Celtic band will close concert series

The Celtic band Altan is the third and final installment of the Sisters Folk Festival Summer Concert Series sponsored by First Interstate Bank.

Altan is known worldwide for their traditional Irish sound. Their sound varies from sensitive and touching old Irish tunes to hard-hitting Irish jigs. Altan has danced away audiences all the way from Donegal to Tokyo and all the way to Sisters.

The band founders are Irish natives, as stated by their website: Belfast flute-player Frankie Kennedy; and Gweedore singer and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.

As soon as anyone met them and heard their unique music in the early 1980s, whether in a large noisy festival session, or in the little traditional clubs of Dublin and Belfast, it was immediately apparent there was a rare power at work. Gradually the duo grew organically into a band in the mid-'80s, forged in the bustle and crack of a thousand late-night sessions and festivals throughout Ireland - the repertoire gave Altan (the name was taken from a deep and mysterious lake behind Errigal Mountain in Donegal) a totally unique stamp.

Altan is well known throughout the Celtic community, and many locals look forward to their performances. Local Scottish dancer Ann Marland, who has heard them on CD and had heard of them before they were slotted to come to Sisters, said, "I look forward to seeing them live. They don't play the traditional Celtic dance music I'm used to, they are more modern in style, however everyone will be standing up tapping their toes.

"They have a very high energy and the band is made up of a group of very talented musicians who put on a great set of Celtic music," she said.

"We're excited to present the legendary band Altan as part of the SFF Summer Concert Series and know our patrons will appreciate the authenticity of the music they will present," said creative director of the Sisters Folk Festival, Brad Tisdel. "They lend a perfect complement to the first two shows with authentic Celtic Americana music. The band will be a great cap to the series."

Altan will be playing at Fir Street Park on Thursday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m. as the third and final installment of the free series. The festival invites folks in Sisters to bring your own chair or blanket and come tap your foot to some real-deal Celtic music.