MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or at jkm229@northwestern.edu

February 17, 2004

Celtic Band Altan at Pick-Staiger March 3

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University will celebrate the best of Irish music when the world-renowned Celtic band Altan performs traditional ballads, reels and jigs, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus.

Formed in the mid-1980s amidst appearances at Irish festivals and traditional clubs, Altan was named for a mysterious lake behind Errigal Mountain in Donegal. The group’s original sound combines old Donegal fiddle music and unusual northern Irish flute tunes with rhythms and sounds from a variety of other genres.

The unique sound of Altan features vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddler Ciarán Tourish, button accordionist Dermot Byrne, guitarist Dáithí Sproule, bouzouki player Ciarán Curran, and bodhran player Jim Higgins.

Altan’s repertoire ranges from lively medieval songs to contemporary tunes written by Bob Dylan, while retaining its traditional roots. Altan’s traditional Celtic music is reflected by the group’s most recent compact disc “The Blue Idol,” which also features vocalists Dolly Parton and Paul Brady.

Single tickets for the March 3 Altan concert are $15 for the general public, senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for full-time students. For tickets or more information, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket office at (847) 467-4000.