'Tehacha-Sing': The Sixth Annual Winterdance

Dubbed "Tehacha-Sing" by John Weed, the fiddler from Molly's Revenge, the sixth annual Winterdance Celtic Christmas event held two sold out performances on Sunday, Dec. 22. The band interspersed instrumental tunes, both old traditional and new traditional (new compositions written in traditional style), with vocals sung by Amelia Hogan in classical Celtic style. Irish dancers Marissa Gilman and Brittany Ramsey of the Murray School of Irish Dance in Portland, Ore., danced several songs showcasing the various styles of Irish dancing. The dancers are fresh from the Western US Region Oireachtas, an annual Irish dance championship competition, where one of the school's dancers placed 10th in the Championship Category.

Amelia and the lads of Molly's Revenge encouraged audience participation for certain songs and did not take no for an answer. The audience reluctantly and gradually enthusiastically obliged and by the end of the concert were stamping their feet and clapping in time with the music, thoroughly engaged. The concerts each ended with standing ovations, well deserved, and encored with a tender rendition of "Silent Night."

Peter Cutler of Fiddlers Crossing says plans are already forming for next year's Winterdance and ní féidir linn fanacht (we can't wait)!