Harleysville Celtic group part of Philadelphia Folk Festival lineup

The lineup for the 52nd Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival has been announced. 

Richard Thompson returns to the festival with an electric trio. The Mavericks, who rose to fame during the '90s country music boom, are also headlining.  Always loved their song "What a Crying Shame."

Other notable names include Asleep at the Wheel, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Jake Shimabukuro.

I'm excited that Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen’s project "In the Pocket: The Essential Songs of Philadelphia" is part of the festival at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Aug. 16-18.

But even more impressive than that is that Harleysville group Burning Bridget Cleary will be playing the festival this year. Woo hoo! Way to represent the area, guys (and girls)!
 Go to www.pfs.org to get more info.

Universal language

May 2, Congregation Tiferet Bet Israel on Skippack Pike in Whitpain hosts the musical duo Noa & Mira. One is Israeli and one is Palestinian. And whaddaya know, they not only coexist, but they make music together, spreading a message of hope and reconciliation to the Holy Land and beyond.

Bernie Allmayer at TBI, who has been ringing my phone non-stop about this concert, tells me their song "There Must Be Another Way" represented Israel in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Moscow. He also says this is their only area stop on their tour of the U.S.

I'm working on getting an interview with these fascinating ladies. Meanwhile, for ticket information, call (610) 275-8797, ext. 144 or go to http://www.tbibluebell.org/.

And who knew?! Burning Bridget Cleary, a high-energy Celtic folk band from Harleysville, just won accolades from http://www.celticradio.net/. Their awards include Album of the Year, and song awards in the Jigs and Reels and Contemporary categories.

They will be performing May 15 at DCP Theater, 795 Ridge Road, Salford Township. Tickets are $15. The concert is a very rare music event at the Dutch Country Playhouse, which is a benefit for the community theater.