QUALICUM BEACH — One of Victoria’s most popular Celtic groups will provide a delightful afternoon of traditional and original music in Qualicum Beach this weekend for Music on Sun. March 25 at The Old School House (TOSH).
Cookeilidh is a four-member west coast Celtic band performing tunes that hail from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Newfoundland.
Predominantly an acoustic group, they play a variety of instrumental, high-energy jigs, reels, polkas, strathspeys and aires, along with some traditional and original vocal numbers.
Their name comes from the old Gaelic spelling of “Ceilidh” which means “kitchen party” or “musical gathering,” and that is the atmosphere they strive to create.
Lead vocalist Dave Cook, who also plays guitar, has been a singer/songwriter since his teenage years, and has toured with many groups. Having a strong Scottish heritage, the Celtic melodies and rhythms are in his blood.
Woody Wilson, who plays the Irish wooden flute, began playing and studying the flute in his late 20s and concentrated on classical music for many years. In the mid ‘90s he also became interested in Celtic music, traditional Irish music in particular, and has been immersed in jigs and reels ever since.
Kim Cook plays the fiddle and her love of Celtic music in general was inherited from her grandfather, who emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland.
Tom Pogson on bass and vocals puts his soul into his fretless bass work. His love of British music filters into his playing and creates a unique foundation.
Music on Sunday goes from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at The Old School House arts centre, 122 Fern Road West, in Qualicum Beach. Admission is $16. For more, call 250-752-6133 or visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org.
— Submitted