Tanzania Ceili Band
Winners: 2013 Celtic Ensemble, Deer Creek Fiddlers Convention; Fundraising Band: Tanzanian Childrens Project, www.tanzaniakids.org
Our Music
Irish traditional dance music for any occasion. We play an assortment of lively jigs, reels, polkas, slides, as well as flowing waltzes
Listen to an excerpt of the band's practice the night before they won the Celtic Ensemble Competition at the Deer Creek Fiddler's Convention.
Stay tuned for an upcoming CD!
The Band: Our Story, Upcoming Gigs, and More
Our Musicians
Claudette Sikora, Band Leader/Accordion, Piano
Bill Falkenstine, Banjo, Guitar
Harry Ferguson, Hammered Dulcimer
Meg Ferguson, Piano, Guitar
Jim Krebs-Smith, Mandolin
Jim Langley, Mandolin
Ray Lucas, Fiddle
Martin McCann, Flute
Erich Marshner, Banjo
Gigs for Hire
In addition to our many planned fundraisers below, we are available for your Irish music needs including weddings, St. Patrick's Day parties, and pub entertainment. Hire us! You will not only get great Irish music, but also help AIDS orphans and their community out of poverty and toward a better life.
Our Story
In a remote parish in Tanzania,
hundreds of children in eight
villages lost one or both parents,
primarily to AIDS, but also other diseases. The Tanzanian Children's Project, founded by the Knights of Columbus Council 7559, is working to bring a better life to these children and their communities by building a medical clinic and other important structures such as a school. (Learn more at www.tanzaniakids.org and our "Why We Do It" page.)
In February 2010, answering the call to help raise money for this project, a group of traditional Irish musician-friends banded together and braved an untoward Maryland winter of snow and ice to become the Tanzania Ceili Band and compete in a Battle of the Bands fundraiser (among rock bands twice as loud and half their age!).
The band has been raising thousands of dollars for the project ever since, entertaining sell-out crowds at the project's annual St. Patrick's Day Party, winning competitions, and performing at the 2012 and 2013 Maryland Irish Festival.
Upcoming Gigs
2016
March 19, 2016
Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiset
to Benefit TheTanzanian Children's Project
5:30 --9:30 P.M.
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Road
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Catered dinner, Traditional Irish Music,
Step-Dancing by the Broesler School
Tickets sold in advance, $35.00
A few limited tickets at the door (not guranteed)
Deadline for advance sales: March 15
www.BrownPaperTickets.com/
event/2490972
For more info write to Timothy Lynch @
Tlynch3809@gmail.com
Emerald Isle Club St. Patrick's Day Ceili
March 12, 2016
with the fabulous accordionist, Danny Flynn! A good time was had by all!
HomeOur music is dedicated to
Joseph Patrick Byrne
1930-2012
We miss you, but will try to carry on the traditions you inspired and supported,
Dear Joe.
Above, the usual suspects, in front of the famous J. Patrick's Pub. The occasion: the July 29 fundraiser for the pub.
Below: Even more of us!
Katie, Meg, Jim, Claudette, Harry, Martin.
Past Events
2015 Maryland Irish Festival
Timonium Fairgrounds
November 2015
Baltimore Folk Music Society Anniversary Celebration, Belvedere Square, Baltimore
October 2015
March 21, 2015 5:30-9:30 PM
St. Patrick's Day Party/Fundraiser
Tanzania Ceili Band with special guests, Peter FitzGerald and Dave Abe
In attendance, our honored guest the Ambassador from Tanzania
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Road
Columbia, Maryland 21044
May 9, 2015
Frederick Celtic Festival
Mt. Airy Fire Department Fairgrounds
Mt. Airy, Maryland 21771
www.frederickcelticfestival.com
2014
November
Maryland Irish Festival Ceili
May
Frederick Celtic Festival
March and December
On stage with Peter FitzGerald and the J. Patrick's Allstars, Emerald Isle Club's St. Patrick's Day and Christmas Ceilis
2013
January
Mid-winter Irish Music Concert
With Special Guests
Peter Fitzgerald
Myron Bretholtz
Ellis Island (Peter, Dave Abe, Andy Thurston and special guests)
Dileab Phriseal
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia
March
St. Patrick's Day Party Fundraiser
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia
April
Leprechaun 8K Charity Run
Shrine of St. Anthony
Ellicott City, Maryland
May
Frederick Celtic Festival
Mt.Airy, Maryland
June
Deer Creek Fiddlers Convention
Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster
This years Celtic Ensemble Winners!
November
Maryland Irish Festival
With Special Guests
All-Ireland Champion, Billy McComiskey
Step-Dancer, Nora McCann
Timonium Fairgrounds
2012
March
St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser
Columbia, Maryland
June
Deer Creek Fiddlers Convention
2012 Celtic Ensemble Winners!
July
J. Patrick's Pub Fundraiser Ceili
Locust Point, Baltimore
November
Maryland Irish Festival
With guest performers Peter Fitzgerald and Billy McComiskey
Timonium Fairgrounds
Family Ceili
Irish Social Dance/Potluck Dinner
With Dance Instrucion by Marilyn Moore
Kings Contrivance, Columbia
Maryland Irish Festival 2014
2010 Battle
of the Bands
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