Maple Street Concerts welcomes back Celtic American roots band RUNA Oct. 5
Maple Street Concerts welcomes back the innovative, award-winning, five-piece Celtic roots band RUNA on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the historic Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St. in Lombard. Tickets are $25. In 2017, RUNA performed at Maple Street Concerts a sold-out audience.
Celebrating 15 years together, the Celtic-American supergroup continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco, and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.
RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the diverse musical backgrounds and geographical origins of its individually established band members. RUNA features vocalist and step-dancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia; Grammy nominated, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra; Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion; Jake James of New York on the fiddle; and Tom Fitzgerald of Canada on mandolin and vocals.
“We are super excited to present RUNA again,” said Melissa Dagenhart, concert booker for the series, “They are lively, engaging, fun, and their musicianship is of the highest caliber.”
The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards, and three Independent Music Awards for Best LIVE Album, Best World/Traditional Song, and Best Bluegrass Song. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, establishing them as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation.
“We have just returned from a wonderful collaboration with the Choctaw Nation, where RUNA performed for the unveiling of a new sculpture, ‘Eternal Hearts,’ commemorating the The Gift Exchange of 1847 between the Choctaw and Irish peoples! We have been collaborating with the Choctaw people since January 2020 and have some amazing memories and stories from this most recent journey with them! We might even share a song or two at our concert!,” Lambert-Ryan said.
In conjunction with the band’s 15th anniversary tour, RUNA released their eighth album, “When the Light Gets In,” on St. Patrick’s Day 2024. Learn more at runamusic.com.
Advance tickets are $26.50 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are final-no refunds or exchanges. Visit www.maplestreetconcerts.org.