depending on your choice of seat can be less than $30 per show. Or, you can choose your own subscription of five concerts or more and receive 15 percent off. Either way, you'll be getting the best seats at the best price.”
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.
Series artists and dates
Sunday, Sept. 28 – Kalos
Sunday, Oct. 19 – Gallowglass
Thursday, Nov. 6 – E.T.E.
Sunday, Dec. 14 – The AML Trio
Thursday, Jan. 8 – Dallahan
Tuesday, Feb. 10 – Gadan featuring Enda Scahill
Wednesday, March 25 – Solas
Sunday, April 19 – Gnoss
Thursday, May 7 – Scottish Fish