BOHOLA, Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge, Tempest, Black Irish Band, Golden Bough, Michael Lucey Band, Tina-Louise Barr, Sequoia

The 17th annual Calaveras Celtic Faire is fast approaching for the weekend of March 15-16 and organizers are again bringing to the festival a top Irish group to headline the musical entertainment with Bohola.

"It's important to refresh the music and add new talent while maintaining some of the crowd favorites," said music coordinator Nic Caciappo.

Based in Chicago, Bohola received impressive reviews and feature articles from Dirty Linen and Irish Music magazines for Bohola's debut CD on the Shanachie label.

Often described as an Irish folk power trio, Bohola are also true to the term "pure drop", meaning Irish traditional music not unlike the purest of Irish whiskey.

Bohola takes the listener on an adventure with tune sets sometimes in length of 15 to 20 minutes featuring time changes, slow downs and speed-ups similar to a long roller coaster ride.

The band features London born accordionist Jimmy Keane who is "All-Ireland" accordion champion five times over. Sean Cleland is a fiddler who was featured in the film "Blink" with his Celtic rock band The Drovers. Finally, a veteran of the Irish music scene in Ireland and Chicago is Pat Broaders on dordan (a bass bouzouki) and vocals.

Organizers have also added new talent with Molly's Revenge, a five piece group from Santa Cruz who have been featured recently at other prominent Celtic festivals.

Popular favorites Tempest and Wicked Tinkers will return to the indoor Mark Twain stage. Ireland born and raised Michael Lucey will also perform with his group that features his two daughters. Regional favorites The Black Irish Band, Golden Bough, Tina-Louise Barr and Sequoia will perform.

Wicked Tinkers will kick-off the weekend with the Friday night concert party on the Mark Twain stage.

Also on Friday morning, the popular schools program will include a performance from the Tinkers.

While music is the center piece of the festival, other important activities will include Scottish Knights in armour jousting on horseback, Clans, Highland games, storytellers, bagpipe bands and California's largest Celtic marketplace. For the first time this year will also feature an Irish and Scotch Whiskey contest held in the musicians session tent.

Meanwhile, the Calaveras organizers are also arranging for the return of the Sonora Celtic Faire at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds for September 13-14 2003. Internationally known Irish band Dervish are on board to headline while the Australian Celtic rock band Brother are also scheduled.

Advance tickets are still only $12 and available in
Sonora: Beat Music, Mountain Bookshop
Angels Camp: Sierra Espresso
Arnold: Bistro Espresso, Highland Books
Manteca: Replay
Merced: Barker's Music
Modesto: P. Wexford's Pub, Barker's Music
Murphys: Sasha's Reading Room
Oakdale: Cafe Bliss
Stockton: Replay
Turlock: Barker's Music

Or phone 588-9314